Healthy Taco Meat (in 30 minutes!)

This healthy taco meat is something I could make with my eyes closed. Some vegetable additions make this budget AND waist-friendly! 

Quite a few weeks ago, I asked my friends on Instagram if they’d like to hear about how I make healthy taco meat. I’m always hesitant to share these simpler recipes — the ones that I made so frequently I could do it with my eyes closed. These easy recipes are such family favorites that they’re engraved in my brain.

I specialize in easy to prepare, healthy, family-friendly meals here on Rachel Cooks so this healthy taco meat with a combination of turkey and beef is a perfect fit.

I’d be lying if I said I followed this exact recipe every time. As you know, when you make something frequently, it’s more of a “little of this, little of that” type situation. It’s a clean out the fridge and use up a ton of vegetables kind of recipe.

Depending on who I’m serving this to, I’ll add more or less homemade taco seasoning to increase or decrease the spice level in these tacos.

And then of course there are the toppings! Usually tacos require a bit of planning – I need to include them in my meal plan for the week to make sure I have all the fixings for a great taco. We love refried beans, guacamole, salsa, lettuce (and yes, I totally buy the pre-shredded because it’s really the only time I buy iceberg lettuce), cheese, and of course, tortilla chips.

Sometimes I include sour cream but I’m the only one that eats it, so if it’s just our little fam, I don’t typically buy it – because I end up eating way too much. If I’m serving a crowd, I definitely buy sour cream. Also, if I’m serving a crowd, I love to pair tacos with cilantro lime rice.

If you’re not feeling the ground meat in this recipe, I’d encourage you to try this slow cooker shredded chicken for tacos or Instant Pot pork carnitas. Another thing to note is that I typically use all ground turkey when I’m feeding my family alone. I’ve found that a mix of turkey and beef is a great crowd pleaser. You could also easily use all ground beef in place of the turkey in this recipe.

If you take a look at the photo, you can see clearly the huge amount of peppers and onions I add to this taco meat. I love the flavor and nutrition they add but I also love how they bulk it up with minimal added calories. Adding vegetables not only saves calories but also saves money!

If I’m just serving the four of us, I usually make a half batch of this and it still lasts us at least two nights. Granted, my kids eat about a tablespoon if I’m lucky, so keep that in mind (they’re picky little eaters lately!). If you’re serving four hungry adults, I’d use the recipe as it is written if you want leftovers.

Enjoy! This is a staple in my house.

Make ahead tip: This taco meat freezes well. Make a double batch so you have plenty to freeze. Fry it up, cool to room temp and place in freezer containers or resealable bags for up to 3 months. Use for tacos, salads, burritos, quesadillas, you name it! So versatile and handy. 

Healthier takes on Southwestern recipes

• Taco salad
• Southwestern Quinoa Bowl with Chicken
• Mason Jar Southwestern Chopped Salad
• Southwestern Stuffed Peppers with Quinoa and Chicken
• Crispy Sweet Potato Tacos–Vegan
• Cauliflower Tacos with Chickpeas
• Cauliflower Nachos (with chicken)
• Butternut Squash Queso

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe

Get the Recipe: Turkey Tacos Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

4 servings

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Healthier turkey tacos are something I could make with my eyes closed. Some vegetable additions make this budget AND waist-friendly!

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ ½ cup finely diced red onion (about ¼ large red onion)
• ▢ ½ cup finely diced red bell pepper (about ½ pepper)
• ▢ 16 oz. ground turkey (93/7) (see note)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ▢ 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (more to taste)
• ▢ ⅓ cup water (more if needed)
• ▢ Tortillas, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream for serving

Instructions

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. If you’re using a nonstick skillet, you may not need oil.
• Add onion, bell peppers, and ground turkey. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are cooked.
• Add flour and taco seasoning and stir to combine, continuing to cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until spices are fragrant.
• Stir in water, and reduce heat to medium-low. Continue to simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until water is mostly evaporated, about 10 minutes. You can keep this at a low simmer, partially covered, until you’re ready to serve, adding more water if necessary to keep mixture from drying out.

Notes

• Lean ground beef, or a 50/50 combination of beef and turkey can be substituted for the turkey.
• Makes 2⅔ cups, about 4 servings, ⅔ cup each. Nutrition information is for meat mixture only and does not include tortillas or toppings.
• Make-Ahead: Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. Cool mixture and store in a freezer safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
• Recipe card updated 11/30/2022.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.66cup, Calories: 223kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 84mg, Sodium: 182mg, Potassium: 312mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 784IU, Vitamin C: 26mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 2mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

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