Turkey Tacos Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
4 -6 servings
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Calories
283 kcal
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Cuisine
American
Turkey Tacos Recipe
Description
This Turkey Tacos recipe uses a blend of shredded turkey, orange and lime juices, and spices such as cumin, garlic powder, honey, and smoked paprika to flavor the meat thoroughly. Green chiles are optional and add heat if desired. The turkey mixture simmers gently with chicken broth to remain moist and tender. The filling's preparation includes sautéing red onion until caramelized and adding garlic near the end to enhance sweetness and fragrance.
The turkey is combined with the onions and cooked further in a skillet to develop texture and flavor integration. Serving suggestions include warm corn or flour tortillas with varied toppings like cilantro, diced red onion, cheese, avocado, green onion, salsa, diced tomato, sour cream, and lime wedges, allowing customization according to taste preferences.
Storage instructions highlight refrigerating leftover filling up to four days, freezing for longer storage, and gentle reheating with added broth to maintain moisture. Substitutions like chicken or ground turkey and seasoning adjustments accommodate ingredient availability and desired spice levels.
Ingredients
- 2 - 3 cups turkey shredded; dark & light meat, smoked or roasted, may also use chicken or ground turkey, cooked
- 1 large navel orange juiced, about ⅓ of a cup
- 1 lime juiced, divided
- ¼ - ½ cup chicken broth or stock (may or may not need)
- 4 ounce green chiles hot or mild, canned (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½-1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil neutral, like Avocado oil, generic cooking oil
- 1 large red onion diced, or sliced
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced
Turkey Taco Topping Ideas
- 6 tortillas corn or flour
- cilantro minced
- red onion diced
- cheese Mexican, Cotija, your favorite, shredded
- avocado sliced or diced
- green onion diced
- salsa
- tomato diced
- sour cream or Mexican crema
- lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Tear or shred turkey or chicken into smaller pieces, best when it’s a combination of light and dark meat, but either can be used.
- In a medium bowl add orange juice, juiced half a lime, green chiles, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika and honey, stir to combine. Add turkey to spice mixture and toss to coat.
- In a medium pot or small dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of oil, add the turkey mixture and over medium-low heat simmer for 30 minutes until tender. Add a little chicken broth as it starts to dry out, you want it to stay moist. Shred turkey a bit more in the pot; turkey should be tender and shred easily.
- About 10 minutes before the turkey is done, heat a heavy skillet (cast iron) over medium heat, add a tablespoon of oil and saute the red onions until soft and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes, during the last minute, toss in the garlic and stir until fragrant.
- Increase the heat to medium high heat, add a tablespoon more oil if needed and add the turkey, sautéing and turning the meat about every 5-6 minutes, for a total of 15 minutes. Meat should get a little crispy. Finish by squeezing half a lime over the meat. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Divide the meat into tacos, top with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Store leftover turkey taco mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze cooked taco filling up to six months, noting possible slight flavor reduction over time.
- Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally; add a splash of broth if mixture seems dry.
- Microwave reheating can be done in covered increments of 30 seconds, stirring between intervals to warm evenly.
- Ground turkey or cooked chicken can be substituted if leftover turkey is unavailable; adjust seasonings accordingly.
- Omit green chiles for milder flavor or replace with chili powder; for more authentic taste, add chipotle pepper or adobo sauce.
- Homemade or store-bought taco seasoning can be used as an alternative to individual spices.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4-6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 283 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2tacos | |
| Calories | 283kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 31g | 10% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 47mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 220mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 450mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 299IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 41mg | 46% |
| Calcium | 88mg | 9% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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