I make this spicy, tasty 10 minute turkey taco meat on a regular basis for lunch or dinner and decided it was time to post it for you. It's so good and you can even make it ahead and reheat or freeze. We use gluten-free, grain-free cassava tortillas for soft tacos but you can also serve it in lettuce cups or corn tortillas.
Chop up some onion and a few cloves of garlic and cook until soft in a little oil. Add the spices and cook 1 minute more, then add the meat. Cook until no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spatula as it cooks, 7-8 minutes.
Towards the end of cooking add ketchup and a tablespoon of water to make sure the spices are not stuck on the bottom of the pan and to keep the meat juicy and moist. That's it! Create tasty beef tacos, turkey tacos, or bison tacos. This recipe works with all three meats.
If you love ground turkey, try these baked turkey meatballs. Serving options and sauce ideas in the post.
Optional Adds for Taco Meat
I originally had chopped tomato and tomatillo in the recipe but simplified it. Optionally you can add a little chopped tomato or chopped tomatillo for more flavor.
Sauté with the onion or add at the end then stir just to heat through with the cooked turkey. But you don't have to; simple is good.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
What makes this taco meat so delicious is the spices. I've included my Taco Meat Seasoning Mix recipe below, which makes extra. Bold flavor with just a little heat. And it's good with shrimp, chicken and other dishes too, not just tacos.
Skip the sodium and preservative filled packets and make your own.
For another great recipe with Mexican flavors, try this chicken tortilla soup.
How To Serve
Serve taco meat in butter lettuce leaves for a no-grain or paleo approach or tortillas of choice. We like the cassava tortillas for soft tacos. For garnishes, top with chopped cilantro, chopped tomatoes, finely sliced cabbage, diced avocado and grated cheese if you enjoy dairy. Lime wedges are nice too.
Make this ahead on a Sunday to use during the week. 10 minute turkey taco filling will hold for up to 4 days refrigerated and it freezes great.
More Recipe Ideas
For another great family recipe with ground meat try my Bison Bolognese Meat Sauce. And for another taco recipe try my spicy shrimp tacos.
📖 Recipe
10 Minute Taco Meat
Ingredients
Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons ancho chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon coriander ground
- 1 teaspoon smoked or regular paprika
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic sub garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle chile powder optional, or sub cayenne
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Taco Filling (ground meat of choice)
- ½ onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 ½ tablespoons taco seasoning mix
- 1 pound ground dark turkey, ground lean beef or bison
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon water if needed
For Tacos and Garnishes
- 8 tortillas corn or cassava
- 1 cup thinly sliced green cabbage
- 4 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 8 ounces grated cheese
- 1 avocado
- 2 limes for squeezing over tacos
Instructions
- Heat a large saute or frying pan over medium heat. Add oil, then add the onion, cooking onion until softened, about 1 minute. Add garlic and cook another 1 minute. Add 1 ½ tablespoons of the seasoning mix and stir so it is coated in the oil and onion and cook 1 minute.
- Add the meat to the pan. Cook meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon and stirring until it is no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Stir in the the ketchup. If it's dry add a tablespoon of water. Stir to heat through, then serve. Makes 8 tacos.
Madonna says
Great idea. I think I will mix up your spices in a small jar and have them ready. I think I may even be able to cut the time. 🙂 Love the use of butter lettuce. We used to go to the Chinese Restaurant in Fashion Island, but since I can no longer tolerate soy this sounds so good.
Sally Cameron says
Thanks Madonna. Good idea on the spices. Have you tried the Urfa chilies yet? On another subject, have you tried liquid aminos yet instead of soy sauce? Not quite the same but an option.