Ground Turkey Tacos with Homemade Seasoning

As someone who cooks for two most nights, tacos are one of those dinners I come back to again and again. They’re fast, flexible, and easy to scale. These ground turkey tacos are a regular in our rotation because they hit that sweet spot between comforting and fresh—simple enough for a busy weeknight, but festive enough for something like Cinco de Mayo.

This recipe is all about building a solid, flavorful taco filling with minimal fuss. A little prep up front helps everything come together smoothly, and the method works whether you’re using fresh ingredients or pantry shortcuts. It’s the kind of practical, repeatable dinner I rely on when I want something dependable, satisfying, and still very much worth sitting down for.

Jump to:

• Getting Started
• Ingredient Recommendations
• Ingredient Alternatives
• Finishing Touches
• Pairings
• Leftovers
• Recipe

Getting Started

Before you turn on the stove, a little prep goes a long way:

• Prep the onion and garlic (or decide which shortcuts you’re using—more on that below).
• Thaw your meat if needed. I cook with frozen ground turkey more often than fresh, so I always appreciate a reminder to get it thawing while I do my mise en place.
• Mix your spices first. Having the spice blend ready to go makes the whole dish come together smoothly and keeps things from feeling rushed. I like to make the taco seasoning recipe in bulk so I always have it on hand.

This recipe moves quickly once it starts, so a few minutes of prep makes all the difference.

Ingredient Recommendations

Onion

You can use freshly diced onion or substitute onion powder.

Honestly? I usually use onion powder. I rely on it so much that I’m considering building it right into the taco spice mix next time. These days, I only use fresh onions if I already have one on hand for another recipe or a pre-chopped one in the freezer.

• Using fresh onion: Follow the instructions as written.
• Using onion powder: Add it in with the garlic instead.

Garlic

I love fresh garlic so much that I grow it, so when I have it, that’s always my first choice.

That said, garlic powder works perfectly well here, too. If substituting, use ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.

Ingredient Alternatives

Vegetarian

This recipe works beautifully with meatless chicken-style grounds, making it an easy meat-free taco night option.

Gluten Free

The filling itself is naturally gluten-free. To keep the whole meal gluten-free:

• Serve as a taco bowl, or
• Use corn tortillas (Flour tortillas are the only ingredient here that contains gluten.)

Finishing Touches

This is where you can really make it your own. The list of optional toppings could go on forever—avocado, guacamole, queso fresco, you name it.

My personal favorites:

• Shredded lettuce
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream

And lately… a sprinkle of Tajín, which adds a bright, slightly tangy finish I’ve been loving.

Don’t forget to warm up your tortillas before serving. A small step that makes a big difference. You can warm them in damp paper towels in the microwave, straight in a skillet on the stove top or, my favorite, gently folded and in the air fryer for a minute or two! The air fryer helps hold the taco shape (and so do these taco holders) and gives it a little crunch.

Pairings

To round out the meal:

• Chips with salsa, guacamole, or queso
• Margaritas (classic, spicy, or on the rocks—dealer’s choice)

It’s an easy way to turn a simple taco night into something that feels like a treat.

Leftovers

When cooking for two, this recipe reliably makes enough for leftovers—perfect for another dinner later in the week. Reheat and serve as tacos again, or repurpose the filling into a taco bowl for an easy second night.

Simple, flavorful, and practical. Just the way weeknight cooking should be.