20-Minute Turkey Tacos with Apple Salsa
20-Minute Turkey Tacos with Apple Salsa is the perfect, fresh recipe to ease your way from summer into fall. Topped with sweet, crisp Apple Salsa, they are simple to prepare on busy weeknights.
Hello from Upstate New York! I’m writing this on Labor Day, the last “official” day of summer for many of us. After a week playing in the lake with cousins, Elle is completely spent and in desperate need of a nap and an early bed time.
Actually, we all are.
We spent this morning, our last day here, swimming, jumping off the raft, and stand-up paddle boarding. And then we helped bring in the raft and put it away for the summer. Because schools starts tomorrow.
It’s time to clean up and go home.
School doesn’t actually start for us until next week, but man am I ready to get on with the fall routine. I’m an admitted routine-based person, and let me tell you, I’m looking forward to having us all back on a predictable schedule.
And, let’s be honest, for Elle to be back in school. She’s chomping at the bit for the buzz and activity of school and new friends. I’ll miss her like crazy, but I’m also looking forward to some uninterrupted work time.
Also, I just love fall. It’s my favorite season. Actually, I love this exact time right now. The time right at summer’s end and fall’s beginning. When the light starts to change, the air gets cool and crisp, and the leaves start slowly changing.
And when the end of the summer produce season merges with the beginning of fall. I think it’s one of the best times of year to eat. I honestly can’t wait to get back to my kitchen and start working on fall recipes for you guys.
In the meantime, I’m kicking off the summer-into-fall season with this easy weeknight taco recipe. Have you ever thought of using apples to make fresh salsa?
Do you think it’s weird? Andrew did. But then he tasted it and decided it’s not weird, it’s amazing. I think you’ll feel the same way.
The crunchy, sweet apples go really well with the cooked turkey, and the lime juice gives the tacos a little extra zip. There’s minimal chopping in this recipe, too. Just the onions, apples, green onion, and jalapeño (if you’re using it).
RECIPE & KID-FRIENDLY ADAPTATIONS
1 | Serve the cooked turkey and tortillas separately and let your child make his or her own taco, or just eat the parts separately.
2 | Omit the jalapeño to keep the salsa super mild.
3 | Not a fan of the salsa? Just serve him sliced apples on the side.
4 | For a vegetarian option you can substitute a can of rinsed, drained white beans for the turkey.
5 | For a paleo and Whole30 option, swap lettuce cups for the tortillas.
THIS RECIPE IS . . .
Naturally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Nut-Free (swap lettuce wraps for tortillas and it’s Paleo and Whole30 Friendly, too!)
20-Minute Turkey Tacos with Apple Salsa
Ingredients
For the Tacos:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ yellow or white onion, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoons salt, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
- 1 lb 93% lean dark meat ground turkey, dark or light meat
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 8 corn tortillas, warmed
- Hot sauce to taste, optional
- Grated white cheddar cheese, optional
- Sour cream, optional
- Sliced avocado, optional
For the Salsa:
- 2 large, sweet red apples (such as Fuji or Honeycrisp), finely chopped
- Juice of 2 limes
- 3 green onions, white and green parts, finely chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chopped jalapeño, optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add the onion and ¼ teaspoon salt. Sauté 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened.
- Add the garlic, turkey, cumin, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook the turkey, stirring occasionally until browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile make the salsa by combining the apples, lime juice, green onions, cilantro, and salt in a medium bowl, stirring to combine.
- Make the tacos by filling each tortilla with cooked turkey and topping with apple salsa. Add hot sauce, cheese, and sour cream if you like.
Hi Robyn! I’m excited to make these as I have box of farm fresh apples en route to us today. Fall is the best! Speaking of that, wondering if you have any pumpkin recipes up your sleeve? We love your pumpkin chili from last year, and would welcome any more dessert-ish ideas that bring on the pumpkin. Thanks for the great recipes and meal-planning ideas…just making it 20% or 50% of my goals with meal planning makes for a much better week and outcome for my family :).
Erin, perfect timing! I hope you guys enjoy this recipe. I’ll work on some sweet pumpkin ideas just for you. And I think 20-50% of your meal planning goal each week is awesome. You go mama!
I can’t believe how great these were! I’m not normally a big ground turkey fan, but I gobbled (ha) them up! Thank you for the time you take to develop and share these recipes.
Brita, Ha! I feel the same way about turkey most of the time. There’s just something about the apple salsa that make it so much tastier. So happy you enjoyed them!
Just tried this recipe for dinner last night it was delicious! The flavors were so clean and fresh, this will definitely be One that I will make again and again.
Thanks again for another delicious recipe
So glad you enjoyed, Kathy! 🙂
Do you have the nutrition facts (protein, carb, fat, calories)
thanks!
Hi Lauren, we aren’t able to provide nutrition facts at this time!
Yummy tacos! I used extra apple in mine. Love the crunch! Used shallot for onion, onion powder for green onion, didn’t have any citrus juice, peeled some romano cheese onto mine, used dry cilantro, instead of jalapeno, used a tsp of medium salsa, used goat milk plain yogurt for sour cream, just a dash of hot sauce.. Lots of wonderful flavors happening, will make again, thanks!
Yay, so happy to hear your enjoyed these, Carol! Your adaptations sound yummy, too!
These were delicious! I would not have thought to make and use apple salsa. I baked my tortilla so I ended up with tostadas and put on a little hot sauce.
The only thing, and I’ve learned to adjust in my head, is that it took me more than 20 minutes because I am slow at cutting fruit and vegetables! 😬 🤷🏼♀️ It was an easy recipe to prepare in spite of my slowness!
Betty, I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! Isn’t that apple salsa a fun tasty surprise? Thanks so much for leaving a review!
This was SO yummy!! The apple salsa is amazing with the turkey. The flavors of the salsa with the tacos just melded so well together. Definitely will make again.
Jodi, I’m so glad you enjoyed this flavor combo! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!
I love this recipe so much! We always double the apple salsa so we can have lots. It tastes great in a taco but I usually make it as a taco salad and it’s amazing! It’s very fresh and delicious!
Yay, so happy to hear you’re enjoying this one, Amanda. Thanks so much for leaving a review!