Make ground turkey meat easy in the Instant Pot with tomato sauce and a few simple spices for an easy prep taco night dinner!

Two turkey tacos on a white plate topped with cilantro, sliced tomatoes, sliced jalapeno, and lime wedges.

Make Taco Meat Easy in the Instant Pot!

Ground turkey tacos are one of my go-to weeknight meals! They come together quickly and the topping options are truly endless. Meaning I can use one simple recipe for turkey taco meat to make multiple dinners during the week.

Including everything from – well, the obvious, tacos – to taco bowls, salads, burritos, and more. The best part? This turkey taco meat recipe can be made in the instant pot, for the ultimate fuss-free meal prep situation.

Ground turkey, tomato paste, and spices in a black instant pot on white background.
Cooked ground turkey taco meat in red tomato sauce in an instant pot on white table.

Testing Notes from My Kitchen to Yours

  • Skip the chili powder if you are sensitive to heat.
  • I also like to in a tablespoon of hot sauce at the end to kick up the heat!
  • I used 93% lean ground turkey, you can use an even leaner ground turkey if you like but it will be drier, less tender and less flavorful.
  • To keep these grain free, use a grain-free tortillas or lettuce wraps instead of traditional tortillas.
Two ground turkey tacos on a white plate topped with lime wedges, sliced jalapenos and tomatoes, and cilantro.
two instant pot turkey tacos on a white plate with cilantro and lime wedges
5 stars (3 ratings)

Instant Pot Ground Turkey Taco Meat

Developed and tested by A woman with long blonde hair, smiling, holds and pours a bottle of oil in a modern kitchen setting.Robyn Conley Downs
Servings: 5
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 4 minutes
Make ground turkey meat easy in the Instant Pot with tomato sauce and a few simple spices for an easy prep taco night dinner!
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Ingredients

  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic powder
  • 1 tsp mild chili powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb 93% lean dark meat ground turkey
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste

Topping Ideas

Equipment

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, make the spice mixture by combining the cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt, stirring to combine. Set aside.
  • Set a 6-quart Instant Pot to sauté for 15 minutes. Allow to pre-heat for 5 minutes.
  • When heated, add the olive oil and the turkey, sprinkling with half the spice mixture. Stir, breaking the ground turkey apart with a wooden spoon
  • Allow the turkey to brown on one side, about 4-5 minutes, then stir to flip the turkey and cook and additional 3-4 minutes until browned and cooked through
  • Add the remaining spice mixture and chicken stock stirring, to combine
  • Add the tomato paste to the top of the turkey mixture. Do not stir.
  • Cover and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Your instant pot may take up to 10-20 minutes to come to pressure. When done cooking, quick release the pressure
  • Stir the turkey mixture until well combined. Serve in warm tortillas with preferred toppings if desired

Notes

  • Optional Serving Suggestions: Tortillas, lettuce, tomato, avocado, jalapeno, hot sauce, salsa, cheese, sour cream, red onion.
  • Crockpot: Check out my go-to slow cooker ground turkey taco meat!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 5), Calories: 194kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 69mg, Sodium: 705mg, Potassium: 405mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 584IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 32mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

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