These easy slow cooker turkey tacos combine ground turkey meat with tomato sauce & a few simple spices for the perfect, easy prep taco filling.

Make tonight taco night!

two slow cooker turkey tacos on a white plate with cilantro and lime wedges

Ground turkey tacos are one of my go-to weeknight meals!

Along with easy slow cooker dinner recipes, I always include tacos as part of our capsule meal plan.

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 slow cooker, for the ultimate fuss-free meal prep situation.

how to make turkey tacos in the slow cooker

  • Sauté the turkey, add the spices, stir together with tomato sauce for minimal taste and maximum flavor
  • Why use a slow cooker? The low & slow cook time allows the turkey to get tender and absorb all flavor from the spices
  • Once you sauté the turkey meat & add it to the slow cooker, it’s a hands-off recipe. Perfect for busy days, game days, or days you just want to set it and forget it

more ways to use this ground turkey taco meat

  • for taco filling – you can use hard taco shells, or soft corn or flour tortillas with toppings like this 4-ingredient guacamole
  • to make a taco bowl – use your rice of choice (or cauliflower rice) and add fresh toppings like romaine lettuce, avocado, tomatoes and more
  • as a burrito filling – stuff into a large soft tortilla with your favorite burrito add-in’s
  • serve on top of a taco salad – use fresh greens or creamy cabbage slaw as your base then add your taco filling, cheese, toppings, and chips for crunch
slow cooker turkey taco meat with tomato sauce and spices in a black crockpot
turkey taco meat in a black slow cooker on white table

meal prep tips & how to store or freeze leftovers

  • Cooked ground turkey will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, in a sealed container
  • This recipe also freezes well, store in a sealed freezer friendly container for up to 2-3 months

This recipe can be made ahead! Perfect for meal prep on busy weeks (or anytime you need to feed a crowd quickly & easily)

four glass mason jars filled with slow cooker turkey tacos meat

recipe notes, modifications & adaptations

  • Skip the chili powder if you are sensitive to heat
  • Or stir 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
  • You can also make instant pot turkey tacos or make them on the stovetop – see the notes section of the recipe card below for how
two slow cooker turkey tacos on a white plate with lime wedges and tortillas

this recipe is…

I hope you’ll make this Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos recipe soon. If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

two slow cooker turkey tacos on a white plate with cilantro and lime wedges
5 stars (2 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos

These easy slow cooker turkey tacos combine ground turkey meat with tomato sauce & a few simple spices for the perfect, easy prep taco filling. Make tonight taco night!

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 15-oz can no sugar-added tomato sauce

Optional Serving Suggestions

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.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, sprinkle with half the spice mixture, then 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
  • Carefully transfer the turkey to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the remaining spice mixture and the tomato sauce, stirring to combine.
  • Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
  • Serve in warm tortillas with preferred toppings if desired.

Notes

Skip the chili powder if you are sensitive to heat
Or stir in a tablespoon of hot sauce at the end to kick up the heat.
Stovetop variation: Follow step 1, then heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Follow steps 2-3, then add remaining spice mixture and the tomato sauce, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 6g, Calories: 139kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 56mg, Sodium: 447mg, Potassium: 188mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 323IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg
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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