Crockpot Ground Turkey Tacos
Developed and tested by Robyn Conley Downs
on Aug 23, 2021 (last updated Mar 18, 2026) My 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!
Turkey Tacos in the Slow Cooker = Easy Weeknight Dinner!
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 , but also taco bowls, salads, burritos, and more. The best part? My turkey taco meat recipe can be made in the slow cooker, for the ultimate fuss-free meal prep situation. I also like the texture the ground turkey takes on from the low and slow cook time, and that it says super juicy in the easy taco sauce.
Annnnnd, if you love how easy it is to make taco meat in the crockpot, my slow cooker ground turkey sloppy joes use the exact same dump with a completely different flavor profile, which is seriously SO great for mixing up the weeknight rotation. And one more thing, if you ever need tacos on the table in 20 minutes flat, my ground turkey tacos w/ corn salsa is the stovetop version that delivers just as much flavor without the wait.
Testing Notes from My Kitchen to Yours
- Skip the chili powder if you are sensitive to heat, or use mild chili powder as another option.
- I love stirring in a tablespoon of hot sauce at the end to kick up the heat!
- I used 93% lean ground turkey for this recipe. You can use an even leaner ground turkey if you like but it will be drier.
- This one is really so great for meal prep, so make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for a night you don’t fee like cooking.
Crockpot Ground Turkey Tacos
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
- Optional Serving Suggestions: Tortillas, lettuce, tomato, avocado, jalapeno, hot sauce, salsa, cheese, sour cream, red onion
- Heat Level: Skip the chili powder if you are sensitive to hea, 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:
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