Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos (Ground Turkey)
Developed and tested by Robyn Conley Downs
on Aug 23, 2021 (last updated Apr 23, 2026) These slow cooker turkey tacos come together with just 5 minutes of hands-on time. Lean ground turkey simmer low and slow with spices and tomatoes until juicy, tender, and packed with flavor.
Easy Slow Cooker Taco Meat with Ground Turkey
Slow cooker turkey tacos are one of my go-to weeknight dinners when I want taco night without the fuss. Five minutes of hands-on time, one lean pound of ground turkey, a simple homemade spice blend, and a can of tomato sauce is all it takes. The slow cooker does the rest, turning out tender, juicy taco meat that holds up beautifully in tortillas and stretches into taco bowls, salads, burritos, and meal-prep lunches throughout the week!
Here’s what I learned after testing this recipe: browning the turkey in a skillet first before transferring to the slow cooker is worth the extra five minutes! It builds deeper flavor, lets you drain off excess liquid, and gives the meat a better texture than dumping it raw. I use equal parts cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt for the spice blend, which beats any store-bought taco seasoning and skips the fillers and sodium. Skip the chili powder if you’re sensitive to heat, or stir in a tablespoon of hot sauce at the end if you want it spicier. I also like to make a double batch and freeze half for future taco nights.
Serve this turkey taco meat in warm tortillas with all the toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced avocado, diced tomato, chopped cilantro, jalapeño, red onion, and a big squeeze of lime. My easy 4-ingredient guacamole is the perfect pairing and comes together in about 5 minutes. And if you want another hands-off ground turkey dinner, my slow cooker turkey sloppy joes use a similar dump-and-simmer approach for a cozy weeknight meal that’s just as family-friendly!
Testing Notes for Easy Crockpot Ground Turkey Tacos
- 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.
Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos (Ground Turkey)
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.
