Ground Turkey Tacos (with Easy Corn Salsa!)

These super tasty ground turkey tacos are quick to pull together on a busy weeknight and are full of simple, yet super flavorful fresh ingredients. Paired with a super-fast simple corn salsa, this is a last minute dinner the whole family will love!

About these Ground Turkey Tacos

I’m known for developing flavor-packed, time-saving dinner recipes that are easy to prep and use minimal ingredients and these turkey tacos with sweet corn salsa fit the bill.

I came up with these delicious turkey tacos on a night when I didn’t feel like cooking.

I knew I couldn’t handle anything complicated in the kitchen, but I didn’t want to cave to take-out either.

Nights like this are the reason I try to keep the fridge and pantry well-stocked, because you truly can throw together a delicious meal with just a few pantry and fridge/freezer staples!

On this particular night, I was relieved to find ground turkey and tortillas in the freezer, along with bell peppers and corn in the produce drawer.

From these simple ingredients, I was able to throw these healthy, flavorful tacos together.

Visual Guide: How to Make Ground Turkey Tacos with Corn Salsa

Timesaving Tips & Tricks

In the interest of time and cleanup, I only used one pan to prepare the filling for these tacos.

Ground turkey (you could use ground chicken or turkey) is sautéed with some simple seasonings and then enhanced with some fresh salsa, and then stuffed into warm corn tortillas.

The tacos are topped with a fast seasonal salsa of fresh corn, a little red onion, lime juice, and cilantro and dinner is done!

While making the corn salsa may seem like too much effort, I promise that it is worth the little bit of effort required to make it.

However, if you’re really pressed for time feel free to skip it in favor of store-bought salsa.

Serving Suggestions

These ground turkey tacos are a delicious meal on their own, however if you’re looking for quick and easy side dish I recommend my easy bean and corn salad.

Another option is a simple green side salad tossed an easy healthy dressing recipes – it would be especially delicious with some chopped romaine and this chipotle honey vinaigrette, lemon dijon dressing or avocado vinaigrette.

Ingredients & Substitutions 

Olive oil: You can also use any other neutral flavored cooking oil in its place like avocado, vegetable or canola oil.

Ground dark turkey meat: I prefer dark meat ground turkey, but you can use an even leaner ground turkey if you like but it will be drier, less tender and less flavorful. Ground chicken or ground beef also work.

Cumin: Ground cumin is so delicious in this recipe. Together with the mild chili powder, garlic powder and lime juice it also helps to create the Mexican-inspired flavors we know & love in a good fish taco.

Mild chili powder: This dish is not spicy, the mild chili powder adds a lot of flavor for not much extra effort in this dish. For more heat, use a spicy chili powder.

Kosher salt: Look for kosher salt with the regular iodized salt at the grocery store (it has a subtler flavor). Use less iodized salt if that’s what you have on hand.

Garlic powder: I love the ease and convenience of using granulated garlic powder in this recipe, and highly recommend it as a shortcut ingredient if you’re looking to keep this dish under 30 minutes. But if you prefer, you can also use fresh minced garlic in its place. 

Tomatillo salsa: Sometimes called salsa verde, look for jarred green salsa in the salsa section or refrigerated section of your grocery store.

Corn tortillas: Charred corn tortillas are our family’s go-to taco wrap of choice, but you could also use wheat tortillas, grain-free tortillas, gluten free tortillas, or even lettuce wraps in their place.

Corn: While fresh sweet corn is a delicious option in the summer months (when it’s in season and easy to find), frozen and defrosted corn works just as great in its place.

Red onion: Substitute with yellow, white, or green onion.

Lime juice: The tangy acidity of the lime juice goes great with the other spices and flavors in the dish. Lemon juice could be substituted.

Fresh cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a touch of brightness to this dish. If you don’t like cilantro you can leave it out or add some fresh chopped lettuce instead.

How to Store & Freeze Leftovers

Turkey tacos with sweet corn salsa keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, in a sealed container.

This cooked turkey meat also freezes well. Store in a sealed freezer friendly container for up to 2-3 months.

This Recipe Is…

Dairy FreeGluten FreeNut Free

 

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