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Looking for a quick, flavorful, and healthy meal? These single serving ground turkey tacos are ready in under 20 minutes. Seasoned turkey, sautéed vegetables, and a warm tortilla make for an easy, no-hassle taco night. Plus, you can easily adapt it with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
I make these ground turkey tacos at least once or twice a month because they’re incredibly flavorful and easy to customize. They’re a perfect way to use up extra vegetables from the fridge, whether it’s carrots, bell peppers, or zucchini. The seasoned ground turkey, mixed with sautéed vegetables and tender greens, creates a savory, hearty filling that’s delicious wrapped in a warm tortilla. For something extra special, try serving the turkey mixture in homemade tortillas.
Pair these tacos with a side of creamy guacamole, rich queso, and a refreshing margarita for a complete meal. And for dessert, why not finish with a mini tres leches cake? These tacos bring big flavor in a simple, satisfying package, making them a go-to recipe in my kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: You can have dinner on the table in about 20 minutes.
- Healthy: Ground turkey is a lean source of protein, perfect for a lighter taco option.
- Perfect portion: This recipe makes just the right amount.
- Customizable: Swap out the vegetables or adjust the seasoning to suit your tastes.
- Great for meal prep: Make the filling ahead of time and reheat when ready.
- Minimal cleanup: With just one pan, cleanup is a breeze.
This single serving ground turkey taco recipe is perfect for anyone who loves tacos but doesn’t want to deal with a lot of leftovers. It’s quick, packed with flavor, and so easy to customize. You can mix and match the veggies or swap the tortilla for a healthier base, like lettuce or quinoa. The combination of the savory turkey, warm taco seasoning, and the freshness of the veggies makes every bite so satisfying.
Ingredients And Substitutions
If you have any ingredients leftover from this turkey taco recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
This recipe is incredibly flexible, so feel free to adjust the veggies and seasoning based on what you like or have on hand.
- Ground Turkey: A lean protein that cooks quickly and absorbs the flavors of the seasoning. You can use ground chicken or beef if you prefer a different protein. Consider using leftover ground turkey in Turkey Meatballs.
- Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and adding a bit of richness to the dish. Olive oil brings out the flavors of the onions and garlic while helping the turkey stay moist.
- Onions: Adds a savory sweetness and depth to the taco filling. Extra onions can be used in Lentil Soup, Cottage Pie, or Sheet Pan Lasagna.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic enhances the flavor of the turkey, giving it a robust, aromatic quality. It’s an essential base for any well-seasoned taco filling.
- Carrot: Adds a touch of sweetness and crunch to the dish. I typically use a carrot, but this recipe is so easy to customize. You can swap the carrot for a red bell pepper, zucchini, or any other veggies you have on hand. Extra carrots can be used in a Pot Roast, Carrot Cake, or Pork Stir Fry.
- Swiss chard (or spinach or kale): Adds a nutritious, earthy element to the filling. I like adding greens for extra nutrients, but you can easily substitute with spinach, kale, or dandelion greens based on what you prefer or have available. Consider using leftover greens in Slow Cooker Chickpeas, Saag Paneer, Chicken Tortellini Soup, or a Green Smoothie
- Taco seasoning: This spice blend gives the turkey its signature taco flavor. You can use store-bought taco seasoning or try our homemade taco seasoning recipe available on our website, which allows you to adjust the spices and control the sodium content. If you don’t want to use taco seasoning, use you favorite spice blend and adjust to taste.
- Worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos): Adds a savory, umami kick that deepens the flavor of the turkey. Coconut aminos work well as a substitute and bring a slightly sweeter taste.
- Tortillas: Soft, warm tortillas are essential for wrapping up the seasoned turkey mixture. You can use store-bought, or for something extra special, try our small batch homemade tortilla recipe available on our website. Extra tortillas can be used in any of our taco recipes including Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos and Baked Black Bean Tacos.
What Is Swiss Chard?
Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable that’s packed with nutrients, making it a great addition to dishes like these ground turkey tacos. It has a mild, slightly earthy flavor, and both the stems and leaves are edible. While the leaves are tender and cook quickly, the stems are thicker and take longer to soften, which is why I only use the leaves in this recipe.
If you don’t have Swiss chard on hand, don’t worry! Spinach, kale, or even dandelion greens are excellent substitutes. Spinach is a bit milder, while kale and dandelion greens have a more robust, earthy flavor. Any of these greens will add extra nutrition and color to your tacos.
How to Clean and Use Swiss Chard
When cleaning and prepping Swiss chard, it’s important to separate the leaves from the stems since they cook at different rates. Here’s how I do it:
- Rinse the leaves: Start by rinsing the Swiss chard leaves thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. I also like to soak the leaves in a bowl of water mixed with a splash of apple cider vinegar for a few minutes to ensure they’re extra clean.
- Remove the leaves from the stems: While both the leaves and stems are edible, the stems are tougher and take longer to cook. To remove the leaves, simply fold each leaf in half lengthwise along the stem. Hold the base of the stem with one hand and gently tear or cut the leaf away from the stem with your other hand. You can also use a knife to cut along the edge of the stem if you prefer.
- Use the leaves: For this recipe, we’re just using the leaves since they cook quickly and blend well with the ground turkey. The leaves will wilt down and add a wonderful texture and flavor to the tacos.
- Save the stems: You can save the stems to use in other dishes, like stir-fries or soups, where they’ll soften as they cook.
How To Store Swiss Chard
You can keep Swiss chard fresh for up to a week in the fridge. I like to wrap the uncut leaves and stems in a paper towel, which helps absorb moisture and keeps them from wilting too fast.
Swiss chard is incredibly versatile and a great way to add a nutrient boost to any meal. Whether you’re using chard, spinach, kale, or another leafy green, these tacos will be packed with flavor and texture.
Recipe Variations
This ground turkey tacos recipe is incredibly versatile. Here are some ways you can change it up to suit your tastes or use what you have on hand:
- Turkey taco bowls: Skip the tortillas and serve the turkey mixture over a bed of brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a healthier, lighter option. Top with your favorite taco toppings like salsa, guacamole, or queso.
- Turkey taco salad: Turn your tacos into a salad by serving the turkey mixture over chopped lettuce. Add toppings like avocado, tomatoes, cheese, and a drizzle of ranch dressing or a simple vinaigrette for a fresh twist.
- Turkey and bean tacos: Stretch the filling by adding black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans to the turkey mixture. This not only adds bulk but also makes the meal more filling and budget-friendly.
- Low-carb tacos: Use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas for a low-carb, gluten-free option. Bibb lettuce or romaine leaves work well and add a fresh, crisp texture.
- Mediterranean-style tacos: For a fun twist, swap the taco seasoning for a mix of oregano, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Serve the turkey in pita bread with feta cheese, cucumbers, and a drizzle of tzatziki sauce.
How To Make Ground Turkey Tacos
These photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make a small batch of turkey tacos. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Move the vegetables to the edges of the pan, creating space in the center. Add the ground turkey to the middle of the pan, then sprinkle the taco seasoning over the turkey.
- Use a spatula to break apart the ground turkey, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is browned and cooked through, about 3 minutes.
- Add the chopped Swiss chard to the pan, and stir it in with the turkey and vegetables. Cook for about 1 minute until the chard begins to wilt.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and cook for another 2 ½ to 3 minutes, until the Swiss chard is soft and everything is well combined.
- Warm the tortillas either in a skillet or in the microwave.
- Spoon the cooked ground turkey mixture into the tortillas, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Prep your ingredients ahead of time: Chop your vegetables and measure out the seasoning before you start cooking. This will make the cooking process smoother and prevent overcooking.
- Don’t overcook the turkey: Ground turkey can dry out if overcooked, so keep an eye on it. Once it’s no longer pink and fully browned, it’s ready.
- Add a splash of water or broth: If your taco filling feels a bit dry, add a small splash of water or chicken broth to keep everything moist and flavorful.
- Adjust the spice level: If you like more heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. You can also top your tacos with fresh jalapeños for an extra kick.
- Keep extra taco filling: If you happen to make extra filling, store it in the fridge for up to three days. You can use it for taco salad, taco soup, chili, or even as a topping for nachos.
Serving Suggestions
These ground turkey tacos are delicious on their own, but you can easily turn your meal into a full Mexican-inspired feast with a few simple sides. While we’ve already mentioned pairing them with salsa, guacamole, and queso, here are some additional ideas to complete your meal:
- Spanish Rice: A classic side dish that pairs perfectly with tacos. The fluffy rice, cooked with tomatoes, onions, and spices, adds a bit of heartiness to the meal.
- Mexican Corn Dip: Creamy, cheesy, and full of fresh corn flavor, this dip is great served alongside the tacos or with tortilla chips. The blend of sweet corn, mayo, cheese, and spices brings a burst of flavor.
- Guacamole Salad: A heartier twist on guacamole, this salad features diced avocado, tomatoes, red onions, beans, and a squeeze of lime juice. It’s refreshing and pairs wonderfully with the warm taco filling.
- Pico de Gallo: Fresh and zesty, pico de gallo adds a burst of brightness to your tacos. Made with chopped tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and lime juice, it’s a great topping or side.
- Margarita: For a fun and festive drink, enjoy your tacos with a classic margarita. The tangy lime and tequila complement the spices in the taco filling beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can store the cooked filling in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat when needed.
Yes, you can easily double the ingredients if you’d like to make more servings.
Yes, the filling freezes well for up to 2 months. Just thaw and reheat.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this single serving turkey taco recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Ground Turkey Tacos For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 small carrot , thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- 5 ounces ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 ounces Swiss chard or spinach or kale (about 2 cups chopped greens)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 flour tortillas
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Move the vegetables to the edges of the pan, creating space in the center. Add the ground turkey to the middle of the pan, then sprinkle the taco seasoning over the turkey.
- Use a spatula to break apart the ground turkey, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is browned and cooked through, about 3 minutes.
- Add the chopped Swiss chard to the pan, and stir it in with the turkey and vegetables. Cook for about 1 minute until the chard begins to wilt.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and cook for another 2 ½ to 3 minutes, until the Swiss chard is soft and everything is well combined.
- Warm the tortillas either in a skillet or in the microwave.
- Spoon the cooked ground turkey mixture into the tortillas, and enjoy!
Notes
- Prep your ingredients ahead of time: Chop your vegetables and measure out the seasoning before you start cooking. This will make the cooking process smoother and prevent overcooking.
- Don’t overcook the turkey: Ground turkey can dry out if overcooked, so keep an eye on it. Once it’s no longer pink and fully browned, it’s ready.
- Add a splash of water or broth: If your taco filling feels a bit dry, add a small splash of water or chicken broth to keep everything moist and flavorful.
- Adjust the spice level: If you like more heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. You can also top your tacos with fresh jalapeños for an extra kick.
- Keep extra taco filling: If you happen to make extra filling, store it in the fridge for up to three days. You can use it for a taco salad, taco soup, chili, or even as a topping for nachos.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Good recipe.
Thank you!