Turkey and Black Bean Tacos

Making a big batch of these ground turkey tacos with black beans is perfect for those who love to meal prep. It lasts for several days in the fridge AND the filling is freezer-friendly so you can save some for another day. I also love that this is a healthier taco option than a classic ground beef taco. Filling out your taco meat with black beans is also a great way to add plant based protein and fiber to your diet and also reduces the overall cost of your dinner. That’s a win-win for me!

This recipe for turkey tacos is perfect for Taco Tuesday, a taco bar, or really any night you’re looking for a good main dish for you and your family. Give it a try today!

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TELL ME ABOUT THIS TACO RECIPE

Level of difficulty: Easy.

Flavor: These ground turkey tacos with black beans taste very similar to ground beef tacos! The flavor will also depend on what tortillas or shells you use as well as that toppings you add.

Time: It will take you about 25 minutes to make your homemade turkey tacos with black beans. This includes time to brown your taco meat, mix in your spices and beans, and get some toppings chopped for serving!

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

Ground turkey

Canned black beans

Taco seasoning packets

Water

OVERVIEW: HOW TO MAKE THIS TURKEY AND BLACK BEAN TACO RECIPE

1. Brown the turkey: in a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground turkey until heated through (it is cooked at 165°F). Drain off the fat/liquid and return the skillet with browned turkey to the stove.
2. Stir in the black beans: add in the black beans and stir to combine with the meat.
3. Add taco seasoning: add taco seasoning and water to the skillet and stir to evenly distribute and coat the ground turkey and black beans.
4. Serve and enjoy! Serve on taco shells or tortillas with your favorite toppings.
5. Store leftovers: store leftover taco filling (that’s fully cooled) in an air-tight container in the fridge (or freeze if you’d prefer to keep for later).

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Pick a good tortilla or taco shell. It may sound simple, but choosing a good tortilla or hard taco shell makes a big difference! This turkey taco recipe is great served on corn tortillas, flour tortillas, and crunchy hard shells.

Have a variety of taco toppings: One of the beauties of making homemade tacos is that you can put on whatever toppings you like! Here are some topping suggestions for your ground turkey tacos:

• Shredded cheese - cheddar, colby-jack, taco or Mexican blends...they’re all good!
• Shredded lettuce - shredded leaf lettuce or shredded romaine are both good options.
• Diced tomatoes - you can dice a roma tomato or halve cherry tomatoes.
• Black olives - this is controversial in our house...but if you like olives, give it a try!
• Diced raw onion - not for me personally, but a classic taco topping
• Salsa - I love using a fresh red salsa, salsa verde, or pico de galo on these
• Avocado - I mean, avocado on tacos is always a hit.
• Sour cream or plain greek yogurt - a great creamy taco topping.
• Cilantro - adds a nice herby punch to your tacos.

Add a few side dishes to round out the meal: here are a few side dish ideas to help you round out your meal:

• Corn - grilled corn, Mexican street corn, or even a ‘steamers’ bag of frozen corn
• Refried beans - even though this taco recipe has black beans mixed in with the taco meat, a side of refried black beans or pinto beans is still a great option! Top the refried beans with cheese if desired
• Chips and salsa - a classic taco night appetizer and/or side
• Guacamole - you can never go wrong with guacamole. Enjoy with chips or on your taco
• Grilled or roasted vegetables - I know, I know, I’m a vegetable pusher... but adding a side of veggies to your meal is a great way to create a balanced meal. Added grilled or roasted bell peppers or zucchini with onions is a healthy side dish idea
• Side salad - keep it simple or go elaborate, but having a crunchy side salad alongside your ground turkey and black bean tacos is a nice addition to your meal!

OTHER WAYS TO USE THIS TURKEY TACO MEAT WITH BLACK BEANS

Not feeling regular tacos? Try:

• A quesadilla
• On a taco salad
• In a burrito
• On sheet pan nachos
• In lettuce wraps

FAQS

What is the best ground turkey for this taco recipe? To keep this meal healthier, we generally purchase lean ground turkey for this recipe. This is usually in the ballpark of being 93% lean, 7% fat (every brand is a little different). We have found this lean-to-fat ratio makes great turkey taco meat.

How long is taco meat good for in the fridge? Leftover cooked taco meat is good in the fridge for 3-4 days after you make it.

Can you freeze taco meat? Yes! This is a great option for those who like to meal prep. To freeze, place cooked and cooled taco meat into a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Label the container with the date cooked, and freeze for up to 3 months (up to 6 months in a deep freezer). When you’re ready to eat the frozen taco meat, pull it out of the freezer and allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight (if you remember to pull it out the night before). Then reheat as you normally would.

How do you reheat taco meat? You can do this on the stovetop or in the microwave.

• On the stove: warm the cooked meat over medium heat until heated through. If doing this from the fridge, adding a little water (about 1 teaspoon) will help it from drying out. If cooking from frozen, putting a lid over the pan while your taco meat reheats will help to keep it moist
• In the microwave: place the cooked meat on a microwave safe plate with a few splashes of water. Cover loosely and cook for 1 minute. Stir and cook for another minute or so until heated through.
• Note: You want to reheat your cooked ground turkey taco filling to 165°F

LOVE THIS RECIPE? YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:

• Cornmeal Crusted Fish Tacos
• Vegetarian Sheet Pan Tacos with Chimichurri