Crispy Baked Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Crispy baked ground turkey tacos are a flavorful, healthier twist on a classic favorite. Topped with a creamy avocado sauce, these tacos are perfect for a quick weeknight meal that doesn’t skimp on taste or texture.

Ingredients

• For the Creamy Avocado Sauce:
• 1/2 medium avocado
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon or lime juice
• 1/4 cup (packed) cilantro leaves
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 2 tbsp. water, plus more as needed
• For the Ground Turkey + Black Bean Filling:
• 2 tsp. avocado oil or olive oil
• 8 oz. lean ground turkey
• 2 1/2 tsp. homemade taco seasoning (see below)
• 1/3 cup chopped onion (yellow or white)
• 3/4 cup canned black beans, drained, not rinsed
• 4 oz. green chiles
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro
• Small Batch Homemade Taco Seasoning:
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. Mexican or Italian oregano
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp. chili powder
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
• For the Tacos:
• Cooking or baking spray, or avocado oil for brushing
• 6 fajita-sized flour tortillas (6″)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Make the creamy avocado sauce. Combine the avocado, sour cream, lemon or lime juice, cilantro leaves, kosher salt, and water in a mini food processor. Blend until smooth, adding more water if needed to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust salt or lime juice, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Step 2: Cook the turkey and onions. Heat avocado oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, half of the taco seasoning, and chopped onion. Cook, breaking the turkey into small pieces and stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes.
3. Step 3: Finish the taco filling. Stir in the black beans, green chiles, remaining taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons of water, and chopped cilantro. Mix well, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
4. Step 4: If there is excess liquid, increase heat to medium and cook for a few more minutes, stirring frequently until most moisture evaporates. Remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Prepare a large rimmed baking sheet by spraying it with cooking spray or brushing with avocado oil. Arrange the tortillas on the sheet, slightly overlapping if needed. Spread about 1/4 cup shredded cheese evenly over each tortilla.
6. Step 6: (Continue building your tacos by adding the turkey mixture and baking until crispy—this step is implied to finish the recipe.)

Tips & Variations

• Use corn tortillas instead of flour for a gluten-free option and a more authentic taco flavor.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the turkey mixture before baking to brighten the flavors.
• Swap black beans for pinto beans or add corn kernels for extra texture and sweetness.
• Try using Greek yogurt in place of sour cream in the avocado sauce for a tangier twist.

Storage

Store leftover turkey taco filling and avocado sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the filling gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. The avocado sauce is best served fresh but can be kept chilled and stirred before using.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the taco seasoning in advance?

Yes, the homemade taco seasoning blends well in an airtight container and can be stored for several weeks, making it convenient to have on hand for future recipes.

What can I use if I don’t have a mini food processor for the avocado sauce?

You can mash the avocado by hand with a fork and whisk together the remaining ingredients in a bowl. It won’t be as smooth but will still taste delicious.

Crispy Baked Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 99 reviews

These Crispy Baked Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce offer a flavorful and healthy twist on a classic favorite. Ground turkey is seasoned with a homemade taco blend and cooked with black beans, green chiles, and fresh cilantro for a hearty filling. The tacos are topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese and baked to a perfect crisp, then served with a creamy, zesty avocado sauce that adds a refreshing finish. Ideal for a family dinner or casual get-together, this recipe delivers delicious Mexican-inspired flavors with a lighter protein option.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 tacos 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Creamy Avocado Sauce

• 1/2 medium Avocado
• 1/4 cup Sour Cream
• 1 tbsp. fresh Lemon or Lime Juice
• 1/4 cup (packed) Cilantro Leaves
• 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt plus more to taste
• 2 tbsp. Water plus more as needed

Ground Turkey + Black Bean Filling

• 2 tsp. Avocado Oil or Olive Oil
• 8 oz. Lean Ground Turkey
• 2 1/2 tsp. Homemade Taco Seasoning
• 1/3 cup chopped Onion (yellow or white)
• 3/4 cup canned Black Beans (drained, not rinsed)
• 4 oz. Green Chiles
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped Cilantro

Small Batch Homemade Taco Seasoning

• 1/2 tsp. Cumin
• 1/2 tsp. Mexican Oregano or Italian Oregano
• 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt
• 1/4 tsp. Smoked Paprika
• 1/4 tsp. Chili Powder
• 1/8 tsp. Cayenne Pepper (optional)

For the Tacos

• Cooking / Baking Spray or Avocado Oil, for brushing the tortillas
• 6 Fajita-Sized Flour Tortillas (6″)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

Instructions

1. Make the Creamy Avocado Sauce: Combine half of a ripe avocado, 1/4 cup sour cream, one tablespoon of fresh lime juice, 1/4 packed cup of cilantro leaves, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, and two tablespoons of water in a mini food processor. Blend until smooth, adding more water if needed to achieve the desired consistency. Taste and season with more salt or lime juice if desired, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Cook the Turkey and Onions: Heat two teaspoons of avocado oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add 8 ounces of lean ground turkey, half of the taco seasoning blend (about 1 1/4 teaspoons), and 1/3 cup chopped onion. Break the turkey into small pieces and cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
3. Finish the Taco Filling: Stir in 3/4 cup black beans, 4 ounces green chiles, the remaining taco seasoning (1 1/4 teaspoons), 2 tablespoons of water, and 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro. Mix thoroughly, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and excess moisture to evaporate.
4. Adjust Moisture: Stir the mixture again and if there is still excess liquid, increase the heat to medium and cook for a few more minutes, stirring frequently until most liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat.
5. Build the Tacos: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray or brush with avocado oil. Lay six fajita-sized flour tortillas on the sheet, overlapping slightly if needed. Evenly spread about 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese over each tortilla and then spoon the turkey mixture on top of each.
6. Bake the Tacos: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges of the tortillas are crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve with Avocado Sauce: Remove the tacos from the oven and serve immediately with the creamy avocado sauce on the side or drizzled on top for a delicious, creamy complement to the spicy turkey filling.

Notes

• You can substitute ground chicken or lean ground beef for ground turkey if preferred.
• Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas to make it gluten-free.
• The homemade taco seasoning can be made in a larger batch and kept in an airtight container for future use.
• Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the heat level in the seasoning.
• Make the avocado sauce ahead and store it tightly covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream with a plant-based alternative.

Keywords: ground turkey tacos, baked turkey tacos, avocado sauce, healthy tacos, Mexican recipe, homemade taco seasoning