Crispy Baked Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
