Crispy Baked Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Baked Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce offer a flavorful and healthier twist on classic tacos. Packed with seasoned turkey, black beans, and melted cheese, these tacos are baked to golden perfection and served with a creamy, zesty avocado sauce that adds a fresh finish.

Ingredients

• 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)
• 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
• 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)
• 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. Step 1: Make the Creamy Avocado Sauce by combining half of the avocado, sour cream, fresh lime juice, cilantro leaves, kosher salt, and water in a mini food processor. Blend until smooth, adding more water if needed. Adjust seasoning with salt or lime juice, then cover and refrigerate.
2. Step 2: Heat avocado oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add ground turkey, half of the taco seasoning, and chopped onion. Cook, breaking turkey into small pieces, for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
3. Step 3: Stir in black beans, green chiles, remaining taco seasoning, water, and chopped cilantro. Combine well and reduce heat to medium-low. Let simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
4. Step 4: Stir the mixture again. If there’s excess liquid, increase heat to medium and cook until most liquid evaporates. Remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray or brush with avocado oil. Arrange the flour tortillas on the sheet slightly overlapping if needed. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over each tortilla.
6. Step 6: Spoon 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the turkey mixture onto one half of each tortilla.
7. Step 7: Bake for 1-2 minutes until cheese melts. Remove and carefully fold tortillas in half. Brush tops with avocado oil or spray with cooking spray.
8. Step 8: Bake folded tacos for 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy.
9. Step 9: Serve with the creamy avocado sauce on the side. Enjoy your crispy baked ground turkey tacos!

Tips & Variations

• Use olive oil as a substitute for avocado oil if needed without altering flavor.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the turkey mixture for extra brightness.
• Swap Monterey Jack cheese for cheddar or pepper jack for a different twist.
• For a spicier kick, include more cayenne pepper or add a few dashes of hot sauce to the avocado sauce.
• Make this recipe gluten-free by using corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas.

Storage

Store leftover tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until crispy again. Keep the avocado sauce refrigerated separately and consume within 2 days for best freshness, stirring before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground chicken instead of ground turkey?

Yes, ground chicken works well as a substitute and provides a similar mild flavor. Adjust cooking time if needed until fully cooked.

How do I make homemade taco seasoning?

Combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper to taste. Use this blend in place of store-bought seasoning for a fresher flavor.

Crispy Baked Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 669 reviews

These Crispy Baked Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce offer a deliciously flavorful and healthy twist on classic tacos. Ground turkey seasoned with homemade taco spices is combined with black beans, green chiles, and fresh herbs, then baked inside crispy flour tortillas with melted Monterey Jack cheese. The tacos are served with a creamy, zesty avocado sauce made from ripe avocado, sour cream, lime juice, and cilantro, adding a cool and refreshing contrast to the warm, savory filling.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 tacos 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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)

Turkey Taco Filling

• 2 tsp. Avocado Oil (or Olive Oil)
• 8 oz. Lean Ground Turkey
• 2 1/2 tsp. Homemade Taco Seasoning (see spice blend 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
• 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)

Assembly & Baking

• 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, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup packed cilantro leaves, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 2 tablespoons water in a mini food processor. Blend until smooth, adding more water if needed to reach desired consistency. Taste and adjust salt or lime juice as needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Cook the Turkey and Onions: Heat 2 teaspoons avocado oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add 8 ounces lean ground turkey, half of the homemade taco seasoning (approximately 1 1/4 tsp.), and 1/3 cup chopped onion. Break up the turkey with a spatula and cook 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, remaining taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons water, and 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro. Mix thoroughly. Reduce heat to medium-low, and let the mixture simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
4. Reduce Excess Liquid: Stir the filling again. If there is excess liquid, increase heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid evaporates. Remove from heat.
5. Prepare Tacos for Baking: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray or avocado oil. Arrange six flour tortillas on the baking sheet, slightly overlapping if needed. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese over each tortilla.
6. Assemble the Tacos: Spoon 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the turkey and bean filling onto one half of each tortilla atop the cheese layer.
7. Melt the Cheese: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven for 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts. Carefully fold each tortilla in half over the filling. Brush the outside of each folded tortilla with avocado oil or spray with cooking spray.
8. Bake the Crispy Tacos: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until tortillas are golden brown and crispy.
9. Serve: Spoon the creamy avocado sauce into small bowls for dipping and serve alongside the crispy baked tacos. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

• For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper or add hot sauce to the avocado sauce.
• You can substitute corn tortillas for a gluten-free option, but they might be less crispy after baking.
• Store leftover filling and avocado sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To keep tortillas crispy, avoid stacking them after baking.
• Homemade taco seasoning can be made by combining cumin, Mexican oregano, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt in the given proportions.

Keywords: baked turkey tacos, crispy tacos, avocado sauce, healthy tacos, ground turkey recipes, Mexican-inspired dishes