Crispy Baked Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bake the Crispy Tacos: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until tortillas are golden brown and crispy.
- 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
