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Golden, crunchy and packed with flavor, these crispy turkey tacos are an easy dinner idea that never disappoints. Each taco is filled with seasoned ground turkey, creamy refried beans and gooey melted cheese, then pan-fried until perfectly crisp. You can make them in a skillet, oven or air fryer, depending on what works best for you. With minimal prep and big flavor, this recipe is a great way to upgrade taco night with a little extra crunch.
Crispy turkey tacos are generously loaded up with ground turkey, beans and cheese, and then pan-fried for the ultimate crunchy, satisfying taco night meal.
More turkey recipes to try include maple bacon turkey sliders, leftover turkey shepherd’s pie or what about smoked turkey breast?
Why You’ll Love It
Deliciously different: Ground turkey makes a change from your usual taco meat of beef or pork, and when cooked perfectly it’s every bit as tasty, so try ground turkey tacos for a change of pace.
Simple to make: You’ll love the simplicity of this ground turkey taco recipe. You just need to cook the turkey with seasonings, and divide this, along with refried beans, between tortillas. And then you just need to cook them and add your preferred toppings.
So versatile: Not only can you serve tacos for any occasion from an easy weeknight supper for the family to when friends come over, or even for a potluck meal, but you can adjust and tweak them to your heart’s content. Add any fillings you want and feel free to dial up (or down) the spiciness factor!
Ground Turkey Tacos Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ground turkey: A lean, flavorful base for the taco filling.
Yellow or white onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the meat.
Taco seasoning: Brings classic Mexican-inspired flavor.
Refried beans: Help bind the filling and add creaminess.
Cheese: Melts into the filling for rich, gooey texture.
Corn tortillas: Fry up crisp and hold the filling perfectly.
Vegetable oil: Used for pan-frying to get that signature crunch.
How to Make Crispy Turkey Tacos
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Cook the turkey: Turkey is a lean meat so you should be careful not to overcook it. Pan-fry it with the onion for about 10 minutes, then mix in the taco seasoning and simmer briefly.
Fill the tortillas: Grab some soft corn tortillas and add refried beans to them, followed by the turkey mixture and cheese.
Finish cooking them: Cook the topped tortillas until pliable then fold over to enclose the filling and then fry them until crisp. You can open them while they’re still warm and add your chosen toppings, then serve warm.
Substitutions and Variations
Use ground chicken or beef: A simple swap for different flavor.
Try flour tortillas: If you prefer a softer or different texture.
Add jalapeños or hot sauce: For extra heat in the filling.
Use black beans: Instead of refried beans for a chunkier texture.
Serving Suggestions
With a cocktail: Pair your turkey tacos with a kiwi jalapeno margarita, honeydew margarita or white sangria.
With appetizers: Serve up chips with a Mexican taco dip or cowboy caviar dip.
How to Store Ground Turkey Tacos
Store: Leftovers will keep for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the microwave or oven.
Freeze: Although you can freeze these, they will go a bit soggy, so it’s best not to make many more than you need.
Top Tips
Warm tortillas before filling: Prevents cracking and helps them fold easily.
Don’t overfill: Keeps the tacos from falling apart during cooking.
Drain well after frying: Keeps the shells crispy, not greasy.
Serve immediately: They taste best hot and crunchy.
Use tongs for folding: Safer and easier when handling hot oil.
Crispy Turkey Tacos FAQs
Yes, the oven method works well and keeps things lighter.
You can prep the filling and assemble just before cooking.
Crispy ground turkey tacos may not be traditional, but they’re a tasty modern twist on a classic. Tacos are believed to have originated in 1800s Mexico, with early versions called tacos de minero or miner’s tacos. The word taco once referred to paper-wrapped gunpowder used in mining. While taquerias focus on fresh, handmade ingredients, this ground turkey version offers a quick and flavorful alternative that’s easy to make at home and far better than fast food. In Mexico you can grab tacos as a quick and easy dinner, but you won’t get them crispy. South of the border, tacos are rolled up in soft tortillas instead of being served in crispy taco shells.
Crunchy Turkey Tacos Recipe
Crispy Turkey Tacos
Equipment
- Skillet Large
Ingredients
- 1 Pound ground turkey
- ½ onion, yellow or white, diced
- 1 Package taco seasoning
- ½ Cup refried beans
- 1 Cup cheese, shredded
- 10 corn tortillas, soft
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil, for frying. may need more
Optional Fillings
- lettuce, shredded
- tomatoes, diced
- lime juice, fresh
- cilantro
- sour cream
- avocado, sliced
- hot sauce
Instructions
Cook the Turkey
- Add turkey and onion to a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until meat is browned and onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add taco seasoning following package directions. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Assemble the Tacos
- To make the tacos, spread a tablespoon of refried beans on half a corn tortilla.
- On the other half, place a heaping spoonful of turkey mixture, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. DO NOT FOLD the tortilla in half at this time or the tortilla will crack.
Soften the Tortillas
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add enough vegetable oil to coat the bottom of the pan. When the oil is hot, place the prepared tortilla flat into the pan.
- Allow to cook for about 30 seconds until the tortilla becomes pliable. Using tongs, carefully fold the tortilla in half.
- Continue to cook for 2 to 4 minutes per side, until tacos are golden and crispy. Remove from pan and drain on a paper towel. Repeat with remaining tortillas, adding additional vegetable oil to the pan as necessary.
- While the tacos are still warm, carefully open each one and stuff with optional fillings.
Oven Version
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Warm the corn tortillas in the microwave or over an open flame to make them pliable. Quickly follow instruction 2 but fold the tacos in half.
- Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 5 to 8 minutes, then flip and continue baking for 5 minutes more.
Air Fryer Version
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Warm the tortillas over an open flame or in the microwave to make them pliable.
- Spread beans evenly over the entire tortilla and top with meat and cheese. Folded tacos will not stay folded in the air fryer so you need to roll the taco.
- Place rolled tacos seam side down in the air fryer. Cook for 8 to 12 minutes until crispy.
Notes
Don’t overfill: Keeps the tacos from falling apart during cooking.
Drain well after frying: Keeps the shells crispy, not greasy.
Serve immediately: They taste best hot and crunchy.
Use tongs for folding: Safer and easier when handling hot oil.
Nutrition
Crispy turkey tacos are a fun, easy way to bring bold flavor and satisfying crunch to the dinner table. From their perfectly seasoned filling to the golden, crunchy shell, these tacos are a crowd-pleaser every time. You can cook them in a skillet, oven or air fryer depending on your preference. With simple ingredients and plenty of room to customize, this crispy turkey tacos recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again, whenever you need a quick and easy dinner idea.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
These crispy turkey tacos are a game-changer! Juicy, flavorful, and perfect for a quick dinner!
This recipe blew me away—easy to make and packed with flavor!
Loved this recipe. I will be making it again for sure!
It’s my first time making tacos with turkey, and this could be my favorite yet!
The best tacos!! This was too good!
These look so yummy! Thanks for the recipe!
These tacos look so good. I love the idea of using turkey !!
What a great idea! These sound so great and such a nice alternative to beef. Love how crispy you got them.
I’m the biggest fan of tacos! I will absolutely be using this!!!