By Becky Hardin
Updated Feb 1, 2026
I love mixing things up on Mexican night, and these delicious turkey tacos are just the way I like to do it. Simple and easy to make, these tacos are made with seasoned ground turkey, then added to tortillas before being pan-fried to crispy perfection. I stuff them with all my favorite taco toppings for the perfect taco meal.
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5-Star Review
“This recipe was some of the best tacos I have ever had. The crispy shell, beans, meat, and cheese all blended together perfectly when crisping the shell. 10/10 would recommend.” -Collin
Easy Turkey Tacos Recipe
Taco Tuesday is definitely a thing in my house—in fact, it doesn’t have to be Tuesday! Tacos are such a great go-to for a quick weeknight meal, and they are always a big hit.
These turkey tacos are packed full of all of my favorite Mexican flavors, and the tortillas are quickly fried to get them perfectly crispy. Taco night is one of my favorite times to cook with ground turkey—it’s a great way to mix things up. Of course, you can make this with ground chicken for crispy chicken tacos , or you can also use ground beef.
These turkey tacos are ready to serve in less than 30 minutes and a delicious option after a long day.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 lb. ground turkey ground chicken also works
- ▢ ½ onion diced
- ▢ 1 packet taco seasoning
- ▢ ½ cup refried beans
- ▢ 1 cup shredded cheese
- ▢ 10 corn tortillas
- ▢ vegetable oil for frying
- ▢ shredded lettuce, diced tomato, fresh lime juice, cilantro, sour cream, avocado, hot sauce optional fillings
Instructions
- 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. 1 lb. ground turkey, ½ onion, 1 packet taco seasoning
- To make the tacos, spread about 1 tbsp of refried beans on half of 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. ½ cup refried beans, 10 corn tortillas, 1 cup shredded cheese
- 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. vegetable oil for frying
- Continue to cook for 2-4 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. shredded lettuce, diced tomato, fresh lime juice, cilantro, sour cream, avocado, hot sauce
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Turkey Tacos Step by Step
Gather all your ingredients : Gather all your ingredients together.
Cook the turkey: Place 1lb. ground turkey and ½ an onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until meat is browned and onion is soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Add taco seasoning: Stir in 1 packet of taco seasoning, following package directions, and then reduce the heat and let the turkey and onion simmer for 10 minutes.
Build the taco: Spread about 1 tbsp of refried beans on half of a corn tortilla. On the other half, place a heaping spoonful of turkey mixture, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Make sure not to fold the tortilla in half at this time, or the tortilla will crack.
Cook the tacos : Pour enough vegetable oil into a large skillet to coat the bottom of the pan and heat over medium heat. When the oil is hot, place the prepared tortilla flat into the pan and let it cook for about 30 seconds until the tortilla becomes pliable. Then, use tongs to gently fold the tortilla in half.
Cook for 2-4 minutes per side, until the tacos are golden and crispy. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas. Add more oil to the pan as needed.
While the tacos are still warm, carefully open them and stuff them with optional fillings.
Serve : Serve immediately and enjoy.
How to Store
The fried crispy tortillas are best enjoyed as soon as you’ve made them, as they can start to get a little soft and chewy if they are left too long. You can easily make up the ground turkey filling ahead of time, and any leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
These crispy ground turkey tacos are a great way to liven up taco night. I like to add all of my favorite toppings like an easy, creamy guacamole , some tart pickled red onions , or a batch of spicy and fresh salsa roja .
more taco recipes
Beer Battered Fish Tacos
Steak Tacos
Quesabirria Tacos
Walking Tacos Recipe
Crispy Turkey Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground turkey ground chicken also works
- ½ onion diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup refried beans
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 10 corn tortillas
- vegetable oil for frying
- shredded lettuce, diced tomato, fresh lime juice, cilantro, sour cream, avocado, hot sauce optional fillings
Instructions
- 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. 1 lb. ground turkey, ½ onion, 1 packet taco seasoning
- To make the tacos, spread about 1 tbsp of refried beans on half of 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. ½ cup refried beans, 10 corn tortillas, 1 cup shredded cheese
- 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. vegetable oil for frying
- Continue to cook for 2-4 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. shredded lettuce, diced tomato, fresh lime juice, cilantro, sour cream, avocado, hot sauce
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
