If you’re ready to shake up your taco night, these Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce are your next go-to. Baked to crispy perfection and stuffed with seasoned ground turkey, black beans, green chiles, and melty Monterey Jack cheese, these tacos are everything you want in a quick, cozy dinner. Top them off with a creamy, zesty avocado sauce and you’ll be wondering why you ever bothered with takeout.
This small batch recipe makes just six tacos—perfect for a weeknight dinner or a small gathering. And unlike fried tacos, these are baked, which means less mess, less oil, and all the flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Easy and Fast: From start to finish, this meal takes under an hour.
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Healthier Option: Made with lean ground turkey, baked not fried, and topped with a light avocado sauce.
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Big Flavors, Small Batch: The recipe makes just enough for one meal without loads of leftovers.
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Crispy, Cheesy, and Creamy: The trifecta of taco greatness.
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Perfect for Meal Prep: The filling and sauce can be made ahead and assembled just before baking.
Tip: You can find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Ingredients
For the Creamy Avocado Sauce:
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1/2 medium avocado
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1/4 cup sour cream
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1 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice
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1/4 cup packed cilantro leaves
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1/2 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
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2 tbsp water (plus more as needed)
For the Ground Turkey + Black Bean Filling:
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2 tsp avocado oil or olive oil
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8 oz lean ground turkey
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2 1/2 tsp homemade taco seasoning
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1/3 cup chopped yellow or white onion
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3/4 cup canned black beans (drained, not rinsed)
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4 oz green chiles
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2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
Small Batch Homemade Taco Seasoning:
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1/2 tsp cumin
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1/2 tsp Mexican oregano (or Italian)
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1/2 tsp garlic powder
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1/2 tsp kosher salt
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1/4 tsp smoked paprika
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1/4 tsp chili powder
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1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
For the Tacos:
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Cooking spray or avocado oil (for brushing tortillas)
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6 fajita-sized flour tortillas (6″)
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1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
1. Make the Creamy Avocado Sauce
Blend avocado, sour cream, lemon/lime juice, cilantro, salt, and water until smooth. Adjust seasoning and water for your preferred consistency. Chill until ready to serve.
2. Cook the Turkey and Onions
Heat oil in a skillet over medium. Add turkey, half the taco seasoning, and onion. Cook for 4–5 minutes, breaking up the turkey, until browned and cooked through.
3. Finish the Taco Filling
Add black beans, green chiles, remaining seasoning, cilantro, and water to the skillet. Simmer on medium-low for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let excess liquid cook off if needed.
4. Assemble the Tacos
Preheat oven to 425°F. Place tortillas on a greased or oiled baking sheet. Top each with 1/4 cup cheese and 1/4–1/3 cup filling.
5. Bake the Tacos
Bake for 1–2 minutes until cheese melts. Fold each tortilla in half, brush tops with oil, and return to oven for 10–12 minutes until golden and crispy.
6. Serve
Serve warm with avocado sauce on the side or spooned on top.
Variations
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Swap the Protein: Use ground chicken or beef instead of turkey.
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Go Vegetarian: Double the beans and add sautéed mushrooms or zucchini.
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Cheese Options: Try pepper jack for a spicy kick or cheddar for a sharper flavor.
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Add Crunch: Toss in shredded lettuce or cabbage after baking.
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Spicy Sauce: Add a jalapeño to the avocado sauce for more heat.
Storage and Reheating
Fridge: Store leftover taco filling and sauce in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Assembled tacos are best fresh.
Reheating: Reheat tacos in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. Microwave works, but tortillas won’t stay crisp.
Freezer: You can freeze the taco filling for up to 2 months. The sauce is best made fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the avocado sauce ahead of time?
Yes! It keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days. Add a little lemon juice to keep it green.
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Absolutely, just make sure they’re pliable to avoid cracking.
What’s a good substitute for cilantro?
Try flat-leaf parsley or just omit it entirely.
Can I make these tacos vegetarian?
Yes, just skip the turkey and add extra beans or sautéed veggies.
Do I need to use homemade taco seasoning?
Not at all! You can use your favorite store-bought blend.
Can I make a bigger batch?
Of course. Just double or triple the recipe and use multiple baking sheets.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes, Greek yogurt works great in the avocado sauce.
Are these tacos spicy?
They’re mild, but you can add cayenne or hot sauce to kick up the heat.
Can I prep these ahead of time?
Yes, prep the filling and sauce ahead. Assemble and bake just before eating.
Can I pan-fry these instead of baking?
Yes, lightly oil a skillet and cook folded tacos on both sides until crisp.
Conclusion
These Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce strike the perfect balance between comfort and freshness. Crispy, cheesy, savory, and just a little creamy—they’re everything you want for a satisfying taco night. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing with friends, this easy recipe delivers big flavor without fuss.
Print
Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 tacos
- Diet: Halal
Description
These crispy baked ground turkey tacos are loaded with a savory turkey and black bean filling, melty Monterey Jack cheese, and topped with a creamy avocado sauce. Perfect for a quick, flavorful dinner
Ingredients
For the Avocado Sauce:
1/2 medium avocado
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice
1/4 cup cilantro leaves (packed)
1/2 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
2 tbsp water (plus more as needed)
For the Taco 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
3/4 cup canned black beans (drained)
4 oz green chiles
2 tbsp chopped cilantro
Taco Seasoning:
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp 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:
6 fajita-sized flour tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Cooking spray or avocado oil
Instructions
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Blend all avocado sauce ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Set aside in fridge.
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Heat oil in a skillet over medium. Add turkey, half the seasoning, and onion. Cook 4–5 minutes until browned.
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Add beans, green chiles, remaining seasoning, cilantro, and water. Simmer 15 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with tortillas. Top with cheese and filling.
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Bake 1–2 minutes until cheese melts. Fold tortillas in half, brush with oil.
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Bake 10–12 minutes more until golden and crispy. Serve with avocado sauce.
Notes
- You can substitute the turkey with ground chicken or beef.
- Make the avocado sauce a day ahead to save time.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: mexican
