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Crispy Baked Ground Turkey Tacos: Easy Weeknight Dinner

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These crispy baked ground turkey tacos are a game-changer for taco night, delivering a satisfying crunch without the mess of deep frying. Ready in about 30 minutes, they are perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93/7)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 12 hard taco shells (stand-up style)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, salsa or pico de gallo, guacamole

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until translucent and softened.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  4. Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook for about 5-7 minutes, until no longer pink.
  5. Drain any excess fat from the skillet if necessary.
  6. Add all the spices—chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the meat evenly and cook for about 1 minute.
  7. Pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth. Stir and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid reduces slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  9. Arrange the taco shells standing up in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  10. Spoon the turkey filling evenly into each shell, about 2-3 tablespoons per shell.
  11. Top each taco with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese, making sure some cheese touches the edges of the shell.
  12. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the shells are golden brown.
  13. Remove from the oven and let the tacos rest in the dish for 2 minutes.
  14. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Do not overfill the shells to prevent sogginess. Let the filling cool slightly before spooning into shells. Use a high oven temperature (400°F) for best crunch. Cheese acts as a barrier to keep shells crunchy. Line the baking dish with foil for easy cleanup. Do not skip the broth in the filling to keep the turkey moist.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy baked ground turkey tacos, easy weeknight dinner, taco Tuesday, ground turkey recipe, baked tacos

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