Name: Crispy Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 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; 2 tsp avocado oil or olive oil; 8 oz lean ground turkey (85/15 or 90/10); 2 1/2 tsp homemade taco seasoning; 1/3 cup chopped onion (yellow or white); 3/4 cup canned black beans, drained but not rinsed; 4 oz green chiles (Hatch green chiles preferred); 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro (optional); 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); Cooking or baking spray or avocado oil, for brushing tortillas; 6 fajita-sized flour tortillas (6 inches); 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 70 reviews

If you’re craving something fresh, flavorful, and with that perfect crisp, you’ve got to try this Crispy Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe. It’s one of those dinners that feels fancy but comes together without a fuss. The crispy tortillas hugging juicy, seasoned turkey and black beans paired with a dreamy creamy avocado sauce? Total game changer. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll be dreaming about them all week.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfectly Crispy Tortillas: Baking the tacos until golden creates a satisfying crunch without frying.
Flavor-Packed Ground Turkey: Homemade taco seasoning and green chiles add bold depth without overpowering.
Creamy Avocado Sauce: A fresh, cooling complement that’s easy to whip up and keeps everything balanced.
Healthy & Versatile: Lean turkey and black beans make it protein-rich and customizable for any season.

Crispy Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce, ground turkey taco recipe, crispy taco recipe, healthy ground turkey tacos, avocado sauce for tacos - On a white plate, five small folded tacos are arranged in a slight curve, each taco made with a golden brown tortilla that looks lightly crisped on the edges. Inside the tacos, there is a dark filling made of black beans and browned ground meat mixed with small bits of red and green vegetables. The tacos are garnished with small fresh green cilantro leaves. Next to the tacos on the plate is a small white bowl filled with a light green creamy sauce that has fine green specks. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with scattered cilantro leaves around it, and in the background are two glasses filled with cold drinks and a second white plate holding more tacos. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Crispy Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe is chosen to create that perfect harmony of texture and flavor, plus they’re practical to find in any grocery store. I love that the avocado sauce adds creaminess without heaviness, and the black beans boost heartiness while keeping the tacos moist without sogginess.

Avocado: Adds natural creaminess and healthy fats to the sauce; use ripe for the smoothest texture.
Sour Cream: Balances the richness in the avocado sauce with a subtle tang; you can swap for Greek yogurt if you prefer.
Fresh Lemon or Lime Juice: Brightens flavors and keeps the avocado sauce vibrant.
Cilantro Leaves: Offers fresh herbal notes that tie the sauce and taco filling together beautifully.
Ground Turkey: Lean protein that soaks up the taco seasoning and bakes up crispy when combined with cheese.
Onion: Adds sweetness and texture, don’t skip it for that foundational taco flavor.
Black Beans: Provide fiber and a creamy contrast within the filling, plus they’re super budget-friendly.
Green Chiles: Bring a subtle kick and depth of flavor; the canned kind works perfectly here.
Taco Seasoning: Homemade blend packs vibrant spice without unnecessary fillers—feel free to tweak the heat.
Flour Tortillas: They’re flexible to fold and crisp up nicely in the oven—corn tortillas are an option but can be fragile.
Monterey Jack Cheese: Melts beautifully and becomes gooey and stringy, making the tacos irresistibly cheesy.
Avocado Oil or Olive Oil: For cooking and brushing the tortillas to help crispness during baking.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this Crispy Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe depending on what’s in my fridge. The base filling is flexible and forgiving, so it’s a perfect canvas to customize for your tastes or dietary needs.

Variation: For a bit of extra heat, I add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne to the turkey mixture. It gives a lovely warmth without overpowering the fresh avocado sauce.
Meat Swap: Sometimes I use ground chicken or lean beef instead when turkey’s not on hand, and it still works beautifully.
Dairy-Free: Swap sour cream with coconut yogurt and use dairy-free cheese to make it vegan-friendly.
Seasonal Freshness: In summer, I add fresh diced tomatoes or corn to the filling—so good and colorful.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up That Creamy Avocado Sauce

First things first—the avocado sauce! I blend half a ripe avocado with sour cream, fresh lime juice, cilantro, salt, and a bit of water for silky smoothness. If you want it thinner, just drizzle in more water by the teaspoon. This sauce makes all the difference, bringing freshness and creaminess to the crispy tacos. I like making it ahead and chilling it while I prep the filling so the flavors meld beautifully.

Step 2: Cook the Turkey & Onions with Love

Heat a nonstick pan with avocado oil over medium. Toss in the ground turkey, chopped onion, and half of that homemade taco seasoning. Stir frequently, breaking the meat into small bits, until cooked through and browned—about 4-5 minutes. I find using a wooden spatula helps me get those nice little crumbles that crisp up well later on.

Step 3: Stir in the Beans, Chiles & More Seasoning

Add the black beans (don’t rinse them or you lose flavor!), green chiles, remaining taco seasoning, water, and chopped cilantro. Lower the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes. This step is key—it lets the flavors blend and the filling thicken just right. If there’s extra liquid at the end, crank the heat a bit to evaporate it. You want a juicy but not soggy filling.

Step 4: Assemble Your Crispy Ground Turkey Tacos

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly spray or brush a rimmed baking sheet with avocado oil. Lay out six flour tortillas side by side (they can overlap slightly). Sprinkle about a quarter cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly onto each tortilla, then spoon ¼ to ⅓ cup of your turkey mixture over half of each tortilla.

Step 5: Melt, Fold, & Crisp

Pop the tray into the oven for 1-2 minutes—just long enough to melt the cheese. Then, carefully fold each tortilla in half over the filling. Brush the tops with a little avocado oil or spritz with cooking spray; this helps them crisp to golden perfection. Return to the oven and bake another 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them—they’re done when the edges turn beautifully golden and crunchy. If your filling spills out, gently tuck it back with a fork before the cheese sets up.

Step 6: Serve with a Smile & Avocado Sauce

Serve your crispy baked tacos piping hot with small bowls of that velvety avocado sauce on the side for dipping. I like to keep a few lime wedges handy for an extra burst of brightness. This recipe is not only super tasty but also fun to eat—dipping and folding makes it a little fiesta in your mouth.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Keep the Avocado Sauce Fresh: If you’re making the sauce ahead, squeeze extra lime juice on top and cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to prevent browning.
Use a Rimmed Baking Sheet: It catches any drips from the filling, making cleanup easier when baking the tacos.
Don’t Overfill the Tacos: Too much filling will make folding tricky and might cause spilling—less is more for that perfect crisp.
Brush With Oil for Crispiness: I learned that a quick brush of avocado oil on top before baking helps achieve the best golden color and crunch.

How to Serve Crispy Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I’m all about simple garnishes that add freshness and texture to these tacos. Thin slices of radish give a great crunch, while a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro amps up the herbaceous notes. Sometimes I add pickled red onions for a tangy pop, but even just extra lime wedges are a winner here—squeezing fresh lime over the tacos before each bite is my favorite finishing touch.

Side Dishes

When I serve these crispy ground turkey tacos, I love pairing them with a simple Mexican street corn salad or a bright, fresh cabbage slaw. A light cilantro lime rice on the side also works beautifully, soaking up any leftover sauce or filling. And don’t forget chips and guacamole for good measure—because chips are just always a good idea.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions or when friends come over, I like serving these tacos in a pretty wooden tray lined with banana leaves or parchment paper. You can arrange the tacos open-faced with toppings on the side so everyone can build their own. Another fun idea is to serve mini versions using smaller tortillas for bite-sized party snacks—always a hit at gatherings!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover taco filling in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for up to 3 days. If I expect to have leftovers, I hold off assembling the tacos until right before reheating for optimal crispness.

Freezing

The turkey and bean mixture freezes well, so if I’m meal prepping, I portion it into freezer bags for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. I don’t recommend freezing the assembled tacos with the cheese or tortillas because they can get soggy during thawing.

Reheating

To reheat the filling, I warm it gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if it’s too thick. For the crispy tacos, I pop them in a 375°F oven for 5-7 minutes to re-crisp the tortillas and warm the filling while keeping the cheese melty. This method helps avoid limp tacos, which is always a bummer.

FAQs

Can I make the avocado sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the avocado sauce up to 2 days ahead. To keep it bright green, cover it tightly with plastic wrap pressed against the surface and store it in the fridge. Give it a quick stir before serving.
Is it okay to use corn tortillas instead of flour?

You can! But corn tortillas are a bit more fragile and may tear when folding. To prevent this, warm them briefly before assembling and handle with care. You might want to consider folding gently or eating open-faced.
Can I substitute ground beef for ground turkey?

Yes, ground beef works just as well. Use lean ground beef for a slightly richer flavor and adjust the seasoning as needed. The cooking times and baking steps stay the same.
How do I make this recipe spicier?

Feel free to add diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper in the taco seasoning, or hot sauce on the side. I like to control the spice level at the table so everyone can enjoy the creamy avocado sauce to balance the heat.
Can this recipe be made dairy-free?

Definitely! Swap the sour cream in the avocado sauce for coconut or cashew yogurt and use a dairy-free cheese alternative. You’ll still get that creamy, melty goodness without the dairy.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Crispy Ground Turkey Tacos with Avocado Sauce Recipe is one of those meals I keep coming back to because it’s tasty, comforting, and quick enough for busy weeknights. The crispy texture paired with creamy sauce is such a satisfying combo, and knowing it’s packed with healthy ingredients makes me feel good about indulging. Give it a try—you might just find your new taco obsession, and I’ll be here cheering you on every delicious bite!