Next time you’re in the mood for taco night, try this turkey taco meat recipe in your Instant Pot.
Moist and tender ground turkey taco meat is cooked with south-of-the-border seasonings and salsa and is ready for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and even fresh and healthy taco salads!
Easy Turkey Taco Meat
- Turkey taco meat is perfect for all your healthy Mexican night recipes! Lower in fat and calories than ground beef, ground turkey is an all-star when it comes to versatility! Simply season, cook, and serve!
- Big families with tight budgets will appreciate the economic advantages of using ground turkey for everything from omelets to casseroles to soups because it’s so hearty and delicious!
- Meal prep and make double or triple the recipe and freeze portions for quick and easy dinners or snacks like nachos. Top off some sweet potato fries with turkey taco meat and add some cheese and sour cream or add some to a cheese sauce as a hearty dip with chips.
- Scoop turkey taco meat into homemade flour tortillas and add all your favorite toppings! Keep turkey taco meat in a slow cooker and let everyone build their own tacos and burritos!
Ingredients & Variations
Turkey – Lean ground turkey has less fat than ground beef but will absorb the seasonings and salsa better. Break up the meat into small pieces about the size of a pea for best results. Ground chicken can be used as well and ground sausage added to the turkey (or chicken) will add even more flavor!
Seasonings – Mix and match your favorite southwestern spices and add extra red pepper flakes or chile powder to bring the heat! DIY your own taco seasoning mix and use it in dips and rubs.
Salsa – Use your favorite brand of jarred salsa or a can of crushed tomatoes (Rotel has green chiles in theirs!) and add extra seasonings if salsa isn’t available.
How to Make Instant Pot Turkey Taco Meat
- Saute turkey in oil until it’s mostly cooked through. Mix in garlic, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, or chile powder. Stir in salsa and broth.
- Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes and then naturally release for 10 minutes (as per the recipe below). Stir and serve.
Leftovers?
Keep leftover turkey taco meat in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze portions in zippered bags for up to 3 months.
Use leftover turkey taco meat for rice bowls, or make chicken fajita bowls with turkey meat. Reheat from frozen in the Crockpot or allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
More Turkey Recipes
Instant Pot Turkey Taco Meat
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground lean turkey
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon salt (if taco seasoning mix has salt, use less salt)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or cayenne chili, depending on heat level desired
- 1 cup chunky mild salsa or spicy
- ⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
Instructions
- Select Saute and set for 5 minutes, once warm heat the oil then add the turkey. Use your spoon to break up the meat into smallish chunks and saute until mostly cooked through. Keep stirring as you cook the meat.
- Once the turkey is cooked and the 5 minutes are up stir in the garlic, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, or chili and mix until well combined. Then pour in the salsa and the broth and give it a good stir.
- Place the lid on the pressure cooker and set valve to Sealing. Select Pressure Cook on High and set for 4 minutes. Once the cooking time has completed allow to naturally release for 10 minutes. Carefully move valve to Venting to release any pressure, open the pot facing away from you.
- Check the meat and if you’re going to use it for rice bowls then this consistency with more sauce should be perfect for that.
- If you’re going to use it as a filling then select Saute for 10 minutes and cook until it has thickened up to your desired consistency. Cancel Saute function once that happens.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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