Description
These Baked Ground Turkey and Black Bean Tacos are a delicious and easy-to-make meal featuring seasoned ground turkey and black beans baked inside crispy taco shells topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and cilantro. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that combines protein-packed ingredients with vibrant Mexican flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Beans
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup water
Toppings and Shells
- 12 taco shells
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the tacos later.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and cook until the onion becomes translucent, enhancing the flavor base.
- Cook Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook thoroughly, breaking it up until browned and no pink remains.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and 1/2 cup of water. Let the mixture simmer gently until it thickens slightly to concentrate the flavors.
- Combine Beans: Mix in the drained black beans until well incorporated, then remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Taco Shells: Arrange the taco shells on a baking sheet ready for filling.
- Fill Shells: Evenly distribute the turkey and black bean mixture into each taco shell.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top of each filled taco.
- Bake Tacos: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and fresh cilantro before serving to add freshness and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
- For a spicier variation, add chopped jalapeños or cayenne pepper to the meat mixture.
- Use low-fat cheese and sour cream to reduce the calorie and fat content.
- These tacos can be assembled ahead and baked just before serving to save time.
- Leftover filling can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated as needed.
