Turkey Tacos

Ingredient Notes

Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.

TURKEY – Leftover turkey works perfectly here, whether it’s white meat, dark meat, or a combination of both. Dark meat adds extra flavor and stays more moist during cooking. If your turkey feels dry, don’t worry because the chicken broth will fix that. Shred the turkey into bite-sized pieces that are small enough to fit comfortably in taco shells but large enough to have some texture.

TACO SEASONING – A standard 1-ounce packet provides the perfect amount of spice for one pound of turkey. The seasoning blend typically contains chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder, which transforms plain turkey into something that tastes like it was always meant to be Mexican food. You can use homemade taco seasoning if you prefer, but store-bought packets work great and keep this recipe quick.

BROTH – Chicken broth is the secret ingredient that makes leftover turkey taste fresh and juicy again. The broth steams the turkey as it cooks, adding moisture while helping the taco seasoning stick to every piece. Use low-sodium broth so you can control the salt level, and don’t skip this step because it’s what prevents the turkey from tasting like reheated leftovers.

ONION AND BELL PEPPER – These vegetables add sweetness and crunch to balance the spiced turkey. Dice them small enough that they cook quickly but large enough to provide texture in each bite. Yellow or red bell peppers work just as well as green ones and add a slightly sweeter flavor. The vegetables should be tender but not mushy after 5 minutes of cooking.

OLIVE OIL – Use enough oil to coat the bottom of your skillet and prevent the vegetables from sticking. Olive oil can handle the medium-high heat needed to properly sauté the onions and peppers without burning them.

Leftovers and Storage

STORE – Keep leftover turkey taco filling covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The filling actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

FREEZE – Wrap the cooked filling tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

REHEAT – Warm the filling on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent drying out. You can also microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.

MAKE AHEAD – Prepare the turkey filling up to 2 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Reheat just before serving and assemble tacos fresh so the shells stay crispy.

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Serving Suggestions

TACO BAR SETUP – Set out bowls of shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, grated cheese, sliced avocado, sour cream, and salsa so everyone can build their perfect Turkey Tacos.

MEXICAN RICE SIDE – Serve alongside Mexican Rice and Refried Beans for a complete Mexican dinner that uses up more leftovers.

TACO SALAD OPTION – Skip the shells and serve the turkey mixture over lettuce with tortilla chips for a lighter meal that’s just as satisfying.

Recipe Success Tips

TURKEY MOISTURE – If your leftover turkey seems very dry, add an extra ¼ cup of chicken broth and let it simmer a bit longer to really soak up the liquid.

SEASONING BALANCE – Taste the turkey mixture after adding the taco seasoning and broth. If it needs more flavor, add a pinch of salt or squeeze of lime juice to brighten everything up.

SHELL WARMING – Don’t skip warming the taco shells because cold shells crack easily and don’t taste nearly as good. Both hard and soft shells benefit from a quick warm-up in the oven.

Expert Tip – Mix white and dark turkey meat if you have both available because the dark meat keeps the filling moist while the white meat provides a milder turkey flavor that kids prefer.

Commonly Asked Questions