Turkey Taco Bowl (Printable)

Seasoned ground turkey over rice with fresh veggies and toppings

# What you need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 pound lean ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
07 - 1 avocado, diced
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Rice

09 - 2 cups cooked white or brown rice

→ Taco Seasoning

10 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
16 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

→ Toppings

17 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
18 - 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
19 - 1/4 cup salsa
20 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# Directions:

01 - Cook rice according to package instructions or use precooked rice to expedite preparation.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and nearly cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
03 - Add diced onion and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables soften. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
04 - Sprinkle taco seasoning blend over the turkey and vegetables, stirring thoroughly to coat evenly. Cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons water if needed to enhance seasoning distribution.
05 - Divide cooked rice evenly among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with the seasoned turkey mixture.
06 - Arrange lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, and cilantro over each bowl according to preference.
07 - Present bowls immediately with lime wedges positioned on the side for finishing.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 35 minutes, which means weeknight dinner stress actually disappears.
  • Everyone at the table builds their own bowl, so picky eaters and adventurous ones both leave happy.
  • Ground turkey keeps it lighter than beef, but the taco seasoning makes it taste like you didn't compromise on flavor.
02 -
  • Don't skip browning the turkey properly at the start—rushing this step means the meat won't develop that deeper flavor that makes the whole bowl taste intentional instead of thrown together.
  • Adding a splash of water with the seasoning is the trick I learned too late; it helps the spices coat the meat evenly instead of clumping up or settling at the bottom of the skillet.
03 -
  • Toast your spices in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding them to the turkey—it wakes them up and makes the whole bowl taste more vibrant without any extra effort.
  • If you're feeding a crowd, cook the turkey mixture ahead and keep it warm in a slow cooker; set out all the toppings buffet-style and let people build their own.
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