Homemade Turkey Tacos

Step up your homemade turkey tacos with soft corn tortillas and toppings that excite you. Turkey tacos might sound ordinary but they don't need to be. Think about starting with soft corn tortillas and then all those toppings; from chipotle mayo to a tropical fruit salsa and everything in between.

Don’t limit yourself to ground beef and hard, store bought taco shells. Use your imagination and celebrate Taco Tuesday more often. Then when you get together with friends you'll have all your favourites top of mind. This is what makes for easy entertaining!

Masa Harina for Homemade Corn Tortillas

In my post, corn tortillas, I give step by step instructions and photos for making tortillas with masa harina. Maseca is the brand of masa harina I use and some recipes list Maseca as the ingredient. No matter what brand you use, once you've made these you'll recognize the heavenly aroma of fresh corn tortillas and you won't go back.

DIY Taco Fiesta

Of course you can serve more filling options with your turkey tacos and turn it into a real taco fiesta! Guests get to create their own perfect combination of flavours from the variety of fillings and toppings you offer. Here are some of the fillings I use, usually when they're leftover from another dinner.

• Pork carnitas
• Sautéed shrimp
• Battered fish (or fried)
• Cumin Lime Chicken
• Grilled Flank Steak with Chipotle-Honey Sauce

Organize for Success

Your set up for making tortillas, or lack of one, is the barrier! Collect all the parts, keep them together and start making homemade corn tortillas any time. This is a great family dinner if you've got kids that will help bring it all together.

• I use a clear container with fairly high sides that holds the tortilla press, the masa harina, sheets of parchment paper, plastic zip bags and my little taco holders.
• I printed the recipe in large print and taped it to the container. Both a full recipe and a half recipe...impressive I know.

Taco Seasoning Spice

Store bought taco seasoning spice can sometimes contain wheat. Making your own is an easy way around that especially if you have a well stocked spice cupboard. It's quick to make it that I have a spice jar with the recipe right on it and try to keep it full all the time. When the bottle is empty I leave it on the counter and do that little job of mixing the spices at a different time.

Taco Toppings

Everyone loves chipotle mayo and on top of tacos is the ideal place for it. Try this homemade chipotle mayo and you'll never use store bought again. It's easy to make and will last in the fridge for weeks...but when put in a squeeze bottle it'll disappear fast.

In the comments below l’d love to hear about Taco Tuesday (or any taco tradition) at your house.

More Recipes - Taco Possibilities

Gluten Free Turkey Tacos with taco seasoning recipe

Step up your homemade turkey tacos with soft corn tortillas and toppings that excite you from chipotle mayo to a tropical fruit salsa.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: homemade turkey tacos

Servings: 16 tacos

Author: Cinde Little

Ingredients

TACO SEASONING SPICE

• ▢ 2 tablespoon chili powder
• ▢ 2 teaspoon paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder

TURKEY FILLING

• ▢ 2 teaspoon olive oil
• ▢ 1 lb ground turkey
• ▢ ½ onion, finely chopped
• ▢ ½ cup canned tomato sauce (213 ml can)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon taco seasoning spice (add more if you like)
• ▢ ½ teaspoon chipotle powder (optional for more heat and a little smokiness)

TACO TOPPINGS

• ▢ chopped lettuce
• ▢ grated cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
• ▢ diced tomato
• ▢ diced avocado
• ▢ diced red onion or green onion
• ▢ chopped fresh cilantro
• ▢ chipotle mayonnaise
• ▢ sour cream

12-16 CORN TORTILLAS

• ▢ 2 cups masa harina
• ▢ 1⅓ cups water
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

MAKE TACO SEASONING SPICE

• Combine spices and store in spice jar for everyday use.

TURKEY FILLING

• Heat oil in pan.
• Add turkey and onion stirring to break up meat. Cook until browned and onion is almost soft, 6-8 minutes.
• Add taco seasoning spice and tomato sauce. Cook for a few more minutes.
• Serve hot as a filling for assemble-your-own tacos.

PREPARE TOPPINGS

• While turkey is cooking, cut and arrange toppings of your choice on a platter for DIY style tacos. Can be done in advance.

MAKE CORN TORTILLAS

• Mix masa harina, water and salt, adding more water as needed to form dough.
• Shape into 16 balls and flatten with tortilla press.
• Cook tortillas in hot frying pan, with a bit of oil. Turn once.
• Wrap tortillas in a folded towel while cooking the rest. This will steam them and make them soft enough to fold and place into a taco holder.

SERVING

• Serve warm tortillas with turkey filling and all the toppings.