Description
These Baked Ground Turkey and Black Bean Tacos are a delicious, flavorful, and easy-to-make meal. Ground turkey is cooked with onions, garlic, and taco seasoning, then combined with black beans for added texture and protein. The mixture is spooned into crispy taco shells, topped with melted cheddar cheese, and baked until bubbly. Finished with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and cilantro, these tacos offer a satisfying balance of savory and fresh flavors perfect for weeknight dinners.
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
Assembly and Toppings
- 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 assembled tacos.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Cook Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook it, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and no longer pink, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Add Seasoning and Simmer: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and 1/2 cup water into the turkey. Allow the mixture to simmer gently until slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Black Beans: Mix the drained and rinsed black beans into the turkey mixture evenly and remove the skillet from heat.
- Fill Taco Shells: Arrange the taco shells on a baking sheet. Evenly distribute the turkey and black bean mixture into each taco shell.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the filling in each taco shell.
- Bake Tacos: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the tacos for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the tacos from the oven and let them cool for a minute to avoid burns.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro for freshness and texture before serving.
Notes
- Use lean ground turkey to reduce fat content and create a healthier taco filling.
- For a spicier taco, add chopped jalapeños when sautéing the onions and garlic or use a spicy taco seasoning mix.
- Black beans can be substituted with pinto beans or kidney beans as preferred.
- For gluten-free, ensure taco shells are labeled gluten-free.
- Leftover taco mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Serve with additional lime wedges for extra zest.
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 20m
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
