Turkey Taco Bowl (Printable)

Seasoned turkey over fluffy rice with fresh taco toppings ready in 35 minutes.

# What You'll 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

# How-To Steps:

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 apart 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 softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Sprinkle taco seasoning blend over the turkey and vegetables. Mix thoroughly and cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons water if desired to evenly distribute seasoning.
05 - Divide cooked rice evenly among four serving bowls. Top each portion 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 - Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for finishing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 35 minutes, which means weeknight dinner without the stress or takeout guilt.
  • Everyone customizes their own bowl, so picky eaters and adventurous ones sit at the same table happy.
  • The seasoning blend is fresher and more flavorful than anything from a packet, and you control the heat level.
02 -
  • Don't skip browning the turkey properly—rushing this step means you miss the caramelized flavor that makes the whole dish taste richer.
  • Add the avocado last so it doesn't brown and stays creamy; if you're making this ahead, add it only when you're about to eat.
03 -
  • Toast your spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding them to the turkey if you want even deeper flavor—it wakes them up.
  • If you have leftovers, keep the components separate in the fridge and assemble fresh bowls the next day so the lettuce doesn't get soggy.
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