Looking for a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner? This ground turkey taco bowl is made in one pan, loaded with colorful veggies, and perfect for meal prep. It's balanced, budget-friendly, and comes together in under 20 minutes.
We love a good no-fuss meal, and these ground turkey taco bowls check all the boxes: quick, healthy, and totally delicious. Ground turkey is a great lean protein that soaks up taco-inspired spices beautifully. Paired with sautéed peppers, onions, and your grain of choice, they're super satisfying. Plus, you can easy customize them based on what you have on hand or what your family likes.
If you’re into low-mess meals, check out my Grilled Shrimp & Rice Foil Packs for summer dinners or these easy Bell Pepper Nachos for a fun twist on taco night!
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Ingredients
- Lean ground turkey – A high-protein, lower-fat option than beef. You can swap in ground chicken or beef if preferred.
- Red, orange & yellow bell pepper – Adds color, crunch, and vitamin C. Use any color you have on hand.
- Yellow onion – Builds flavor and brings out sweetness when sautéed.
- Ground cumin & paprika – Bring smoky, earthy taco flavor. You can add chili powder or taco seasoning if you'd like (my husband and daughter aren't huge fans so sometimes we skip it).
- Salt & pepper – Essential for rounding out the flavors.
- Rice or cauliflower rice – White, brown, or cauliflower rice all pair perfectly with these bowls. Cauliflower rice is great for low-carb or veggie-loaded meals.
- Optional toppings: Black beans, corn, cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa for extra kick, avocado or guac for healthy fats, jalapeños if you like heat, cilantro and lime juice to brighten things up.
Instructions
This ground turkey taco bowl couldn't be easier to make. Cook everything in one pan or use two to get dinner on the table even faster!
- Heat olive oil in a pan. Add bell peppers and cook until slightly tender. Add onions and continue cooking until translucent and peppers are soft, stirring occasionally.
- Season the peppers and onions with half the cumin, paprika, salt and pepper.
- In the same pan, add ground turkey and use a meat chopper or spatula to chop into small pieces. Once the turkey is about halfway cooked, season with remaining half of the spices. Cook until completely cooked through.
- Serve the mixture with your base (rice, lettuce, cauliflower rice, etc.) and toppings.
Hint: Cook the peppers and turkey in separate pans if you're pressed for time! It's one extra dish to clean, but it gets dinner on the table faster.
Substitutions
- Swap ground turkey with black beans or lentils for a vegetarian version.
- Use frozen pepper strips to save time on chopping.
- Try potatoes instead of rice for a for a crispy texture.
Variations
- Serve over shredded lettuce for a taco salad.
- Make it breakfast-style by adding a fried egg on top.
- Wrap it in a tortilla for easy burritos.
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Knives
- Large skillet
- Meat chopper or spatula
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or a skillet with a splash of water or ice cube. It also freezes well—just wait to add your toppings like avocado or cilantro until after reheating.
Top Tip
- Don’t skip browning the turkey—it adds big flavor.
- Make a double batch and use leftovers for lunch wraps or taco salads.
- Let everyone build their own bowl with toppings so it’s fun and customizable.
FAQ
Rice, cauliflower rice, and lettuce make the perfect base for turkey taco bowls. Mix in black beans, corn, salsa, guacamole, cheddar cheese, or even pickled jalapeños and a squeeze of lime juice.
Yes! These ground turkey taco bowls are great for meal prep. Make a batch on Sunday and enjoy lunches or quick dinners all week.
Absolutely! Healthy taco bowls can be made with ground turkey, chicken or even lean ground beef. The seasonings and toppings add amazing flavor with less fat and calories.
More easy dinner ideas
Looking for more no-fuss meals? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with ground turkey taco bowls:
Ground Turkey Taco Bowl
Equipment
- Knives
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 orange bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Base
- Rice, cauliflower rice, potatoes or lettuce
Toppings
- Salsa, guacamole, avocado, pickled jalapenos, black beans, corn, lime juice, cilantro, cheddar cheese, sour cream
Instructions
- In a large non-stick pan, heat olive oil. Add bell peppers and cook until slightly tender. Add onions and continue cooking until translucent and peppers are soft, stirring occasionally.
- Season the peppers and onions with half the cumin, paprika, salt and pepper.
- In the same pan, add ground turkey and use a meat chopper or spatula to chop into small pieces. Once the turkey is about halfway cooked, season with remaining half of the spices. Cook until completely cooked through.
- Serve the mixture with your base and toppings.
Did you try this? Let us know!