Turkey Taco Bowl (Printable)

Vibrant bowl with seasoned turkey, rice, and fresh taco toppings for a quick, satisfying meal.

# 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

# How-To:

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 while 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 turkey. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
04 - Sprinkle taco seasoning mixture over the turkey and vegetables. Mix thoroughly and cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons water if needed to evenly distribute seasoning.
05 - Divide cooked rice equally 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 fresh citrus brightness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can have a complete, satisfying meal on the table in just 35 minutes, and most of that is just rice cooking.
  • Everything is customizable, so picky eaters and adventurous ones can build exactly what they want in their own bowl.
  • Ground turkey is forgiving and affordable, making this a weeknight staple that doesn't break the budget.
02 -
  • Don't skip blooming the spices in the warm meat—it's the difference between tasting seasoning and tasting seasoned food, and it only takes 2 minutes.
  • Add the water after the spices if the pan looks dry; this prevents burning and helps create a light coating that makes every bite flavorful instead of gritty.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of the seasoned turkey and freeze half for next week—it reheats beautifully and makes dinner even faster the second time around.
  • If you find your sour cream too thick, thin it with a squeeze of lime juice and a splash of water to make it drizzle-friendly.
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