Ground turkey tacos cooked in a slow cooker are a recipe you simply must try. Flavorful, juicy, and soft ground turkey slowly cooked with all the classic, tantalizing flavors of delicious tacos The perfect healthy treat!.
Do you enjoy tacos as much as we do? Taco night in my home always seems to go down without a hitch. We have turned taco Tuesday into taco-everyday![feast_advanced_jump_to].
This recipe for crock pot protein is a great way to serve a different protein without causing a scene. Ground turkey is lighter and healthier than ground red meat. This dinner recipe is sure to be a hit because it uses lean turkey meat instead of ground beef, which eliminates the need for pre-browning.
Your go-to slow cooker recipe will soon be the ground turkey crockpot taco filling. This simple recipe can be used to make a wide variety of simple dinners. It tastes fantastic in taco bowls and lettuce wraps alike.
Ground turkey is a versatile and healthy protein option that can be easily cooked in a slow cooker. This cooking method is ideal for busy individuals and families as it requires minimal preparation and delivers delicious results. This guide will delve into the optimal cooking times for ground turkey in a slow cooker, ensuring perfectly cooked meat for your meals.
Cooking Times for Ground Turkey in a Slow Cooker
The cooking time for ground turkey in a slow cooker depends on two factors: the heat setting and the size of the ground turkey pieces
Cooking on Low:
- Small pieces (1/2 inch or less): 4-5 hours
- Large pieces (1 inch or more): 5-6 hours
Cooking on High:
- Small pieces (1/2 inch or less): 2-3 hours
- Large pieces (1 inch or more): 3-4 hours
Additional Considerations:
- Frozen ground turkey: Add an extra 30 minutes to the cooking time.
- Thicker sauces: May require longer cooking times.
- Slow cooker model: Different models may have slight variations in cooking times.
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Ground Turkey:
- Brown the ground turkey before adding it to the slow cooker. This helps to seal in flavor and moisture.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ground turkey. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Do not overcook the ground turkey. Overcooked ground turkey can become dry and tough.
Recipes for Ground Turkey in a Slow Cooker
Here are two delicious and easy recipes for ground turkey in a slow cooker:
Slow Cooker Ground Turkey and Mushrooms
This recipe is a simple and flavorful dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 pound white mushrooms, sliced
- 1/4 cup homemade gravy mix or a gravy packet
- 1/2 cup water
- Green onions, optional
Instructions:
- Add ground turkey to the slow cooker and break up the turkey with a spoon.
- Add in sliced mushrooms, 1/4 cup of gravy mix, and water. Stir with a spoon.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
- Remove lid and break up the turkey with a spoon. Salt and pepper to taste if needed.
- Serve turkey and mushrooms over rice, noodles, potatoes, or in lettuce wraps. Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired.
Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Chili
This hearty and satisfying chili is perfect for a cold day.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Add ground turkey, onion, and green bell pepper to the slow cooker.
- Stir in black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes and green chilies, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Serve chili with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped onions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen ground turkey in a slow cooker?
A: Yes, you can use frozen ground turkey in a slow cooker. However, you will need to add an extra 30 minutes to the cooking time.
Q: Do I need to brown the ground turkey before adding it to the slow cooker?
A: Browning the ground turkey before adding it to the slow cooker is not required, but it is recommended. Browning helps to seal in flavor and moisture.
Q: How do I know when the ground turkey is cooked?
A: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ground turkey. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Q: Can I overcook ground turkey in a slow cooker?
A: Yes, it is possible to overcook ground turkey in a slow cooker. Overcooked ground turkey can become dry and tough.
Q: What are some tips for cooking ground turkey in a slow cooker?
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ground turkey.
- Do not overcook the ground turkey.
- Add additional liquid if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Serve the ground turkey with your favorite sides.
Cooking ground turkey in a slow cooker is a convenient and flavorful way to prepare this versatile protein. By following the guidelines and tips provided in this guide, you can ensure perfectly cooked ground turkey for your meals. Enjoy experimenting with different recipes and creating delicious dishes that your family and friends will love.
How to make slow cooker turkey taco meat
As previously mentioned, one of my favorite things about ground turkey tacos is that there’s no preparation required beforehand. Ground beef tacos require cooking the meat first. A step I always wish I could skip!.
Start your crockpot turkey tacos by spraying your slow cooker with a non-stick cooking spray. Next, add in your ground beef and all remaining ingredients. Stir to combine, cover, and cook. Thats it!
All turkey taco ingredients before cooking
This recipe for delicious turkey tacos can be served in a variety of delicious ways! A favorite way to begin is by stuffing traditional soft or crunchy taco shells.
It’s also delicious to encase your meat mixture in corn tortillas. particularly when you add some veggies, cheese, beans, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
But don’t feel as though you have to stick to these conventional taco options. This dish of lean meat tastes great wrapped up in a big leaf of romaine lettuce. In addition to being gluten-free, this makes a fantastic light dinner.
It can also be served over salad in a big bowl. To make a full one-bowl taco salad meal, add some pinto beans, pico de Gallo, sliced black olives, and bell pepper.
Which one of us doesn’t love nachos? This is one of our go-to recipes to add to a plate of loaded nachos. Simply sprinkle some over tortilla chips and top with desired toppings. And presto! A brand-new family favorite that everyone will adore!
Please let me know in the comments section below if you really enjoy this recipe!
Some additional ideas for taco toppings include:
- sour cream
- shredded cheddar cheese
- shredded lettuce
- diced tomatoes
- black beans
- chopped chipotle peppers
- green chiles
- hot sauce
I always include some lime wedges with this taco recipe so we can squeeze some fresh lime juice on top.
You can store any leftover ground turkey tacos in the freezer or refrigerator. An airtight container or freezer-safe bag will work best. This will preserve your leftovers for up to four days in the fridge and up to four months in the freezer.
- Weeknight meals are made easier to reheat and consume when leftovers are frozen in meal-sized portions.
- I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I prefer to buy my liners in bulk since the cost per piece is lower.
- Do you think you could use a new slow cooker? I adore mine!
- This recipe is for mild tacos. Add the listed ingredients to the slow cooker and turn up the heat by adding hot chili peppers.
- If you’d rather have your tacos shredded than ground, try these: shredded beef or chicken tacos.
There are two primary causes for the somewhat mushy texture of slow-cooked ground turkey. The first is overhandling. This dish needs to be stirred just until combined. Mixing with your hands is also a great option. The second is fattier turkey meat. Higher fat ground turkey has a tendency to get mushier while it cooks slowly. Purchase the leanest ground turkey you can find to avoid this (cheaper ground turkey typically has a higher fat percentage).
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