Oven Baked Turkey Tacos
Dinner doesn’t get easier than these Oven Baked Turkey Tacos! They’re filled with seasoned ground turkey, refried beans and cheese, then baked to crispy perfection. They’re gluten-free and are perfect for quick and easy weeknight dinner or game day celebrations!
Tacos are one of my family’s most requested dinners. They’ll never say no to grilled fish tacos or my ground beef tacos, but one recipe in particular is loved head and shoulders above the rest.
These Oven Baked Turkey Tacos are my family’s favorite. I don’t know if it’s the crispy shells, the turkey taco meat or because all they have to do is pile on the toppings when they come out of the oven.
It’s probably a little bit of all of that that makes these so irresistible.
I have to admit that I love making them (and eating them!) too. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Ground turkey tacos are filled with seasoned ground turkey, refried beans and cheese, then baked until warm and crispy.
- This is a quick and easy dinner that’s on the table in 30 minutes.
- It’s family-friendly and customizable with your favorite meat, beans and toppings.
- It’s gluten-free and may be made vegetarian or vegan with a few simple swaps.
Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Ground turkey. For best results, use lean ground turkey as it contains fat, which adds flavor and keeps the turkey from drying out. It may also be substituted with your favorite ground meat such as beef, pork or chicken, or make the tacos vegetarian by omitting the meat.
- Refried beans. The refried beans act as a “glue” to hold the turkey taco meat in place. You can use my Instant Pot black beans to make homemade refried beans, or use your favorite store bought brand.
- Taco shells. Use crispy taco shells, preferably ones with flat bottoms as they stand up easier in the baking dish. I’ve successfully used corn taco shells and Siete grain free taco shells in this recipe — they crisp up beautifully!
- Taco seasoning. Use my homemade taco seasoning, which you can make in advance, or your use your favorite store bought brand.
- Cheese. Use your favorite grated cheese such as cheddar or Mexican blend.
- Toppings. I’ve topped these ground turkey tacos with shredded lettuce, tomato, green onion and cilantro, but the options are endless. Your favorite salsa, guacamole, avocado, olives and sour cream are wonderful options as well.
How to make ground turkey tacos
Making oven baked tacos couldn’t be easier. The turkey taco meat takes minutes to prepare, then it’s time to stuff the taco shells and bake!
Pro tip: The refried beans act as a “glue” to keep the turkey taco meat in the shells, so I don’t recommend substituting them with whole beans. Use flat bottomed taco shells as they stand up easier!
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Sauté the onions until softened, then add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook 30 seconds more.
- Add the ground turkey and break up into pieces, cooking for 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice.
- Stand the taco shells in a baking dish and fill with the refried beans, followed by the ground turkey meat.
- Top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.
FAQs
Preparing flavorful turkey tacos is extremely easy! Cook the ground turkey in onions and garlic, then season it with salt and pepper, plenty of taco seasoning, and add some water to allow it to absorb flavor.
When it’s done cooking, remove from heat and stir in some fresh lime juice to brighten all the flavors.
Taco shells with flat bottoms are the best for oven baked tacos as they stand up in the baking dish easier.
Taco shells with curved bottoms can be used but they’re a bit more challenging. Prop them up close together in a baking dish with high sides to keep them upright.
Most crispy taco shells will crisp up nicely at a temperature of 350 degrees in about 8-10 minutes time. Brands do vary, so check the package instructions.
Serving suggestions
These oven baked tacos are plenty satisfying on their own, or you can serve them with an array of delicious side dishes for a complete fiesta.
- Serve with a side of Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice.
- Change things up with your toppings! Try tomatillo salsa, pico de gallo, or guacamole, or keep things simple with store bought varieties.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: The refried beans act as a “glue” to keep the turkey taco meat in the shells, so I don’t recommend substituting them with whole beans. Use flat bottomed taco shells as they stand up easier!
- I’ve tried this recipe successfully with Siete grain free taco shells as well as corn taco shells.
- Customize these oven baked tacos with your favorite ground meat and toppings such as pico de gallo, guacamole, olives or sour cream.
- This meal is easily scaled to feed a crowd!
More taco recipes you’ll love:
- Chicken tacos by Damn Delicious
- Fish taco bowls
- Pork carnitas
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Oven Baked Turkey Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
- 1 lb. lean ground turkey or sub with your favorite ground meat
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 12 crispy corn taco shells
- 15 ounces refried beans regular or black beans
- 1 1/2 cups grated cheese your favorite
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 large tomato seeded and chopped
- 1 green onion sliced thinly
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro optional
- lime wedges for serving, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Arrange the taco shells standing upright in a 9×13″ baking dish and set aside.12 crispy corn taco shells
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet or saute pan. Add the onion and cook 5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook 30 seconds longer.1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 small onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the ground turkey and break up into small chunks with a wooden spoon. Add the water and stir until the turkey is well coated with the seasoning mixture. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice and season with salt and pepper, to taste.2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning, 1 lb. lean ground turkey, 1/4 cup water, salt and pepper
- Spoon 1 1/2 – 2 tablespoons of refried beans in the bottom of each taco shell and spread across the bottom. Divide the ground turkey between each of the taco shells and top with the grated cheese.15 ounces refried beans
- Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the tacos are heated through. Remove from heat, pile on the toppings and enjoy!1 1/2 cups grated cheese, 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 1 large tomato, 1 green onion, 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro, lime wedges
Notes
- Pro tip: The refried beans act as a “glue” to keep the turkey taco meat in the shells, so I don’t recommend substituting them with whole beans.
- I’ve tried this recipe successfully with Siete grain free taco shells as well as corn taco shells.
- Customize these oven baked tacos with your favorite ground meat and toppings such as pico de gallo, guacamole, olives or sour cream.
- This meal is easily scaled to feed a crowd!
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This post was originally published in April 2018. The photos have been updated to include step by step photos, and the text has been modified to include more recipe information.
11 Comments on “Oven Baked Turkey Tacos”
Sounds like your garden will be wonderful, Marcie! Garden tomatoes have always been my favorite. I love picking cherry tomatoes and eating them like popcorn! These baked tacos look SO good! Love that you baked them in the oven and used ground turkey. Sounds like my kind of meal, especially with Cinco de Mayo coming up!
Thanks Gayle! I eat cherry tomatoes like candy (or popcorn!). 🙂
Oh I can’t wait to see all of those gorgeous tomatoes come summertime! You’re such an inspiration to me with your garden. I’m hoping after the dust settles with our house that I can get my own started. I’ll be reaching out to you for help, lol!
And tacos are hands down the best way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. This version looks delicious and so filling!
Sounds like I am going to continue to be jealous of your garden, Marcie!! I really need to relocate my house to your street! 😉 These tacos look fantastic!! No way am I going to be able to wait until Cinco de Mayo to devour these baked bad boys! Gimme gimme! Pinning! Cheers!
Please do relocate here! 🙂
these tacos look so flavorful Marcie, I love the homemade black beans 🙂
Thank you Manali!
Three cheers for tacos! I swear, I can never get enough! haha These sound delicious! And so exciting about your garden – the weather is finally warm enough here to plant mine but I first need to put up some netting to keep out the deer. I am soooo not having a repeat of last year with them! haha They ate everything on me!!
I can never get enough either! I would be so upset to have my garden eaten up by deer — I hope you’re able to keep them out! 🙂
As with all your yummy recipes, another winner! You are the best friend of all us foodies! We love you!
I appreciate all of your support Brenda! I’m so glad you loved the tacos. 🙂