Turkey Taco Bowl (Printable)

Seasoned turkey over rice with fresh vegetables, cheese, and classic toppings.

# 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 Make:

01 - Cook rice according to package instructions or use precooked rice to expedite preparation.
02 - Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking apart with spatula, until browned and nearly cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
03 - Add diced onion and red bell pepper to skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
04 - Sprinkle taco seasoning blend over turkey and vegetables. Mix thoroughly and cook for 2 minutes. Optional: add 2 to 3 tablespoons water to ensure even seasoning distribution.
05 - Divide cooked rice equally among four serving bowls. Distribute seasoned turkey mixture over rice base in each bowl.
06 - Arrange lettuce, cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, and cilantro over each bowl according to preference.
07 - Transfer bowls to serving plates immediately. Serve with lime wedges on the side for brightness and acidity.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready in 35 minutes flat, which means weeknight dinner without the stress or takeout box guilt.
  • Everyone gets to pile on exactly what they want, so picky eaters and adventurous ones sit happily at the same table.
  • Ground turkey does something beautiful when it's seasoned properly—it becomes something you'll crave, not just something lean and forgettable.
02 -
  • Don't skip browning the turkey properly in step 2—rushing this means the meat stays pale and steams instead of developing that deeper, caramelized flavor that makes everything taste more intentional.
  • Add water to your spices in step 4 even if it seems wet—I learned this the hard way when my first batch seasoning turned into dust that wouldn't stick, and now I understand it's actually helping create an emulsion that coats everything evenly.
03 -
  • Cook your spices together in the hot pan for just one minute after adding them—this blooming step makes them taste more rounded and integrated rather than sharp and powdery.
  • Have all your toppings prepped and arranged before you start cooking the turkey so assembly feels easy and nothing gets cold while you're chopping.
Go Back