Hidden Veggie Turkey Tacos
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Use this Hidden Veggie Turkey Tacos recipe to sneak some extra veggies into homemade ground turkey taco meat. Your friends and family won’t even know that they’re eating zucchini and cauliflower with their meat.
Ground turkey tacos are the perfect way to use up and enjoy some extra veggies!
I first tested this recipe because I has some zucchini in the fridge that wasn’t looking to good. So I chopped it up and threw it in our taco meat along with some riced cauliflower.
Shockingly you couldn’t even taste the veggies alongside all the spices and flavors of the taco meat. I found that if I peeled the zucchini and chopped it small you could barely see it in the meat at all!
I know that some people are against the concept of hiding veggies from their kids, but if you have a picky eater this turkey taco meat might be the perfect option!
What kitchen tools will I need to make these Hidden Veggie Turkey Tacos?
I prepare this healthy turkey taco meat in a large skillet. You can use any kind of large skillet or even a wok.
You will also need a sharp knife and a vegetable peeler to prepare the vegetables that you will mix into the ground turkey. I use a wooden spatula to mix and break the ground turkey into crumbles
I also used a small mixing bowl to mix the spice mixture together.
How do you season ground turkey for tacos?
Ground turkey taco meat can sometimes have less flavor than a traditional ground beef taco because it is lower in fat. To flavor these healthy ground turkey tacos I used a mix of warming spices and tomato paste.
I always use the same seasoning mixture for tacos which includes salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin and cayenne.
If you want to up the spice level of this turkey taco meat, just add some extra cayenne. I promise with these seasonings, you won’t miss the ground beef.
What ingredients will I need to make these ground turkey tacos with extra veggies?
You will be amazed at how easy it is to make ground turkey tacos with just a few healthy ingredients.
- Avocado oil
- Ground turkey
- Frozen cauliflower rice
- Zucchini
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chili
Yes! You can basically use any ground meat that you like for this taco recipe.
Yes! I prefer frozen cauliflower rice because it is usually more affordable, but fresh cauliflower rice will work well too.
Let’s make some Hidden Veggie Turkey Tacos!
Step 1: Prep ingredients and sauté veggies
To begin, peel the zucchini and dice into tiny cubes. Then, mix salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin and cayenne in a small bowl.
Next, combine tomato paste and water in a small bowl.
Then, heat avocado oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the diced zucchini and riced cauliflower to the skillet.
Next, sauté the veggies until soft and cooked through, about 7 minutes.
Step 2: Brown ground turkey and season
Then, push the veggies to the edge of the skillet and add the ground turkey to the pan. Heat the ground turkey and begin to break into crumbles.
After about 2 minutes, add the seasoning mixture into the pan and continue browning and the ground turkey and breaking into crumbles.
Once the turkey is almost completely cooked through, mix the veggies in with the ground turkey.
Step 3: Mix in tomato paste
Reduce the heat to medium low and pour the water and tomato paste mixture into the skillet and mix in thoroughly with the turkey and veggies. Cook for another 2 minutes and remove from the heat.
Step 4: Enjoy!
How to serve these ground turkey tacos
I like to serve these hidden veggie ground turkey tacos with small corn tortillas and other toppings. First, I toast the tortillas over an open flame on the stove.
Then, I serve everything buffet style. That way everyone can choose whichever toppings they want for their ground turkey tacos!
How should I store this ground turkey taco meat?
Once prepared, store this ground turkey taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or use one of the recipes below to repurpose your leftovers!
Other ways to enjoy this healthy turkey taco meat:
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Hidden Veggie Turkey Tacos
Healthy ground turkey taco meat made with extra veggies
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 (12oz) bag riced cauliflower
- 2 small or 1 large zucchini
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1/8 tsp cayenne
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 3 tbsp water
Instructions
- Peel zucchini and dice into tiny cubes
- Mix salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin and cayenne in a small bowl
- Combine tomato paste and water in a small bowl
- Heat avocado oil over medium heat in a large skillet
- Add the diced zucchini and riced cauliflower to the skillet
- Saute veggies until soft and cooked through, about 7 minutes
- Push the veggies to the edge of the skillet and add the ground turkey to the pan
- Heat the ground turkey and begin to break into crumbles
- After about 2 minutes add the seasoning mixture into the pan and continue browning and the ground turkey and breaking into crumbles
- Once the turkey is almost completely cooked through, mix the veggies in with the ground turkey
- Reduce the heat to medium low and pour the water and tomato paste mixture into the skillet and mix in thoroughly with the turkey and veggies
- Cook for another 2 minutes and remove from the heat
- Serve with tortillas and any toppings you like!
James says
I can’t wait to make these for my kids!! Looks so good!!
★★★★★
Madeline says
Thanks, James!
Donna says
Made this for dinner last night and it was so good! My husband is not a big fan of veggies and enjoyed this. The spices and toppings really cover the taste of the cauliflower. Always love ideas to incorporate veggies into our regular meals.
★★★★★
Madeline says
amazing!! Thank you so much!!
Elisa says
Okay but you actually cannot tell there is cauliflower at all and the zucchini doesn’t get all soggy and weird?? Making my tacos this way forever and love that I now know a taco seasoning blend that isn’t prepackaged and filled with a ton of added salt 🙂
Madeline says
So glad!! Thank you!!!
Jlryan says
Made this for dinner. Soooo good and such a great way to add in veg. You can’t even tell the veg is in there. Very tasty!
★★★★★
Madeline says
Amazing! I agree!! thank you!
Julia T says
These were such a great way to get some veggies in!
★★★★★
Madeline says
YEs! got to sneak them in sometimes! Thank you!
Carolyne says
I made this tonight and it couldn’t have been easier. So delicious and you couldn’t even taste the veggies! I’ve already sent the recipe to several friends. Mad about Food is always a hit!!
★★★★★
Madeline says
yay! thank you!
Leslie says
This was delicious! I made it without the cauliflower because I didn’t have any but plan to remake this with the cauliflower in the future.
★★★★★
Madeline says
yay! so glad you enjoyed!