Turkey Taco Bowl (Printable Version)

Seasoned ground turkey over fluffy rice with fresh vegetables 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

# Directions:

01 - Cook rice according to package directions or use precooked rice to expedite preparation.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook, 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 skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
04 - Sprinkle taco seasoning over the turkey and vegetables, mixing thoroughly. Cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons water if needed to distribute seasoning evenly.
05 - Divide cooked rice evenly 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 garnish and flavor enhancement.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 35 minutes and tastes like you actually planned ahead.
  • Everyone builds their own bowl exactly how they want it, which somehow makes people eat faster and argue less.
  • The seasoning hits that perfect savory-smoky note that makes you feel like you've done something special, even on a Tuesday.
02 -
  • Don't skip browning the turkey properly at the start—if you cook it on too high heat or don't break it up enough, you'll end up with large, dense chunks instead of seasoned, crumbly meat that coats your rice beautifully.
  • The water you add to the seasoning mix is crucial and not just filler—it helps the spices dissolve and cling to the turkey rather than sitting on top tasting bitter and overwhelming.
03 -
  • Smoked paprika is the secret ingredient that makes this taste like it came from a restaurant instead of your weeknight kitchen—don't substitute it with regular paprika or the depth disappears.
  • Brown the turkey on medium rather than high heat so it seasons properly instead of just cooking quickly and tasting bland—patience here makes all the difference between good and genuinely crave-worthy.
Go Back