Slow cooker turkey tacos made with ground turkey are a must-try dish. Delicious, tender, and juicy ground turkey slow cooked together with all the traditional, mouth-watering flavors of yummy tacos. The perfect healthy treat!
Do you love tacos? We do! Any shape or form of taco night always seems to be struggle-free in my house. We have turned taco Tuesday into taco-everyday![feast_advanced_jump_to]
This crock pot recipe is a great way to put a different protein on the table without arguments. Ground turkey is lighter and healthier than ground red meat. PLUS, by using lean turkey meat, you wont need to brown it first (like you do with ground beef)! A winner among dinner recipes for sure.
Ground turkey crockpot taco filling will quickly become one of your favorite slow cooker recipes. So many different, easy dinners can be made from this simple recipe. It is great in everything from lettuce wraps to taco bowls.
Cooking ground turkey in a crockpot is a great hands-off way to prepare flavorful, tender meat for tacos, chili, casseroles, and more. However, getting the cook time just right is key to preventing dried-out, overcooked turkey. So how long does ground turkey need to cook in a crockpot?
The Basics: Crockpot Cooking Times for Ground Turkey
As a general guideline. ground turkey takes the following times to fully cook in a crockpot
- On LOW heat: 4-6 hours
- On HIGH heat: 2-3 hours
However, cook times can vary based on a few factors
Quantity of Meat
The more turkey you’re cooking, the longer it will need in the crockpot. A fuller pot will require more time for the heat to fully penetrate and cook the meat through. For example, cooking 1 pound of turkey may take 4 hours on low, while 3 pounds could need 6+ hours.
Fat Content
Ground turkey labeled 85/15 or 80/20 has a higher fat content than lean 93/7 ground turkey. The extra fat renders and moistens the meat as it cooks. Leaner turkey may dry out faster so err on the longer end of cook times.
Additional Ingredients
Ingredients like tomatoes, beans, broth, etc. conduct heat differently than meat alone. More ingredients may lengthen the cook time needed.
Appliance Variability
Not all crockpots heat at the same rate. Get to know your specific crockpot’s “personality” and adjust cook times accordingly.
So while the times above provide a starting point, using a meat thermometer is the best way to test for doneness.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Moist Ground Turkey in a Crockpot
Follow these tips for foolproof crockpot ground turkey every time:
1. Prep the Meat
Rinse, drain, and pat the ground turkey dry before adding to the crockpot. Break up any large chunks so it cooks evenly.
For the most tender, moist meat, it’s ideal to brown the turkey first. Quickly sautéing it on the stovetop before slow cooking seals in juices and gives a nice caramelized flavor.
2. Add Flavorful Liquid
Moisture is key for tender turkey that doesn’t dry out. Add broth, salsa, barbecue sauce, etc. The moisture also allows the meat to absorb flavors as it cooks.
3. Don’t Overfill
Leave at least 1-2 inches of headspace in the crockpot. Overfilling leads to uneven cooking.
4. Resist Opening the Lid
Lifting the lid frequently lets heat and steam escape. Only open when absolutely needed to prevent extending cook times.
5. Use a Thermometer
Test the internal temperature in a few spots to ensure even doneness. Turkey should reach 165°F.
6. Let It Rest
Once cooked, let the turkey rest in the crockpot for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute for tender, juicy meat.
Troubleshooting: How to Prevent Dry, Overcooked Ground Turkey
If your crockpot turkey still ends up dry or overcooked, a few issues may be to blame:
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Not enough liquid: Add more broth, sauce, etc. to keep things moist.
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Too little fat: Choose a fattier blend like 85/15 next time for added moisture and flavor.
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Overcrowded crock: Leave more headspace and stir periodically to allow steam circulation.
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Cooking too long: Use a thermometer to test doneness instead of cook times.
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Improper thawing: Completely thaw frozen turkey in the fridge before cooking to prevent uneven heating.
Tips for Infusing Flavor into Ground Turkey
One advantage of crockpot cooking is how it allows flavors to meld and penetrate the meat. To pump up the flavor in ground turkey:
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Sauté aromatics like onion, garlic, peppers, etc. before adding the meat.
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Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, Italian herbs, or other spice blends.
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Mix in salsa, barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, etc. for built-in flavor.
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Add tomato products, broth, wine, and other liquids to impart taste.
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Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Creative & Foolproof Crockpot Ground Turkey Recipes
Here are some delicious, tried-and-true crockpot ground turkey recipes to add to your repertoire:
Simple Shredded Ground Turkey
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup salsa
- Taco seasoning
Brown turkey, add to crockpot with salsa and taco seasoning. Cook 3-4 hours on low until easily shredded. Use in tacos, burritos, salads, etc.
Turkey Chili
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 15-oz can beans, drained
- 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes
- Chili powder and cumin to taste
Cook onion and garlic with turkey until no pink remains. Add remaining ingredients and cook on low 4-6 hours.
Turkey Meatballs in Marinara Sauce
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Mix first 4 ingredients. Form into balls and place in crockpot. Top with marinara. Cook on low 3-4 hours.
BBQ Turkey for Sandwiches
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Cook turkey in crockpot on low for 6 hours with remaining ingredients. Shred and serve on buns.
The Takeaway on Crockpot Ground Turkey
Cooking ground turkey in the crockpot makes it easy to prepare healthy, versatile meals. Allow 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high, but use a thermometer to confirm doneness at 165°F. Prevent dry meat by starting with good prep techniques and ample moisture. Infuse big flavor with spice rubs, sauces, and aromatics. Once you master the basics, you can whip up endless turkey-based meals with ease.
How to make slow cooker turkey taco meat
As mentioned, one of my favorite things about ground turkey tacos is that you dont have to cook anything in advance. 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
There are many mouth-watering ways to serve this delicious turkey tacos recipe! Stuffing traditional soft or crunchy taco shells is always a favorite place to start.
Wrapping your meat mixture up in corn tortillas is also delicious. Especially when you include some beans, cheese, veggies, and a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream.
However, dont feel like you need to limit yourself to just these traditional taco options. This lean meat dish is wonderful wrapped up in a large romaine lettuce leaf. This makes for an awesome light dinner that also happens to be gluten free.
You can also serve it in a large bowl on top of salad. Add some pinto beans, pico de Gallo, sliced black olives, and bell pepper for a complete one-bowl taco salad meal.
Are you a fan of nachos (uh – who isnt??)? This is one of our favorite recipes to add to a loaded nacho plate. Just slip some on top of tortilla chips with a bunch of fixins. And WHAM – a new favorite the whole family will love!
If you love this recipe, please let me know in the comment section below!
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 serve this taco recipe with some lime wedges so we can squeeze fresh lime juice on top.
Leftovers of your ground turkey tacos can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. An airtight container or freezer-safe bag will work best. This will keep your leftovers fresh for 3-4 day when refrigerated and 3-4 months in the freezer.
- Freezing leftovers in meal-sized portions makes for easy reheat-and-eat weeknight meals
- I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
- In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
- This recipe is for mild tacos. Turn up the heat by adding hot chili peppers into the slow cooker along with the listed ingredients.
- Prefer your tacos shredded rather than ground? Try shredded chicken tacos or shredded beef tacos
There are two main reasons why slow cooked ground turkey may seem a bit mushy. 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. Ground turkey with a higher fat content can become mushier as it slow cooks. To avoid this, buy the leanest ground turkey you can find (less expensive ground turkey tends to include a higher fat percentage).
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Crock Pot Ground Turkey Sandwiches – Ground Turkey Crock Pot Recipes
FAQ
How long does it take ground turkey to cook in a crockpot?
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Is 3 hours in slow cooker enough?