Skinny Spicy Turkey Tacos (Printable version)

Lean turkey and tangy mango slaw wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves for a light, flavorful meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Turkey Filling

01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
06 - 1 tbsp chili powder
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
12 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
13 - 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
14 - Juice of 1/2 lime

→ Mango Slaw

15 - 1 large ripe mango, peeled and julienned
16 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
17 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
18 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
20 - Juice of 1 lime
21 - 1 tbsp honey or agave syrup
22 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
23 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Serving

24 - 12 large butter or romaine lettuce leaves, washed and patted dry
25 - Lime wedges, optional
26 - Extra cilantro, optional

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, combine mango, red cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and green onions. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, rice vinegar, and salt. Pour dressing over the slaw and toss well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add red onion and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeño, and sauté for 1 minute more.
03 - Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper. Add tomato paste and mix well to combine with the turkey.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken slightly. Squeeze in lime juice, stir, and remove from heat.
06 - Spoon spicy turkey mixture into the center of each lettuce leaf. Top generously with mango slaw.
07 - Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and restaurant-quality while keeping you in your skinny jeans without any sacrifice.
  • The combination of spiced turkey and tropical mango slaw hits sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy all at once—your taste buds will thank you.
  • Comes together faster than delivery, so weeknight dinners suddenly feel effortless and exciting.
02 -
  • Don't skip the refrigeration step for the slaw; it completely changes the texture and allows the dressing to properly season the vegetables instead of sliding right off.
  • Your lettuce leaves need to be completely dry or the filling will make them soggy and they'll tear—patting them with paper towels is worth the extra thirty seconds.
  • Lime juice at the end is crucial because it brightens everything and prevents the spices from feeling heavy, so taste and adjust if needed.
03 -
  • Prep your ingredients while the slaw chills so everything moves quickly once you start cooking the turkey.
  • If you're cooking for guests, assemble the tacos yourself and set them directly on the plate—the presentation is half the appeal, and warm turkey on cold slaw is peak texture.
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