Spicy Chili-Lime Turkey Tacos with Avocado Cream Recipe
These Spicy Chili-Lime Turkey Tacos with Avocado Cream offer a vibrant and flavorful meal perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner. Ground turkey is seasoned with a blend of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, then enhanced with fresh lime zest and juice for a zesty kick. Served on warm tortillas with crisp lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, crumbled queso fresco, and a creamy avocado-lime sauce, these tacos combine bold spices with creamy textures for an irresistible dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Seasoning
- 1.0 lb ground turkey
- 2.0 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.0 teaspoon chili powder
- 1.0 teaspoon cumin
- 1.0 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1.0 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1.0 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1.0 whole lime (zest and juice)
Toppings and Tortillas
- 8.0 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1.0 cup shredded lettuce
- 1.0 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.5 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese
- Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
Avocado Cream
- 1.0 ripe avocado
- 0.5 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1.0 whole lime (juice)
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Avocado Cream: In a blender or food processor, combine the ripe avocado, sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Set aside for serving.
- Cook the Turkey: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until turkey starts to brown, about 4-5 minutes.
- Season the Turkey: Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to the browned turkey. Stir to evenly coat the meat with spices. Add lime zest and juice, mixing well. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until fully heated and flavors meld.
- Warm the Tortillas: Using a separate pan or griddle, warm each tortilla for about 30 seconds per side until soft and slightly toasted.
- Assemble the Tacos: Spoon seasoned turkey onto each warmed tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, and crumbled queso fresco. Drizzle with the prepared avocado cream.
- Garnish and Serve: Add fresh cilantro leaves on top for added flavor. Serve the tacos immediately for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be substituted with ground chicken or lean beef if preferred.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount to control the spiciness level.
- For a dairy-free avocado cream, replace sour cream with coconut yogurt.
- Warm tortillas over an open flame for a smoky flavor or wrap in foil and heat in the oven if preferred.
- Leftover turkey mixture keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: turkey tacos, spicy turkey tacos, avocado cream, chili lime tacos, quick dinner, healthy tacos, Mexican-inspired tacos
