Savory Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos
These Savory Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos are an easy and delicious meal perfect for any taco night! Tender ground turkey is slow-cooked with onions, zesty tomato paste, and your choice of salsa for a flavorful filling that's sure to please everyone at the table. Topped with a smooth, creamy sauce infused with sour cream and a hint of red pepper, these tacos are not only scrumptious but also simple to make, leaving you more time to enjoy with family and friends. Serve them up in crunchy taco shells, and watch them disappear!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground turkey
1 lb (none)
Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Tomato paste
1 (6 ounce) can (none)
Chunky salsa
1/2 cup (none)
Fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon (chopped (optional))
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Butter
1 tablespoon (none)
All-purpose flour
1 tablespoon (none)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Milk
1/3 cup (none)
Sour cream
1/2 cup (none)
Ground red pepper
to taste (none)
Taco shells
8 (none)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground turkey and chopped onion, stirring to break up the meat until it's cooked through.
2
Transfer the turkey mixture to the slow cooker and stir in the tomato paste, chunky salsa, chopped cilantro (if using), and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
3
Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 4-5 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
4
About 30 minutes before serving, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt, cooking for 1 minute to create a roux.
5
Slowly stir in the milk, cooking and stirring constantly over low heat until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
6
In a small bowl, mix the sour cream with a sprinkle of ground red pepper. Then, stir this mixture into the hot milk sauce, returning to low heat for an additional minute while stirring constantly.
7
To serve, spoon 1/4 cup of the turkey mixture into each taco shell, and drizzle with the creamy sour cream mixture. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in Savory Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos?
The main protein used in this recipe is one pound of ground turkey.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 8 servings.
How long do you cook the turkey in the slow cooker?
The turkey mixture should be cooked on low for 4 to 5 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Do I need to brown the meat before putting it in the slow cooker?
Yes, you should brown the ground turkey and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat before transferring them to the slow cooker.
What setting should I use on my slow cooker?
The slow cooker should be set to the low heat setting.
What kind of salsa is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chunky salsa.
Is cilantro required for these tacos?
No, the one tablespoon of chopped fresh cilantro is listed as an optional ingredient.
What size can of tomato paste is needed?
You will need one 6-ounce can of tomato paste.
What kind of taco shells are used?
The recipe suggests using crunchy taco shells for serving.
How do I make the creamy sauce?
The sauce is made by creating a roux with butter and flour, adding milk until thickened, and then stirring in sour cream and ground red pepper.
When should I begin preparing the creamy sour cream sauce?
You should start preparing the sauce about 30 minutes before you are ready to serve.
What gives the creamy sauce its spicy kick?
The heat in the sauce comes from a sprinkle of ground red pepper added to taste.
How much turkey mixture should I put in each taco shell?
Each taco should be filled with approximately 1/4 cup of the slow-cooked turkey mixture.
Can I use ground beef instead of turkey?
While the recipe specifies ground turkey, ground beef can be used as a substitute if preferred.
How much milk is required for the sauce?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of milk for the creamy sauce.
What are the primary flavorings in the turkey mixture?
The mixture is flavored with onion, tomato paste, chunky salsa, salt, and optional cilantro.
Is this recipe suitable for a family meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a family meal and is designed to be a simple, delicious option for taco night.
Do I need to add water to the slow cooker?
No additional water is required; the tomato paste and salsa provide the necessary moisture.
What type of onion should I use?
The recipe calls for one medium onion, chopped.
Can I make this recipe if I'm short on time?
This is a slow cooker recipe requiring 4-5 hours of cooking, though the active prep time is relatively short.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to brown the ground turkey and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat.
What ingredients are needed for the roux?
To make the roux, you need one tablespoon of butter, one tablespoon of all-purpose flour, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
How long should I cook the roux before adding milk?
The butter, flour, and salt mixture should be cooked for 1 minute before slowly stirring in the milk.
What is the texture of the finished turkey filling?
The filling is described as a tender and flavorful ground turkey mixture.
Can I use soft tortillas instead?
The recipe recommends crunchy shells, but you can easily substitute them with soft flour or corn tortillas.
Is this recipe categorized under a specific cuisine?
Yes, it is tagged under Mexican cuisine.
How much sour cream is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of sour cream.
What should I do if the sauce is too thick?
You can add a small splash of extra milk and stir over low heat until the desired consistency is reached.
Is there salt in both the turkey and the sauce?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon is added to the turkey mixture and 1/4 teaspoon is added to the sauce roux.
What is the best way to serve these tacos?
Spoon the turkey mixture into shells, drizzle with the creamy sauce, and serve immediately while hot.