This delicious turkey and black bean taco salad recipe is a fusion of flavorful ingredients that will take your taste buds on a culinary journey. The ground turkey and black beans lend a hearty texture to the salad, while the blend of spices and fresh produce like romaine lettuce and grape tomatoes add a burst of freshness. It's a perfect dish for those nights when you want something quick, easy, and loaded with flavor.
For this recipe, you might need to pick up a few special ingredients from the supermarket. Ancho chili powder, used to flavor the turkey, is a sweet and smoky spice made from dried poblano peppers. It's often found in the international or spice aisle. Also, low-sodium chicken broth is a healthier choice for those watching their sodium intake. Lastly, make sure to pick ripe avocados for the best flavor and texture.
Turkey and Black Bean Taco Salad Ingredients
Olive oil: A healthy cooking oil used to saute the onions and garlic.
Yellow onion: Adds a sweet and savory flavor to the turkey mix.
Garlic: Gives a strong and aromatic flavor.
Ground turkey: A lean source of protein.
Black beans: Adds fiber and protein to the salad.
Romaine lettuce: Crunchy and packed with nutrients.
Tortilla chips: Adds a crispy texture to the salad.
Cheddar: Adds a creamy, tangy taste.
Grape tomatoes: Adds sweetness and color to the salad.
Avocado: Creamy and rich, adds healthy fats to the salad.
Red onion: Adds a sharp, zesty flavor.
Sour cream: Adds a creamy texture to the salsa crema.
Bottled salsa: Adds a tangy and spicy flavor to the salsa crema.
One reader, Amata Hill says:
This turkey and black bean taco salad recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are incredible, and it's so easy to make. The combination of the seasoned turkey and black beans with the fresh veggies and creamy salsa crema is simply divine. It's become a family favorite in no time!
Techniques Required for Making Turkey and Black Bean Taco Salad
How to sauté the turkey and black beans: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes, then add the garlic and ground turkey. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the turkey is fully cooked, breaking it up occasionally.
How to make the salsa crema: In a small mixing bowl, stir together the light sour cream, bottled salsa, and fresh lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
How to assemble the taco salad: On dinner plates, layer the romaine lettuce, tortilla chips, cooked turkey and black bean mixture, cheddar cheese, grape tomatoes, avocado, and red onion. Spoon the cilantro-lime crema or salsa crema over the salads and serve immediately.
How To Make Turkey Black Bean Taco Salad
This taco salad is loaded with seasoned turkey and black beans, with lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado, drizzled with salsa crema.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Turkey and Black Bean Filling:
- 1tbspolive oil
- 1¼cupsyellow onion,chopped
- 3clovesgarlic,minced
- 20ozground turkey,93% lean
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1cuplow-sodium chicken broth
- ¼cuptomato paste
- 1tbspchili powder
- 1tbspancho chili powder,or another 1tbsp regular
- 2tspground cumin
- ½tspground coriander
- ½tsppaprika
- 14.5ozblack beans,(1 can), drained and rinsed
For Salad:
- 1headmedium romaine lettuce,chopped
- 5ozTortilla chips,slightly crushed
- 1cupcheddar,or Monterey Jack cheese or a Mexican blend, shredded
- 10.5ozgrape tomatoes,(1 pkg), halved or 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1avocado,diced, optional
- ⅓cupred onion,chopped, optional
For Salsa Crema:
- ½cuplight sour cream
- 6tbspbottled salsa,such as Pace Medium Chunky
- 2tspfresh lime juice
Instructions
Turkey and Black Beans:
-
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
-
Add onion and saute for 3 minutes then add garlic and turkey, season with salt and pepper then cook, tossing and breaking up turkey occasionally, until turkey has cooked through.
-
Add in chicken broth, tomato paste, chili powder, ancho chili powder, cumin, coriander, and paprika.
-
Stir well to mix in tomato paste. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
-
Stir in black beans and reduce heat to low, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
-
Allow to simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add in 1 to 2 tablespoons more chicken broth if needed. Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
To Assemble:
-
On dinner plates layer lettuce, chips, cooked turkey and black bean mixture, cheese, tomatoes, avocado, and red onion.
-
Spoon cilantro-lime crema or salsa crema over salads. Serve immediately.
Salsa Crema:
-
In a small mixing bowl stir together sour cream, salsa, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition
- Calories: 914.16kcal
- Fat: 37.86g
- Saturated Fat: 11.56g
- Trans Fat: 0.45g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 14.82g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 7.78g
- Carbohydrates: 95.66g
- Fiber: 23.80g
- Sugar: 10.54g
- Protein: 55.33g
- Cholesterol: 113.22mg
- Sodium: 1499.22mg
- Calcium: 472.46mg
- Potassium: 2691.55mg
- Iron: 9.51mg
- Vitamin A: 758.21µg
- Vitamin C: 25.75mg
Helpful Technique Tip for Preparing Turkey and Black Bean Taco Salad
When cooking the turkey and black beans, it's important to break up the turkey as it cooks. This ensures that it cooks evenly and integrates well with the other ingredients. Also, adding the spices to the turkey while it's still in the pan allows them to toast slightly, enhancing their flavors. For the salsa crema, make sure to stir the ingredients until they're well combined. This will create a smooth, creamy sauce that's perfect for drizzling over the salad.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Recipe
Prepare the filling: To save time, consider preparing the turkey and black bean filling in advance and storing it in the refrigerator. This will allow you to quickly assemble the taco salad when you're ready to serve.
Prep ingredients in advance: Chop and prepare all the ingredients ahead of time, such as the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. This will streamline the assembly process when putting together the taco salad.
Use pre-cooked turkey: If you're short on time, consider using pre-cooked turkey or leftover turkey from a previous meal. This will significantly reduce the cooking time for the filling.
Opt for canned black beans: Using canned black beans can save time compared to cooking dried beans from scratch. Simply rinse and drain the canned beans before adding them to the filling.
Multi-task: While the turkey and black bean mixture is simmering, use that time to prepare the salad ingredients or the salsa crema. This efficient use of time can help streamline the overall cooking process.
Substitute Ingredients For Turkey Black Bean Taco Salad Recipe
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar mild flavor and high smoke point, making it a suitable substitute for olive oil in this recipe.
yellow onion - Substitute with white onion: White onions have a slightly milder flavor compared to yellow onions and can be used as a substitute in this recipe.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: If fresh garlic is not available, garlic powder can be used as a substitute, but in smaller quantities, as it is more concentrated.
ground turkey - Substitute with ground chicken: Ground chicken can be used as a lean alternative to ground turkey in this recipe.
low-sodium chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used as a substitute for chicken broth to maintain the savory flavor while making the recipe vegetarian-friendly.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika and cayenne mix: A combination of paprika and cayenne pepper can be used to replicate the flavor and heat of chili powder.
ancho chili powder - Substitute with regular chili powder: Regular chili powder can be used as a substitute for ancho chili powder, although it may have a slightly different flavor profile.
ground cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander can be used as a substitute for ground cumin, providing a similar warm and citrusy flavor.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika can add a deeper, smoky flavor to the dish, enhancing the overall taste of the recipe.
black beans - Substitute with pinto beans: Pinto beans can be used as a substitute for black beans, providing a creamy texture and mild flavor to the dish.
romaine lettuce - Substitute with iceberg lettuce: Iceberg lettuce can be used as a substitute for romaine lettuce, offering a similar crisp texture and mild flavor.
tortilla chips - Substitute with tostada shells: Tostada shells can be used as a substitute for tortilla chips, providing a crunchy base for the salad.
cheddar - Substitute with monterey jack: Monterey Jack cheese can be used as a substitute for cheddar, offering a mild and creamy flavor to the salad.
grape tomatoes - Substitute with cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes can be used as a substitute for grape tomatoes, providing a similar sweet and juicy flavor to the salad.
red onion - Substitute with sweet onion: Sweet onions can be used as a substitute for red onions, offering a milder and sweeter flavor to the salad.
light sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can be used as a healthier substitute for sour cream, providing a creamy and tangy element to the salsa crema.
Best Way to Present Turkey and Black Bean Taco Salad
Elevate the plating: When presenting the turkey and black bean taco salad, focus on creating an aesthetically pleasing arrangement on the plate. Use colorful and fresh ingredients to add vibrancy and visual appeal to the dish.
Incorporate microgreens: Introduce delicate microgreens to add a touch of elegance and freshness to the salad. Their vibrant colors and delicate textures will enhance the overall presentation and provide a sophisticated touch.
Utilize edible flowers: Introduce edible flowers to the plating to add a visually stunning and gourmet element to the dish. Choose flowers that complement the flavors and colors of the salad for a visually striking presentation.
Focus on precision: Pay attention to the placement of each component on the plate, ensuring that the presentation is meticulously crafted. Precision in plating demonstrates attention to detail and elevates the overall dining experience.
Incorporate geometric shapes: Experiment with geometric shapes to arrange the ingredients on the plate. Utilize clean lines and modern presentation techniques to create an eye-catching and contemporary plating style.
Emphasize contrast: Create visual interest by incorporating contrasting colors and textures in the plating. Contrast between the different elements will make the dish visually appealing and showcase the diverse flavors and ingredients.
Use elegant serving ware: Select elegant serving ware that complements the sophistication of the dish. The right choice of plates and bowls can enhance the overall presentation and elevate the dining experience for the judges.
Essential Tools for Making Taco Salad
- Chef's knife: A versatile tool used for chopping, slicing, and dicing ingredients.
- Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Skillet: Used for cooking the turkey and black bean filling, providing a large surface area for even heat distribution.
- Mixing bowl: Essential for combining and mixing various ingredients for the salad and salsa crema.
- Spatula: Helps in stirring and flipping the turkey and black bean filling while cooking.
- Tongs: Useful for assembling the salad and tossing the ingredients together.
- Whisk: Used for blending the ingredients of the salsa crema.
- Small mixing bowl: Required for preparing the salsa crema.
- Large dinner plates: Used for serving the assembled turkey and black bean taco salad.
- Food processor: Optional for quickly chopping ingredients such as onions and garlic.
Storing and Freezing Turkey and Black Bean Taco Salad
- To store leftover turkey and black bean taco salad, place the salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator:
- Store the lettuce and tortilla chips in separate containers to prevent them from getting soggy.
- Keep the cooked turkey and black bean mixture in an airtight container.
- Store the cheese, tomatoes, avocado, and red onion in separate containers or resealable plastic bags.
- Place the salsa crema in a separate airtight container.
- When stored properly in the refrigerator, the components of the taco salad will last for the following times:
- Cooked turkey and black bean mixture: 3-4 days
- Lettuce: 3-5 days
- Tortilla chips: 1-2 weeks (if kept dry and crispy)
- Cheese, tomatoes, and red onion: 5-7 days
- Avocado: 1-2 days (once cut)
- Salsa crema: 3-5 days
- To freeze the turkey and black bean mixture for later use:
- Allow the mixture to cool completely before freezing.
- Place the mixture in a freezer-safe airtight container or resealable plastic bag, removing as much air as possible.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- To thaw the frozen turkey and black bean mixture:
- Remove the container from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.
- Alternatively, you can thaw the mixture in the microwave using the defrost setting, stirring occasionally to ensure even thawing.
- Once thawed, reheat the mixture in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding a little chicken broth or water if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- It is not recommended to freeze the other components of the salad, such as the lettuce, tortilla chips, cheese, tomatoes, avocado, or salsa crema, as they will not maintain their quality and texture after being frozen and thawed.
How To Reheat Taco Salad Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover turkey and black bean mixture in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Heat it in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until it's heated through. This method helps to retain the moisture and prevent the mixture from drying out.
Alternatively, you can reheat the turkey and black bean mixture in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to help moisten the mixture and prevent it from sticking to the pan. Stir occasionally until it's heated through, which should take about 5-10 minutes.
For the tortilla chips, you can either leave them at room temperature or place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and heat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes to crisp them up.
Reheat the cheddar cheese by sprinkling it over the warm turkey and black bean mixture, allowing it to melt naturally from the heat of the mixture.
Prepare fresh lettuce, grape tomatoes, avocado, and red onion for the salad to ensure the best texture and flavor.
For the salsa crema, you can either prepare it fresh or store it separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If using leftover salsa crema, give it a good stir before drizzling it over the reheated salad.
To assemble the reheated taco salad, layer the warm turkey and black bean mixture over fresh lettuce, followed by the crispy tortilla chips, melted cheddar cheese, fresh grape tomatoes, avocado, and red onion. Drizzle the salsa crema over the top and serve immediately for the best results.
Interesting Fact About Turkey and Black Bean Taco Salad
The turkey and black bean taco salad recipe is a delicious and nutritious meal that provides a good source of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. It's a great way to incorporate lean turkey and black beans into your diet, which are both excellent sources of protein. This recipe also includes a homemade salsa crema, adding a flavorful and creamy element to the dish. Additionally, the combination of fresh vegetables, such as lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado, provides a variety of vitamins and minerals. This taco salad is a versatile dish that can be customized with additional toppings, making it a crowd-pleasing option for gatherings and family meals.
Is Making Taco Salad at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this turkey and black bean taco salad recipe is quite high. The ingredients, such as ground turkey, black beans, and lettuce, are affordable and readily available. The dish offers a balanced mix of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $20, making it a budget-friendly option. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 9 out of 10, considering its affordability, nutritional value, and delicious flavors.
Is This Taco Salad Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
This turkey and black bean taco salad recipe has both healthy and unhealthy aspects. On the positive side, it includes nutrient-dense ingredients like:
- Lean ground turkey, which is a good source of protein
- Black beans, providing fiber and additional protein
- Vegetables such as onion, garlic, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado, offering various vitamins and minerals
However, there are some less healthy components:
- The use of tortilla chips adds extra calories and fat
- Cheddar cheese contributes to the dish's saturated fat content
- Sour cream, even the light version, increases the calorie and fat content
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace the tortilla chips with a whole-grain alternative or omit them altogether
- Reduce the amount of cheddar cheese or opt for a lower-fat variety
- Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to maintain the creamy texture while reducing fat and increasing protein
- Add more vegetables to the salad, such as bell peppers, carrots, or cucumbers, to increase the fiber and nutrient content
- Experiment with different spices and herbs to enhance the flavor without relying on salt or fat-rich ingredients
By making these adjustments, you can transform this taco salad into a more balanced and nutritious meal that still satisfies your taste buds. Remember, moderation is key, and enjoying a variety of wholesome ingredients can contribute to overall health and well-being.
Editor's Opinion on This Taco Salad Recipe
The turkey and black bean taco salad recipe is a delightful fusion of flavors and textures. The combination of seasoned ground turkey and hearty black beans creates a satisfying and protein-packed filling. The vibrant colors and fresh ingredients in the salad add a refreshing crunch, while the salsa crema provides a zesty and creamy finish. This recipe offers a balance of savory, spicy, and tangy elements, making it a versatile and satisfying meal option.
Enhance Your Turkey Black Bean Taco Salad Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Similar Recipes to Try Instead of Taco Salad
Appetizer and Dessert Pairings for Turkey and Black Bean Taco Salad
Why trust this Turkey Black Bean Taco Salad Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful fusion of flavors and textures, creating a satisfying and wholesome meal. The ground turkey is a lean and protein-packed alternative to traditional beef, while the addition of black beans provides a rich source of fiber and essential nutrients. The use of chili powder, ancho chili powder, and cumin infuses the dish with a warm and aromatic essence, elevating the overall taste. The freshness of romaine lettuce and grape tomatoes adds a crisp and vibrant element, complemented by the creamy and zesty salsa crema. This recipe promises a delightful culinary experience that's both nutritious and delicious.
Was this page helpful?
Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!
Related Recipes
Three-Step Taco Salad Recipe
Easy Steak Tacos Recipe
Del Taco’s Classic Taco Salad Recipe
BLT Sandwich with Avocado Recipe
Potato Parsnip Mash Recipe
Strawberry Kiwi Margaritas Recipe
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Avocado and Tomato Recipe
Summer Salad with Avocado Recipe
Penne Arugula Salad with Tomatoes Recipe
Homemade Mini Corn Dogs Recipe
Blueberry Egg Rolls Recipe
