I’ve been on a turkey kick lately—not only at Thanksgiving. I smoke whole turkeys in the summer and use the leftovers to make dishes like these smoked pulled turkey tacos.
For more on thawing, brining and smoking whole turkeys so you can end up with pounds of delicious leftovers, check the original guides and recipes referenced here.
Table of Contents
- Seasoning turkey taco meat
- Toppings for turkey tacos
- Make it a taco party
- Do I have to make the taco seasoning
- More Taco Recipes
- More Turkey Recipes
- Newest Recipes
- Pulled Turkey Tacos Recipe
Seasoning turkey taco meat
This recipe is intentionally simple because it starts with leftover smoked turkey. I keep shredded or pulled turkey in quart-size freezer bags—about 4 cups per bag—so it’s ready when I want to make tacos.
To prepare, thaw the turkey in the refrigerator. Warm a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil, then add the turkey and stir until heated through.
Once warm, add 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of water to the skillet. Stir until the seasoning is evenly distributed and the liquid has mostly absorbed to keep the meat moist and flavorful.
Heat tortillas on a griddle, in the oven, or in the microwave until pliable and warm, then assemble your tacos.
Toppings for turkey tacos
The beauty of tacos is the endless topping options. Classic choices—shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sliced jalapeños, onions, salsa verde and chipotle crema or sour cream—work perfectly with pulled turkey.
Feel free to add avocado, pineapple, pickled onions, cilantro or any other favorites. Use small street-style tortillas so guests can enjoy several and mix and match toppings.
Make it a taco party
Taco bars are fun and easy—set out the warmed turkey and toppings so everyone can build their own. If you prefer less cleanup, arrange toppings on a single large board like a charcuterie spread or use small bowls for an organized setup.
These pulled turkey tacos scale well for gatherings. One batch yields about 16 street tacos; most people will eat three to four, so multiply ingredients for larger groups.
Do I have to make the taco seasoning
Pre-made taco seasoning works great and saves time. I often use a high-quality commercial blend—about 1 tablespoon per pound of cooked meat plus 1/4 cup water works well to season and moisten the turkey.
If you prefer homemade, mix salt, pepper, paprika, granulated garlic, granulated onion, chili powder and cumin. Add a pinch of sugar if you like a touch of sweetness.
More Taco Recipes
- Grilled Flank Steak Tacos
- Grilled Skirt Steak Tacos
- Grilled Pork Steak Tacos with Chipotle Rub
More Turkey Recipes
- Grilled Butterflied Turkey Legs
- Smoked Turkey on a Drum Smoker
- Smoked Pulled Turkey Sandwich
Newest Recipes
Campfire Brie Dip (And the Three Mistakes I Made the First Time)
Two Ways to Make Homemade Hot Honey
Smoked Hot Honey
Gochugaru Hot Honey (Korean Hot Honey)
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Pulled Turkey Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 4 cups pulled turkey
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 16 flour or corn street taco tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- 1 jalapeño, sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup salsa verde
- 1/2 cup sour cream or crema
Instructions
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Season turkey. Warm a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Add the pulled turkey and stir until heated through. Add the taco seasoning and water, stirring to coat the meat and dissolve the seasoning.
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Heat tortillas. Warm tortillas on a griddle or skillet over medium heat, about 30–60 seconds per side, until pliable.
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Build tacos. Add warmed turkey to each tortilla and top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, jalapeños, onions, salsa or crema as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.