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Easy Ground Turkey Taco Salad Bowl - A Fresh, Weeknight Favorite

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb (450 g) lean ground turkey
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2–3 tbsp tomato paste (or 1/2 cup tomato sauce)
  • 1/3 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • Spices: 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp ground coriander (optional), 1/4–1/2 tsp cayenne (to taste), 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 large head romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped (or a spring mix)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
  • 1 large avocado, diced
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack (optional)
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Lime wedges, for serving
  • Crunch factor: Tortilla chips, crushed; or baked tortilla strips (optional)
  • Dressing options: Squeeze of lime + drizzle of olive oil, salsa + Greek yogurt, or a light ranch

Method
 

  1. Prep your salad base. Rinse and chop the lettuce. Halve the tomatoes, dice the avocado, and slice the red onion. Rinse the beans and corn. Set everything aside.
  2. Warm the pan. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Brown the turkey. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Season it up. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, coriander (if using), cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir to coat the turkey evenly.
  5. Make it saucy. Add tomato paste and water (or broth). Stir and simmer 3–4 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly and clings to the turkey. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Assemble the bowls. In each bowl, layer lettuce, turkey, tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, avocado, and cheese if using. Add cilantro and a few crushed tortilla chips for crunch.
  7. Dress and finish. Squeeze fresh lime over the top. Drizzle with olive oil, spoon over salsa and a dollop of Greek yogurt, or use your favorite light dressing. Serve right away.