Ground turkey fajitas feature a hearty filling that includes bell peppers, red onions, and a medley of Tex-Mex spices (similar to my homemade taco seasoning), like chili power, cumin, and cayenne pepper. It's an easy meal that everyone can customize, and is ready in about 30 minutes.
Just like my turkey sliders (that are always a hit), these ground turkey fajitas are also at the top of the list. They're fast, easy, and everyone gets to build their own with the toppings they love like salsa, sour cream or my favorite homemade guacamole (made with only one avocado)!
Turkey is an excellent source of high quality protein that is nutrient-dense packed with vitamins and minerals-what's not to love?
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✨ Recipe Highlights
- One-pan meal (yay! less clean up)
- Excellent source of lean protein
- Dinner in about 30 minutes
- Freezes beautifully/ideal for meal prep
What are Fajitas, Really?
This recipe made with ground turkey (a more economical protein), is inspired by traditional fajitas which are a Tex-Mex favorite made with strips of marinated meat (traditionally skirt steak, but chicken and shrimp are just as welcome), seared with bell peppers and onion, and served sizzling hot in warm tortilas.
🛒 Ingredients in Ground Turkey Fajitas
I keep all these spices stocked in my pantry, and they are staples in my kitchen. They are good ones to have, especially if you enjoy Tex-Mex flavors.
Notes & Substitutions
- Turkey: I tested this recipe with extra-lean ground turkey, but lean will work too. And try ground chicken, a good substitute for turkey. Any ground meat will work well, especially beef for a meatier version.
- Flour tortillas: Substitute white flour tortillas with whole wheat, or go for corn tortillas instead.
- Bell peppers: Go with what you've got (orange, yellow, green). I like the red ones because they are a tad sweeter, and the color is so pretty too!
- Cheese: Monterey Jack is creamy, mild, and buttery. If you like heat, and are looking for more of a kick, try Pepper Jack instead.
Variations
- Serve the turkey fajitas mixture over a bowl of rice instead of wrapping it in a tortilla.
- Swap the bell peppers for a combination of black beans and/or corn.
👩🏻🍳 How to Make Ground Turkey Fajitas
Sauté Veggies
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peppers and onions and cook for 5-6 minutes until tender. Don't overcook-a little crunch is good. Remove the veggies from the skillet and keep warm.
Cook Turkey
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the skillet, add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it's no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. The liquid should have evaporated by this point, and the meat should start to brown. The USDA recommends cooking ground turkey to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 degrees Celsius) to kill harmful bacteria.
✨Tip
Always wash utensils that touched raw meat before using them on cooked food-or grab a fresh one. Safety first!
Add Spices
Lower the heat to medium, and add the spices and salt. Sauté for 30 seconds to bloom the spices (see Tips & Tricks). Add water and simmer 2-3 minutes until mostly reduced but still saucy.
Assemble & Serve
Return the peppers and onions to the skillet to warm through. To build a fajita, place the turkey, peppers, and onions just below the center of the tortilla, and add some cheese. Fold the bottom up, then fold the sides in (or fold one side in as pictured), and roll into a wrap. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Serve with guacamole, shredded iceberg lettuce, salsa, a squeeze of lime, and/or sour cream. Enjoy.
🌟 Tips & Tricks
- Blooming spices in a pan with oil/fat helps them 'wake up', releasing their flavors. Only a brief sauté for 20-30 seconds is needed.
- Warm the tortillas before folding to make them more pliable, and easier to work with. While the turkey cooks, heat them in a separate skillet until they're soft and just a little golden on the outside (my favorite way). Or to speed things up, pop them in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel, and heat for 20-30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure. Let the turkey mixture cool, and roll 'burrito'-style: fold the bottom of the tortilla up over the filling, then fold the sides in, and roll into a wrap. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Refrigerator: Store leftovers for 3-4 days. I like to wrap each fajita in parchment paper, then overwrap with plastic wrap.
Freezer: Freeze for up to three months, wrapping each fajita in parchment paper and then with plastic wrap.
We like to reheat them in the air fryer for about 6 minutes, or until lightly golden and crisp.
To reheat in the oven, set the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the fajitas on a sheet pan and bake until golden brown, 10-15 minutes.
You can microwave them as well. Heat each fajita separately in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
If reheating from frozen, it's best to defrost them first, either in the microwave or overnight in the refrigerator.
I ♥️ Hearing from You
If you enjoy this recipe, let me know by leaving a comment. I love knowing about any fun tweaks or clever swaps you make.
-Donna
Recipe
Ground Turkey Fajitas
Equipment
- chef's knife
- measuring cups and spoons
- large skillet
- spatula/wooden spoon
Ingredients
Veggies
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large bell pepper, color of your choice, seeded and cut into strips
- 1 large red onion, halved and cut into ¼ inch slices
Turkey
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 3 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ cup water
- 8 (10-inch) flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheese, Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack
Serving Suggestions
- guacamole
- shredded iceberg lettuce
- salsa
- squeeze of lime
- sour cream
Instructions
- Sauté Veggies: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peppers and onions and cook for 5-6 minutes until tender. Don't overcook-a little crunch is good. Remove the veggies from the skillet and keep warm.1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 large bell pepper, 1 large red onion
- Cook Turkey: Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the skillet, add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it's no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. The liquid should have evaporated by this point, and the meat should start to brown. The USDA recommends cooking ground turkey to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 degrees Celsius) to kill harmful bacteria.1 pound lean ground turkey , 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Add Spices: Lower the heat to medium, and add the spices and salt. Sauté for 30 seconds to bloom the spices (see Tips & Tricks). Add water and simmer 2-3 minutes until mostly reduced but still saucy.3 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ cup water
- Assemble & Serve: Return the peppers and onions to the skillet to warm through. To build a fajita, place the turkey, peppers, and onions just below the center of the tortilla, and add some cheese. Fold the bottom up, then fold the sides in (or fold one side in as pictured), and roll into a wrap. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Serve with guacamole, shredded iceberg lettuce, salsa, a squeeze of lime, and/or sour cream. Enjoy.8 (10-inch) flour tortillas, 2 cups shredded cheese, guacamole, shredded iceberg lettuce, salsa, squeeze of lime, sour cream
Notes
Freezer: Freeze for up to three months wrapping each fajita in parchment paper and then with plastic wrap. What's the best way to reheat the turkey fajitas? We like to reheat them in the air fryer for about 6 minutes or until lightly golden and crisp. To reheat in the oven, set the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the fajitas on a sheet pan and bake until golden brown, 10-15 minutes. You can microwave them as well. Heat each fajita separately in 30 second intervals until warmed through. If reheating from frozen it's best to defrost them first, either in the microwave or overnight in the refrigerator.
Francois says
We love this recipe-it's easy, and a great recipe to make with ground turkey, very tasty.
Donna says
We love this recipe because everyone can choose their own toppings/garnishes.