Enjoy two tacos in one with these double decker turkey tacos. Wrap a crunchy shell in a soft tortilla and fill with all of your favorite taco fixings.

We love Tex-Mex food and these turkey tacos hit our dinner table every week. Everyone loves building their own creations. Serve with Cilantro Lime Coconut Rice for a complete meal.

Table of Contents show

Why you will love these

Enjoy two kinds of tacos in every bite. No need to choose between soft tortillas or crispy taco shells.
Ground turkey keeps these tacos light. You definitely won't miss the beef.
Just 20 minutes to get dinner on the table. Perfect for busy weeknights - especially Taco Tuesdays!
Build your own taco night is always a family favorite.
A colorful array of tasty toppings means there is something for everyone.

Ingredients

Refried beans act as the glue holding the soft and hard shells together. Canned refried beans are a great shortcut and work great in this recipe. If you're not a fan of beans, use guacamole instead.
Seasonings - Use spices straight from your pantry along with some jarred taco sauce to bring the turkey mixture together.
Toppings - There are no rules - just have fun building the tacos with your favorite fixings.

Step-by-step instructions

See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.

Add the ground turkey to a large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle the chili powder and other dry seasonings over the meat. Cook until the turkey is cooked through, breaking the meat apart as it cooks.
Add the taco sauce and stir to combine. Keep warm over low heat.

Crisp the hard taco shells in the oven according to package directions.
Wrap the soft flour tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave until warm.
To build the tacos, spread refried beans on one side of the flour tortillas. Wrap the tortilla around a hard taco shell.

wrapping taco shells with tortillas spread with refried beans.

Fill the hard shell with the turkey meat and top with your favorite fixings.

Topping ideas

Shredded cheese like Cheddar, Colby, Monterey, or Pepper Jack
Black olives
Diced onions or scallions
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Sliced radishes
Guacamole
Sour cream
Mango Pineapple Salsa
Taco sauce or salsa
Cilantro
Lime wedges

Tips for making

Add the dry seasonings to the raw turkey as it begins to cook. The spice gets into the meat and develops more flavor than adding at the end.
Adjust the amount of chili powder and cayenne for more or less spice. Not a fan of cumin? Omit and add more chili powder.
Use taco sauce, instead of water, to bring the turkey mixture together. This also adds more flavor.

Leftovers?

If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, combine the turkey and the toppings to create a fabulous taco salad, similar to this Chopped Dorito Taco Salad.

Equipment

Non-stick skillet | Sheet pan | Grater | Measuring cups and spoons | Taco holders (optional)

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Double Decker Turkey Tacos