Slide on into Taco Tuesday with our quick and delicious healthy taco skillet. Using a single skillet, dinner tonight will be ready in 30 minutes. Our cheesy taco skillet is an easy recipe with simple ingredients. It is sure to be a family favorite, especially on busy weeknights. Even the picky eaters will be first in line with their plates ready!
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Our family loves several different variations of taco night. We love Mexican food-inspired meals like chicken taco soup, chicken tortilla soup, keto enchiladas, shredded chicken tacos, turkey taco bake, cajun shrimp tacos, and Mahi tacos are a few of our favorites.
Recently, we were in need of healthy meal solutions for hotel living. Especially since we were without a kitchen and stove top or any of our staple supplies from home.
Eating out daily during an extended stay can get costly- financially and health-wise.
After just a few meals on the road, we began to feel the effects of convenience foods and knew we needed to come up with a healthier plan. So, we picked up an electric skillet and a few basic kitchen items for our room to create some healthy and delicious one pot meals while away from home. Let the fun begin!
If you want more tips and tricks for cooking while camping or traveling, check out this helpful outdoor kitchen ideas guide!
Setting Intentions
The power of affirmations, intentions, and prayers while making and consuming food is monumental.
Our intentions were simple for this healthy taco skillet meal. We wanted to create the comforts of home while out on the road with healthy and delicious food.
If you choose to set intentions for your meal, here are a few helpful suggestions:
My intention is to create a tasty and nutritious meal for myself/ my family.
I feel fantastic eating clean and nutritious foods.
Every bite of this meal will be satisfying, comforting, and nourishing.
My intention is for everyone who eats this meal to receive exactly what their body needs to feel its best.
Let’s get ready to head on over to the grocery store to grab the ingredients for dinner tonight
Ingredients
For a taco-inspired dish like our healthy taco skillet, we included several typical ingredients used in a traditional taco night. The meat mixture, seasoning, and toppings. Add some rice and stir in some cheese and you have a delicious bowl of taco skillet bake. Plus; it’s healthy too!
If you are getting ready to make your shopping list, be sure to include:
Ground Turkey
For a lean, yet filling protein. Feel free to sub proteins out for a slightly different flavor profile. Ground beef or ground chicken works well with the taco flavors in this dish
Wild Rice
Bone Broth, Chicken Broth, or Beef Stock
Bone broth is amazing especially homemade bone broth. The marrow minerals collagen and nutrients add a boost of immune and gut support and healing. It is also amazingly worth the effort to make it yourself. If you don’t have bone broth opt for vegetable or chicken stock.
Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles
Definitely go for the organic brand to avoid unnecessary ingredients and processing
Organic Corn
Canned or Frozen
Organic Black Beans
Organic Ground Turkey
Taco Seasoning
We used Siete taco seasoning. Remember to check the ingredients to make sure it’s just the spice seasoning ingredients that you’re getting.
Onion
Garlic
For this one you will want to go organic as conventional garlic is bleached and grown in very poor conditions
Shredded Mexican-Style Cheese
Again, organic is best!
Optional Toppings for Healthy Taco Skillet
Additional cheese, plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, diced avocado, diced tomatoes, salsa or hot sauce, chopped cilantro
See the recipe card for quantities
Instructions
Cook rice in 2 cups of water or broth. Boil the liquid and add rice. Stir to combine and simmer on medium-low with the lid on for 15 min or until the liquid has evaporated. Turn the heat off and let steam, covered for 2 minutes. Fluff rice and set aside.
Heat skillet to medium-high heat; add oil, then garlic and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Stir, cooking until onions are softened. About 2 minutes.
Add ground turkey and cook while tossing and breaking it apart until it is brown and no more pink is seen. Internal temp should be 165. Approx 10 min
Add taco seasoning and 1 tablespoon water to cooked meat. Stir to combine.
Add corn, beans, a squeeze of lime, fire-roasted tomatoes, and cooked rice. Cook while stirring on medium heat for 3-4 minutes more to meld flavors together.
Add cheese and allow to melt.
Remove from heat. Serve hot and top with chopped avocado, tomatoes, cheese, hot sauce, Greek yogurt, and/or cilantro if desired. Enjoy!
Variations and Substitutions
Spicy:
If you like extra spice, add some chipotle chili powder, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper for an extra kick to an already delicious recipe!
Vegan/Vegetarian Version:
Simply remove the meat, cheese, and Greek yogurt. Feel free to add plain cashew, coconut, or other plant-based yogurts for a creamy topping!
Low carb/Grain-free/Paleo/Keto:
Consider substituting the rice with cauliflower rice
Bonus Tip:
This Mexican Skillet in any variation pairs well with crispy tortilla chips or bean chips and salsa or guacamole! Also, consider a simple side salad for a starter or side dish. You can put it all together and make it a taco salad if you want! Wrap it up in flour tortillas for a burrito the next day.
The possibilities are endless.
Equipment
Just one large skillet! Cutting board, knife, and cooking spoon.
Hot tip: If you are at home, the rice can cook at the same time in a separate pot for a faster-finished product! My preferred rice cooker is my instant pot on the rice setting. For best results use less liquid when using the instant pot
Storage
Pack any leftovers in a (preferably glass) airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months!
FAQ
It is not necessary to grease the pan for ground taco meat. Even lean meats produce their own fat. Once heated, the fats will begin to melt and separate, naturally producing grease for the meal. However, if you would like crispier meat you can add a little oil to the pan.
yes, you can. Be sure to have your grease traps in place as the meat cooks, water and grease from the meat is likely to drain off the sides. Be sure to add water slowly and in very small amounts when mixing the taco seasoning.
4oz of cooked ground turkey has 200-266 calories in it depending on lean percentages.
there are no carbs in meat, however, there is 16g of fat and 34g of protein in a cup of cooked ground turkey
Recipe
Healthy Cheesy Taco Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 cup wild rice
- 2 cup purified water or broth
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil
- 1 14.5oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup organic corn from can or frozen, rinsed, and drained
- 1 cup canned organic black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 lb organic ground turkey
- 1 wedge lime
- 1 packet organic taco seasoning
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese
optional toppings: diced avocado, greek yogurt or sour cream, diced tomatoes, salsa or hot sauce, cilantro
Instructions
- Cook rice in 2 cups of water or broth. Boil the liquid and add rice. Stir to combine and simmer with the lid on for 15 min or until the liquid has evaporated. Turn the heat off and let steam, covered for 2 minutes. Fluff rice and set aside.Â1 cup wild rice, 2 cup purified water or broth
- While rice is cooking, dice and mince onion and garlic and set aside.  Drain and Rinse corn and beans and set aside. Chop cilantro, tomatoes, and avocados and set aside for toppings.Â1 cup organic corn from can or frozen, rinsed, and drained, ½ medium onion, finely chopped, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 1 cup canned organic black beans, rinsed and drained
- Heat skillet to medium-high heat; add oil, then garlic and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Stir, cooking until onions are softened. About 2 minutes.½ medium onion, finely chopped, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon avocado oil
- add ground turkey and cook while tossing and breaking it apart until it is brown and no more pink is seen. Internal temp should be 165. Approx 10 minÂ1 lb organic ground turkey
- Add taco seasoning and 1tbs water to cooked meat. Stir to combine.Â1 packet organic taco seasoning
- Add corn, beans, a squeeze of lime, fire-roasted tomatoes, and cooked rice. Cook while stirring on medium heat for 3-4 minutes more to meld flavors together. Add cheese and let melt for one minute1 cup wild rice, 1 14.5oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes with green chilies, 1 cup organic corn from can or frozen, rinsed, and drained, 1 cup canned organic black beans, rinsed and drained, 1 wedge lime, ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese
- Remove from heat. Serve hot and top with more cheese, chopped avocado, tomatoes, cheese, hot sauce, Greek yogurt, and/or cilantro if desired. Enjoy!1 teaspoon salt
Notes
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point (avocado oil!) to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Did you make this recipe? How did you like it? We'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and rate the recipe! Thank you!
-Natalie
NCP says
This is delicious. I wrapped some leftovers up in a tortilla and had a burrito for lunch, yum
Lindsey says
Looks like a must try for our family. Thank you for sharing and look forward to checking out more of your recipes.
Natalie Perry says
Thank you, Lindsey, I look forward to hearing how everyone enjoys it!
Tisha says
This looks like an amazing meal for taco night!!!
Natalie Perry says
It is, thank you 🙂