Happy Taco Tuesday, friends! I want to preface this recipe post by stating that I don’t “diet” or count calories and macros. I simply eat real, whole foods and meals made with simple, natural ingredients. I don’t believe that nutrition and wellness should be about feeling guilty or depriving ourselves (which can lead to cravings and binges), rather it should consist of balance, moderation and making healthier choices while eating the foods that we love.

Mexican is my favorite cuisine so we eat tacos often. I make a healthier version of a traditional taco recipe by using substitutes. I replace ground beef with lean, organic ground turkey – with the homemade seasoning mix, you don’t even notice a difference in the taste. I use a low-carb, multi-grain soft tortilla in place of a flour tortilla. Almond flour tortillas are another option. For toppings, instead of cheese or sour cream, I use avocado and homemade salsa – you get great flavor and volume which leaves you feeling full and satisfied. I also use kale in place of iceberg lettuce – I try to incorporate dark, leafy greens in every meal for their nutrients and kale is higher in calcium and fiber.

Ingredients (makes 6-8 tacos):

  • 1lb ground organic turkey
  • Multi-grain soft tortillas (2-3 tortillas per person)
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 cup chopped kale
  • 2/3 cup water

Salsa:

  • 3 ripe tomatoes
  • 1/2 of a red onion
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro (optional)
  • 1 jalapeño pepper
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • splash of olive oil (about a1/4 teaspoon)
  • splash of red wine vinegar (about a 1/4 teaspoon)
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Taco Seasoning:

  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

  1. Cook the ground turkey in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, breaking up the meat and stirring occasionally, until browned.
  2. In a small bowl combine the cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and salt.
  3. Add the seasoning mixture and water to the meat. Stir until the meat is fully coated with the seasoning mixture. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 3-5 minutes.
  4. To make the salsa, give the tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño pepper and garlic clove a rough chop and toss into a food processor. Add the cilantro (optional), lime juice, olive oil and red wine vinegar and pulse to get the desired consistency. Season with salt and black pepper as desired.
  5. Optional: Place the soft tortillas directly on the center rack of a preheated oven at 300 degrees for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Now it’s time to build your tacos – start with a layer of the seasoned ground turkey in the tortilla, add a layer of the salsa mixture, sprinkle the chopped kale and top with the diced avocado.

Enjoy!