Easy Ground Turkey Enchiladas (2024)

These Ground Turkey Enchiladas are easy to make and perfect for a quick family dinner on a weeknight. They’re packed with all the yummy flavors of Mexican-style beef enchiladas but made lighter with seasoned ground turkey. You can also make a double batch and freeze them for a quick and delicious dinner any time you want or to bring to a friend in need!

Ingredients + Substitutions

• Ground Turkey – Lean ground turkey serves as the star of this recipe, offering a lighter alternative to beef. Its mild flavor absorbs the seasonings and enchilada sauce, creating a savory and satisfying filling.
  
• Onion – I prefer yellow onion, but any onion can add a sweet aroma and depth to the turkey mixture, enhancing the flavor profile of the enchiladas.
  
• Taco Seasoning – Store-bought is quick and easy to use, but you can also customize the flavor of your enchiladas with my homemade taco seasoning.
  
• Corn Tortillas – The canvas for your enchiladas, corn tortillas provide a rustic and authentic texture. They absorb the flavors of the filling and sauce, creating a delightful contrast to the tender ground turkey. Take your time pan-frying in oil to ensure they are pliable enough to roll up- otherwise they will fall apart.

  You can substitute flour tortillas here if it is your preference. This is less authentic and won’t taste like the traditional ones you get at a Mexican restaurant, but you can skip the pan frying step!

• Red Enchilada Sauce – This is a traditional enchilada sauce, and I use canned for ease. You can also substitute green enchilada sauce or use homemade enchilada sauce if you prefer.
  
• Shredded Cheese – Melted cheese is the crowning glory of these enchiladas. I prefer cheddar, but you can substitute Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend,
  
• Oil – This is used to coat the corn tortillas quickly. Vegetable oil works great, or you can opt for avocado or olive oil.

Garnish and Topping Ideas

• Cilantro
• Pico de Gallo
• Sour cream
• Avocado

Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.

Recipe Variations

If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!

• Turkey Enchilada Casserole – Try a new twist on enchiladas with Turkey Enchilada Casserole. Made with seasoned ground turkey, sautéed onions, and spices, this dish is layered with corn tortillas and topped with red enchilada sauce and melted cheese. No need to roll anything – this casserole simplifies the process.
  
• Turkey Enchiladas with Green Sauce – Enjoy a delicious explosion of zesty goodness with Green Turkey Enchiladas. Seasoned ground turkey fills corn tortillas covered in green enchilada sauce made from tomatillos and spices. It’s an easy and delicious dish with a refreshing twist on classic red enchiladas.
  
• Turkey Black Bean Enchiladas – After browning and seasoning the ground turkey, add in a can of drained black beans to fill your tortillas with. It’s a hearty addition and will make for an even more satisfying meal!
  
• Leftover Turkey Enchiladas – If you have turkey leftover from the Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another event, you can use them to make enchiladas extra fast! Just heat the leftover turkey and sprinkle with some taco seasoning, then use in place of the ground turkey as the filling for the enchiladas.

Recipe Step by Step

I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make ground turkey enchiladas.

1. Step 1 – Start by cooking ground turkey and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink. Break up the turkey as it cooks, drain any excess grease, and stir in the taco seasoning. Once done, remove the skillet from heat.
2. Step 2 – In a small skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil. Quickly warm each tortilla by flipping and adding more oil as needed. Coat the bottom of a large casserole dish with a small amount of enchilada sauce. Fill each tortilla with a spoonful of the turkey mixture, roll tightly, and place seam side down in the casserole dish. Repeat until all turkey-filled enchiladas are rolled and in the pan.
3. Step 3 – Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the enchiladas, ensuring they are fully covered, then sprinkle cheese on top.
4. Step 4 – Bake until the cheese is melted, the edges bubble, and they’re heated through.

Recipe Tips

1. Warm Tortillas with Care:Heating tortillas with oil gives them a great texture, but avoid overheating them. They should be soft, not crispy.
   
2. Season Liberally– Ground turkey can be slightly subtle in flavor, so don’t be shy with the seasoning. Whether it’s taco seasoning or your own blend of spices, amp up the taste to ensure your enchiladas are flavorful.
   
3. Sauté the Onions Right– Cooking the onions with the ground turkey adds flavor and a hint of sweetness. Sauté them until they’re translucent to achieve that perfect balance.
   
4. Layer Strategically– When assembling, layering is key. Start with enchilada sauce at the bottom to prevent sticking, then roll up those tortillas tightly with the turkey mixture. If you want to stretch the recipe, use the sides of the baking dish to add more ground turkey stuffed corn tortillas.

Freezer Meal Instructions

Making this turkey enchilada recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.

To freeze before cooking

1. Assemble the Enchiladas – Prepare the enchiladas as usual, filling the tortillas with the seasoned ground turkey mixture.
2. Place in Oven-Ready Pan – Arrange the assembled enchiladas in an oven-ready pan. Ensure that it’s a freezer-safe dish that can go from freezer to oven without any issues.
3. Cover with Sauce – Pour the enchilada sauce over the enchiladas, making sure they are well-coated. Skip the cheese for now and add when ready to bake.
4. Cover with Lid or Foil – Cover the pan with its lid or tightly with aluminum foil. This helps protect the enchiladas from freezer burn and preserves their moisture.

How to Freeze Turkey Enchiladas After Cooking

1. Cool Completely: Allow the cooked enchiladas to cool completely.
2. Arrange in Freezer-Safe Container: Place the enchiladas in a single layer in a freezer-safe container. Ensure they are spaced out to prevent sticking.
3. Cover Tightly: Seal the container with an airtight lid or cover it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

How to Reheat after Freezing

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Unwrap and Place: Unwrap the frozen enchiladas and place them in an oven-safe dish.
3. Cover and Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
4. Check Temperature: Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

What to Serve with Ground Turkey Red Sauce Enchiladas

Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of Mexican cuisine, it will pair well with many of your favorite Mexican side dishes.

Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.

Side Dish Ideas

• Crockpot Black beans – these are the BEST black beans!
• Mexican Rice– Tastes like a Mexican restaurant and so easy!
• Crock Pot Refried Beans– these have tons of 5 star reviews
• Mexican Corn Salad– Perfect lighter option
• Mexican Street Corn Casserole
• Mexican Roasted Veggies – Love this for packing in some veg

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