Filling, nutritious, and flavorful, Instant Pot ground turkey and lentil taco filling is a great high-protein alternative to traditional taco meat!
If tacos are your love language, don’t miss out on this Crispy Sheet Pan Baked Chicken Taco Meat, Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Meat, and Steak Carnitas Meat in the Crock-Pot! They’ll fill up your Taco Tuesday roster for at least the next few weeks!
Instant Pot Ground Turkey and Lentil Taco Filling
I know, I know, you see the word “lentils” and seize up a little on the inside. The word sounds just as bland as they look, but hear me out. Combined with ground turkey and some mega-flavorful taco seasoning, these lentils take on a whole new personality, and one that you’re going to LOVE. Plus, this recipe makes a boatload of taco filling, so it’s perfect for a big family, group gathering, or to save and freeze for leftovers.
And the best part is that, with the Instant Pot, your cook time is totally downsized. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get over the beauty and wonder that is the Instant Pot, and this recipe is only feeding my obsession (and my taco-hungry family). It also makes prep and cleanup a breeze because you’re just doing everything right there in one pot! Does it get any better than that?
This is a great lean protein taco option for nights when you’re craving Tex-Mex but don’t want to overdo it (we’ve allll been there!). I love it for simple weeknight tacos that are filling and flavorful but not over-the-top rich, like a pork or beef option. I know you’ll love this light and delicious taco filling just as much as we do!
How long does Instant Pot turkey and lentil taco filling take to make?
This beautiful recipe is a half-hour meal! It does take a little time for the Instant Pot to release pressure, but all in all, it’s a simple, fast, easy, and tasty meal that you can throw together any night of the week — with minimal ingredients! Score.
Can you freeze turkey and lentil taco filling leftovers?
Yes, this freezes SO well! And it makes a ton, so you’ll probably want to set some aside to freeze (unless you like tacos multiple nights a week, which, hey, I can’t blame ya). Just let it completely cool, put it in a freezer-safe container, and store frozen for 2 to 3 months.
What does ground turkey and lentil taco filling go with?
Of course, this yummy stuff is just perfection wrapped up in your personal favorite tortilla of choice. Add some shredded lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, tomato, salsa, sour cream, avocado, or jalapenos to really dress it up. You can also use it to top a taco salad, inside of a quesadilla, or even in a soup with some chicken broth and chopped veggies. It’s super adaptable, which are always my favorite recipes!
Instant Pot Ground Turkey and Lentil Taco Filling
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 6 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 8 cups 1x
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Filling, nutritious, and flavorful, Instant Pot ground turkey and lentil taco filling is a great high-protein alternative to traditional taco meat!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 pound dried brown lentils
- Additional salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Select “saute/browning” on the Instant Pot, and add the oil to the pot. When the oil is hot, add the turkey and onion. Cook until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the taco seasoning, broth, and lentils.
- Add the lid and select high pressure with a 6-minute cook time. When the cook time finishes, allow it to natural pressure release for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, manually release any remaining pressure.
- When the valve drops, carefully remove the lid. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot like you would other taco filling.
Notes
- You can substitute beef or chicken in this recipe if you’d like.
- Brown lentils work great for this recipe because some get soft, some keep their texture, and it’s a great middle ground.
- This recipe freezes great. I froze small portions so that I could pull it out for easy taco salad lunches for myself.
- You can make this recipe on the stove top by cooking the turkey and onions in the oil until cooked through. Add the garlic, taco seasoning, broth, and lentils. Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. Adjust salt to taste, and serve hot.
- I don’t feel like this lasts great in the fridge, lentils seem to get funky fast, use it or freeze within 3 days.
- Category: dinner
- Method: instant pot
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: healthy, instant pot, turkey, taco, taco meat, lentils
Want To Save This Recipe?
Complete this meal by making:
- Homemade Hard Corn Taco Shells
- Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
- Easy Mexican Black Beans for Tacos
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing (great on tacos)
- Easy Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker
Other great taco filling recipes:
- The Best Chicken Tacos Ever
- Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Meat
- Crispy Sheet Pan Baked Chicken Taco Meat
- Grilled Chicken Tacos
- Pork Tenderloin for Tacos in the Crock Pot
- Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Meat
- Easy Crispy Instant Pot Pork Taco Recipe
Instant Pot ground turkey and lentil taco filling is a super flexible and easy recipe that’s a lighter way to enjoy tasty tacos without skimping on the flavor!
About Melissa
I have a lot going on, and I’d much rather spend my time enjoying my messes than fretting about what I’m going to make for dinner. Over the past few years, I’ve nailed down a few strategies that helped me keep my kitchen running like a well-oiled machine, so I started Bless This Mess to help other mess-loving parents solve the nightly dinner delimma—no stress, no drama, just really great food your whole family will love. Read more...
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