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A fresh and flavorful taco salad featuring lean ground turkey seasoned with taco spices, topped with a creamy dairy-free cilantro lime cashew dressing, served over crisp romaine with black beans, corn, and tomatoes, garnished with avocado and cilantro. Ready in 30 minutes, this gluten-free recipe is perfect for quick, healthy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 1.3-ounce packet taco seasoning (about 4 Tablespoons)
  • 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
  • 1 cup corn
  • 3/4 cup cashews (soaked in hot water for 30 minutes)
  • 3/4 cup water (for dressing)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (for dressing)
  • 2 Tablespoons lime juice (for dressing)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (for dressing)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (for dressing)
  • 1 medium avocado (sliced, for topping)
  • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Soak cashews in hot water for 30 minutes.
  2. Warm a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook until fully browned and no longer pink.
  4. Add the taco seasoning packet and 1/4 cup water to the cooked turkey, stir well, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Drain and rinse canned black beans while turkey simmers.
  6. Drain soaked cashews and add to a blender with 3/4 cup water, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
  7. Blend the dressing until smooth and creamy, adding more water if needed to reach a pourable consistency.
  8. Chop romaine lettuce and halve grape tomatoes.
  9. In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine, black beans, halved tomatoes, corn, and seasoned turkey.
  10. Drizzle the cilantro lime dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
  11. Serve salad in individual bowls and top with sliced avocado and chopped cilantro.

Notes

You can make your own taco seasoning blend: 1 Tablespoon chili powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon each salt and black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and oregano., Add extra veggies like bell peppers, red or green onions, jalapeños, radishes, jicama, or microgreens for more texture and freshness., Try topping with sour cream, Greek yogurt, hot sauce, extra lime juice, salsa, or pico de gallo to enhance flavor., Add crunchy toppings such as tortilla strips, crushed chips, corn chips, or pepitas before serving to maintain crispness., To keep avocado from browning, slice it just before serving and toss lightly with lime juice.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://theproteincook.com/healthy-ground-turkey-taco-salad/