I love… love, love, LOVE, taco night. Always have, even as a kid. I have fond memories of mom browning ground chuck on the stove while we piled up the toppings in the middle of the table.
Back then we used taco sauce, cheese, lettuce and tomato, and Mom would drain the fat that cooked out the beef. I remember wanting her to buy those taco dinner night boxes that came with the seasoning and shells so badly, but she never would. Let’s say I get my home cooking desire from her. She was a stickler on not cooking out of a box and she’d season the beef herself.
Now I’m responsible for my family’s meals, I’m influenced by mom’s approach but have completely made taco night my own. It’s one meal I can easily get my boys to eat super healthy without them really even noticing.
And when you get all this great stuff from the farm…
You have to come up with ways to get you family to eat it.
Last week all 3 boys happily devoured my Kale, Turkey and Black Bean Taco Filling without one complaint. NOT ONE. 
Let me share what I did and how we used it. Hopefully it will give you some ideas of your own.
- 1 lb Lean Ground Turkey
- 1/2 of a Sweet Onion chopped
- 1 Jalapeno Pepper Diced
- About 1 and 1/2 cups of chopped Kale (100g)
- 1 Medium Sweet Pepper chopped small
- 1 15oz can of black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 tbsp dried Cumin
- Healthy Pinch of Kosher Salt
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, spray with non-stick spray and brown the turkey with onion.
Dice the Jalapeno and add it to the browning meat. Leave in the seeds and ribs if you’d like a bit more heat.
Chop the kale small. I used the technique I showed in this video.
Add the chopped kale to the skillet with a pinch of salt and stir all together.
Add in the diced pepper, black beans and spices. Cook for a few more minutes allowing all the flavors to merge and the pepper to soften just a little bit.
Lower to a simmer to keep warm until ready to use. Note: if you notice the meat starting to dry out, just add a tablespoon or 2 of salsa. Moistens things right up!
We used our taco filling 4 ways for dinner and I made a fun leftover dish
1. The Husband Classic Tacos on Soft Shells.
He likes them with just a little salsa, cheese and lettuce. Although I make him use spinach instead. ;)
2. The Little Guy’s Quesadilla
I started making quesadillas on taco night when he was little because they stayed together easier. Now they are one of his favorites. I always add some mashed avocado and chopped spinach in there too!
3. My Taco Lettuce wraps.
When I have a nice head of lettuce I’ll use the leaves instead of shells. It saves me a few calories so I don’t feel guilty piling on the cheese and avocado. :)
4. Little Beans deconstructed.
I give Little Bean a little of everything on his plate (taco shell, avocado, filling, cheese) and he happily has a smorgasbord of finger food.
5. Leftovers tossed with sautéed cabbage
The next day for a warm lunch I tossed some shredded cabbage in a skillet with taco meet and cooked until the leaves wilted. Topped with a bit of salsa it made a fabulous lunch!
As for the nutritional information, this recipe makes about 5 cups which is enough to serve about 20 tacos. I’ll post using a 1 cup as a serving size just to keep it easy.
| Servings | Amt per Serving | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1 cup of taco filling | |||
| Calories | Fat | Fiber | WWPs | |
| 200 | 2g | 6g | old: 3.5 | new: 5 |
| Sugar | Sat Fat | Carbs | Protein | |
| 3g | 0g | 19g | 28g | |
I saw a t-shirt today in Cincinnati that said Eat Kale.
I love Kale but they didn’t have the t-shirt in my size maybe this time next year. I have been eating a ton of kale in the past few months and I need some new recipes–I am adding this one for this weekend I think I will use your lettuce wrap.
I have been wanting to try kale in a recipe and I think you just gave me ideas for a few meals! Thank you!
Roni thanks so mcuh for this. Where do you get your whole wheat soft taco shells from? I have looked for some but they all seem to be way high in calories and fat.
Thanks again- Kathleen
I love the low carb from Trader Joes. Those are the ones pictured. My other fav brands are La Tortilla Factory and mission, both have some lower cal options. Oh! and here’s an old post where I highlighted some… link to ronisweigh.com
Hope that helps!
-Roni
Obsessed with this! Made it last night & am enjoying leftovers today for lunch!
I will never make regular tacos again!
Do you think pinto beans that would work..? not a black bean fan.
Totally! Even Kidney beans work but they are just a little big.
I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious!!! Even my husband, who hates turkey meat, kale, whole wheat, and quite frankly anything healthy, loved it! I also made your berry oatmeal cups the other day and he said, for being healthy, they’re very good. :) I am a huge fan of your easy, delicious, healthy recepies!! :)
Just tried this tonight & it’s a keeper! Both hubby and 8 yr old both liked it! :) Thank you!!!
Hi Roni!
I happened upon your website last week, and I am so glad I found it! Just wanted to let you know that these Kale/Turkey Tacos are delicious! Like others have mentioned I will definitely keep this in my files. Keep up the good work with posting healthy recipes!
Roni,
Love your recipes & blog. Been following for about 2 years & always come away with a positive out look & attitude plus great healthy recipes. Just wanted to thank you again Roni. It feels like I know you & the kids (including hubby kid). LOL
Just make this with some modifications. It was fantastic, given I have always been a very picky eater and am just recently moving into the healthier foods Found Kale about 6 months ago and it goes in every salad, but this was the first time I cooked with it.
I did not have all ingredients, so substituted black for low sodium whole pinto beans, a 5 pepper seasoning blend instead of real peppers and no onions, I also added corn and some lime juice.
Thanks for the recipe idea!