• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GreenLiteBites
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Favs
  • Macros
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Vegetarian
  • Snacks
  • Lunch
  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Cakes
  • Chili-like
  • Desserts
  • Drinks
  • Entree
  • Gluten-Free
  • Healthy Recipes
  • High Protein
  • Kid Friendly
  • Cooking Videos
  • Leftover Ideas
  • Low Carb
  • Main Dishes
  • Muffins
  • Paleo
  • Party
  • Pasta
  • Pizza
  • Quick Recipes
  • Salads
  • Sandwich
  • Side Dishes
  • Soups
  • Tacos
  • The Laughing Cow
  • Whole30
  • Tips & Reviews
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Dinner
    • Vegetarian
    • Snacks
    • Lunch
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Cakes
    • Chili-like
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Entree
    • Gluten-Free
    • Healthy Recipes
    • High Protein
    • Kid Friendly
    • Cooking Videos
    • Leftover Ideas
    • Low Carb
    • Main Dishes
    • Muffins
    • Paleo
    • Party
    • Pasta
    • Pizza
    • Quick Recipes
    • Salads
    • Sandwich
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Tacos
    • The Laughing Cow
    • Whole30
    • Tips & Reviews
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Dinner » Kale, Turkey and Black Bean Taco Filling -Plus 5 Ways to Use It!

    Kale, Turkey and Black Bean Taco Filling -Plus 5 Ways to Use It!

    Updated: Jul 21, 2023 by Veronica Noone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    kale taco pin

    Kale, Turkey and Black Bean Taco Filling is the most requested taco filling recipe I've posted. In celebration of Taco Tuesday tomorrow, I am resharing. Taco Tuesday is sacred in my house, especially since the 8-Year-old is obsessed. It's the only thing he gets excited about besides mac&cheese!

    kale taco

    The following was originally posted in October 2012. 

    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, and I’m influenced by mom’s approach but have entirely 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…

    farm share - taco night

    You have to come up with ways to get your family to eat it.

    Last week all three 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.

    📖 Recipe

    kale taco featured

    Kale, Turkey and Black Bean Taco Filling

    Roni Noone
    Kale, Turkey, and Black Bean Taco Filling is an easy way to veg-out Taco Night. Use this filling straight up, in your fav tortilla, on top of a salad or sauteed with cabbage. The possibilities are endless!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Any, Mexican
    Servings 5 cups
    Calories 200 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 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
    • ½ of a Sweet Onion chopped
    • 1 Jalapeno Pepper Diced
    • About 1 and ½ cups of chopped Kale 100g
    • 1 Medium Sweet Pepper chopped small
    • 1 15 oz can of black beans drained and rinsed
    • 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
    • 1 tablespoon dried Cumin
    • Healthy Pinch of Kosher Salt

    Instructions
     

    • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, spray with non-stick spray and brown the turkey with onion.
      1 lb Lean Ground Turkey, ½ of a Sweet Onion chopped
    • Dice the Jalapeno and add it to the browning meat. Leave in the seeds and ribs if you’d like a bit more heat.
      1 Jalapeno Pepper Diced
    • Chop the kale small. I used the technique I showed in this video.
      About 1 and ½ cups of chopped Kale
    • Add the chopped kale to the skillet with a pinch of salt and stir all together.
      Healthy Pinch of Kosher Salt
    • 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.
      1 Medium Sweet Pepper chopped small, 1 15 oz can of black beans drained and rinsed, 1 tablespoon Chili Powder, 1 tablespoon dried Cumin
    • Lower to a simmer to keep warm until ready to use.

    Notes

    • This recipe is very forgiving. Use what you have on hand! 
    • If you notice the meat starting to dry out, add a tablespoon or 2 of salsa. Moistens things right up!
    • 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 to keep it easy.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 28gFat: 2gFiber: 6gSugar: 3g
    Keyword black bean, Kale, taco, Turkey
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    We used our Kale, Turkey and Black Bean Taco Filling four different ways for dinner and I made a fun leftover dish

    1. The Husband Classic Tacos on Soft Shells.

    Kale, Turkey and Black Bean Taco Filling - soft shell

    He likes them with just a little salsa, cheese, and lettuce. Although I make him use spinach instead. 😉

    2. The Little Guy’s Quesadilla

    Kale, Turkey and Black Bean Taco Filling - 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.

    Kale, Turkey and Black Bean Taco Filling - 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.

    Kale, Turkey and Black Bean Taco Filling - Deconstructed1

    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

    Kale, Turkey and Black Bean Taco Filling - Tossed with Cabbage

    The next day for a warm lunch, I tossed some shredded cabbage in a skillet with taco meat and cooked until the leaves wilted. Topped with a bit of salsa, it made a fabulous lunch!

    Other Recipes:

    • Date Night In - Murder Mystery - Mardi Gras
      Murder Mystery - Mardi Gras Feast!
    • 33 unique recipes featuring cilantro featured
      33 Unique Recipes Featuring Cilantro
    • 37 mouthwatering basil recipes for every occasion featured
      37 Mouthwatering Basil Recipes for Every Occasion
    • 22 corn recipes with a kick featured
      22 Corn Recipes with a Kick

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Roni in kitchen

    Hi, I'm Roni!

    GreenLiteBites is a complete creative outlet for me. I post what I'm eating and feeding my family. I photograph every recipe.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Homemade teething Biscuit in 60 seconds!
    • roasted featured
      Roasted (Wish They Were Grilled) Cabbage
    • colorful roasted potatoes featured
      Colorful Roasted Potatoes with Carrots and Rosemary (Plus a Tasteful Selections Giveaway!)
    • favorite green smoothie featured
      Our New Favorite Green Smoothie the Video

    Recent Recipes:

    • Wacky Watermelon - Video Post
    • Pepper and Corn Soup with Fresh Cilantro
    • simple cheesy salsa featured
      Simple Cheesy Salsa
    • No Go on the Yo

    Important Pages

    • Privacy Policy
    • Macros (With calculator)
    • Disclaimer
    • Contatct

    Categories

    • Cooking Videos (167)
    • Recipe Collections (20)
    • Recipes (1,223)
      • Appetizers (93)
      • Breakfast (203)
      • Cakes (38)
      • Chili-like (41)
      • Desserts (132)
      • Dinner (440)
      • Drinks (69)
      • Entree (45)
      • Gluten-Free (75)
      • Healthy Recipes (94)
      • High Protein (50)
      • Kid Friendly (399)
      • Leftover Ideas (33)
      • Low Carb (31)
      • Lunch (350)
      • Main Dishes (150)
      • Muffins (32)
      • Paleo (36)
      • Party (91)
      • Pasta (36)
      • Pizza (35)
      • Quick Recipes (43)
      • Salads (171)
      • Sandwich (83)
      • Side Dishes (171)
      • Snacks (192)
      • Soups (100)
      • Tacos (9)
      • The Laughing Cow (65)
      • Vegetarian (387)
      • Whole30 (22)
    • Tips & Reviews (132)
    Roni in kitchen

    Hi, I'm Roni!

    GreenLiteBites is a complete creative outlet for me. I post what I'm eating and feeding my family. I photograph every recipe.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • pumpkin oatmeal cups featured
      Pumpkin Oatmeal Cups
    • Banana Soft Serve (It's Homemade One Ingredient Ice Cream, SERIOUSLY!)
    • roasted broccoli & cauliflower featured
      Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower with Mushrooms and an Olive Oil Giveaway!
    • homemade almond milk take featured
      Homemade Almond Milk Take 1

    Recent Recipes:

    • My Cute Halloween Cheese Didn't Work. :(
    • Beans, Beans, They're Good for Your Heart...
    • A Quick Summer Lunch
    • School Lunch Idea 1

    Important Pages

    • Privacy Policy
    • Macros (With calculator)
    • Disclaimer
    • Contatct

    Categories

    • Cooking Videos (167)
    • Recipe Collections (20)
    • Recipes (1,223)
      • Appetizers (93)
      • Breakfast (203)
      • Cakes (38)
      • Chili-like (41)
      • Desserts (132)
      • Dinner (440)
      • Drinks (69)
      • Entree (45)
      • Gluten-Free (75)
      • Healthy Recipes (94)
      • High Protein (50)
      • Kid Friendly (399)
      • Leftover Ideas (33)
      • Low Carb (31)
      • Lunch (350)
      • Main Dishes (150)
      • Muffins (32)
      • Paleo (36)
      • Party (91)
      • Pasta (36)
      • Pizza (35)
      • Quick Recipes (43)
      • Salads (171)
      • Sandwich (83)
      • Side Dishes (171)
      • Snacks (192)
      • Soups (100)
      • Tacos (9)
      • The Laughing Cow (65)
      • Vegetarian (387)
      • Whole30 (22)
    • Tips & Reviews (132)

    Copyright © 2025 · Greenlitebites LLC

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required