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Ground Turkey and Rice Burritos

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These great burritos have layer after layer of flavor. They are a great hearty dinner filled with so much homemade goodness.

close up of burrito cut in half showing layers of filling inside.

If you are looking for a flavorful dinner that will fill your family up, these burritos fit the bill. Each part adds another layer of flavor and texture and they all come together to make something amazing. 

You’ll have ground turkey flavored with items you likely already have in your spice cabinet, tasty homemade Mexican rice and a simple guacamole to bring it all together.  From there everyone can customize to their heart’s content. Dinner is served and it’s delicious!

Today you are getting quite the bonus: 3 recipes for the price of one! Not only are you getting a tasty way to turn a pound of ground beef into a delicious taco or burrito filling, but you are also getting a rice and guacamole recipe as well.

Technically you’ve never paid for a single one of the thousand recipes I’ve shared, so I’m not sure we can really qualify this as a deal. Though if it makes you like it more to think of it as a bargain, I’m all in.

Assembling ground turkey burritos with meat and cheese on tortilla and all of the other toppings nearby.

I certainly won’t stand in the way of a celebration of delicious food no matter the reason.  That counts double if that celebration involves yummy burritos!

While there are certainly several components to make, none of them are difficult.  So they are totally doable on a weeknight, don’t let the list of steps stop you from giving them a go.

One of the best parts about a good burrito is the layers of flavors and textures coming together in every bite. There is just something so satisfying about picking it up and seeing all of the different fillings before biting into them.

cut burrito on plate with lime wedges, ready to eat

Plus it is easy to customize the fillings based on each family member’s preferences. If you don’t like guacamole, leave it out (and give me your share!)

So do yourself a favor and get these ingredients on your grocery list so you can make them. Then don’t be surprised if your family starts requesting them!

Ground Turkey for Tacos or Burritos

It is super simple to turn a pound of meat into a great filling for burritos without a packet. You likely have all of the spices you need in your cabinet already!

This recipe is written using a pound of ground turkey. I like using turkey because it is usually super economical and easily takes on the flavors you give it really well.

If you prefer ground beef, pork or even chicken go for whatever you have and like. Heck, I’m sure you could even use tofu crumbles if that’s your thing.

Ingredients for ground turkey burrito filling including the turkey, peppers, onions, and seasonings.

Feel free to improvise a bit. I like sneaking some produce into the meat mixture.

It adds more flavor and a lottle extra nutrition.  But if your family doesn’t like peppers, leave them out.

My feelings won’t be hurt. I probably won’t even know you did it unless you tell me!

Making Rice Like Mexican Restaurants

Adding flavor to the rice while it’s cooking is such a great way to take it to the next level. You don’t want for there to be a single boring layer in your burrito, so the rice has to show off too!

The recipe is written for cooking the rice in a saucepan on the stove because those are items most everyone has in their kitchen. You could easily adapt the recipe to be cooked in a rice cooker or instant pot.

Ingredients including rice, broth, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and seasonings ready to be made into Mexican restaurant style rice.

Just put the rice and broth in your cooker like normal, layer the garlic, tomatoes etc. On top and cook as you would cook any normal rice. Give it a stir when it’s done and you are ready to go.

The magic will have happened and you’ll have a great addition to your burrito.  Of course this will be a great base for burrito bowls or side for tacos as well.

Homemade Guacamole

Oh guacamole, how I love thee. There are so many magnificent ways to make the creamy green goodness

We love Chloe’s guacamole for instance.  I am almost always up for trying whatever fun twist you want to put on it.

For these burritos though, I kept it super simple.  I didn’t want to overwhelm you with too much to do and too many ingredients.

Plate of chunky homemade guacamole served with two lime wedges and tortilla chips.

Beside when using guacamole in a burrito, it doesn’t have to be the star. It should be happy playing a supporting roll helping to bring it all together.

Feel free to jazz it up in any way you see fit though. And tell me what you did so I can try it next time!

Assembling Your Burritos

Obviously wrapping up all of these goodies in a giant flour tortilla is an optimal way to enjoy them.  There is just something about picking up a stuffed burrito and biting into it that is hard to beat.

But you could also pile up the turkey and guacamole on top of a bed of rice as a delicious burrito bowl. Add a little cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, or whatever you like and it is bound to be amazing.

Burrito making ingredients including tortillas, shredded lettuce, guacamole, rice, cheese, seasoned ground turkey, tomatoes and more.

For even more veggie goodness, sprinkle the fillings over a bed of greens and eat or as a salad. You can feel good about your healthy choices and still indulge in tons of flavor.

No matter how you decide to enjoy it, just promise me you’ll give it a go!

More Recipes to Try

Slow cooker salsa chicken is another great recipe to fill burritos or top burrito bowl.  We also love making salsa chicken in the instant pot.

assembled burritos ready to eat

Or of you are in the mood for something creamy stuffed inside your tortillas, try my cousins creamy chicken taquitos. They are super delicious!

What are your favorite ways to enjoy Tex-Mex flavors? I’d love to hear all about your best recipes in the comments below or on social media!

close up of burrito cut in half showing layers of filling inside.

Ground Turkey and Rice Burritos

Carlee
These great burritos have layer after layer of flavor. They are a great hearty dinner filled with so much homemade goodness.
4.94 from 15 ratings
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinners
Cuisine American
Servings 10 Burritos
Calories 387 kcal

Ingredients
 

Ground Turkey Mixture

  • 16 ounces ground turkey
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ small white onion diced
  • ½ green bell pepper diced
  • 1 jalapeño diced
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon

Mexican Rice

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup Jasmine rice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • ¼ white onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 large Roma tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons tomato bouillon or paste

Guacamole

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • Juice from ½ lime
  • Salt to taste

For Assembly

  • 1 cup shredded ice burg lettuce
  • 1 diced tomato
  • ½ cup shredded Colby jack cheese or your choice of cheese, I recommend shredding your own cheese so that it melts well
  • 10 burrito tortillas

Instructions
 

Turkey Mixture

  • Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over low medium heat.
    2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • Add the diced onion to the pan and let it cook until they start to become translucent.
    ½ small white onion
  • Add the bell pepper and jalapeño to the pan and cook until they become tender.
    ½ green bell pepper, 1 jalapeño
  • In the meantime, add the turkey to a medium/large bowl and season with the cayenne, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin powder and chicken bouillon and mix it all together.
    16 ounces ground turkey, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
  • Once the veggies are tender, add the turkey to the pan and cook through.
  • Drain the juices from the turkey and hold over a low burner until ready to assemble burritos.

  • Mexican Rice
  • Add the onion, chicken broth, garlic, tomatoes and tomato bouillon to a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
    2 cups chicken broth, ¼ white onion, 2 garlic cloves, 2 large Roma tomatoes, 2 teaspoons tomato bouillon or paste
  • Put the olive oil to a medium pot and heating it over medium heat.
    2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Once it’s hot, add the rice and salt and stir well to coat all of the rice in oil. Let it cook and stir every two minutes until the rice starts to turn a light brown color.
    1 cup Jasmine rice, 1 teaspoon salt
  • Once the rice has browned up a bit, pour in the tomato mix. (Be careful, as the water will start to pop and sizzle.)
  • Bring the rice to a boil over high heat and reduce to low medium heat. Cover with a lid and let it cook for 20 minutes.
  • Once it has cooked, remove the lid and check to see how much moisture is left. If there is a lot, turn the heat down and let it cook with the lid off for 3-5 more minutes. If the moisture is gone, remove the lid, turn the heat off and let it sit for five to six minutes.
  • Fluff the rice and serve.

  • Guacamole
  • Remove the peel and smash the avocado in a small bowl.
    1 ripe avocado
  • Add the garlic powder, chili powder, lime juice and salt to the bowl, mix thoroughly and let it sit for five to ten minutes to allow the garlic powder and salt to incorporate well.
    ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon chili powder, Juice from ½ lime, Salt to taste

  • Assembly
  • Start by warming the tortillas in a pan or in the microwave.
  • Spread a layer of guacamole into the middle of the tortilla leaving space to close it.
  • Next, layer the rice, turkey, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.
  • Fold and roll up the tortilla and serve immediately with salsa or sour cream.

Notes

You may want to start the rice first. By the time the rice is done the meat mixture and everything else should be ready to go.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 387kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 19gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 1124mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5g
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Recipe Rating




Debbie

Saturday 12th of September 2020

Hi Carlee, I'm not entirely sure what a burrito is, but it seems like a very tasty wrap. This year I tried growing jalopenos with no luck (I planted them a little late and the heat was too much for the young plants), I did get plenty of cayennes and schtch bonnets though so will have to substitute.... Pinning.

xx

Carlee

Monday 14th of September 2020

Ooof! Those scotch bonnets would make it super spicy!! These burritos are an Americanized version of Mexican food. They are so good! We like to lay out a variety of fillings and let everyone use their favorites. They are such a tasty way to fill up the family!

Amy (Savory Moments)

Thursday 27th of August 2020

I love burritos and these ones look super flavorful and filling!

Carlee

Saturday 29th of August 2020

They really are! Thank you, Amy!

Andrea Nine

Wednesday 26th of August 2020

We eat a lot of ground turkey around here! So perfect with the guac and Mexican rice! Happy Wednesday beautiful!

Carlee

Saturday 29th of August 2020

you are going to love these then! Thanks, Andrea!