Speedy Ground Turkey & Black Bean Tostadas

Crispy corn tortillas piled high with a savory, quick-cooking ground turkey and black bean mixture, topped with fresh and creamy garnishes. A perfect weeknight meal that's bursting with flavor and comes together in a flash.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Total Time: 40 min
Servings: 4
MexicanTex-MexNut-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreeShellfish-FreeFish-FreeSesame-FreeHigh-Protein

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 0.5 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 15 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 0.25 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper
  • 8 count corn tortillas
  • 2 cup romaine lettuce, shredded
  • 0.5 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
  • 0.5 cup salsa or pico de gallo
  • 0.5 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 large avocado, sliced or diced
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 lime wedges

Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

  2. 2.

    Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.

  3. 3.

    Stir in the canned diced tomatoes (undrained), rinsed and drained black beans, and chicken or vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-12 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

  4. 4.

    While the turkey mixture simmers, prepare the tostada shells. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush both sides of the corn tortillas with olive oil. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crisp. Alternatively, you can air fry them at 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes per side, or pan-fry in a thin layer of oil until crisp.

  5. 5.

    To assemble the tostadas, spread a generous layer of the warm ground turkey and black bean mixture over each crispy corn tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, crumbled Cotija cheese, salsa, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, sliced avocado, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.

  6. 6.

    Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.

Tips

  • 💡For extra crispy tostada shells, ensure they are brushed thinly with oil and baked until firm. Don't overcrowd the baking sheet.
  • 💡Prep your toppings while the turkey mixture simmers and tortillas bake. Shredding lettuce, crumbling cheese, and slicing avocado ahead of time makes assembly even faster.
  • 💡Adjust the spice level to your liking. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the turkey mixture for extra heat.
  • 💡If you prefer a vegetarian option, simply omit the ground turkey and use an extra can of black beans or a can of pinto beans, or add sautéed bell peppers and corn to the bean mixture.

Recipe from TheCookbook.ai

Created by Basil Roux