Crispy Turkey Tostadas with Bell Pepper, Tomato Salsa &Amp; Spicy Crema

If you’re looking for a fun and flavorful weeknight dinner, these crispy turkey tostadas are just the ticket. A crunchy baked tortilla serves as the base for a hearty topping of seasoned ground turkey, tender bell pepper strips and onions, all finished with melted Mexican cheese. A fresh tomato salsa and a spicy hot sauce crema add brightness and heat, making every bite irresistible.

This recipe comes together quickly, thanks to a few smart shortcuts like a southwest spice blend and beef stock concentrate for depth of flavor. The tostadas are baked until golden and crisp, then piled high with the meat mixture and your choice of toppings. Perfect for a casual dinner that feels like a fiesta.

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Ingredients

1 unit Green Bell PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground TurkeyView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.75 unit OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Chili PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Beef Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 unit Flour TortillasView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Southwest Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Mexican Cheese BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Hot SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon (tsp) Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Adjust rack to top position (top and middle positions for 4 servings) and preheat oven to 450°F. Wash and dry produce. Dice tomato. Roughly chop cilantro. Halve and peel onion; thinly slice one half. Finely chop remaining onion until you have 2 tablespoons. Quarter lime. Halve, core and thinly slice bell pepper into strips.
2. In a medium bowl, combine tomato, cilantro, chopped onion, juice from half the lime and a pinch of salt and pepper. In a small bowl, combine sour cream with as much hot sauce as you like. Stir in water 1 teaspoon at a time until mixture reaches a drizzling consistency. Season with salt.
3. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, Southwest Spice Blend, chili powder and a few big pinches of salt. Cook, breaking up meat into pieces, until browned, 4-5 minutes (it will finish cooking in the next step).
4. Once turkey is browned, add bell pepper, sliced onion and a pinch of salt to pan. Cook, stirring, until veggies are tender and turkey is cooked through, 5-7 minutes. Add stock concentrate and ¼ cup water (½ cup for 4 servings). Simmer until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Season with salt; remove pan from heat and set aside.
5. Drizzle tortillas with 1 tablespoon olive oil (2 tablespoons for 4 servings); brush or rub to coat all over. Arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer (divide between two sheets for 4). Gently prick each tortilla in a few places with a fork. Bake on top rack, flipping halfway through, until lightly golden, 4-5 minutes per side. (For 4, bake on top and middle racks; flip tortillas and swap rack positions halfway through baking.) Tip: Watch carefully-tortillas brown fast!
6. Divide tortillas between plates; evenly sprinkle with Mexican cheese blend. Top with turkey mixture, salsa and crema. Serve with remaining lime wedges on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?

Yes, corn tortillas work well for tostadas. They may be smaller and crisp up slightly differently, so adjust baking time as needed.

How do I store leftovers?

Store components separately: keep the turkey mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store tortillas at room temperature. Reheat turkey in a pan and assemble fresh.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Substitute the ground turkey with cooked black beans or a plant-based ground meat alternative. Adjust seasoning to taste.