Light Cinco de Mayo Menu

Cinco de Mayo may officially be the annual celebration to commemorate the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire in 1862, but for many, it's an opportunity to overindulge in baskets of chips, bowls of queso and pitchers of margaritas. Healthy eaters craving these traditional favorites, however, need not feel left out. With these delicious, lighter options, your biggest worry will be "should I double this recipe?!" 

Similar in texture, there are two main nutritional benefits gained from switching your ground beef to ground turkey: decreased calories and saturated fat. 

• Ground turkey (3oz.): 190 calories, 1 gram fat
• Ground beef (3oz.): 248 calories, 18 grams fat

Turkey Tacos

Serving: 4 people

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 large green bell pepper, diced
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced
• 2 Tbsp. Tony Chachere’s no-salt blend
• 2 tsp. cumin
• 1/8 tsp. salt (a pinch)
• ¼ cup water
• Tortillas of choice (flour, corn, lettuce)

Directions:

1. Lightly coat a large skillet with cooking spray over medium to high heat.
2. Once heated, add ground turkey, onion, bell peppers and spices.
3. Cook until meat is no longer pink and veggies are tender.
4. Stir in ¼ cup water and simmer until thickened.
5. Season if needed. 
6. Serve in tortilla of choice.
7. Enjoy!

Desired topping options: cheese, lettuce, salsa, guacamole, greek yogurt, black beans, and corn.

*Special Notes: Since ground turkey has so much less fat, it can have a tendency to dry out faster than cooking with ground beef which is why some liquid is added while cooking to maintain ideal moisture. It is also key to substitute it in recipes that utilize seasonings. You can slowly transition to ground turkey by mixing ground beef and ground turkey and slowing changing the percentages of each used until you are completely at 100% turkey.

Guacamole

Servings: 4 people

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients: 

• 4 avocados
• 1/2 cup salsa, prepared or homemade
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 Tbsp. garlic
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions: 

1. Dice up avocados and put into a bowl.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mash/mix to preferred consistency.
3. Enjoy!

Salsa Fresca

Servings: 4 people

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 large tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/2 - 1 jalapeno, diced
• 1 Tbsp. garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Cilantro, chopped for garnish

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Taste and adjust flavors as needed.
3. Enjoy!