Turkey Wonton Tacos

If you’ve ever been to Applebee’s, you’ve probably seen their wonton tacos—and if you’re like me, they’re one of those appetizers you always have to order. The only problem? They can be a little too spicy for me (I’ll admit it—I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to heat).

So I decided to make my own version at home, swapping the chicken for ground turkey to keep things simple, budget-friendly, and just as delicious. These are perfect as an appetizer, but honestly, I usually just make them my whole meal because they’re that good.

To make life even easier, I used a bagged coleslaw mix—no chopping required. And let me tell you, these were a hit. David said they reminded him of something you’d get from a fancy Korean food truck, and they officially made it into his top 10 meals. I’d definitely call that a win!

Turkey Wonton Tacos

These crispy turkey wonton tacos are packed with sweet and savory flavor, topped with a fresh, tangy slaw for the perfect bite. They’re quick, easy, and taste just like your favorite takeout-style appetizer—but even better made at home.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 20 tacos

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Asian

Calories: 280

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Turkey Filling

• 1 lb Ground Turkey
• 1/2 tea Salt
• 1/2 tea Pepper
• 1/4 tea Chinese Five Spice
• 1/2 tea Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tea Onion Powder
• 2 tea Garlic minced
• 3 Tbsp Brown Sugar
• 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce

Wonton Shells

• 20 Wonton Wrappers
• Oil Spray

Slaw

• 3 Tbsp Coleslaw Mix
• 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 3 tea Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
• 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
• 1/3 tea Salt
• Chili Sauce optional

Method

 

Preheat

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Cook the Turkey

1. In a hot pan over medium-high heat, add about 1/2 tablespoon oil and cook the ground turkey until browned.Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Chinese five spice.
2. Stir in the brown sugar, soy sauce, ground ginger, and minced garlic. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until everything is well combined and slightly caramelized. Remove from heat.

Make Wonton Shells

1. Flip a muffin tin upside down. Spray both sides of each wonton wrapper with oil.
2. Place each wrapper over the space between two muffin cups, using a small square of parchment paper underneath. Gently press down to form a taco shape.
3. Bake for about 7 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and crispy.

Make the Slaw

1. In a bowl, mix together the coleslaw mix, apple cider vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt. Toss until evenly coated.

Assemble

1. Fill each wonton shell with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of turkey and 1 tablespoon of slaw.
2. Top with chili sauce if you like a little extra heat.

Notes

 

• Cut small squares of parchment paper to place under each wonton—this helps keep oil off your pan and prevents the wrappers from curling so they hold that perfect taco shape.
• Don’t overfill the wontons or they can break.
• Want it spicier? Add sriracha or chili flakes to the turkey while cooking.
• These are best served fresh while the shells are still crispy.
• Turn it into a full meal by serving with rice or a simple side salad.