High-Protein Sweet Potato Taco Recipe
Overview | Ingredients | Method | Notes
Lose weight and stay full with this easy high-protein, high-fibre, energy-packed alternative to the usual tacos. As a bonus, it can be made gluten-free, lactose-free, and low FODMAP.
Traditional tacos are usually a greasy and cheesy “cheat food”. Tasty, but not ideal if you’re trying to lose weight.
The usual ingredients are calorie-dense. Oils, cheese, tortilla shells, pork, and other fatty meats. You could be a thousand calories down before you’re finally full and happy.
But you don’t have to give up your favourite foods. With some simple ingredient swaps, you can turn fast food staples into high-quality gym meals.
Try this fulfilling Mexican fast food conversion out for yourself and stay on track with your weight loss journey.
Total time to prep and cook: 20 to 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings (if you use the same ingredients)
Nutrition per serving: 400 Calories | 40g Protein | 35g Carbohydrates | 12g Fat
500 grams 2% turkey mince - leaner and higher in protein than the majority of mince meats out there
4 large sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons tomato puree + some water - half a can (250g) of chopped tomatoes would be better, but I didn’t have any at hand
150 grams sweetcorn
A bunch of coriander
A bunch of spring onions (green part) - for those with IBS, everyone else may use half an onion
60 grams 30% reduced fat cheddar cheese - use lactose-free cheese if you’re sensitive to lactose
Low-calorie cooking spray
Seasonings - I don’t measure these, just throw them in and go by taste
Black pepper
Salt
Cumin powder
Coriander powder
Smoked paprika
Oregano
Cayenne pepper
Garlic powder (or 1 tablespoon garlic-infused oil if you have IBS - this will add additional calories)
Spray or heat oil in a pan over medium to high heat.
Cook turkey mince until white (8-10 minutes).
Meanwhile, chop the coriander and spring onions.
Once the turkey mince is white, stir in the chopped tomatoes (or tomato puree and water).
Throw in the seasonings and continue stirring for 2-3 minutes.
Add sweetcorn, coriander, and spring onions.
Lower the heat, cover with a lid, and leave to simmer.
Meanwhile, using a fork, poke holes in the sweet potatoes. Then microwave for 6 minutes (up to two sweet potatoes at a time). Continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals until soft.
Slice open the sweet potatoes and top with the turkey mince taco filling.
Grate cheese over the top and enjoy.
Adjust the ingredients or serving quantity to fit your macros. I’m currently on a “bulk” so I had 2 servings in one meal. If you’d like to learn more about nutrition, read my fat loss guide: Cutting Concepts.
Mix up the ingredients. Swap turkey mince for beef mince or a vegan meat alternative. Have rice instead of sweet potatoes. Throw in jalapenos and chilli flakes for more spice. Just remember to log those changes when tracking calories.
Sweet Potatoes can vary in size. For the calorie estimates in this recipe, one “large” sweet potato weighed around 180 to 200 grams.