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Ground Turkey Plantain Nachos

in Entrees, Snacks

Grain-free, Paleo, and Whole 30-compliant Ground Turkey Plantain Nachos that make for the perfect meal or snack.  You have not had nachos until you have had plantain nachos!

turkey_plantain_nachos 7 graphicI’m just going to go ahead and say it.  These nachos may be one of the best things I have ever made and eaten at home.  Seriously!  And that is saying something since I just recently started eating meat after more than three years without it.

turkey_plantain_nachos 4Remember when I shared that glorious picture of those plantain nachos a few weeks ago?  I’m pretty sure you haven’t forgotten since they were easily the highlight of my What I Ate Wednesday post.  Y’all were loving them!  And since they were so well-received, I decided that it was only fitting for me to dedicate an entire post to them.

turkey_plantain_nachos 8Most nachos are made with tortilla chips.  But I don’t think I’m going out on a limb here by saying that you haven’t had nachos until you have had plantain nachos.  I can honestly say that I would rather eat these over regular tortilla chip nachos any day.  They are 100% that good.

turkey_plantain_nachos 3And for the record, I cannot take credit for this ingenious idea.  I do not remember where or when I first saw them on Instagram, but if you stalk the #whole30 hashtag like I have been lately, you are bound to come across a post or two.  Whoever is the original creator of plantain nachos, he or she deserves an award, a hug, and a billion dollars.

turkey_plantain_nachos 9Today I am going to share my “healthier” version that I have been loving lately.  These nachos are made with ground turkey, which I am now officially going to name as my favorite meat since I started switching things up with my diet last month.  Either I prefer ground turkey over ground beef, or I simply still have no idea how to properly season and cook beef.  Both are completely possible.

Of course, if ground beef is your thing, it would work perfectly in place of the turkey for this recipe.  Heck, I bet ground chicken would be great, too.  And, of course you know I would never forget about my veggie-loving friends.  Lentils, beans, tempeh, and/or tofu would all be delicious in these nachos.  In other words, I think the plantain chips are the most important part.  Don’t forget the guac either.  Never ever forget the guac.

turkey_plantain_nachos 5Ground Turkey Plantain Nachos
Grain-Free, Paleo, Whole 30-Compliant*

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 lb organic 93% lean ground turkey
2 TB of your favorite taco seasoning (this one is great and Whole 30-compliant)
1 6 oz bag of plantain chips (Inka are my favorites, or you can make your own!)
2 cups shredded lettuce
desired toppings: onions, peppers, tomatoes, salsa, guacamole, etc.

*The Whole 30 has since changed their program rules and chips are no longer allowed.  Therefore, you will want to fry up your own plantain chips for these nachos!

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground turkey until no longer pink.  This will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes, depending on whether you have an electric or gas stove.

2. While the turkey is browning away, prepare your toppings.  I shredded my lettuce, chopped onions and peppers, and sliced tomatoes.

3. Once the ground turkey is cooked through, add the taco seasoning and stir until well-combined.

4. Compile your nachos in the following order: plantain chips, shredded lettuce, onions, ground turkey, peppers, tomatoes, salsa, and guacamole (along with anything else that you love on top of nachos).

I like to eat these with a spoon because they do tend to get awfully messy!

turkey_plantain_nachos 2These nachos are:

Crunchy
Salty
Spicy
Summery
Simple
Flavorful
Filling
Healthy
and one helluva meal!

turkey_plantain_nachos 10If you could not already tell, I am pretty passionate about plantain nachos.  In fact, if I could marry a food right now, it would probably be these.  But that would be weird, right?  I also think my boyfriend might get jealous.

ground_turkey_plantain_nachosThe perfect meal or snack: Ground Turkey Plantain Nachos #recipe #paleo #cleaneats Click To Tweet

Have you ever made plantain nachos?  If not, what are you waiting for?!

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{ 68 comments… add one }
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul June 16, 2015, 1:09 am
    I vote this over asparagus for tomorrow!! Oh man I'm drooling!!!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 16, 2015, 8:23 am
      Haha!! Too late.. the asparagus has already been purchased ;)
  • Ashley June 16, 2015, 5:50 am
    These look soooo good!!! I love the plaintain chips from Trader Joes but I've never made nachos with them before! Now I feel like I've been missing out - I need to make these! Ashley recently posted...Blueberry Corn Panzanella with Maple Chipotle DressingMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 16, 2015, 8:35 am
      I'm going to be honest with you... you HAVE been missing out! But guess what? It's not too late to try them! Please do... I kind of think they are life-changing ;)
      • Tina March 20, 2017, 1:34 pm
        Which Trader Joe's plantain chips do you use? The ones with the monkey on them are baked in sunflower oil, which isn't Paleo or Whole 30 compliant. I've heard they have another, but I haven't been able to find it :(
        • ClnEatingVegGrl March 20, 2017, 2:17 pm
          Sunflower oil is kind of a "gray area" when it comes to the Whole 30. I used to eat the TJ's package with the monkey, but have since switched to eating the Inka brand. They are made with palm oil! I hope this helps :)
  • Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie June 16, 2015, 7:12 am
    Using plantain chips instead of tortilla chips is a great healthy sub! I will have to give this a try. Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie recently posted...Weekend…Well, Life RecapMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 16, 2015, 8:36 am
      It sure is. I honestly crave plantain chips more now than I do regular chips. It's the weirdest thing... but I'm liking it!
  • Joanna @Makingmine June 16, 2015, 8:12 am
    It looks like plantains are where it's at for Whole 30! I ate a ton of them when I studied abroad, but I never buy them now! Thank goodness I'm going to have you as a resource :) Joanna @Makingmine recently posted...zoo birthday partyMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 16, 2015, 8:38 am
      They most definitely are, and I am super happy about it because I love them! And yes... I feel like I have done so much research so I have a decent amount of meal ideas already stock-piled in my brain. I definitely recommend stalking the #Whole30 hashtag when you are nursing at night and have nothing better to do ;)
  • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine June 16, 2015, 10:02 am
    What am I wait for? For you to post this idea! I'll use ground chicken and call it a deal! YUM!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 16, 2015, 12:33 pm
      Haha! You got me there! I've been thinking about trying it with ground chicken, so I'm excited to hear how that turns out for you :)
  • Jessie June 16, 2015, 10:14 am
    Crazy enough I've never tried either dried or fresh plantains before. I feel like I may be one of the few bloggers that can actually say that these days. I will have to add a bag to our Walmart cart (we make monthly food orders to have shipped here) right this second though.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 16, 2015, 12:34 pm
      You definitely NEED to! And if it makes you feel any better, I hadn't tried them until about a month ago. So you aren't far behind!
  • Julie is Hostess At Heart June 16, 2015, 10:15 am
    What a beautiful dish! I've never cooked with plantains but know there is a technique to them. Trader Joes is great for these kind of ingredients! Julie is Hostess At Heart recently posted...Asparagus Orzo SaladMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 16, 2015, 12:32 pm
      They seriously are! I don't think I could ever live somewhere without a TJ's ;)
  • Shann Eva June 16, 2015, 11:14 am
    I've been waiting for this ever since you mentioned it last week. Pinned! Thanks! Shann Eva recently posted...Our Annual Eye and ROP checkMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 16, 2015, 12:35 pm
      You are so welcome. Thank you for the pin! I hope you love them as much as I do!
  • Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks June 16, 2015, 11:52 am
    LOVE this idea. I've never cooked with plantains before..! Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks recently posted...Backpacking in Big Sur + Camping Food RecommendationsMy Profile
  • Sam @ PancakeWarriors June 16, 2015, 12:21 pm
    Wow these sound fantastic!! I have to make some plantain nachos asap!! I love plantains - they are one of my favorite foods!! Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted...Easy Bean TostadasMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 16, 2015, 12:37 pm
      If you love plantains then you MUST turn them into nachos. I honestly believe they are one of the best things I have eaten in a LONG while!
  • BlocNotes Vintage June 16, 2015, 4:46 pm
    Great recipe, I want to try it! Barbara BlocNotes Vintage recently posted...Wedding Guide #rural-chicMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 16, 2015, 4:53 pm
      I hope you do, Barbara!
  • Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating June 16, 2015, 10:01 pm
    No ma'am, I will NEVER forget the guacamole! And to top off this recipe, I say it is a must. I love this idea. I have been making sweet potato nachos in the oven on the regular because it's so easy to throw together. And tasty and healthy, so it definitely gets an A in my book! As would this recipe, I'm sure. I need to find time to play around more with plantains, they're delicious and yet I don't buy them often enough. Thank you for inspiring me!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 17, 2015, 8:54 am
      Sweet potato nachos are SO good! If you love them, I have a feeling you would definitely enjoy plantain nachos too. I hope you try them :)
  • Erica June 16, 2015, 11:34 pm
    What a great, creative idea! Looks super yummy!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 17, 2015, 8:55 am
      Thank you, Erica! I think every person on earth should try these ;)
  • Angie June 16, 2015, 11:43 pm
    I love ground turkey and can't wait to try this! Angie recently posted...Hands, Headlights, and a Father’s Love {A Tribute To My Hero}My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 17, 2015, 8:56 am
      I am so glad that I figured out how tasty and delicious ground turkey is. It is definitely one of my favorite protein sources right now!
  • Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen June 17, 2015, 1:30 am
    These look so damn delicious! Plantain nachos sounds like an awesome idea! Would give it a try soon! YUM!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 17, 2015, 9:02 am
      You most definitely should. I cannot even fully express how much I LOVE them!
  • Rachel @ athletic avocado June 17, 2015, 6:29 am
    Love that you used plantains for the nachos!!! I just started to eat plantains a few months ago and i LOVE them! Rachel @ athletic avocado recently posted...Fluffy Strawberry Coconut Muesli PancakesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 17, 2015, 9:03 am
      You and me both! I cannot believe I went so long without them in my life!
  • Alex June 17, 2015, 7:06 am
    This looks delicious! Pinned :) Alex recently posted...Double Denim Trouble & All About YouMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 17, 2015, 9:04 am
      Thanks so much, Alex. I really hope you give them a try!
  • Courtney B. May 19, 2016, 10:51 am
    How many calories are in the nachos?
    • ClnEatingVegGrl May 19, 2016, 11:34 am
      Hi there! Unfortunately, I do not know because counting calories is not a healthy practice for me personally. I'm sure you could put all of the ingredients into a calorie calculator though!
  • Suzanne October 30, 2016, 5:04 pm
    These are fantastic! And thanks for the handy link to the taco seasoning formula....Great lunch for a rainy Sunday. Day 10 of the Whole 30, I am sure that I will have this a couple of more times......
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 31, 2016, 8:37 am
      I am SO glad you enjoyed them! They are definitely a favorite of mine.
  • Iris October 28, 2017, 7:30 pm
    OMG! Made for dinner and it was DELICIOUS!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 28, 2017, 8:54 pm
      I'm so glad you enjoyed them! This is definitely one of my all-time favorites!
  • Joy @ Ivvitamintherapyscottsdale October 3, 2021, 12:32 pm
    That look so delicious Joy @ Ivvitamintherapyscottsdale recently posted...The Best Vitamins for Healthy SkinMy Profile
  • Stacy October 1, 2022, 4:32 am
    I really liked everything. Thanks, very helpful Stacy recently posted...How kitchen color affects mood and appetiteMy Profile

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