These delicious and nutritious Turkey Pumpkin Burritos are a great way to use up leftover turkey or can be made with ground turkey as pictured. Black beans, Poblano peppers and cheese are also stuffed into these scrumptious burritos.
This fall Mexican inspired dish features so many ingredients native to America. It seems fitting as a post-Thanksgiving meal. The dish is high in protein, potassium and Vitamin A as well.
I thought the turkey meat would team up nicely with pumpkin and Poblano peppers in a taco/burrito filling. I was right, the pumpkin added a richness to the turkey and the spices went well with both. A native bird matched with native produce does sort of make sense anyway doesn't it.
My original plan was to make tacos, but I wanted to top them with crumbled goat cheese, which I forgot to pick up... doh. Cheddar was just fine for burritos & quesadillas, both of which I ended out using this filling in (teamed with some black beans, which I am mighty fond of). I've included the filling recipe, and images below of assembling the burritos. Like most tex-mex fillings it is quite versatile. You can pretty much do anything with it.
Rolling the Burritos
Here is an image collage of the process of rolling these turkey, pumpkin and black bean burritos.
*The sauce under the burrito in picture is just jarred salsa verde. These burrito would also go fantastically with my Avocado Lime Ranch dressing as a sauce.
Turkey Pumpkin Burritos with Black Beans
Ingredients
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1 ½ cups raw pumpkin cubed into bite size pieces *swap butternut squash if you like
- ½ cup chopped Poblano pepper approx. one pepper
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 lb. ground turkey or shredded leftover turkey
- 1 tbs. paprika
- 1 tbs chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ cup salsa verde
- ½ tbs lime juice
- 3 tbs. chopped fresh cilantro
- 8 large flour tortillas
- 8 slices cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack
Instructions
- Heat ½ tablespoon of oil in pan over med-high. Once hot add the pumpkin, peppers, onion and garlic. Saute until you get a little browning and pumpkin is cooked. Reserve to a bowl and set aside if using ground turkey. Leave in pan if using leftovers.
- Put the remaining ½ tablespoon of oil in pan, then add the turkey. Break the meat up and fry until mostly cooked, add the paprika, chili powder, cumin and salt, and continue cooking until the turkey is fully cooked.If using leftover turkey, just toss it and the seasonings in. If it seems dry add a tablespoon or two of broth or water.
- Add the vegetables back into the pan with the turkey. Stir in the salsa verde and lime juice, and continue stirring over the heat for a minute.
- Add the cilantro, stir to mix evenly and take off burner.
- Roll with a slice of cheese in large flour tortillas to make burritos.Also use filling in tacos, quesadillas, salads or anywhere else cooked ground meat would be suitable.
Kathleen B says
I love turkey burritos. Never would have thought to add pumpkin, but it looks delicious!
Jenn says
And what a great way to use turkey leftovers this year!
Colleen says
Wow pumpkin? I never would have though. I love kidney beans that looks delicious.
Theresa says
Yummy! I never would have thought to put pumpkin in here!
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
I use pumpkin in savory recipes and LOVE it -- I can see the pumpkin working well in this!
Lolo says
I would have never thought to add pumpkin to a burrito. SOunds yummy!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
This sounds delicious! But, I'd have to omit the pumpkin though.
Stefanie says
I'm convinced pumpkin would taste good in almost anything.
Shell Feis says
I've never had pumpkin in anything but baked goods- I totally have to try this!
Liz says
I think I'd like the addition of the pumpkin in this. I aim to give it a taste!
Leilani says
I would never think to put pumpkin into burritos. But it sure does look tasty!
Mellisa says
Turkey is one of my favorite things to cook with! I've never used pumpkin to go with it though.
Angela says
I would have never thought to use pumpkin in this way, but it actually looks pretty amazing.
Kelsey Apley says
I never have cooked with pumpkin like this, the most I do is pumpkin pie or bread! I might give this a try!!
Penelope (NYC Blogger) says
I am sooo going to try and make this!!
Anne says
When I first read the title, I was hmmm, Im not sure about that. But it does look tasty!
Donna says
Pumpkin in a burrito is interesting. 🙂 I do love pumpkin, though!
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
I never would have thought to add pumpkin to a burrito. I'm sure compliments the beans and turkey well though!
Jenn @therebelchick says
Wow, that looks amazing! I love using black beans in tacos and burritos, but never thought to use pumpkin!
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
What an interesting mix of flavors. Looks delish!
Tammy says
I'd love to adapt this to use shredded Turkey from Thanksgiving leftovers. Would you just straight substitute it in for the ground, or would there be a better way of adding it in?
Robin Gagnon says
Roast turkey would tend to be a little drier. I would add a couple tbs of stock and maybe another tsp of oil to compensate.
Marcie W. says
I would never even think to use pumpkin this way. Thanks for the exciting new idea!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
Interesting to put pumpkin in burritos. Is the flavor of the pumpkin really strong or does it seem to blend well with the other flavors?
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
I bet this combination of flavors just tastes incredible. It looks so delicious.
HilLesha says
This is an interesting combination!