Are you getting tired of turkey yet? Do you need a new way to spice up that grand bird that graced your holiday table? Are you just sick-to-death of trying to find ways to get the last little bit out of your holiday feast?
If so, our leftover turkey tacos are for you.
Whether you’re trying to reinvent a little more of your leftover bird, or are just looking for a new way to incorporate turkey into your diet, this is the dish for you. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to tell it was turkey on the first bite. Seriously.
Just adding a bit of seasoning and a little spice can seriously ramp up the flavor of any dish. When it comes to turkey it pulls the natural flavors out even more.
This has everything you’ve ever wanted in a last-time for this old bird recipe, along with a wealth of ideas for chicken or turkey dishes for anytime of the year.
Even if you’re stuck with dry leftover turkey (And if you are, you should follow our holiday roast turkey recipe next time!), our method of simmering the leftover turkey taco filling in stock and spices results in tender, juicy turkey every single time.
In a word, it’s fabulous. I highly recommend it. I mean seriously, how good does this look?
You need to try this. I’ll provide methods for both leftover poultry and for preparing the dish from scratch, just in case you love the idea but, like many homes, have already gone through any leftovers from your Holiday meals until December. (But hey, this would be great on a New Years table, too!)
The household taste-testers (being my son’s Lil’ E and Lil’ D) devoured a full half batch in minutes, with a startling number of “oooh’s and Ahhhh’s considering the amount of food they had packed in their mouths, so I deem this dish “kid tested and approved”. If those two will eat it, any kid will!
For me… Well, I ate the other half batch while shooting the pics for the post, and I may have made about 6 or 8 one or two deformed tacos on purpose in the process.
You have to try this! Don't let your Thanksgiving leftovers be boring! Leftover Turkey Tacos will take your leftovers from classic American to a Southwest favorite!
Leftover Turkey Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12 Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 113Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 138mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 13g
Serve with Sour cream and chopped green onions or whatever toppings float your boat.
Share and Enjoy, or as my friend Ben would say, ¡Buen provecho!
Did you like this recipe for Leftover Turkey Tacos?
This recipe is a part of my cookbook Leftover Turkey Recipes, which is available on Amazon.com. Be sure to go check it out! And if you’ve got Kindle Unlimited, you can download it for free!
What I would have done Differently had I thought of it at the time:
I think a bit of cilantro would have gone a long way here, but I don’t currently have any and wasn’t in the mood to go get it.
I’m thinking tat the turkey itself would be a great salad topper or tostada topping… In all honesty I think it would be good on just about anything.
Links to other recipes like this:
- Turkey Tacos with Cranberry Salsa, from Elise at Simply Recipes
- Turkey Tacos, from the lovely Lydia at The Perfect Pantry
You’re right. This is worth doing from scratch. No need to wait for leftovers. P.S. Those kids have very sophisticated and international palates.
This is another leftovers recipe that makes me sorry I didn’t make a turkey for Thanksgiving this year!
@Joan Nova,
They balk a lot, but I’m working on them!
@Lydia,
Just make ’em from scratch!
This sounds absolutely wonderful. I need a whole book on what to do with leftover turky and mashed potatoes. This looks like it could be my new star!
I just made this for dinner yesterday. It turned out fantastic! Thanks a bunch.
Any time. That’s what we’re her for
Love this idea for leftover turkey!
It rocks! I’m making it tonight, actually :)
What a great idea. I am totally making this for dinner tonight. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Glad we could help! I love the recipe. simple, yet oh, so satisfying.
I used this for my leftover turkey – amazing! Thanks for the idea!
You are always welcome!
I made this last night. I didn’t have adobo powder so I put two canned adobos in while it was cooking, then took them out before I served it. I used about 1.5t of paprika, cumin and chili powder. My husband raved. My kids didn’t try it, as I also had venison taco leftovers on the table. I’ll definitely be making this again! Thanks for the easy, tasty recipe.
Amy,
I’m glad that you and your husband enjoyed it! This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover turkey.
What a nice change for left over Turkey! My family loved it. Thanks Uncle Jerry!
Robin,
It’s our pleasure. I hope they become a part of your family’s traditions. Have a great week!
Wow! Amazing. Really saved this leftover turkey. And it tastes so good…it’s not a chore to eat.