Shredded Turkey Tacos (With Thanksgiving Leftovers)

Quick and easy shredded turkey tacos recipe, homemade with simple ingredients in one pot over stovetop in 20 minutes. Great way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

At some point, everyone gets a little sick of plain turkey or the classic Shredded Chicken Tacos (One Pot). So, re-inventing tacos with a different flavor profile, such as today's recipe, allows you to make an unexpectedly delicious meal!

This recipe is different than ground turkey tacos. That's because it utilizes leftover turkey and the meat is shredded instead of ground. Use one of my turkey recipes to start, such as this Easy Thanksgiving Turkey (One Pan) or this Roast Turkey Breast (One Pan).

Jump to:

• Key ingredients
• Variations
• How to make turkey tacos?
• What sides to serve with leftover turkey taco recipe?
• Taco Toppings
• Tips and Techniques
• Recipe FAQs
• Storage
• More Thanksgiving Recipes
• Recipe

Key ingredients

• Oil- Paired with butter to saute.
• Butter- Use unsalted for best results.
• Onions- Finely chopped up.
• Jalepenos- Be sure to remove the seeds or just use diced green chilis.
• Leftover turkey- Shred it before adding in.
• Spices- You will need cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to make up the right flavor profile.
• Cranberry sauce- A perfect Thanksgiving compliment.
• Taco shells- Get your favorite kind and enjoy!

Variations

• Make it spicy- Add fresh chili peppers, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or crushed red chili flakes.
• Add beans- Black beans are my first choice, followed by red beans. Remember to drain and rinse them, if using canned ones.
• Make is Asian- Use broccoli slaw as a topping with cilantro and sesame seeds. Use ginger, garlic, pepper, salt, soy sauce, sesame oil as the meat seasoning.
• Add vegetables- Such as corn, bell peppers, onions and perhaps even zucchini.
• Add cheese- Such as shredded Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, cheddar or even mozzarella cheese.
• Turkey taco salad- Fill a salad bowl with lettuce, spinach, green peppers, cucumbers, onions, celery, tomatoes, shredded or diced turkey taco meat, shredded cheese, dried cranberries with a simple lemon lime vinaigrette and a crunchy topping of fried tortilla chips.
• Make lettuce wraps- Replace hard shells with lettuce for a healthy, low carb option.
• Use this recipe for different meat- Such as pulled pork or chicken.

How to make turkey tacos?

1. Saute vegetables- Saute onions, jalapeno in oil and butter and cook until soft and translucent.
2. Add spices and turkey- Add shredded turkey, cumin powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper and mix everything together.
3. Cook- Cook for a few minutes until turkey is heated through.
4. Enjoy!- Spoon some of this mixture in a tortilla shell, along with toppings of your choice and dig in.

What sides to serve with leftover turkey taco recipe?

• Serve them with a wide range of toppings such as salsa, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions. My favorite Thanksgiving time is cranberry sauce or Cranberry Relish (One Bowl).
• These tacos pair perfectly with any corn side. Try one of these: Grilled Corn On The Cobb or Mexican Corn On The Cobb (One Pan) or Mexican Corn Salad Recipe (One Bowl).
• Rice will also accompany them perfectly, such as this Cilantro Lime Rice (One Pot).
• Soup is another great pairing option. Try one of these soups: Instant Pot Mexican Soup or Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup or Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup (One Pot).

Taco Toppings

There are many different options. However, don’t use all the toppings at once. Pick and choose a few from the list to develop different flavor profiles.

• Sour cream– Full fat is best.
• Greek Yogurt- Plain Greek yogurt is a great sour cream substitute with more protein and less fat.
• Lettuce– Roughly chopped.
• Guacamole– Homemade or store-bought.
• Sliced avocados– Use ripe ones.
• Tomatoes– Finely chopped.
• Onions- Finely chopped red onions are great.
• Salsa– Such as Corn Salsa (One Bowl) or Mango Salsa (One Bowl) or Pineapple Salsa (One Bowl) or Pico De Gallo Salsa (One Bowl) or even Strawberry Salsa (One Bowl)

Tips and Techniques

• Soft taco shells vs. Hard taco shells- You can use either. I like the crunch of hard taco shells. It also holds the filling more securely than a soft corn or flour tortilla. I highly recommend using taco shells with a flat base because they don’t wobble around your plate, making it easier to fill more than one at a time.
• Adjust seasoning- Add more or less seasoning according to your personal preference.
• Use a non-stick pot or pan- Because this prevents the meat from sticking and burning on the bottom of the pan.
• Use unsalted butter- That way the recipe won't get too salty.
• Use high quality ingredients- For the best flavor, especially the turkey.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Make ahead- You cannot make the entire taco a head of time, but you can prepare the meat beforehand and keep it in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat, fill the tacos and enjoy.
• Refrigerate- Place in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Freeze- You can freeze the seasoned meat for up to 1 month in a sealed container. Thaw, reheat, and serve. You cannot freeze prepared tacos, though, since they don't thaw well.
• Reheat- Place in a pan and heat over the stove or in an appropriate bowl heated in the microwave. You may need to add a little broth as you reheat so that the meat doesn't dry out.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

• Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing (One Pot)
• Hasselback Sweet Potatoes (One Pan)
• Candied Sweet Potatoes (One Pot)
• Honey Glazed Carrots (One Pot)
• Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes (One Pan)

Recipe

Happy cooking everyone!