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Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Tacos with Cranberry Slaw

Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Tacos with Cranberry Slaw
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Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Tacos with Cranberry Slaw bring a fresh, vibrant twist to your holiday leftovers. Tender, seasoned turkey combines with a tangy, colorful cranberry slaw inside warm tortillas, creating a quick, flavorful, and festive handheld meal perfect for enjoying the best of Thanksgiving all over again.

Ingredients

Scale

Turkey & Seasonings

  • 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)

Cranberry Slaw

  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Tortillas & Garnishes

  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Optional toppings: avocado slices, sour cream, shredded cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cranberry Slaw: In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, roughly chopped fresh cranberries, and thinly sliced red onion. In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper to create a tangy dressing. Toss the dressing with the cabbage mixture thoroughly. Let the slaw sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cabbage to soften slightly.
  2. Warm and Season the Turkey: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the leftover turkey, then sprinkle with ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir occasionally until the turkey is heated through and evenly coated with seasoning. Finish by squeezing fresh lime juice over the turkey and stirring to combine.
  3. Prepare the Tortillas: Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds, or warm each one individually in a dry skillet for about 15 seconds per side. Warm tortillas become pliable and enhance the taco experience.
  4. Assemble the Tacos: Place a generous scoop of the seasoned turkey onto each warm tortilla. Top with a hearty portion of cranberry slaw. Add optional garnishes like avocado slices, a dollop of sour cream, and fresh herbs. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use fresh leftovers: The fresher your turkey, the juicier and more flavorful the tacos will be.
  • Don’t over-sauce: Keep the slaw dressing balanced to avoid soggy tortillas.
  • Prep ahead: Make the cranberry slaw up to a day ahead to save time and deepen its flavor.
  • Mix textures: Add crunchy nuts or toasted pumpkin seeds to the slaw for extra bite.
  • Heat control: Adjust spice slowly, tasting as you go to suit all palates.

Nutrition

Keywords: Thanksgiving leftovers, turkey tacos, cranberry slaw, turkey recipes, holiday leftovers, festive tacos, quick dinner

Find it online: https://jamescookes.com/thanksgiving-leftover-turkey-tacos-with-cranberry-slaw/