Description
Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Tacos with Cranberry Slaw transform your holiday leftovers into a vibrant, flavorful, and colorful meal. Combining seasoned shredded turkey with a tangy, sweet cranberry slaw, these tacos are quick to prepare, customizable, and perfect for enjoying a fresh twist on traditional Thanksgiving flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey Filling
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Cranberry Slaw
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Tacos & Optional Toppings
- 8 small tortillas (corn or flour), warmed
- Sliced avocado (optional)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cranberry Slaw: Finely shred the cabbage and thinly slice the green onions. Chop the fresh cranberries into small pieces. In a bowl, combine cabbage, green onions, cranberries, and your choice of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. Add fresh lime juice, salt, and pepper, then mix thoroughly to evenly coat the slaw.
- Warm and Season the Turkey: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the shredded or diced turkey. Sprinkle in ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir occasionally, warming the turkey and allowing the spices to release their aroma and flavor.
- Warm the Tortillas: Lightly warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until they are soft and pliable, making them easy to fold without breaking.
- Assemble the Tacos: Place a generous scoop of the seasoned turkey onto each warm tortilla. Top with a hearty helping of cranberry slaw. Add optional garnishes such as sliced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, or a drizzle of hot sauce for extra layers of flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the tacos immediately to enjoy the warm turkey filling contrasted with the crisp, tangy slaw. Optionally, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice or more hot sauce to elevate the flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for best tartness and texture; dried cranberries do not offer the same vibrant flavor.
- Don’t overdress the slaw to maintain its satisfying crunch and freshness.
- Shred the turkey finely so it absorbs seasoning better and fits easily in the tortillas.
- Warm tortillas gently to keep them soft and flexible, avoiding overheating.
- Prepare the cranberry slaw an hour or two ahead to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Thanksgiving leftovers, turkey tacos, cranberry slaw, quick dinner, leftover makeover, colorful tacos, gluten free, holiday recipe
