If you’re looking for a fun and inventive way to transform your Thanksgiving dinner remnants, the Thanksgiving Leftover Smash Burger Tacos Recipe is just what you need. This delightful recipe takes the familiar flavors of turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce and turns them into crispy, cheesy tacos that are bursting with comforting tastes and textures. Perfect for turning those leftovers into a fresh, exciting meal that everyone will love, this dish is quick to prepare and packs a satisfying punch every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is a breeze with this recipe, yet each component plays a vital role in delivering the perfect balance of flavor and texture. From savory turkey to tangy cranberry sauce, every ingredient enhances the overall experience in its unique way.
- 1 pound ground turkey: Lean and delicious, it forms the base of our smash burger, providing savory, juicy goodness.
- 8 corn tortillas: These offer a lightly crispy, slightly sweet canvas that complements the hearty filling beautifully.
- Salt, to taste: Essential for bringing out all the flavors in the turkey and the taco as a whole.
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste: Adds a touch of mild heat and depth to the turkey.
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack): Melty and gooey, this cheese introduces richness and a perfect contrast to the other ingredients.
- 1 cup cooked stuffing, crumbled: Adds a familiar, comforting texture and herbaceous note in every bite.
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce: Provides a sweet-tart kick that balances the savory elements wonderfully.
How to Make Thanksgiving Leftover Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Turkey Balls
Start by dividing your ground turkey into eight equal portions. Roll each portion into a tight ball. This step is key for ensuring your smash burgers cook evenly and fit perfectly on each tortilla, giving you that ideal mix of meat and taco wrap.
Step 2: Heat the Skillet
Preheat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. A hot pan is essential here to get that lovely sear on the turkey, which locks in juices and amps up flavor.
Step 3: Assemble and Smash
Place one corn tortilla directly onto the hot skillet. Immediately set a turkey ball in the center of the tortilla. Using a spatula or a burger press, flatten the turkey ball evenly so it spreads out to the edges of the tortilla. This smash technique creates a flavorful, thin burger patty that crisps up deliciously.
Step 4: Season and Cook the Bottom
Sprinkle a little salt and freshly ground black pepper over the turkey. Let it cook undisturbed for about 2 to 3 minutes. This allows the bottom to brown perfectly while ensuring the turkey cooks through.
Step 5: Flip and Finish Cooking
Flip the entire tortilla so the turkey side is down on the skillet. This clever move uses the tortilla as a cooking surface too, which crisps up wonderfully.
Step 6: Add Cheese and Stuffing
On the turkey side, generously sprinkle shredded cheese and then top with crumbled cooked stuffing. Let everything meld together and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tortilla becomes crisp and golden.
Step 7: Top with Cranberry Sauce and Serve
Remove the tacos from the skillet and place them on a serving plate. Spoon a dollop of tart and sweet cranberry sauce over each one. Fold them up and serve immediately while that cheesy, crispy goodness is still sizzling hot.
How to Serve Thanksgiving Leftover Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
Garnishes
Brighten these tacos with fresh garnishes like chopped parsley or cilantro for a pop of color and freshness. A squeeze of lime or a light drizzle of creamy garlic sauce can also elevate the flavors and add a zingy contrast to the rich filling.
Side Dishes
Feel like rounding out your meal? Serve these tacos alongside a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables to keep things balanced. A light coleslaw provides crunchy texture and tang that beautifully complements the warm, savory tacos.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful by serving these tacos on small wooden boards or colorful plates, adding edible flowers or microgreens for a restaurant-worthy look. You could also create a taco bar so guests can customize with extra toppings like jalapeños, diced onions, or sour cream.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have some Thanksgiving Leftover Smash Burger Tacos Recipe leftovers, wrap them individually in foil or plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay good for up to 2 days and keep most of their delicious flavor and texture.
Freezing
While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the turkey patties separately by flattening and freezing them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Store up to one month. Avoid freezing assembled tacos as tortillas tend to get soggy when thawed.
Reheating
Reheat the turkey patties in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, then assemble with fresh tortillas, cheese, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Alternatively, microwave portions wrapped in a damp paper towel to keep tortillas soft, but reheat just until warm to prevent drying out.
FAQs
Can I use leftover cooked turkey instead of ground turkey?
Absolutely, though the texture will differ. You can finely chop or shred leftover turkey and press it into patties for cooking, but ground turkey provides a more consistent and juicy smash burger experience.
What if I don’t have corn tortillas?
Flour tortillas work just as well and offer a softer, pliable texture. If you want a gluten-free option, corn tortillas are the way to go, but feel free to use whichever you prefer or have on hand.
Can I substitute the stuffing with something else?
Definitely! Try crumbled cornbread, sautéed mushrooms, or even mashed sweet potatoes for an interesting twist. The stuffing adds texture and savory flavor, so make sure any substitute provides a similar element.
How spicy is this recipe?
This recipe is mild, focusing on classic Thanksgiving flavors. To spice it up, add diced jalapeños, hot sauce, or a sprinkle of chili powder to the turkey before cooking or as a topping.
Can I prepare this recipe for a larger crowd?
Yes, it scales up easily. Just increase the turkey and tortilla counts accordingly. Cooking in batches will work perfectly; just keep finished tacos warm in a low oven until everyone is ready to eat.
Final Thoughts
Transforming Thanksgiving leftovers into something new and exciting has never been easier or more delicious than with the Thanksgiving Leftover Smash Burger Tacos Recipe. It’s a warm, satisfying crowd-pleaser packed with comfort and creativity in every bite. Next time you have leftover turkey and stuffing, give this recipe a try—you may just find your new favorite leftover makeover!
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Thanksgiving Leftover Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Thanksgiving Leftover Smash Burger Tacos are a creative and delicious way to transform your holiday leftovers into a quick, flavorful meal. Ground turkey is shaped into patties directly on warm corn tortillas, smashed and cooked to perfection in a skillet. Topped with melted cheese, crumbled stuffing, and a dollop of tangy cranberry sauce, these tacos bring together classic Thanksgiving flavors in an easy-to-make fusion dish perfect for a post-holiday feast.
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 pound ground turkey
Base
- 8 corn tortillas
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheese, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack
- 1 cup cooked stuffing, crumbled
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
Instructions
- Portion the turkey: Divide the ground turkey into 8 equal portions and roll each portion into a ball to prepare for cooking.
- Heat the skillet: Preheat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until hot and ready for cooking.
- Place tortilla and turkey ball: Lay one corn tortilla flat on the skillet then immediately place one turkey ball in the center of the tortilla.
- Smash the turkey ball: Use a spatula or burger press to flatten the turkey ball evenly across the surface of the tortilla, pressing the turkey out to the edges.
- Season and cook first side: Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper over the turkey. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the turkey is browned and fully cooked on the bottom side.
- Flip the tortilla: Carefully flip the tortilla so that the cooked turkey side is now facing down on the skillet.
- Add toppings: Evenly sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese and a spoonful of crumbled stuffing over the turkey on the tortilla.
- Cook until cheese melts: Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the tortilla to crisp up slightly underneath.
- Remove and top: Remove the taco from the skillet and immediately top each one with a spoonful of cranberry sauce.
- Serve: Fold each taco and serve hot to enjoy the combination of warm turkey, melted cheese, stuffing, and tart cranberry flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef if preferred.
- If corn tortillas crack when folding, warm them slightly longer before cooking to increase pliability.
- Use any leftover stuffing you have on hand, whether homemade or store-bought.
- For extra flavor, consider adding sautéed onions or fresh herbs to the turkey before cooking.
- These tacos are best enjoyed immediately while the cheese is melted and tortillas are crisp.
