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Thanksgiving Leftover Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

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  • Author: Mary
  • 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

Scale

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

  1. Portion the turkey: Divide the ground turkey into 8 equal portions and roll each portion into a ball to prepare for cooking.
  2. Heat the skillet: Preheat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until hot and ready for cooking.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Flip the tortilla: Carefully flip the tortilla so that the cooked turkey side is now facing down on the skillet.
  7. Add toppings: Evenly sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese and a spoonful of crumbled stuffing over the turkey on the tortilla.
  8. Cook until cheese melts: Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the tortilla to crisp up slightly underneath.
  9. Remove and top: Remove the taco from the skillet and immediately top each one with a spoonful of cranberry sauce.
  10. 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.