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
- 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.
