Thanksgiving Quesadillas are the ultimate leftover turkey recipe! Grab your leftovers, tuck them in between layers of cheese and crispy tortillas and watch them disappear. We like to serve these with leftover gravy, if you have it. Pretty much anything goes for this leftover recipe!
Why We Love These Thanksgiving Quesadillas
Of course we enjoy a delicious Turkey Sandwich with our leftover turkey, but sometimes you need something fun to switch it up. These Thanksgiving Quesadillas are the fun. Everyone loves them and you can customize each quesadilla for everyones tastes.
Got leftover sausage stuffing? Tuck it in there. Leftover mashed potatoes? I think that would be delicious. You can get really creative with this recipe depending on what you have leftover. Anything made into a quesadilla at our house is usually a hit. And of course we’re using leftover turkey, but honestly you could use ham, chicken, or even leave out the meat for a vegetarian option.
How To Make
We usually set out all of our leftovers on the counter and have everyone choose what they want in their quesadilla, but this is our favorite combination. Make sure to spread the ingredients out in a even layer. We have them more piled up here so that you can see the layers.
- Start by spreading a layer of cranberry sauce onto two tortillas. Next add a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese to one tortilla.
- Add shredded or diced leftover turkey on top of the cheese, followed by a layer of stuffing.
- Add another layer of shredded mozzarella cheese, spreading out in a even layer.
- Fry the quesadillas in a skillet with olive oil until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are brown and crispy.
For Best Results
- Do make sure that you spread each layer out evenly, not piled up in the middle. We have done that a little here in our photos just so that you can see the layers, but you want each layer flat and even.
- Cut your leftover turkey and stuffing into bite sized pieces so the quesadillas are easy to eat. We want everything to blend together, not a big bite of stuffing or a big bite of all turkey.
- Use a large spatula to flip the quesadillas so the filling doesn’t fall out. If you’re unsure of your flipping skills, you can use one tortilla folded in half to make the quesadilla instead.
- If all you have is leftover turkey, head over to our Ultimate Chicken Quesadillas post. Follow that and just swap out the chicken for your turkey.
Looking For More Leftover Turkey Recipes?
- Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup
- Easy Turkey Bolognese
- Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini
- Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich
- Turkey Salad with Cranberries
Thanksgiving Quesadillas
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeThanksgiving Quesadillas are the ultimate leftover turkey recipe! Use up all your leftovers, tuck them in between layers of cheese and watch them disappear!
Ingredients
- Olive oil or butter for cooking the quesadillas
- 8 fajita size (about 8 inch round) tortillas
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store bought)
- 2 cups shredded or diced leftover turkey
- 2 cups stuffing, roughly chopped (if pieces are larger)
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Leftover turkey gravy for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Place a tortilla on a board. Spread a layer of cranberry sauce (about a tablespoon) onto the tortilla.
- Add a layer of mozzarella cheese (about 1/2 cup), followed by turkey, stuffing and another layer of mozzarella cheese. Make sure that the layers are spread out evenly to cover the whole tortilla. Lastly, top with another tortilla and press down.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat with olive oil. Place the quesadilla in the skillet and press down on the top with a plate. You don’t want your heat to be too high because the tortilla will brown before the ingredients in the quesadilla warm through.
- Once the bottom tortilla is brown and crispy, remove the plate and flip the quesadilla over. If any ingredients fall out use a spatula to tuck them back in. Place the plate back on top and cook until the cheese is melted and the other side of the quesadilla is brown and crispy. Repeat this process to make the remaining quesadillas. We often serve them as we make them, but you can keep them warm in a 350 degree oven while you make the rest.
- Optional – but we like to serve these quesadillas with hot leftover gravy for dipping.
Recipe Notes
You can make these quesadillas even if you don’t have leftovers! Use sliced turkey from the deli or buy a rotisserie chicken and a boxed stuffing mix. You can dress it up with mushrooms or sausage or whatever you put in your regular stuffing.
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
The mayo ‘trick’ for crisping the tortillas is a game changer. Made these this evening. Very tasty.
“We made these last night and I added some mayo on the bottom tort (mayo and cranberry? yum) Had Monterrey jack and flour only. My family had declared this to be a family tradition from now on (next to turkey tacos!!) Was not sure about the gravy but it was what put it over the top!! Thanks for the great adventure.
More mayo is always good in my book! Glad you liked them Sheri!
brilliant! Wish I saw this before all of my leftovers were gone!… ; )
Yes, the mayonnaise is the side that toasts in the pan. My wife has always done it that way instead of trying to use butter (that we never seem to have softened) she had heard the tip a long time ago from Wolfgang Puck. The mayo adds flavor and doesn’t burn the quesadillas like butter can. So we’ve been making them that way ever since. Let me know if you try it!
This sounds delicious. So the mayonnaise sides of the tortillas are going to be the side that toasts? Why mayonnaise? I’ve never heard of making quesadillas like that before I’m just curious…I don’t doubt you, your recipes haven’t let me down yet but I’m just curious about the mayonnaise.