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leftover turkey tacos with lime wedges
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5 from 14 votes

Leftover Turkey Taco Recipe

With these juicy and oh so delicious Leftover Turkey Tacos, you won't dread having leftover Thanksgiving turkey around the house.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican American
Servings: 6 tacos
Calories: 226kcal
Author: Jordan

Ingredients

Turkey Carnitas

For the tacos

  • 6 flour tortillas
  • 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons cotija cheese

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine the paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and 1 tsp of brown sugar.
  • Slice or shred the leftover turkey meat and place it in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add the orange juice and seasoning mixture. Mix until combined.
  • Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large pot (I use my dutch oven) over medium-low heat. Add the seasoned turkey and sliced onion. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turkey meat should be soft and tender. Shred into smaller pieces if needed before pan frying.
  • Heat a large cast iron with 2 tbps of olive oil on medium-high heat until oil is shimmering. Add turkey and onions and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Cook until turkey is browned and crispy, about 12-15 minutes, turning once every 5 minutes.
  • Divide the turkey carnitas between tortillas and top with red onion, cilantro, and cotija cheese.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 245mg | Potassium: 212mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 328IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg