Leftover Baked Turkey Taquitos
Leftover Baked Turkey Taquitos are an easy dish to make using turkey leftovers! Ready in 30 minutes or less!
Truth: I’m not the biggest fan of leftovers.
I typically leave the previous nights dinner noshings to Mr. B. However, when it comes to Thanksgiving leftovers, I find myself opening the fridge to delightfully consume my Herb Roasted Turkey, Ultimate Mashed Potatoes, and Homemade Green Bean Skillet Casserole.
There must be a leftover sprinkle fairy because honestly, everything from Thanksgiving dinner tastes better the next day. Now, you can certainly enjoy the multitude of dishes, but what about taking those turkey leftovers and using them in a different vehicle?
These Leftover Baked Turkey Taquitos are embarrassingly easy to make. You’ll simply use shredded or ground turkey, taco seasoning, Rotel, and cheese. Wrap into a fluffy tortilla and bake until golden brown. After a hard day of cooking, I’m here for the 30 minute or less meals that are full of flavor. Who’s with me?
What are Leftover Baked Turkey Taquitos?
Leftover Baked Turkey Taquitos are a delicious and creative way to use up leftover turkey from a holiday meal, such as Thanksgiving. Taquitos are rolled-up tortillas that are typically filled with various ingredients, in this case, leftover baked turkey. You’ll find:
- Leftover turkey, shredded (if you don’t have leftover turkey you can always use ground)
- Taco seasoning – either homemade or store bought
- Corn or flour tortillas
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or your choice)
- Rotel – great way to add depth and flavor to your taquitos
- Salsa or guacamole for dipping
- Sour cream for serving
- Chopped fresh cilantro, green onions, shredded lettuce for garnish
How to Make Leftover Baked Turkey Taquitos?
These taquitos are a tasty and convenient way to repurpose leftover turkey, and they can be customized with your favorite toppings and sauces. They make for a great snack, appetizer, or even a light meal.
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Next, preheat a skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Toss in either shredded leftover turkey or cooked ground turkey into the skillet. You are going to heat the turkey through for a few minutes. Add in your taco seasoning and Rotel, stir to combine.
- Cook everything together for a few minutes and then stir in a handful of shredded cheese. Continue to stir until the cheese has melted.
- Place a small amount of the seasoned turkey and a little more shredded cheese on each tortilla, near one edge. Roll up the tortillas tightly, starting from the edge with the filling. Place them seam side down on the prepared baking sheet
- Spray the tops of the taquitos with cooking spray to help them crisp up in the oven. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the taquitos are golden brown and crispy. Serve with all the garnishes.
Variations for Leftover Baked Turkey Taquitos
Feel free to mix and match these variations to create your own unique leftover baked turkey taquitos. The key is to have fun and tailor the recipe to your preferences!
Vegetable Additions: Mix in sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or spinach
Spice it Up: Adjust the level of spice by adding ingredients like diced jalapeños, green chilies, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the turkey filling.
Creamy Filling: Mix in some creaminess by adding a layer of mashed avocado, guacamole, or a dollop of sour cream before rolling up the taquitos.
Cranberry Sauce Twist: Embrace the Thanksgiving flavors by spreading a thin layer of cranberry sauce on the tortillas before adding the turkey.
Proper Storing
- Cool Before Storing: Allow the baked turkey taquitos to cool to room temperature before storing them.
- Refrigeration: Store the leftover taquitos in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Separation:
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy the leftover taquitos, reheat them in the oven for the best results. Preheat the oven to around 350°F and bake for 10-15 minutes or until they are heated through and crispy.
- Freezing (Optional): If you want to store the taquitos for a longer period, consider freezing them. Place them in a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for 1-2 months.
Leftover Baked Turkey Taquitos
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 lb Leftover shredded or ground turkey
- 1 pkg Taco seasoning
- 1 10oz Can of Rotel, mild
- 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 10 to 20 Flour tortillas
- Shredded lettuce, jalapenos, green onions, pico de gallo, sour cream, for ganrish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Next, preheat a skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Toss in either shredded leftover turkey or cooked ground turkey into the skillet. You are going to heat the turkey through for a few minutes. Add in your taco seasoning and Rotel, stir to combine.
- Cook everything together for a few minutes and then stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese. Continue to stir until the cheese has melted.
- Place a small amount of the seasoned turkey and a little more shredded cheese on each tortilla, near one edge. Roll up the tortillas tightly, starting from the edge with the filling. Place them seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Spray the tops of the taquitos with cooking spray to help them crisp up in the oven. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the taquitos are golden brown and crispy. Serve with all the garnishes.
