Looking for a fresh way to use your leftover turkey? My Turkey Tacos are the answer! The secret is a quick, flavorful marinade with citrus juices and classic taco spices that transform your leftovers into something extraordinary. These tacos are so good that your family won’t even realize they’re eating leftover turkey. Quick, zesty, and delicious—perfect for an easy post-holiday meal!
These Turkey Tacos are anything but ordinary. I’ve tested and tweaked this recipe until it’s perfect. What is the secret to that fantastic flavor? It’s all in the sauce—or, in this case, the easy marinade! My family requests this recipe after every holiday.
Inspired by a family-shared Yucatán pork recipe, the citrus and spices work magic, keeping the turkey juicy and flavorful. We all need leftover wins, and this hits the mark every time!
Why you’ll love it:
- Quick and simple, but full of flavor
- Use up both white and dark turkey meat!
- Leftovers get a fresh, exciting makeover
- Citrus marinade keeps the turkey moist and delicious
Reader Review: ★★★★★
“Love love love this recipe. The turkey meat is so flavorful! Will definitely make this again & again!” — Suzi
Why You Will Love this Recipe for Leftover Turkey Carnitas
- Waste Not, Want Not | The leftovers can be used in new and creative ways, like a leftover turkey taco.
- Leftover Makeover | For your Thanksgiving meal, you and your family likely feasted on traditional holiday dishes, like roasted turkey, smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, cranberry sauce and don’t forget classic green bean casserole.
By the way, make sure you check out these Healthy Leftover Turkey Recipes for more great ways to use extra Thanksgiving turkey.
This recipe can work for two people as it makes a total of six delicious turkey tacos—three each! You can halve the recipe, but honestly, just save the leftover turkey taco meat and freeze or make a turkey taco salad, burrito bowl, enchiladas, rice bowl for another day.
Turkey Taco Ingredients
- Leftover turkey: Use whatever turkey leftovers you have from the holiday. However, the recipe is best when you combine light and dark meat, need more leftover turkey breast, be sure to make my Air Fryer Turkey Breast. Or use cooked ground turkey.
- Orange and lime: Freshly squeezed lime and orange juice give the turkey a bright citrus flavor to compliment some of the smokier notes, I created this recipe based on a Yucatan pork carnitas that are amazing!
- Chicken broth: You’ll want some chicken broth or stock nearby if your leftover turkey dries out while reheating. This ingredient isn’t always necessary, but it’s a good idea to have it just in case.
- Green chilies: Use hot or mild canned green chilies to bring some heat to the taco meat.
- Spices: Garlic powder, cumin and smoked paprika bring authentic flavor into this great meal.
- Honey: Enhance the citrusy and savory notes in this leftover smoked turkey recipe with a touch of honey.
- Oil: Use a high-heat oil with a mild flavor to sauté the onions and seasoned turkey. For example, avocados, sesame, canola, even olive oil will work great.
- Red Onion & Garlic: Caramelize a diced red onion and a little garlic, adds just the punch you need.
- Kosher Salt and pepper | Classic flavor boosters.
- Tortillas: Use flour or corn tortillas, try making your own tortillas using this authentic corn tortilla recipe.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Turkey Tacos with Leftover Turkey
Step 1 | Prepare the Ingredients
Put those delicious Thanksgiving leftovers to use by first tearing the turkey with clean hands or shredding it with kitchen utensils.
Now, before continuing with this recipe, you may want to prep the other ingredients. For instance, juice the lime and orange into a small cup or container and set them aside for when you need them. Also, thinly slice or finely dice the red onion and mince the garlic cloves. Now, you’re ready to get rolling!
The turkey will be more tender and soak up more of the flavors of the carnitas if it is torn versus cut or diced. To make it easier, warm the turkey first in a little broth, then tear or shred with forks.
Step 2 | Season the Turkey Meat
Next, take out a medium mixing bowl. Add the orange juice, lime juice, green chiles, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and sweet honey, and stir the ingredients to combine. Then, add the turkey pieces and toss them in the spices until all the turkey is thoroughly coated. Be sure not to miss any pieces—you want each bite packed with flavor!
Now, pour the oil and seasoned turkey mixture into a medium pot or small Dutch oven. Set the heat to medium-low and simmer for about half an hour until the leftover turkey is tender. If the turkey begins to dry out, add a dash of chicken broth, water or a a little orange juice to keep it juicy and moist.
Next, shred the turkey a little more while it’s still in the pot. At this point, the seasoned turkey should be tender and pull apart almost effortlessly.
Step 3 | Saute to crisp
In the meantime, heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and add some oil as it warms. Next, sauté the diced red onions until soft and caramelized. Caramelizing the red onions should take around five minutes.
During the last minute of cooking the onions, sprinkle in the minced garlic and stir until fragrant.
Next, increase the temperature to medium-high heat and add the tender seasoned turkey. You may need to add more oil so the turkey doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Sauté the meat, turning it about every five minutes. After about 15 minutes, your leftover turkey should be slightly crisp, giving it a carnitas flavor.
Step 4 | Final Seasoning
Finally, finish this simple recipe by squeezing half a lime over the meat and sprinkling some salt and pepper to taste.
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Are you ready to dive into this tasty and practical dish? Just divide the turkey taco meat into warm tortillas or hard taco shells and dress them with your favorite taco toppings. Enjoy!
Turkey Taco Tips
- To get the most juice from your orange and lemon, roll the fruit on the countertop, applying firm yet light pressure. You can also microwave each for about 30 seconds or combine both methods. Then, slice down the middle and squeeze into a container.
- Serve immediately for the best flavor and experience.
- In place of the oil, use leftover fat drippings from the roasted turkey or even bacon grease.
Turkey Taco Toppings
Say that three times fast! Perhaps the best part of this simple recipe is dressing up the tacos with all your favorite toppings! Here are some tasty ideas to get you started:
- Corn or flour tortilla, soft or hard shells
- Minced cilantro
- Diced red onion
- Shredded Cheese, try Cotija or your favorite Mexican cheese
- Diced avocados or guacamole
- Chopped green onions
- Your favorite salsa
- Chopped tomatoes
- Sour Cream
- Lime Wedges
- Cranberry Relish (keeping with traditional leftovers)
Turkey Taco Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- You may use this same process with leftover chicken as well.
- If you don’t have leftover Thanksgiving turkey but still want to try this tasty taco recipe, use about a pound of ground turkey and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Leave the green chilies out for a milder spice. You can also replace them with ½ – 1 teaspoon chili powder.
- Add a tablespoon of adobo sauce to the turkey mixture for a more authentic taco flavor.
- Take a shortcut using taco seasoning instead of paprika, cumin, and garlic powder – or make homemade taco seasoning for your next Taco Tuesday!
How to Make Ground Turkey Tacos
- Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, mix together the orange juice, lime juice, diced green chiles, ground cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and honey. Set aside.
- Cook the Ground Turkey: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink (about 6-8 minutes).
- Add the Marinade: Pour the prepared marinade over the cooked turkey in the skillet. Stir well to coat the turkey evenly. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld. If the mixture becomes too dry, add a splash of chicken broth or water to keep it moist.
- Season to Taste: Taste the turkey mixture and add salt and pepper as needed. Adjust the spices if desired—feel free to sprinkle in a little more cumin or paprika for extra flavor.
- Assemble the Tacos: Warm your tortillas according to package instructions or your preference. Spoon the ground turkey mixture into each tortilla and add your favorite taco toppings.
Healthy Turkey Taco Twists
- No Gravy Necessary | Often, people add a creamy and savory sauce to dress up roasted turkey, whether it’s leftover or not. There’s no carb-heavy gravy required for these flavorful turkey tacos. Here’s a slam-dunk gravy recipe if you need one!
- Customizable | Once you complete the turkey carnitas recipe, what you do with it is up to you! Toss the turkey onto a bed of mixed greens for a healthier meal.
How to Store Shredded Turkey Tacos
- Freeze | Store the completed leftover Thanksgiving turkey taco mixture in the freezer for up to six months, but keep in mind that the longer it sits in the freezer, the more flavor will be lost.
- Meal Prep | Store the leftover turkey carnitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days.
Turkey Taco Recipe FAQs
Leftover turkey lasts between 3-4 days safely in a fridge at or below 40 degrees. Bacteria growth slows, but is not halted altogether when placed in the fridge. If you aren’t sure when you will use your leftover turkey, cool it completely, then place in an airtight container and freeze up to 3 months.
You sure can! Several types of meat work well, like ground turkey, ground chicken, rotisserie chicken, or chicken breast. Also, if you don’t have enough Thanksgiving turkey leftovers for this recipe, add fresh chicken breasts or ground turkey.
This leftover turkey taco recipe is gluten-free. However, there are some ingredients you want to double-check before serving these turkey tacos to gluten-free guests. Double check all of your spices and ingredients to make sure.
Also, ensure the leftover thanksgiving turkey was not made with gluten-containing spices. Finally, serve the turkey carnitas with gluten-free toppings and corn taco shells or corn tortillas.
Absolutely! One of my favorite things about this recipe is its versatility. Use the perfectly-seasoned turkey carnitas in a refreshing taco salad, personalized burrito bowl, cheesy quesadillas, enchiladas, loaded nachos, or carnitas fries.
You can even serve the carnitas on their own with street corn salsa and black beans —YUM!
To keep leftover turkey moist, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Place the leftover meat into a baking dish, adding a few tablespoons of broth, gravy, or butter (my favorite) before reheating. Cover it tightly with foil and heat for about 20 minutes in a 300°F (150°C) oven. A microwave on low power works in a pinch, but be careful not to overheat it!
More Easy Recipes to Serve with Leftover Turkey Carnitas
- Cilantro Lime Rice {A Chipotle Copycat}Super Simple Guacamole
- White Mexican Cheese Dip
- The Best Spanish Rice Recipe (Vegetarian)
- Easy Homemade Blender Salsa
- Wash it all down with this 4-ingredient margarita.
It’s so easy for the leftover turkey to dry out quickly when reheating. Add a dash of chicken broth or stock as you sauté the turkey to prevent this from happening.
I hope you loved these easy Leftover Turkey Taco recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
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Turkey Tacos Recipe
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Print Pin Save RateIngredients
- 2 – 3 cups cooked turkey shredded; dark & light meat, smoked or roasted, may also use chicken or ground turkey
- 1 large naval orange juiced, about ⅓ of a cup
- 1 lime juiced, divided
- ¼ – ½ cup chicken broth or stock (may or may not need)
- 4 ounce green chiles hot or mild, canned (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½-1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons oil neutral, like Avocado oil
- 1 large red onion diced, or sliced
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced
Turkey Taco Topping Ideas
- 6 Tortillas corn or flour
- cilantro minced
- red onion diced
- shredded cheese Mexican, Cotija, your favorite
- Avocado sliced or diced
- Green onion diced
- Salsa
- Tomatoes diced
- sour cream or Mexican crema
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Tear or shred turkey or chicken into smaller pieces, best when it’s a combination of light and dark meat, but either can be used.2 – 3 cups cooked turkey
- In a medium bowl add orange juice, juiced half a lime, green chiles, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika and honey, stir to combine. Add turkey to spice mixture and toss to coat.1 large naval orange, 1 lime, ¼ – ½ cup chicken broth, 4 ounce green chiles, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon honey, ½-1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- In a medium pot or small dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of oil, add the turkey mixture and over medium-low heat simmer for 30 minutes until tender. Add a little chicken broth as it starts to dry out, you want it to stay moist. Shred turkey a bit more in the pot; turkey should be tender and shred easily.2 tablespoons oil
- About 10 minutes before the turkey is done, heat a heavy skillet (cast iron) over medium heat, add a tablespoon of oil and saute the red onions until soft and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes, during the last minute, toss in the garlic and stir until fragrant.1 large red onion, 1-2 cloves garlic
- Increase the heat to medium high heat, add a tablespoon more oil if needed and add the turkey, sautéing and turning the meat about every 5-6 minutes, for a total of 15 minutes. Meat should get a little crispy. Finish by squeezing half a lime over the meat. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Divide the meat into tacos, top with your favorite toppings.6 Tortillas
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Notes
Variations & Substitutions
- You may use this same process with leftover chicken as well.
- If you don’t have leftover Thanksgiving turkey but still want to try this tasty taco recipe, use about a pound of ground turkey and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Leave the green chilies out for a milder spice. You can also replace them with ½ – 1 teaspoon chili powder.
- Add a tablespoon of adobo sauce and/or a chipotle pepper to the turkey mixture for a more authentic taco flavor.
- Use taco seasoning instead of paprika, cumin, and garlic powder – or make homemade taco seasoning for your next Taco Tuesday!
- Add fresh chicken breasts or ground turkey if you don’t have enough Thanksgiving turkey leftovers for this recipe.
Storage Tips
- Fridge | Store the leftover chicken taco mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days.
- Freeze | Store the completed rotisserie chicken taco mixture in the freezer for up to six months, though keep in mind that flavor may diminish over time.
- Reheat | Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Alternatively, microwave in a covered dish in 30-second intervals until heated evenly. Add a splash of broth if the mixture seems dry
Nutrition
Suzi
Love love love this recipe. The turkey meat is so flavorful! Will definitely make this again & again!
Yay!! Love hearing that! Thanks Suzi!
Tara
These tacos are perfect for using up all that Thanksgiving turkey while also being flavorful and juicy!! I love the addition of red onion because it boosts the flavors. Yum!
It really does!! Thanks so much Tara!
Nancy
Tasty way to use up leftover Turkey. The tacos hits the spot after a big meal.
So glad to hear!!
Toni
This is seriously the best way to enjoy leftovers!! Seriously amazing and tastes so good!
Thank you Toni!
kushigalu
The best recipe to try with leftovers. Thanks for sharing
Thank you!
Chenée
These were a perfect way to use our leftover turkey yesterday! So good!
Thank you so much!
Nancy
We love these leftover Turkey tacos. They are now our family favourite too. So easy and satisfying
Thanks so much Nancy! So glad you all loved it!
Gina Abernathy
I bought a large turkey this year just so I could have a lot of leftovers. I can’t wait to try this recipe over the weekend with my leftover turkey.
Fantastic Gina, I hope you love it!
Caitlin
Wow these tacos look absolutely delicious! Saving this for after Thanksgiving!
I think you’ll love them!!
Stephanie
The orange gives these tacos such a nice bright flavor. I never would have thought to do that! Thank you!
For sure it’s more of a Yucatán marinade, inspired by a pork recipe!
Sharon
I love these turkey tacos, what a great non-traditional way to use up those holiday turkey leftovers.
Yes, a refreshingly different way to use up leftover Turkey!