Turkey Tostadas are a flavorful and easy way to give leftover turkey a whole new life. With a crisp tostada shell, seasoned veggies, tender turkey, and a spicy sweet cranberry chipotle sauce, this dish is anything but boring.
After the holidays, I love coming up with creative ways to use what's left in the fridge, and these tostadas were inspired for my love of Tex-Mex flavors. This recipe takes classic Thanksgiving ingredients like leftover roasted turkey and turned it into something fun and satisfying.
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Why You'll Love Turkey Tostadas
Quick and easy: Ready in 30 minutes with minimal prep.
Packed with flavor: Smoky chipotle, sweet cranberry, and savory turkey make every bite exciting.
Great use of Thanksgiving leftovers: no more boring reheated turkey!
Key Ingredients
Leftover turkey: shredded or chopped, it reheats quickly and absorbs flavor well.
Poblano & red bell peppers: Add sweetness and mild heat.
Onion: Use red, yellow, or white. Whatever you have on hand.
Refried beans: A creamy base that holds everything together.
Cranberry Chipotle Sauce: Sweet and smoky with a little kick.
Queso Fresco: Mild, crumbly cheese that balances out the spice.
Tostada shells: Crunchy base that makes this feel like a fresh meal.
Cilantro and Lime: For freshness and brightness.
Ingredient Substitutions
Turkey: substitute with cooked ground turkey or leftover rotisserie chicken.
Refried beans: use mashed black beans or leftover stuffing.
Queso Fresco: use shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack
Variations
- Add chili powder or chipotle powder to the turkey for extra heat.
- Make your own tostada shells by frying corn tortillas until golden.
- Swap the cranberry sauce for homemade taco sauce for a more savory spin.
Top Tips
- Use fresh lime juice and cilantro just before serving to brighten the dish.
- Toast store bought tostadas in the oven for a few minutes to refresh their crunch.
- Don't overload the shells. They're best with a balanced amount of toppings.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate leftover turkey mixture in an airtight container up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop before assembling fresh tostadas.
Serve With...
Serve with a drizzle of cranberry chipotle sauce, a dollop of sour cream, and fresh cilantro.
More Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
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📖 Recipe
Turkey Tostadas
Equipment
- Flathead wooden spoon
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Ingredients
- 1 large onion , sliced
- 1 poblano pepper , seeded and sliced
- 1 large red bell pepper , sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups shredded turkey
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 8 tostada shells
- 1 cup refried beans
- 8 tablespoons Cranberry Chipotle Sauce
- 1 cup queso fresco
- ½ cup cilantro
- 8 wedges lime
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add olive oil, sliced onions, poblano pepper, and red peppert and saute 6 minutes, or until onions is has softened and begun to brown.
- Combine turkey and garlic with pepper mixture. Saute 2 minutes or until turkey is warmed through. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Spread tostada shells with refried beans and turkey mixture. Drizzle with cranberry chipotle sauce and sprinkle with quest fresco.
- Bake turkey tostadas for 10 minutes, or until tostada shells are golden brown. Garnish with cilantro, lime juice, and more cranberry chipotle sauce.
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