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    Home » Thanksgiving » Turkey Recipes » Leftover Turkey Fajitas

    Leftover Turkey Fajitas

    Published: Nov 25, 2010 · Modified: Oct 14, 2022 by Eric Samuelson

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Turn those turkey Thanksgiving leftovers into easy and quick to make Mexican fajitas. Simple. Delicious.

    Leftover turkey used in fajitas on flour tortillas

    This post includes affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. These are products and services I recommend because I use or trust them. Cookies will be used to track the affiliate links you click.

    Want an alternative to a turkey sandwich with your leftovers this year?

    Most of the time people use either chicken or beef for fajitas, but I say why not turkey! I figure you can use turkey for anything that you would use chicken for.

    These fajitas are meant to be simple as once most people have cooked a turkey they aren't looking to cook a complex meal the next day 🙂

    Jump to:
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 💡 Top Tips
    • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 How Much Does It Make
    • 🌶️ Fajita Pans
    • 🦃 More Turkey Recipes
    • Leftover Turkey Fajitas
    All the ingredients for turkey fajitas - leftover turkey, peppers, Cotija cheese, onions, cilantro, and flour tortillas

    🛒 Ingredients

    With some leftover turkey (white meat and/or dark meat) already in hand (this is my favorite turkey recipe), here is what else you will need to make these simple fajitas.

    • Diced Onion
    • Thin strips of Bell peppers (any color you like, we like a red pepper)
    • Chopped Fresh Cilantro
    • Cotija cheese
    • Warm tortillas
    Cacique Cotjia cheese round

    The only real special ingredient here is the Cotija cheese. It's a Mexican cheese that easily crumbles. You can get it in most supermarkets and I highly recommend it here over cheddar or those bagged Mexican cheese mixes that really aren't mostly Mexican cheese.

    We are trying to keep these simple, yet tasty. But if you want to add more ingredients here are some additional suggestions

    • Ground Cumin
    • Chili powder
    • Cayenne pepper
    • Black pepper
    • Pepper flakes
    • Sour cream
    • Crema
    • Guacamole
    • Black Beans
    • Garlic Powder
    • Paprika
    • Oregano
    • Taco or hot sauce

    If you wanted to bring the Thanksgiving flavor more into, you can use sage. Or maybe you have some leftover corn, throw that in as well. Got some leftover cranberry sauce? You could even try throwing that one top as well. I haven't but you surely could try it! Fajitas can be one of those cleaning out the fridge dishes.

    💡 Top Tips

    Onions and peppers on a cast iron skillet cooked on an induction cooktop

    You want to get some caramelization on those peppers and onions. For that I cook it on a cast iron skillet that distributes heat very well. I use an induction cook top which heats up the skillet lightning fast. It was stunning to see how fast it was the first time I used it.

    If you notice that your peppers and onions are starting to burn more than turn brown, lower your heat. Better to take your time than to burn your food.

    Turkey added to the peppers and onions in the skillet

    Add the leftover turkey in when the veggies are done. You just need to reheat the turkey. You don't want to cook it long or you could dry it out.

    Once the food is finished, you can leave it on the skillet and serve it directly from. Cast iron stays hot for a while so it helps keep your food warm. Plus it gives you that fajita restaurant experience with the sizzling skillet coming to your table.

    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 How Much Does It Make

    The recipe you will find below is enough for 3 tortillas worth of fajitas, which is one hungry person. Scale up to cook for more people.

    A display of different types of cast iron fajita pans with different colors boards.

    🌶️ Fajita Pans

    While certainly not required, it sure is fun to have your very own fajita pan like they serve in Mexican restaurants. One fall I got to visit the Lodge Cast Iron store in Tennessee. I picked up my very own fajita pan set, with the cast iron skillet and wood holder. I would make a great Christmas gift 🙂

    Not as practical for families but great if you have are a small household or having a date night at home with your spouse. I test different steak recipes for my blog, so when I cook up a single steak I like to use it.

    🦃 More Turkey Recipes

    These are some other recipes you can make with leftover turkey:

    • Cranberry BBQ Leftover Turkey Sliders
    • Mini Turkey Shepherd's Pie

    These are some recipes for cooking a turkey:

    • Dry Brined, Butterflied Turkey
    • Instant Pot Turkey Breast

    Leftover Turkey Fajitas

    Make this quick dinner with leftover turkey
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: fajitas, turkey
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 3 tortillas
    Author: Eric Samuelson

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup leftover turkey white and/or dark meat
    • 1 sliced bell pepper color of your choice
    • 1 small onion sliced
    • 2 tbsp Cotija cheese
    • cilantro chopped
    • kosher salt to taste

    Instructions

    • Heat up a skillet over medium high heat.
    • Add the sliced peppers and onions, salt to taste.
    • Cook until the peppers and onions have softened and taken on some brown color. It should take around 6 to 8 minutes.
    • Add the turkey. Cook for 1, stir often until the turkey is cooked through.
    • Serve on flour tortillas with crumbled Cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, and salt to taste.

    Notes

    Here are some additional toppings you might want to consider - 
    • Ground Cumin
    • Chili powder
    • Cayenne pepper
    • Black pepper
    • Pepper flakes
    • Sour cream
    • Crema
    • Guacamole
    • Black Beans
    • Garlic Powder
    • Paprika
    • Oregano
    • Taco or hot sauce
    Tried this recipe?Mention @eatlikenooneelse or tag #eatlikenooneelse
    « 2010 Black Friday Deals on Kitchen Stand Mixers
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda Mooney

      April 22, 2020 at 7:25 pm

      Dee-licious and so quick. Thanks!

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    Nice to Meet You,

    Hi! I'm Eric : Father of 4, living just south of Ann Arbor, MI. I'm a reformed picky eater finding a new way to not conform. Eating what's in season is my jam (I also make it!)

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