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Turkey and Cranberry Quesadillas

[heart_this] · Dec 29, 2008 · 57 Comments

Turkey and Cranberry Quesadillas

Thanksgiving turkey dinner leftover quesadillas.

One of my favorite parts of the holiday turkey dinner is the leftovers! It is always fun trying to come up with new ways of using turkey leftovers in such a way that the leftover meals are just as interesting as the original. Before trying something new though, I had to enjoy my favorite way to use turkey leftovers, the turkey and cranberry sauce sandwich . Once I had satisfied that craving it was time to move on and given that both the turkey and cranberry sauce were done with texmex flavours I was thinking along the lines of turkey and cranberry sauce tacos or better yet quesadillas. Though the cranberry sauce already had jalapenos in it, it was not spicy enough for the heat that I want in a quesadilla so I added some more to the quesadilla along with some cilantro as it is one of my favorite herbs and a texmex staple. The turkey and cranberry sauce quesadillas turned out really well! The sweet, tart and spicy cranberry sauce worked surprisingly well in the quesadillas along with the turkey and the gooey melted cheese. I will definitely be making these again!

Turkey and Cranberry Quesadillas

Turkey and Cranberry Quesadillas

Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Servings: 1

Thanksgiving turkey dinner leftover quesadillas.

ingredients
  • 2 (8 inch) flour tortillas
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese such as jack or cheddar
  • 1/4 pound turkey, cooked, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
  • 1/2 jalapeno, finely diced
  • 1 green onion, sliced
  • 1 handful cilantro, chopped
directions
  1. Heat a pan over medium heat, place one tortilla in and top with the half of the cheese followed by the turkey, cranberry sauce, jalapeno, green onion, cilantro and the remaining cheese and tortilla.
  2. Cook the quesadilla until golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 2-4 minutes per side. (You can place a plate on top of the quesadilla in the pan and then flip it onto the plate and slide it from the plate back into the pan to easily flip it without loosing the contents.)
Tip: Place a plate onto the quesadilla and flipped it from the pan to the plate and then slide it back into the pan to flip the quesadilla.
Similar Recipes:
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Monte Cristo Quesadillas
Roast Turkey Cuban Sandwich
Cranberry and Brie Turkey Quesadillas with Avocado and Candied Jalapenos

20 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, Appetizer, Food, Main Course, Mexican, Quesadilla, Recipe, Turkey

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    December 30, 2008 at 1:09 am

    Mmmm! These sound delicious! I love the bright colors as well. Holiday leftovers are the best.

    Reply
  2. VeggieGirl says

    December 30, 2008 at 1:15 am

    Fun twist on the quesadilla!!

    Reply
  3. Heather says

    December 30, 2008 at 1:19 am

    holy good lord almighty. those sound so good.

    Reply
  4. Steph says

    December 30, 2008 at 1:29 am

    Those look amazing! I love your flavour combinations.

    Reply
  5. Gigi says

    December 30, 2008 at 1:38 am

    Great idea for left over turkey! Looks delicious.

    Reply
  6. ttfn300 says

    December 30, 2008 at 1:40 am

    just lovely!!

    Reply
  7. Sharon says

    December 30, 2008 at 1:46 am

    Perfect for leftovers. I think we have some turkey in the fridge still!

    Reply
  8. Curt McAdams says

    December 30, 2008 at 1:48 am

    Nice quesadilla! I love cranberries and turkey… though I’ve been on a pomegranate and turkey kick lately, too.

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    December 30, 2008 at 2:25 am

    Cranberries everywhere! Your last several posts incorporated cranberries. I’m beginning to think you bought a five pound bag of cranberries. hehe

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    December 30, 2008 at 2:35 am

    Those look fantastic! I need to make a turkey just for the leftovers 🙂

    Reply
  11. Ginger says

    December 30, 2008 at 2:45 am

    What the heck!!!!! These look totally awesome. These are on my list to make. Great new flavor combination.

    Reply
  12. Hayley says

    December 30, 2008 at 2:50 am

    Looks delicious, and so festive!

    Reply
  13. HoneyB says

    December 30, 2008 at 2:51 am

    Looks yummy!

    Reply
  14. jillian says

    December 30, 2008 at 2:54 am

    Great idea! I wish I had leftover turkey!

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    December 30, 2008 at 3:07 am

    Amazing and eye appealing..

    Reply
  16. Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer says

    December 30, 2008 at 3:13 am

    Now that is one good looking and colorful dish and I am sure the taste matches the look!

    Reply
  17. Darius T. Williams says

    December 30, 2008 at 3:40 am

    You’re on to something here sir – I love this!

    -DTW
    http://www.everydaycookin.com

    Reply
  18. Amy says

    December 30, 2008 at 3:53 am

    Those look very tasty!

    Reply
  19. Sara says

    December 30, 2008 at 4:29 am

    This looks like a great way to use up leftovers!

    Reply
  20. noobcook says

    December 30, 2008 at 4:37 am

    What a great use of leftovers, looks amazing

    Reply
  21. Sharon says

    December 30, 2008 at 5:08 am

    I’ve come up with a lot of turkey leftover recipes, but I can’t believe I’ve never thought of this one! Great photo. YUM!

    Reply
  22. Proud Italian Cook says

    December 30, 2008 at 5:18 am

    You are genius Kevin, This looks delicious!! Wishing you a heathy and happy New Year Kevin!

    Reply
  23. Esi says

    December 30, 2008 at 5:22 am

    Those sound so good. Like the combo of spicy, salty, and sweet.

    Reply
  24. Rosa's Yummy Yums says

    December 30, 2008 at 6:10 am

    Oh, what a lovely combination!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  25. Brilynn says

    December 30, 2008 at 6:22 am

    I don’t turn nearly enough things into quesadillas, this looks great!

    Reply
  26. Beachlover says

    December 30, 2008 at 7:20 am

    this quesadillas really look good and moist!! too bad I throw my leftover turkey away after so many days! Now I know what to do with it!! Happy New Year to you Kevin!

    Reply
    • Sandy Quinn says

      May 10, 2021 at 4:27 am

      Please don’t throw away the left over turkey. You can always make turkey soup with the bones & veggies (onion, carrots celery tops), spices (salt & pepper, garlic, any thing else that you like) and lots of water.. Simmer all day in a slow cooker. After using a colander to separate the solids and the liquid – broth. Then you can add in the leftover meat and spices and what ever veggies you like to the broth. Simmer a couple of hours again to let the veggies cook and all the flavors to meld. If you can’t make the broth right away. freeze the bones in plastic storage bags to use later. If you’ve made the broth, but don’t have the time to make the soup, put the broth in quart jars (or other large containers) and freeze.

      Reply
  27. Jan says

    December 30, 2008 at 8:06 am

    Love the look of those Kevin!

    Reply
  28. Mrs Ergül says

    December 30, 2008 at 8:57 am

    you’re right! leftovers should be as tasty and interesting as the original meal! great job there!

    Reply
  29. Antonia says

    December 30, 2008 at 10:01 am

    Ooh – I love the look of these. What an original way to use turkey leftovers. We have (finally) finished our bird so I’ll have to wait ’till next year to try this out!

    Reply
  30. Howard Huang says

    December 30, 2008 at 10:55 am

    Hi there:
    The article is very interesting! Do you mind I share it on my web project? I am current developing a web site focusing on how-2’s. Here’s the intro video:
    http://blip.tv/file/1019119
    BTW, I am the core developer of this website. It’s a small website still, but hoping you can help me by agreeing sharing this article. If you would like give me any opinion, plz feel free to email me at: [email protected]

    Reply
  31. Melissa says

    December 30, 2008 at 1:57 pm

    Those look amazing. Anything with cranberry and turkey and cheese is always delish!

    Reply
  32. Olga says

    December 30, 2008 at 2:48 pm

    what a great take on the classic turkey/cranberry sandwich! I would have tried to sneak mayo in somehow 🙂

    Reply
  33. Mila says

    December 30, 2008 at 3:32 pm

    This looks great! I love your pictures!

    Reply
  34. Dawn says

    December 30, 2008 at 5:13 pm

    Now this is a perfect combo! Very clever to take up a level and into a quesadillas.

    Reply
  35. Pam says

    December 30, 2008 at 6:29 pm

    Kevin – you are definitely a master with leftovers! Sounds great and I love the picture!

    Reply
  36. Amanda says

    December 30, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    I wish I liked Mexican food a bit more, you always make really delish looking Mexican stuff! Although technically, I don’t know if this counts as Mexican…

    Reply
  37. Mary says

    December 30, 2008 at 8:39 pm

    Kevin, I must add my voice to the chorus – this is a truly beautiful creation. My congratulations!

    Reply
  38. Grace says

    December 30, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    this is the epitome of beautiful, healthy, delicious food. fabulous.

    Reply
  39. Maria says

    December 30, 2008 at 10:10 pm

    The prettiest quesadilla I have ever seen!

    Reply
  40. Deborah says

    December 30, 2008 at 10:30 pm

    You can never go wrong with quesadillas! These look great!

    Reply
  41. ~Madeline~ says

    December 30, 2008 at 11:06 pm

    Leftovers are my favorite too 😉 These sound like a great way to use up leftovers. I also can’t wait to try your cranberry sauce with the jalapenos. Delicious! Happy New Year Kevin!

    Reply
  42. Paula says

    December 30, 2008 at 11:46 pm

    This is a great way to use up leftovers! I like the idea of sweet, tart, and spicy in one!

    Reply
  43. Claudia Davila (Fran) says

    December 31, 2008 at 2:21 am

    I made this tonight for dinner — my husband and I loved it!

    Reply
  44. Lorraine E says

    December 31, 2008 at 2:43 am

    Love this combination! Quesadillas are such a quick delicious meal, especially with clever ideas like using turkey leftovers!

    Reply
  45. Lick My Spoon says

    December 31, 2008 at 5:29 am

    mmm these look so good! there is a crepe truck in my neighborhood that makes this crepe with those same flavors…love it!

    Reply
  46. meeso says

    December 31, 2008 at 3:19 pm

    This looks great, really innovative… You have a great blog full of creative recipes!

    Reply
  47. EAT! says

    December 31, 2008 at 3:51 pm

    Turkey, cranberries, and melted cheese is a great combo. I love this treat after the holidays.

    Reply
  48. Jan says

    December 31, 2008 at 11:42 pm

    I’m wishing I had some more leftover turkey, then I could make these. I don’t think they’d be the same with just cranberries. Ho hum.

    Reply
  49. Anonymous says

    January 1, 2009 at 7:03 pm

    Mmm, those look really good. I wish I had some turkey to make them right now.

    Reply
  50. Helene says

    January 2, 2009 at 12:01 am

    This looks again like a meal you would find in a restaurant. I like the mix of flavors.

    Reply
  51. Jaime says

    January 2, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    i love this turkey leftover idea!

    Reply
  52. Michelle says

    January 31, 2009 at 3:10 pm

    Finding turkey utterly dry and boring, I wish now I cooked with it more so that I can try this recipe!

    Reply
  53. Poligraph S. says

    May 13, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    I just made this, and you are my new hero.

    Reply
  54. Marillyn Beard says

    November 22, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    Those look SERIOUSLY good! I wish we had cranberries and turkey here in Costa Rica :o(

    Reply
  55. Anonymous says

    November 27, 2009 at 11:45 pm

    Just made these tonight with our Thanksgiving turkey leftovers. HUGE hit!!! The kids wolfed them down and so did the hubs! Thank you!!

    Reply
  56. Asta says

    June 12, 2010 at 11:04 am

    My mouth started watering, mmmmmmm

    Reply

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