If you’re looking for an exciting and tasty way to use up that leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, then these Leftover Turkey Nachos are just the ticket! Imagine crispy tortilla chips generously topped with succulent turkey carnitas, a zingy cranberry sauce salsa, delicious Brussels sprouts, and a heap of melted cheese. It truly doesn’t get better than this!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays – I pour my heart into every dish, taking great pride in crafting everything from scratch. It’s a special occasion, and so the turkey and all its sides deserve a great deal of love. But when it comes to those leftovers? Well, let’s just say, microwaved turkey can be a bit of a letdown. Every year, I challenge myself to come up with creative ways to transform those remnants into something exhilarating. Enter nachos!

Combining turkey, cranberry sauce, and Brussels sprouts together in one dish sounds a bit unconventional, but I promise you, once you take a bite, it’s an incredible medley of flavors and textures. You get the sweetness from the cranberries, the saltiness from the cheese, and a hint of spice from the jalapeños. Plus, any dish called nachos simply must have a generous layer of cheese!

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. You can easily stash your leftover turkey and cranberry sauce in the freezer, so when a holiday gathering or a football weekend rolls around, simply defrost and whip up these nachos as an appetizer. And if you find yourself with a craving for these delightful nachos in the middle of summer with no leftover turkey in sight, feel free to use rotisserie chicken instead!

Make Your Own Turkey Carnitas

Turkey carnitas, or “turknitas” as I like to call them, are essentially crispy, flavorful turkey shreds that bring an amazing texture to these nachos! Instead of boiling, I decided to pan-fry the shredded turkey in hot oil until it reaches a golden brown. If you have leftover turkey fat, using it will add even more flavor!

For best results, opt for a non-stick or cast iron skillet. These allow those delicious, sticky bits to cling to the turkey instead of the pan. You can use any type of meat you have on hand, but dark meat works particularly well here. Next time, I might shred the turkey a bit more finely, as chunkier pieces didn’t crisp up quite as much as I would like. Generally, the crispier the better in my book!

Regardless of how it came out, the carnitas were a hit! My husband couldn’t resist sneaking bites right out of the pan. In hindsight, it’s a little funny to think he should have saved some of the turkey for the nachos if he’d known how delicious they would be!

Crafting the Perfect Cranberry Sauce Salsa

When I first envisioned this recipe, my mind was set on the turkey stealing the spotlight. While the browned turkey carnitas are certainly delicious, the cranberry sauce salsa brought a delightful brightness that took these nachos to a whole new level!

The salsa is a simple mix of cranberry sauce (I whip up a fabulous one with bourbon, cinnamon, brown sugar, orange zest, and orange juice) combined with all the salsa essentials: red onion, jalapeños, garlic, tomatoes, lime juice, and lime zest. If you crave a little heat, tossing in a few dashes of hot sauce will elevate it further!

The end result is a sweet and tangy salsa with a touch of spice that marries perfectly with the turkey and cheese. Plus, it’s a great way to use up that leftover cranberry sauce that typically sits around after the holidays. Make extra, and I guarantee you’ll find yourself wanting to use it in all sorts of meals!

The Ultimate Chips for Nachos

Now, as a self-proclaimed nacho enthusiast, I can’t stress enough how important it is to choose high-quality tortilla chips. Nachos require chips that are sturdy enough to bear the weight of all the glorious toppings while remaining delightfully crispy.

My favorite go-to brand is Mission Tortilla Chips – the ones in that iconic brown bag. They taste just like the freshly made chips you’d find at a restaurant and are made from just four simple ingredients: whole kernel corn, sea salt, oil, and lime. Plus, they’re certified gluten-free, making them perfect for everyone.

While it might be tempting to make your own chips, I assure you, there’s no need when you have such quality options available. Unless homemade is your thing, let Mission do the work for you!

Assembly Time: Bringing It All Together

When it comes to other toppings, the sky’s the limit! You can add as much or as little as you like. My personal preference includes leftover Brussels sprouts, sliced jalapeños, a dollop of sour cream, and some fresh cilantro. No need for guacamole since there’s already plenty going on with the nachos!

A final squeeze of lime juice right before you serve will tie all those beautiful flavors together. And don’t forget – for those who love a spicy kick, having some hot sauce on the side is always a good idea!