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Home » Recipes » Appetizers and Snack Recipes

Leftover Turkey Nachos

Published: Oct 8, 2021 · Modified: Jun 13, 2022 by Colleen 25 Comments

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A pan of nachos
A pan of leftover turkey nachos.

Are you looking for leftover turkey ideas? Look no further than Leftover Turkey Nachos. These are our Thanksgiving turkey nachos and they are an easy, fresh and delicious way to use up some of that leftover turkey.

Leftover turkey nachos in a cast iron pan.
Nachos are ready.

When you think of turkey nachos, you usually think of ground turkey, which works great, too. But this nacho recipe uses your leftover Thanksgiving turkey. In a way that doesn't scream "leftovers", like many leftover turkey recipes tend to do.

Why You're Going To Love It

  • Leftover Turkey Nachos are pretty much effortless. You've already cooked up a Thanksgiving feast. Who needs to keep slaving in the kitchen?
  • Whip these up in no time. This recipe is just 20 minutes from start to finish.
  • Nachos are a casual, fresh way to use up the leftover turkey.
  • Besides turkey, you can use any toppings you like. We're keeping it pretty simple, with just turkey, cheese and beans. These nachos become loaded turkey nachos when you set out extra toppings for serving.
  • Nachos are a fun and relaxing meal! Everyone can grab a plate and dig in.
  • These turkey nachos are gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy them.

What You'll Need

The Ingredients to make the nachos.
The ingredients for turkey nachos
  • Tortilla Chips. We like restaurant style 100% corn stone ground tortilla chips. They taste so much better and are more authentic than Dorito style chips. And they're gluten-free. I like the combo of blue and yellow corn tortilla chips.
  • Leftover Turkey. White or dark meat or a combo are both good. Just don't use any fat or gristle-y parts (because that would be yucky). Shred the turkey into bite size pieces.
  • Black Beans. Canned beans work great and you can use red beans instead if that's what you have.
  • Cheese. Our favourite cheese for nachos is Monterey jack or sharp cheddar, and mozzarella always works, too.
  • Salsa. Use your favourite jarred salsa. You will be tossing the turkey in the salsa, so save any fresh Pico de Gallo, or Roasted Chili Corn Salsa for serving.
  • Jalapeno Peppers. These are optional. You can slice fresh jalapenos and add them before baking the nachos, or you can use pickled jalapenos. We prefer to serve them as a topping since not everyone likes the spice. (What? I know.)

Let's Build Our Nachos

  1. Toss together the turkey and salsa.
The turkey and salsa being combined in a glass bowl.
Combining turkey with salsa.
  1. Add a layer of chips to the pan
  2. Sprinkle with cheese
Building the nachos, adding a layer of chips to the pan, then cheese.
Add chips, then cheese
  1. Add a layer of turkey
  2. Sprinkle with black beans
A layer of turkey is added, then a layer of beans.
Add turkey, then beans
  1. Another layer of cheese
  2. Another layer of chips
Adding another layer of cheese and then another layer of chips.
Add more cheese, then more chips
  1. Top with remaining turkey and beans
  2. And the final layer of cheese.
Adding the final two nacho layers.
More turkey and beans, then the final layer of cheese
  1. Bake until heated through and all the cheese is melty.
The finished leftover turkey nachos in a cast iron pan ready to eat.
Nachos fresh from the oven
  1. Serve as is, or with lots of toppings.
Serving nachos with toppings.

Some Nacho Topping Ideas

You can enjoy these turkey nachos as is, just let everyone scoop them onto plates. However, it's fun to have toppings if you are feeling more ambitious. Some nacho topping ideas:

  • lime wedges
  • hot sauce
  • fresh salsa
  • avocado slices
  • grape tomatoes
  • sliced fresh or pickled jalapenos or banana peppers
  • chopped peppers
  • sliced olives
  • guacamole
  • sour cream
  • sliced scallions

Recipe Tips

  • Layers or not? We like to use layers in a cast iron skillet and make a mountain of nachos, kind of like a nacho lasagna! (And it's fun to serve them in these cute little cast iron mini skillets) However, you can also bake them in one layer on a sheet pan.
  • Make them ahead. Assemble the whole dish ahead of time and refrigerate until you're ready to bake.
  • Make them later. Shred your leftover turkey and freeze it for nachos later. You can even mix the turkey and salsa before freezing.
  • Use chicken or beef. These nachos are also great for using leftover chicken or beef.
  • Reheat. Nobody wants leftovers of leftovers, but it does happen, so you can reheat these, in a 400° oven for 10 minutes, or on the stove top over medium high for 10 minutes.
Two dishes of leftover turkey natchos with lime wedges.
Nachos with toppings

Drink Suggestions

Ice cold beer is always a natural choice with nachos, but if you are feeling a cocktail vibe, two particularly great choices are Prosecco Margarita Cocktail and Mexican Mule.

Need More Leftover Turkey Ideas?

Of course, turkey soup is always a comforting and familiar use of Thanksgiving leftovers. We love this one: Buckwheat Soup with Turkey. You can also make a casserole like Sweet Potato Apple Turkey Bake, or some tacos like these Turkey Tacos with Mango Salsa. Leftover turkey appetizers are great too, try Turkey & Feta Mini Quiche. I also love using turkey in salads. One of our favourites is Turkey, Pomegranate & Bacon Salad.

Baked nachos in a cast iron skillet.

Leftover Turkey Nachos

Nachos with leftover turkey are a fun, delicious, and easy way to use some of that Thanksgiving turkey.
5 from 14 votes
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Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 753kcal
Author: Colleen Milne

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces corn tortilla chips
  • 2 cups turkey cooked and shredded
  • 14 ounces black beans (one can) drained
  • 2 cups Monterey jack cheese shredded
  • ½ cup salsa
  • sliced jalapenos optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°
  • Combine the turkey and salsa, tossing to coat.
  • In a 9x13 baking dish or cast iron skillet, spread ½ of the tortilla chips
  • Cover the chips with ⅓ of the cheese
  • Cover with ½ the turkey mixture
  • Spread ½ of the beans
  • Layer ⅓ of the cheese
  • Spread the remaining tortilla chips evenly over the cheese
  • Cover with the remaining turkey, then the beans
  • Top with the remaining cheese
  • Bake 10 minutes
  • Serve hot with desired toppings (see post for suggestions)

Notes

  • Layers or not? We like to use layers in a cast iron skillet and make a mountain of nachos, kind of like a nacho lasagna! However, you can also bake them in one layer on a sheet pan.
  • Make them ahead. Assemble the whole dish ahead of time and refrigerate until you're ready to bake.
  • Make them later. Shred your leftover turkey and freeze it for nachos later. You can even mix the turkey with salsa before freezing.
  • Use chicken or beef. These nachos are also great for using leftover chicken or beef.
  • Reheat. Nobody wants leftovers of leftovers, but it does happen, so you can reheat these, in a 400° oven for 10 minutes, or on the stove top over medium high for 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 753kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 1327mg | Potassium: 738mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 625IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 619mg | Iron: 5mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Aya

    October 28, 2021 at 2:30 pm

    I’m bookmarking this recipe! I have no idea what to do with leftover turkey and this sounds like the perfect plan. Love the use of black beans in nachos. I can’t wait to try this, I know it will turn out amazing!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      October 29, 2021 at 9:41 am

      You're going to love these turkey nachos, Aya! Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Rob

    October 27, 2021 at 3:29 pm

    What a brilliant idea! We always have leftover turkey whenever we make it, and this is such a fun, easy and delicious way to enjoy it!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      October 28, 2021 at 6:41 am

      It really is fun, easy and delicious, Rob! Enjoy these nachos with your leftover turkey.

      Reply
  3. Amy

    October 27, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    Such a great idea post Thanksgiving! I always have leftovers and this recipe seems nice and easy! Bookmarked for after the big day!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      October 27, 2021 at 3:25 pm

      You'll love these nachos for your big day leftovers, Amy!

      Reply
  4. Sabrina

    October 27, 2021 at 11:48 am

    So good! We made these after thanksgiving when I was way too tired to cook anymore. Kicked back with a movie and my family went crazy for these. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      October 27, 2021 at 12:14 pm

      Hi Sabrina. That's so great to hear! I'm so happy your family enjoyed these nachos.

      Reply
  5. Jere Cassidy

    October 27, 2021 at 11:28 am

    I actually cook turkey throughout the year and of course for Thanksgiving, these nachos are perfect for tall those leftovers. What a good idea.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      October 27, 2021 at 12:12 pm

      Thanks, Jere! Enjoy.

      Reply
  6. Lindsay Howerton-Hastings

    October 27, 2021 at 10:56 am

    !!!! My husband's birthday is the day after Thanksgiving aka Big Football Day, and this is the PERFECT use for leftover turkey! Can't wait to make these for him.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      October 27, 2021 at 12:12 pm

      Hi Lindsay. Happy Birthday to your husband. I hope you both enjoy these nachos. And Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  7. Terri

    October 18, 2021 at 4:38 pm

    Fabulous leftover turkey idea and perfect for movie night~!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      October 19, 2021 at 9:44 am

      Hi Terri, nachos are a must for movie night!

      Reply
  8. nancy

    October 13, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    what a great way to use up leftover turkey with nachos!! After a labour intensive meal, this simple one pan meal is the best!

    Reply
  9. Sara Welch

    October 12, 2021 at 4:30 pm

    Definitely saving this for all my Thanksgiving left overs! Looks worthy of a restaurant, indeed! Delicious!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      October 13, 2021 at 6:09 am

      Hey Sara, these nachos are perfect for leftover turkey. Enjoy!

      Reply
  10. Matt Ivan

    October 12, 2021 at 3:38 pm

    I love Mexican food but usually only make it with chicken, steak or shrimp. I know what I’m doing with my leftover turkey!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      October 13, 2021 at 6:08 am

      Hi Matt, you'll love these nachos for your leftover turkey. Enjoy!

      Reply
  11. Katia

    October 12, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    We're making this tonight! I was just wondering what to do with all of my leftovers.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      October 12, 2021 at 3:15 pm

      Enjoy, Katia! I would love to hear how you enjoyed your turkey nachos!

      Reply
  12. Cathleen

    October 12, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    I love this recipe so much!! It was just Canadian thanksgiving, so I have a lot of leftover turkey. This is so perfect to use it up! Thanks so much for the recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Colleen

      October 12, 2021 at 2:18 pm

      You're so welcome, Cathleen! Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  13. Kushigalu

    October 12, 2021 at 12:34 pm

    Interesting recipe to try using leftover s. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Colleen

      October 12, 2021 at 2:17 pm

      You're welcome, Kushigalu!

      Reply

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