Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Quesadilla

This leftover Thanksgiving turkey quesadilla is a delicious and quick way to transform holiday leftovers into a new favorite meal. Combining savory roasted turkey, creamy brie, and a bright hit of cranberry sauce, it delivers the classic Thanksgiving flavor profile in a hand-held, melty sandwich that’s perfect for dipping in warm gravy.

Skip the reheated turkey sandwiches and try this easy stovetop quesadilla instead. It cooks quickly with minimal fuss: spread sliced brie on a tortilla, let it melt, add cranberry sauce, turkey, and fresh thyme, then finish until the tortilla is golden and the filling is warm and gooey. The whole process takes about 15 minutes from start to plate, and the result is cozy, comforting, and far more interesting than leftovers alone.

What’s in a leftover Thanksgiving turkey quesadilla?

This recipe uses just six main ingredients:

• Leftover turkey (shredded)
• Cranberry sauce
• Brie cheese (sliced)
• Fresh thyme (chopped)
• Tortillas (we used 10-inch)
• Gravy (for dipping)

Variations and swaps

Customize this quesadilla to match what you have on hand or your flavor preferences:

• Substitute turkey with chicken: Use shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover roast chicken if you don’t have turkey.
• Swap the brie: Any meltable cheese such as fontina, Swiss, gouda, or a soft triple-cream cheese will work well.
• Preserves instead of cranberry sauce: Raspberry or strawberry preserves are a tasty alternative if you prefer a different fruit note.

Serving suggestions

Serve the quesadilla hot, cut into wedges, and offer warm gravy on the side for dipping. It pairs nicely with any extra holiday sides you have, such as roasted Brussels sprouts, a simple green salad, or green beans almondine. This is a great way to stretch holiday leftovers into an easy weeknight meal the whole family will enjoy.

FAQ

Can you double this recipe?
Yes. Scale the ingredients to make as many quesadillas as you need. Using a griddle or two skillets speeds up cooking if you’re making several.

What size tortillas are best?
Any size works. The recipe uses 10-inch tortillas, but smaller or larger tortillas are fine — just adjust the filling amount accordingly.

How do you know when the quesadillas are done?
They’re ready when the cheese is fully melted, the turkey is warmed through, and both sides of the tortilla are golden brown and slightly crisp.

More leftover turkey ideas

• Leftover Turkey Salad
• Leftover Turkey Soup
• Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

Storage

Because this dish is designed to use properly refrigerated leftover turkey, it’s best enjoyed fresh and hot. If you must store leftovers, wrap them tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 day, then reheat briefly in a skillet to restore the crisp exterior and melty interior. For best flavor and texture, serve immediately after cooking.

Try it: If you enjoy cooking in a nonstick pan that handles sautéing and frying well, use a reliable skillet for making these quesadillas.

Recipe

About this recipe

Prep time: 5 mins · Cook time: 10 mins · Total time: 15 mins · Serves: 2

Author: Emily Richter

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tortillas (10-inch recommended)
• 4 oz. brie cheese, rind removed and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded turkey
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 cup leftover gravy, warmed, for dipping

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. While the oil heats, arrange sliced brie evenly over one tortilla.
3. Place the tortilla in the skillet with the tortilla side down so the brie faces up. Cover and let the cheese melt for about 3 minutes.
4. Uncover and spread the cranberry sauce over the melted brie. Top with shredded turkey and sprinkle with fresh thyme.
5. Place the second tortilla on top. Use a spatula to carefully flip the quesadilla so the second side cooks against the skillet.
6. Cover and cook for another 3 minutes or until cheese is fully melted and both sides of the tortilla are golden brown.
7. Transfer to a cutting board, slice into 4 wedges, and serve immediately with warm gravy for dipping.

Nutrition (approximate)

Calories: 424 kcal · Carbohydrates: 24 g · Protein: 13 g · Fat: 24 g · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 11 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an estimate only.