Thanksgiving Leftovers Tacos

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(Note: this post was originally published on November 22, 2022. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)

A Fresh Thanksgiving Leftovers Idea

I think many of us can agree that the best part of Thanksgiving (or any holiday meal) is actually the leftovers. Especially for dishes that take a while to cook (e.g., roasted squash) or dishes that are special recipes mostly saved for holidays (e.g., stuffing), being able to cook once and eat three or four times is a big win.

A couple years ago, my mind was blown by an awesome idea that came from my friends and neighbors at Vermont Tortilla Company. They asked me to design a Thanksgiving leftovers taco, and I was immediately intrigued. I like that a taco shows off the leftovers in an entirely new way, which could make them exciting for people who don't generally enjoy leftovers. I also love any recipe that minimizes food waste, and this one certainly encourages you to enjoy every last bit of your holiday dishes.

This year, make sure to save all those precious extra bits, since this is a Thanksgiving leftovers recipe you'll definitely want to try.

Corn tortillas filled with Thanksgiving leftovers, shown with red holiday flowers and bowls of leftovers in the background

How to Make Thanksgiving Leftovers Tacos

We all have different family traditions for the holidays, so everyone who reads this will have a different set of leftovers available to them on the day after a holiday gathering. The best part about the "Thanksgiving leftovers taco" concept is that you can use whatever you have on-hand.

My biggest suggestion is to spread some mashed sweet potatoes (or sweet potato casserole) into your tortilla first; it helps everything stick together and provides some nice moisture. After that, add whatever else you have. Top it off with cranberry sauce and perhaps a drizzle of hot sauce if you like the sweet/spicy combo. You can use as few or as many dishes as you like. Because everyone can create their own taco, this is a Thanksgiving leftovers idea that is definitely a crowd-pleaser.

Curious about the specific components I've shown in this unique Thanksgiving leftovers recipe? These tacos have my favorite Wild Rice, Macadamia, and Fall Fruit Stuffing, this Orange and Cinnamon Roasted Delicata Squash, some simple mashed sweet potatoes, and some skillet green beans (loosely based on my If Green Beans Went to Southern Spain). I topped them with a classic homemade cranberry sauce, but this Raw Cranberry-Pomegranate Sauce is my personal go-to.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Tacos with classic Thanksgiving dishes like wild rice, squash, and green beans

Tortillas for Thanksgiving Leftovers Tacos

Can you believe that some of the best corn tortillas I've ever had are made right down the road from us, in our own little town? I feel thankful to live so close to Vermont Tortilla Company and I'm amazed at the quality of their tortillas. We use them all the time at home, and they really excel in this Thanksgiving leftovers recipe.

There are a lot of things about these tortillas that are special and unique. They're made with organic corn, which is sourced locally (just across the lake from us, in the Adirondacks in New York). The tortillas are made the traditional way, using a process called nixtamalization, which has been used for thousands of years by native people in Central America. During this process, the corn is soaked and then cooked in an alkaline solution (meaning, high pH), making it softer, easier to work with, more flavorful, and also more nutritious.

Speaking of tortillas, are you a quesadilla lover? If so, you can take this exact same concept, add your favorite cheese, and make a quesadilla instead of a taco. This Thanksgiving leftovers idea is very flexible, so you can tailor it to suit your own tastes.

Three Thanksgiving leftovers tacos with squash, green beans, wild rice, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce

Closing Thoughts

Whether you're a leftover lover or a leftover skeptic, these tacos are for you. They'll give all your special holiday leftovers a whole new life, making for meals that are easy, quick, fun, and that minimize food waste. Especially the day after the holiday, when everyone is sick of being in the kitchen, this Thanksgiving leftovers recipe is sure to make everyone happy.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday!

A unique Thanksgiving leftovers idea: Thanksgiving dishes stuffed into corn tortillas to make holiday leftovers tacos

Share It!

It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.

Suggested Pairings

Thanksgiving Eve Dark & Stormy

Spicy Ginger Sweet Potato Dip

Fall Harvest Salad with Apple Cider Dressing

Vegan Brussels Sprouts Waldorf Salad

Chai-Spiced Pear Crumble Bars

Disclosure: This recipe has been developed through a paid partnership with Vermont Tortilla Company. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep The Rogue Brussel Sprout running.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Tacos

Want to know a secret? The best way to enjoy your holiday leftovers is in a taco! Prepare to have your mind blown (and minimize food waste too) with this easy Thanksgiving leftovers recipe.

Author:
Lee

Ingredients

  • Corn tortillas
  • Sweet potato mash or sweet potato casserole
  • Other holiday leftovers of choice (shown here: roasted delicata squash, seared green beans, and wild rice stuffing)
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Roasted salted pepitas
  • Drizzle of hot sauce, optional

Instructions

  1. Reheat Thanksgiving leftovers as desired.
  2. Heat the corn tortillas directly over a gas burner or in a microwave wrapped in a barely-damp towel.
  3. Spread each tortilla with a generous smear of sweet potato mash or sweet potato casserole; this will help the other ingredients stay in place and will give the taco some moisture. (Hint: if you’re working with a sweet rather than savory potato dish, mix a pinch of cayenne into the potatoes to offset the sweetness).
  4. Load the taco with all your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers.
  5. Top each taco with a spoonful of cranberry sauce, then garnish with a sprinkle of roasted salted pepitas. Serve with hot sauce if desired.

Leave a Comment

Please Share Your Thoughts!

Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.

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Kat
November 30, 2022
Oh my gosh I love this! Def trying these after our big family Xmas dinner.
Pamela
November 27, 2022
This was a blast! I emptied out all the left overs from the frig, and made a fun, very tasty and original dinner. Great idea!