By Becky Hardin
Updated Jul 31, 2025
This Thanksgiving, I am using leftovers to make a Thanksgiving Quesadilla! We all need some ideas to use up the extra food from the big feast, and this turkey quesadilla is the solution. Skip the sandwich and make this turkey quesadilla instead!
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5-Star Review
“I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of leftover quesadillas! Brilliant! And so versatile. ” -Mel
Easy Turkey Quesadilla
We make so much food for the big feast, and we end up with soooo many leftovers. They crowd the fridge and call out to you for days, begging to be eaten. I am so glad to have the perfect way to use up all that turkey and also have something really fun to eat that doesn’t make you feel like you’re eating days-old leftovers.
What I love most about this Thanksgiving leftover recipe is how flexible it is. You can toss in whatever you’ve got—yes, even mashed potatoes —and it all melts together into something delicious. Got sweet potatoes ? Add them! Leftover broccoli casserole ? Perfect! Pick your favorite flavors, layer them up, and let the quesadilla magic happen. There’s really no wrong way to do it, and that’s what makes it so fun.
Tips for Beginners
- Flipping the tortilla can be a little tricky. To avoid spills, use a spatula to slide the quesadilla onto a small plate. Cover with another plate; flip; remove the top plate and slide it all back into the skillet.
- Don’t overload the wraps with food. Pay attention to the quantities listed in the recipe to avoid soggy, leaking quesadillas.
- The sage leaves can be chopped to spread the flavor throughout. You can also use dried sage.
- If you’re repurposing cheese from Thanksgiving appetizers, you can use thinly sliced or cubed cheese—no need to shred it.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 whole wheat tortillas
- ▢ 2 cups Thanksgiving turkey chopped into small pieces
- ▢ ½ cup cranberry sauce
- ▢ 2 cups shredded cheese I used cheddar, Asiago, and pepper jack
- ▢ ¼ cup chopped fresh sage
Instructions
- Spray a large skillet with olive oil and heat over medium heat.
- Place the first wrap in the bottom of the skillet and top with ¼ cup cheese, ½ cup turkey, ¼ cup cranberry sauce, ⅛ cup sage, another ¼ cup cheese, and the second wrap. Grill for about 5 minutes on each side, or until melty and delicious. 4 whole wheat tortillas, 2 cups Thanksgiving turkey, ½ cup cranberry sauce, 2 cups shredded cheese, ¼ cup chopped fresh sage
- Take off the heat and cut into quarters to serve. Repeat with other ingredients to make a second quesadilla.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Thanksgiving Quesadillas Step by Step
Coat a skillet with oil : Spray a large skillet with olive oil and heat over medium heat.
Prepare the wrap: Place the first wrap in the bottom of the skillet and top with ¼ cup cheese, ½ cup turkey, ¼ cup cranberry sauce, ⅛ cup sage, another ¼ cup cheese, and the second wrap. Grill for about 5 minutes on each side, or until melty and delicious.
Cut and repeat : Take off the heat and cut into quarters to serve. Repeat with other ingredients to make a second quesadilla.
Serve: Serve and enjoy.
How to Store
Store leftover Thanksgiving quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a pan set over medium-low heat, flipping once, until warmed through and melty.
To freeze these turkey quesadillas, I recommend cutting them into wedges and stacking them in an airtight container or Ziplock bag. They will keep for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through and melty.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Thanksgiving quesadilla with some turkey gravy for dipping and a side of simple basmati rice , these honey and herb sweet potato fries , or make a batch of refried beans .
more leftover turkey recipes we love
Turkey Croquettes
Turkey Noodle Soup
Turkey Rice Casserole
Turkey Tacos
Thanksgiving Quesadilla Recipe (Turkey Quesadilla)
Ingredients
- 4 whole wheat tortillas
- 2 cups Thanksgiving turkey chopped into small pieces
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheese I used cheddar, Asiago, and pepper jack
- ¼ cup chopped fresh sage
Instructions
- Spray a large skillet with olive oil and heat over medium heat.
- Place the first wrap in the bottom of the skillet and top with ¼ cup cheese, ½ cup turkey, ¼ cup cranberry sauce, ⅛ cup sage, another ¼ cup cheese, and the second wrap. Grill for about 5 minutes on each side, or until melty and delicious. 4 whole wheat tortillas, 2 cups Thanksgiving turkey, ½ cup cranberry sauce, 2 cups shredded cheese, ¼ cup chopped fresh sage
- Take off the heat and cut into quarters to serve. Repeat with other ingredients to make a second quesadilla.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
