Leftover turkey quesadillas are a ten-minute skillet meal, and they are one of the easiest places to use a spoon of leftover cranberry sauce. Use leftover turkey that was refrigerated within 2 hours and is still within 3 to 4 days, or that was frozen and thawed in the refrigerator. How long leftovers last explains that window. The turkey in the finished dish should reach 165°F, per USDA leftover reheating guidance. They are not the same dish as leftover turkey tacos or a leftover turkey sandwich, even though the ingredients overlap.
Fill the tortilla
Chop leftover turkey into small pieces so it heats evenly. Warm a skillet over medium heat and add a light film of oil or a dry tortilla, depending on your preference. Lay down a flour tortilla, sprinkle cheese on half of it, add a layer of leftover turkey, and add a thin smear of leftover cranberry sauce or a few jalapeño slices if you want contrast. See what to do with leftover cranberry sauce for other uses. Fold the tortilla over. Do not pack it so full that the filling spills when you flip it.
Cook until the turkey is hot
Cook until the underside is golden, then flip and cook the second side. Lower the heat if the tortilla browns before the center is hot. Press gently with a spatula so the cheese melts around the turkey. Check the filling with a thermometer; leftover turkey needs to reach 165°F. If you are cooking several quesadillas, keep finished ones in a low oven on a platter while you work through the stack.
Serve and store
Rest the quesadilla for a minute so the cheese is not molten, then slice it into wedges. Salsa, sour cream, or a simple slaw on the side is enough. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and reheat them until the filling is again 165°F. If you have a lot of leftover turkey, freeze the extra meat instead of making more quesadillas than you will eat; see freezer storage times. More ideas are in the leftovers guide.
Helpful kitchen tools
- TempPro TP19H 1-Second Digital Meat Thermometer — Check the filling, not just the tortilla color, to confirm 165°F.
- OXO Good Grips Bent Icing Spatula — A wide spatula makes flipping a full quesadilla much easier.
- OXO Good Grips Slicing Knife — For chopping leftover turkey and slicing the finished wedges.
- Everyday White 16-Inch Porcelain Turkey Platter — A platter keeps a stack of quesadillas warm while you cook the next one in the skillet.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I use leftover gravy inside a quesadilla?
A very small amount can add moisture, but too much makes the tortilla soggy. Cranberry sauce or salsa is usually easier to control.
Why is the tortilla brown but the filling still cool?
The heat was too high. Cook over medium heat and check that the leftover turkey reaches 165°F.
Do I need flour tortillas?
Flour tortillas fold more easily. If you use corn tortillas, warm them first and consider making smaller quesadillas.