Name: Leftover Turkey Taquitos
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 8 Taquitos
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups left over cooked turkey (chopped); 1/4 cup chopped green onion; 2 ounces cream cheese; 2 tablespoons sour cream; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 ounces sharp cheddar (shredded); 6-8 corn tortillas; 2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Shredded turkey, cream cheese, green onions, spices and cheese are rolled up and fried until crispy to make theseleftover turkey taquitos! These taquitos are the perfect way to use up that leftover turkey sitting in your fridge.

pile of taquitos on a plate with guacamole and salsa.

If you are like me, it can be tough to figure out what to do with a bunch of leftover turkey meat from the holidays! Luckily, this recipe is the perfect solution, creating a dish that will use up your turkey and give it a whole new flavor. These taquitos are super easy to make and are full of warm and tasty spices that keep you coming back for more.

I love that I can serve the taquitos as an appetizer or a main dish with a variety of dips or sauces. You can also fill your taquitos with other ingredients like beans, corn, tomato, and onion. Thanks to this recipe, my family now looks forward to leftover turkey!

hand holding a taquito that is dipped in guacamole.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It is easy to make with a few simple ingredients, helping you use up any leftover meat!
This dish can be ready in less than 15 minutes, perfect for a busy night.
The taquitos are bursting with savory, warm, and bold flavors.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for leftover turkey taquitos partitioned into bowls.

Cooked Turkey—Shredded. You can also use leftoverChicken Brine.
Green Onion—Chopped. A simple, flavorful and colorful ingredient.
Cream Cheese—For a creamy texture and to hold everything together.
Sour Cream—To add a subtle tangy flavor to the taquitos.
Spices—A savory, earthy blend ofchili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese—Shredded. Feel free to switch up what kind of cheese you use!
Corn Tortillas—You can use white or yellow corn tortillas.
Vegetable Oil—For frying your taquitos.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Leftover Turkey Taquitos

Mixing ingredients in a bowl for turkey taquitos

Filling a tortilla with cheese and turkey mixture.

Step #1.In a medium bowl, add the turkey, onion, cream cheese, sour cream, and all your spices. Combine the ingredients well.

Step #2.Place the corn tortillas on a plate and microwave for about a minute. While the tortillas are still hot, place some of the turkey mixture and cheese in the center of each tortilla and spread it from end to end.

Step #3.Roll up the tortilla tightly and place 2 toothpicks through the center to keep it in place. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Heat the oil in a large skillet and fry the taquitos until golden brown, turning once.

Step #4.Serve and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Why are my tortillas falling apart?

Corn tortillas are most commonly used for taquitos, but they can be tricky to work with. You need to warm up and soften the tortillas before using them or else they will fall apart easily. When you are getting the tortillas ready for the microwave, it is best to get a napkin or paper towel damp, then cover the tortillas. This will help retain moisture, making it much easier for the tortillas to roll without breaking. Depending on how many taquitos you are making, you might need to repeat the process if your tortillas cool down before you get to roll them.

How can I make sure my taquitos come out crispy?

One of the best parts of a taquito is how crispy they become! There are a few ways to ensure that your taquitos turn out great. First, make sure your oil is hot enough. If you try to fry the taquitos in oil that is not ready, the tortillas will not crisp up and can become soggy. Next, do not overcrowd the pan. It can be tempting to cook a bunch at a time, but stick to 2-3 in the pan. This will ensure they have space to cook properly and so that you can watch them carefully. Lastly, make sure to cook them long enough, and only flip one time. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side for the perfect amount of crispiness!

How to Serve and Store Turkey Taquitos

Turkey taquitos can be served as a snack, appetizer, or the main course! You can create a whole meal by serving these with a side of cilantro-lime rice, refried or black beans, a garden salad, or some fresh fruit. These yummy taquitos also taste wonderful topped with an extra dollop of sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or fresh lime juice.

If you have extra turkey taquitos, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, covered with a damp paper towel. Alternatively, you can keep your taquitos in the freezer to save them for even longer! Once they are cooked and cooled, place the taquitos in a Ziploc bag, and store for up to 3 months. You can either reheat them in the microwave until warm throughout, or place them on a baking sheet while still frozen and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.

Expert Tips

You will want your cream cheese to be at room temperatureso that it can be easily mixed with the other ingredients while still holding everything together.
Use a fork to mix all of your ingredients together, this will help break the turkey up into smaller pieces and make it easier to eat.
Make sure youroil reaches a temperature of 375°F before frying. You can use a meat or candy thermometer to check this.
Any type of cheese will taste great in your taquitos, you can use Colby Jack or Pepper Jack if you have that instead. For best results, use freshly grated cheese as it will melt better!