• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Free Bonus
  • About
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Boulder Locavore®

Easy Flavorful Recipes for Everyday

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Free Bonus
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Free Bonus
    • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Holiday » Thanksgiving » Turkey Cranberry-Chipotle Quesadillas

    LAST UPDATED: August 17, 2018 • FIRST PUBLISHED: November 23, 2014 By Toni Dash 12 Comments

    Turkey Cranberry-Chipotle Quesadillas

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Turkey Cranberry-Chipotle Quesadillas

    I always feel the Thanksgiving holiday week has started as soon as the Friday evening prior arrives! We are staying put this year and are so looking forward to spending time as a family; going to some movies and exhibits we normally don’t have time to do, catching up on some fun projects and doing ‘nothing’ which seems to be something for which one must actively carve out time! As much as I don’t like to travel during the holidays I think about all the families that are reuniting and the joy that brings. I drive my kids to school through the university campus and yesterday noted at least 30-40 college students, laden with overstuffed bags waiting at every  bus stop I passed. Having a High School sophomore, it makes me think those times are right around the corner for us too.

    Fortunately for me my husband does most of the Thanksgiving cooking. He loves to do it and rarely has the time so we clear out and let him have at it. The great thing is though he commits to the traditional mainstays, he changes them up every year which I love. Everything is always very flavorful. The turkey is moist and juicy and a meal I look forward to every year.

    Turkey Cranberry-Chipotle with Gouda cheese Quesadillas ingredients

    Being a food blogger I am always thinking ahead. So as my husband toils with our Thanksgiving menu, I’m on to how we’ll use our leftovers in a way that is delicious rather merely a means to use things up! We love Turkey Hash the day after Thanksgiving which uses turkey, stuffing and gravy. It’s beyond delicious with crunchy almonds and sweet peppers. Perfect for any meal.

    Something I shared recently is another perfect post-holiday recipe:  Southwestern Turkey Shepherd’s Pie. It is a very simple dish to put together using vegetables and black beans, leftover turkey and mashed potatoes. It is comfort food at its finest and something that allows you to use up your leftovers but not spend hours in the kitchen. Let’s face it; after all the cooking for Thanksgiving, most of us want to relax and enjoy friends and family afterwards but still eat great food. This one pan dish does the trick. Through in a side salad and you are good to go.

    Leftover turkey, gouda cheese, chipotle cranberry salsa quesadilla

    Today I’m sharing a very, very simple recipe that is more a set of guidelines than strict proportions; that itself feels like how a holiday vacation week should roll! Using leftover turkey and cranberry sauce, some Gouda cheese, cream cheese and chipotle salsa, a sweet-spicy, hearty, easy-to-prepare quesadilla is born. The ingredients can be set out for guests to build their own if desired. They can be microwaved, cooked in a heavy skillet to melt the cheese or in a press. It’s all about being easy, relaxed and mouthwateringly delish!

    Thanksgiving Leftovers- Turkey, Cranberry-Chipotle Sauce Quesadilla

    Turkey Cranberry-Chipotle Quesadillas

    Turkey Cranberry-Chipotle Quesadillas

    This recipe is more of a guide than an actual finely-tuned recipe. Quesadillas are casual and flexible by nature. One can vary the ingredients depending on their preferences, including using regular size corn tortillas or the miniature version I particularly love which are about 3-4 inches in diameter. These quesadillas can be used as a main dish or appetizers depending on what suits the mood. I'll provide a quantity guide but do them up in your way! This is a great recipe to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce. If there is leftover cranberry sauce-chipotle salsa from the quesadilla recipe, it can be used as a regular salsa with chips.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 6 large or 12 mini quesadillas
    Calories: 448kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups Leftover Turkey , chopped or shredded
    • 1 jar Chipotle Salsa (preferably smooth-style versus chunky)
    • 1 cup Cranberry Sauce
    • 1 package Cream Cheese (regular, low fat or Neufchatel)
    • 1 1/2 cups Gouda cheese , grated
    • 12 full size Corn Tortillas (or 24 mini size)
    • Garnish: chopped cilantro leaves

    Instructions

    • In a mixing bowl combine 1 cup of the chipotle salsa and the cranberry sauce. Whisk to fully combine.
    • For each quesadilla (if using mini tortillas halve the ingredients between two mini quesadillas): Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons cream cheese on a tortilla. Layer with 1/3 cup turkey, a couple spoonfuls of the cranberry-chipotle mixture spread over the turkey, 1/4 cup gouda cheese and topped with a second tortilla.
    • Warm the quesadilla to melt the cheese in a heavy skillet over medium heat, in the microwave or in a press. Note: if in the microwave the top tortilla may curl at the edges. Cut into quarters and serve with a sprinkling of chopped cilantro leaves.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 448kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 492mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 315IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 397mg | Iron: 1.4mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
    « Candy Cane and Lime Swirl Bath Salts
    Chocolate Lavender Fudge with Salted Caramel Top »

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

    Free Email Course

    5 FAST & EASY 15-MINUTE RECIPES
    Spending too much time in the kitchen?
    These recipes are fast, easy, and perfect for every occasion.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Deb says

      October 04, 2017 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      Could I use cheddar? I don’t like Gouda.

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        October 04, 2017 at 12:38 pm

        Sure, give it a try! I’ve only made them this way but adjusting so you’ll enjoy it is a great idea!

        Reply
    2. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

      November 24, 2014 at 5:45 pm

      5 stars
      Love this! My husband does most of the cooking on Thanksgiving, too! This is so nice & easy to put together after all the hard work is over!

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        November 25, 2014 at 8:05 am

        Isn’t it nice that they take the lead for TG Patricia? I’ve known some men how are horrible cooks that love to do it too. Fortunately that is not my case! May yours be warm with family and friends and delicious!

        Reply
    3. Julia says

      November 24, 2014 at 9:46 am

      My mouth is salivating out of control! I love re-purposing leftovers and these quesadillas are absolutely brilliant! I love that you use corn tortillas, too! I have all sorts of homemade cranberry sauce that needs to be put to good use, so I’m thinking YES all over these quesadillas!

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        November 25, 2014 at 8:04 am

        Ha! I always use corn tortillas I suppose from being gluten-free it’s now a mainstay. I like the flavor they add too. I feel like leftover cranberry sauce is shortchanged in the reuse department! There are so many great ways to use it. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your Julia!

        Reply
    4. kita says

      November 24, 2014 at 5:46 am

      I kind of want to shove my face in that pile of quesadillas….

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        November 25, 2014 at 8:02 am

        I hear you!

        Reply
    5. Melissa says

      November 24, 2014 at 4:58 am

      Looks yummy! Just in time for all those Thanksgiving leftovers.

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        November 25, 2014 at 8:02 am

        Thanks Melissa. It’s a fun way to mix it up while using them up!

        Reply
    6. Aggie says

      November 24, 2014 at 4:21 am

      Oh yes, this is my kind of quesadilla! love the sweet heat combo, perfect for turkey leftovers!

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        November 25, 2014 at 8:02 am

        Me too Aggie! Makes me excited for the day AFTER Thanksgiving.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    About Toni Dash

    Toni Dash BoulderLocavore.com Head Shot

    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

    Search Boulder Locavore

    AS FEATURED ON….

    BoulderLocavore.com Featured By Press

    Easy Dinners

    • Instant Pot Jambalaya Instant Pot Jambalaya Recipe: Quick & Easy Comfort Food
    • Instant Pot Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Legs with lime wedges on a pewter platter Instant Pot Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Legs
    • Korean BBQ Chicken title image Easy Korean BBQ Chicken recipe
    • Instant Pot Corned Beef Brisket title image Instant Pot Corned Beef Brisket: an Easy One Pot Meal
    • Shrimp Salad title image Shrimp Salad Recipe
    • Green Chile Stew title image Hearty New Mexican Green Chile Pork Stew

    TRENDING RIGHT NOW

    • How to Make Moist Homemade Shredded Chicken Breast title How to Make Moist Homemade Shredded Chicken Breast Recipe
    • Instant Pot Jambalaya Instant Pot Jambalaya Recipe: Quick & Easy Comfort Food
    • Korean BBQ Chicken title image Easy Korean BBQ Chicken recipe
    • Sparkling Cranberry Vodka Punch Sparkling Cranberry Vodka Punch Recipe
    • cilantro lime rice title image Easy Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
    • Muffin Tin Eggs Denver Omelet title image Muffin Tin Denver Omelet: Muffin Tin Eggs You’ll Love!

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram

    Contact | About | Privacy Policy | Disclosure Policy | Accessibility Statement | Cookie Policy


    SIGN ME UP to get FREE recipes directly to my inbox!

    Don't miss our TRAVEL SECTION!


    Copyright © 2010-2023 All Rights Reserved

    Boulder Locavore is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.