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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Turkey

Leftover BBQ Turkey Quesadilla

Jan 23, 2025 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 9 Comments

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Leftover Turkey Quesadillas with a text title overlay.
Leftover Turkey Quesadillas with a text title overlay.

Got more leftover turkey than you know what to do with? Try something different this year and instead of turkey sandwiches, make this Leftover Turkey Quesadilla recipe. Shredded turkey, an easy homemade BBQ sauce, leftover veggies and some cheese. A really easy snack or lunch, and easy to feed a crowd.

Leftover BBQ Turkey Quesadilla on a blue plate next to a bowl of salsa.

A quesadilla is always our go-to quick and easy lunch that can be made with whatever we have in the fridge. An added bonus is that kids love eating and making them.

This is our festive twist on a quesadilla and it's a fun way to use up leftover turkey (and cheese and veggies). There are lots of ways to adapt these turkey quesadillas, so everyone gets a quesadilla they like.

Ready in just 5 minutes this is a new way to enjoy leftovers this festive season and a Christmas quesadilla ensures that nothing goes to waste.

If you are looking for some other recipes with leftover turkey, then why not try our Leftover Turkey Soup, Leftover Turkey Curry, Leftover Turkey Sandwich and Leftover Turkey Pie?

Jump to:
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Turkey Quesadilla Variations
  • How to Make Leftover Turkey Quesadilla - Step by Step
  • Cooking Quesadillas in the Oven
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Leftover Turkey Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Ingredients and Substitutions

All the ingredients needed for this recipe on a wooden surface, each with a text overlay label.
  • Turkey - We used leftover turkey from our Christmas dinner to make this, however you could use up leftover roast chicken or even grill some chicken fresh to put in this. You could use meat from our Roast Turkey Breast or Slow Cooker Turkey Crown.
  • BBQ Sauce - This is what makes these turkey quesadillas really special I think. Our Homemade BBQ has a really tangy flavour that goes perfectly. You could use a store bought BBQ sauce if you prefer or even a salsa for something a bit different.
  • Tortilla - We used large soft wholemeal tortillas for this. You could make mini ones for kids by using small soft tacos.
  • Vegetables - Make the most of those Christmas or Thanksgiving leftovers by chopping up leftover roast vegetables and adding it in. Anything goes, but we love roasted root vegetables.
  • Cheese - We used a mature cheddar as it has a strong flavour so you can get away with using less of it.

Turkey Quesadilla Variations

There are so many options when it comes to a quesadilla with turkey. Keep it simple with the sauce, turkey and cheese, or you can add leftover vegetables like roasted carrot and parsnips and some broccoli too. You can give them a green boost by adding some shredded spinach. Sliced red bell pepper works well too.

When it comes to cheese, a cheddar is always a good idea, but you could use a mixture of cheeses and then it makes it a good recipe to use the leftovers from a cheese board. We love the addition of Stilton in this leftover turkey quesadilla recipe. We also love our Homemade Pickled Red Onions in these.

Leftover turkey can sometimes be a little dry, so you need some kind of sauce with it. You have a few options here - you could go for a traditional salsa, or use BBQ sauce like we have. We have used our Healthier Homemade BBQ Sauce too. You could also use a Pizza Sauce.

If you have loads of hummus leftover from Christmas, spread that on the tortillas instead - it gives it a bit of a protein boost too. We also like adding black beans for extra protein.

Want to make it even MORE festive? Use some leftover cranberry sauce or chutney and put some brie in there too. This is a favourite variation of ours and just screams Christmas quesadilla.

How to Make Leftover Turkey Quesadilla - Step by Step

A small bowl of shredded turkey in a barbecue sauce.
  1. Step 1: Mix the turkey and BBQ sauce together.
A flour tortilla in a frying pan with barbecue chicken on half of it.
  1. Step 2: Spread on half of each of the tortillas.
A flour tortilla in a frying pan with barbecue chicken and chopped vegetables on half of it.
  1. Step 3: Top with chopped vegetables.
A flour tortilla in a frying pan with barbecue chicken, chopped vegetables and grated cheese on half of it.
  1. Step 4: Sprinkle with cheese.
a frying pan with two folded quesadillas.
  1. Step 5: Repeat with the second. Fold them over and then put them in a dry frying pan.
a frying pan with two cooked quesadillas.
  1. Step 6: Gently cook over a medium heat for 2 minutes each side and carefully flip.

Cooking Quesadillas in the Oven

If you are making a big batch of quesadillas, then the best option s to do them in the oven.

  • Brush both sides of the quesadilla with butter or spray with oil and put on a lined baking sheet..
  • Bake at 425°F/220°C for about 8-10 minutes or until golden.
A slice of quesadilla on a blue plate.

Serving Suggestions

We love these turkey quesadillas as a quick and simple lunch, so there is no need to serve them with anything (other than some sour cream and chive dip or our guacamole recipe to dip them in) if you want something light. However, if you are making these for a few people, the you might want to serve up some sides. Here are some that so really well:

  • Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli
  • Hasselback Potatoes
  • Celeriac Chips
  • Oven Chips
  • Garlic Smashed Potatoes
  • Grilled Little Gem Salad
  • Baked Parsnip Fries
  • Parmesan Truffle Fries
  • Oven Baked Onion Rings

Extra Tips

  • Swap the BBQ sauce for some salsa or cranberry sauce for even more of a festive twist.
  • You can use cheddar, or add some other cheeses leftover from the cheeseboard.
  • Give these a green veggie boost by adding some shredded spinach.
  • Don't have turkey? You can use leftover shredded chicken instead.
  • You can also make quesadillas in the air fryer. It will take about 5-6 minutes at 180°C, flipping halfway.
Sliced up turkey quesadillas in front of some Christmas decorations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store leftover turkey quesadillas.

Because this recipe uses leftover turkey, these should be eaten straight after making and not stored.

Best tortillas to use for turkey quesadillas.

Whilst we love using corn tortilla in Mexican dishes, mainly tacos, they just won't work for quesadillas. You need to use flour tortillas, as they are much more pliable, they won't crack when cooked and they hold the cheese and filling together really well. You can also find flour tortillas in a range of sizes which is a bonus.

More Leftover Turkey Recipes

  • Turkey pie in a baking dish and some on a blue plate.
    Turkey Pie
  • A bowl of leftover turkey soup with two sprigs of thyme on top.
    Leftover Turkey Soup
  • Clementine and leftover turkey salad in a bowl topped with pine nuts and pomegranate seeds.
    Leftover Turkey Salad
  • Leftover turkey pasta in a bowl with a fork.
    Leftover Turkey Pasta

If you’ve tried this turkey quesadilla recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

Leftover BBQ Turkey Quesadilla surrounded by nachos and Christmas decorations.

Leftover BBQ Turkey Quesadillas

By: Dannii Martin
Try something different with leftover turkey and instead of boring sandwiches, make these healthy Leftover Turkey Quesadillas.
5 from 13 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Lunch, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep: 1 minute min
Cook: 4 minutes mins
Total: 5 minutes mins
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 377kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten
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Meat

Ingredients

  • 2 Soft flour tortillas
  • 100 g (0.5 cups) Shredded turkey
  • 4 tablespoon Homemade BBQ sauce
  • 40 g (0.33 cups) Cheddar cheese - grated
  • 150 g (1 cups) Leftover vegetables - chopped

Instructions

  • Mix 100 g Shredded turkey and 4 tablespoon Homemade BBQ sauce together.
  • Spread on half of each of 2 Soft flour tortillas.
  • Top with 150 g Leftover vegetables.
  • Sprinkle with 40 g Cheddar cheese.
  • Fold them over and then put them in a dry pan.
  • Gently cook for 2 minutes each side and carefully flip.

Recipe Tips

  • Swap the BBQ sauce for some salsa or cranberry sauce for even more of a festive twist.
  • You can use cheddar, or add some other cheeses leftover from the cheeseboard.
  • Give these a green veggie boost by adding some shredded spinach.
  • Don't have turkey? You can use leftover shredded chicken instead.
  • You can also make quesadillas in the air fryer. It will take about 5-6 minutes at 180°C, flipping halfway.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1quesadilla | Calories: 377kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 804mg | Potassium: 414mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 4108IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 223mg | Iron: 3mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Traci says

    December 28, 2019 at 3:42 pm

    5 stars
    This is the perfect use for leftover turkey! So easy, quick, and delicious. Thanks for sharing :)

    Reply
  2. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

    December 28, 2019 at 3:37 pm

    5 stars
    Quesadillas are a secret guilty pleasure of mine -- and you've taken it over the top with the leftover turkey and brie! Cranberry sauce was even better than the typical salsa, too!

    Reply
  3. David says

    December 28, 2019 at 3:16 pm

    5 stars
    Always like to find new recipes for leftover turkey, plus I haven't made quesidillas in awhile so this is perfct timing for me! And I need to check out your BBQ sauce recipe, too.

    Reply
  4. Veena Azmanov says

    December 28, 2019 at 3:04 pm

    5 stars
    This is definitely a yummy snack and a mini meal option. Delicious and flavorful and crunchy and cheesy too.

    Reply
  5. thisiswholesome says

    December 27, 2019 at 6:04 pm

    5 stars
    I love the ideas of turning leftovers into a yummy recipe. I can't wait to make these.

    Reply
  6. Laura says

    December 27, 2019 at 3:02 pm

    5 stars
    This does look like a great recipe to make before the year ends. Great alternative to sandwiches and a wonderful way to save those leftovers.

    Reply
  7. Alison says

    December 27, 2019 at 2:20 pm

    5 stars
    The BBQ sauce in these quesadillas are awesome! It's not something I think to add when making a quesadilla but it was amazing.

    Reply
  8. kim says

    December 27, 2019 at 12:07 pm

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! This was super tasty and so easy! Will definitely make again!

    Reply
  9. Tonje says

    December 27, 2019 at 11:56 am

    5 stars
    Yum! This looks amazing. Definitely trying this recipe after our New Year's turkey dinner.

    Reply
5 from 13 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.

Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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