The perfect mix of Tex-Mex and Thanksgiving flavors in every bite, these Thanksgiving Nachos are not only a quick snack or appetizer but a fun and crazy delicious way to use up all your Thanksgiving leftovers too.
You could also use up some Thanksgiving leftovers on our Totchos recipe (nachos made with tater tots!)
Easy Thanksgiving Leftover Nachos
These Thanksgiving Nachos can be made before or after Thanksgiving, but if you’ve got Thanksgiving leftovers, these nachos are a fantastic use for any turkey and cranberry sauce extras. Those are usually the two things we have the most leftover, so I’m always looking for creative ways to use them up.
I can’t say enough about these Thanksgiving leftover nachos. These are fun to make and a total circus of flavors in every bite. Though they’re meant to be a snack or appetizer, they could also double as a light lunch for kids, too.
Ingredients Needed
Most of the ingredients in these Thanksgiving nachos are just what you’d typically have left from a Thanksgiving dinner.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Tortilla chips – The scoop-style tortilla chips are perfect for this Thanksgiving leftover recipe and make the perfect bite-sized snack.
- Turkey – A great way to use up the remaining pieces of Thanksgiving roast turkey.
- Salsa verde– The zesty taste of salsa verde pair perfectly with the other ingredients and flavors.
- Shredded cheese – I used spicy pepper jack but feel free to use a more mild cheese like Monterey jack. A Mexican blend would work well, too.
- Cranberry sauce – We always have leftover homemade cranberry sauce but the store-bought version works just as well, if that’s what you served.
- Lime juice – The hint of citrus brightens up the flavors.
- Sour cream – Adds a nice cool, tangy component.
- Cilantro – Use as much or as little as you desire (or omit if you’re not a cilantro fan.)
How to Make Thanksgiving Nachos
These Thanksgiving leftover nachos are ridiculously easy to prepare.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Make the turkey mixture. Arrange the chips on a baking sheet lined with parchment or foil, in a single layer. Combine the turkey and salsa in a bowl. Fill each tortilla chip with the mixture, then top with a sprinkle of cheese.
- Bake. Bake until the cheese is melted and the chips are golden, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven.
- Add the toppings. Combine the cranberry sauce and lime juice. Top each chip with a dollop of the cranberry mixture and sour cream. Sprinkle with cilantro. Enjoy!
Make these into more of a Traditional Nacho Platter
How to Store Leftovers
These Thanksgiving nachos are best enjoyed immediately. The chips can become soggy if they sit too long with the toppings. If needed, you can reheat them in the oven but it’s best to do so without the sour cream. But these are so good, I’ve never come close to having leftovers to worry about.
More Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes:
- Cranberry Turkey Enchiladas
- Turkey Cranberry and Brie Naan Pizza
- Leftover Turkey Salad
- Turkey Tetrazzini
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Thanksgiving Nachos
Ingredients
- 48 scoop-style tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded or chopped roasted turkey
- 1/2 cup salsa verde
- 1 & 1/2 cups shredded pepper Jack cheese
- 1/3 cup cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 small bunch cilantro , coarsely chopped, or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil; arrange tortilla chips on it in a single layer.
- Stir turkey and salsa verde together in a bowl. Fill chips with turkey mixture, then top with cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and chips are golden, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, stir cranberry sauce and lime juice together in a bowl.
- Remove nachos from the oven and top each chip with some of the cranberry-lime mixture and a small dollop of the sour cream. Sprinkle with cilantro. Enjoy!
All the flavors in this are amazing, great use of leftover turkey when you can’t eat another turkey sandwich after 4 days of turkey sandwiches. Thanks for creating this, Amy! Deeelish!
I haven’t made this recipe… YET! But I definitely will be chowing down on Thanksgiving Nachos this Friday! They sound delicious. Thanks for the great idea.