Leftover Turkey Carnitas Tacos Recipe

Once your holiday feast comes to pass, you’re almost certain to find your refrigerator stuffed with leftovers. However, that doesn’t mean you want to eat the same meal again and again in the days that follow.

The star of many seasonal celebrations, turkey can be reused in a variety of post-holiday dishes to cut down on food waste and create fresh new meals your whole family can enjoy.

Gone are the days of simply reheating turkey and stuffing or making a turkey sandwich. Instead, reinvent your holiday extras through fresh takes on classic dishes like this spicy Leftover Turkey Carnitas Tacos recipe.

Anything but boring, this recipe brings bold flavors and spices to your leftovers, giving a whole new zest and life to your post-holiday meals. Additionally, this recipe is so simple and easy that you will find it the perfect option for the days after your holiday festivities.

Ingredients

Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 (2-3 tacos each)

• 4-6 garlic cloves, peeled and separated
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 cup fresh bitter orange juice or fresh lime juice with fresh orange juice combo
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Tajín Clasico Seasoning
• 1 cup leftover turkey, shredded
• 1 cup duck fat, ghee or high smoke point oil of choice
• 4-6 tortillas

Toppings (optional):

• pico de gallo
• pickled onions
• cilantro
• pomegranate seeds
• avocado

Instructions

1. With mortar and pestle, crush together garlic cloves and salt, make paste and place in medium bowl.
2. Stir in juice, olive oil and seasoning.
3. Fold mojo into shredded turkey meat.
4. In large, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat, melt duck fat and wait until it forms a wave. Add turkey, in batches, stirring often, until meat turns light golden brown, then lower heat to medium. Turn off heat.
5. Heat up tortillas, place turkey carnitas on top and add pico de gallo, pickled onions, cilantro, pomegranate seeds or avocado as desired.

Note:

Once browned in duck fat, carnitas can be stored in the fat overnight and reheated over low heat to melt fat and warm carnitas.