Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders — Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes
There’s something magical about the day after Thanksgiving: the house still smells like roasting herbs, the fridge is full of memories, and you’re suddenly a creative chef tasked with transforming leftovers into something exciting. I fell in love with these Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders the first year I tried them — I had a quiet weeknight, two cups of shredded turkey, and a craving for something warm and comforting. One bite of sweet-tart cranberry, creamy cheese, and buttery roll brought back the best parts of the holiday in sandwich form. Sliders are a modern, crowd-pleasing twist on classic Thanksgiving flavors and a wonderful way to celebrate the tradition of repurposing leftovers into something new.
Who is this recipe for?
- For busy parents, post-holiday hosts, beginners in the kitchen, and anyone who loves quick comfort food using Thanksgiving leftovers.
Core ingredients overview:
- This dish combines 2 cups cooked turkey (shredded or sliced), 6 slices Swiss or provolone cheese (halved), 12 slider rolls or mini brioche buns, 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted), 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional), 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional), 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder to create gooey, savory-sweet sliders that bake up in about 20 minutes.
Tools & Ingredients
Tools
- 9×13-inch baking dish (or similar-sized casserole dish)
- Small mixing bowls (2)
- Pastry brush or spoon (for spreading butter)
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula or large spoon (to spread turkey and cranberry)
- Aluminum foil
- Oven mitts
Ingredients (with quick benefits)
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or sliced — Makes use of leftovers and adds lean protein.
- 6 slices Swiss cheese or provolone cheese, halved — Melts beautifully and adds creamy, savory flavor.
- 12 slider rolls or mini brioche buns — Soft, buttery bread that holds fillings without falling apart.
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce — Provides sweet-tart brightness that defines the holiday flavor.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise — Adds creaminess and helps bind flavors.
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard — Lends tangy depth and balances the sweetness of cranberry.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted — Encourages a golden, rich top crust.
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, optional — Adds a subtle crunch and visual appeal.
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional — Fresh herb lift and a pop of color.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder — Boosts savory umami with minimal effort.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder — Enhances overall savory flavor and rounds out seasoning.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Slice the slider rolls in half horizontally, keeping the individual rolls attached so they form a single sheet of tops and bottoms.
- Arrange the bottom halves of the rolls in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Spread the mixture evenly over the cut side of the bottom rolls.
- Distribute 2 cups of cooked turkey evenly over the prepared buns.
- Spoon 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce over the turkey, spreading gently.
- Layer the halved slices of cheese over the turkey and cranberry layers.
- Place the top halves of the rolls over the cheese.
- In another small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (if using), and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (if using).
- Brush the butter mixture generously over the tops of the rolls so they brown nicely while baking.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden.
- Remove the dish from the oven and allow the sliders to cool briefly. Use a sharp knife to separate the sliders into individual servings.
- Serve the sliders warm and enjoy.
Always add
tag after Directions.
FAQ
Q: Can I freeze this recipe?
A: You can assemble the sliders without baking, wrap the entire baking dish tightly in foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking; you may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Q: What can I use instead of whole berry cranberry sauce?
A: You can use cranberry relish, a smear of cranberry chutney, or even a thin layer of cranberry-orange marmalade for a brighter citrus note.
Q: Can I make these vegetarian?
A: Yes — substitute cooked thinly sliced roasted vegetables (like mushrooms and roasted peppers) or a plant-based deli slice in place of turkey.
Q: How do I reheat leftovers without making the rolls soggy?
A: Reheat individual sliders in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–10 minutes, or microwave briefly and then crisp the tops in a toaster oven. Cover loosely to retain moisture but avoid steaming.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t overload with cranberry: a thin, even layer keeps each bite balanced and prevents soggy bread.
- Use room-temperature butter mixture for easy brushing and even browning.
- Keep rolls attached while slicing to make assembly faster and to ensure even portions when serving.
- For extra flavor, warm the turkey briefly in a skillet with a splash of broth or pan juices before layering.
Conclusion
If you’d like inspiration or variations, check out a few similar recipes such as Cranberry Turkey Sliders – Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe, Turkey Cranberry Sliders – I Heart Eating, and Turkey Sliders – Yellow Bliss Road for ideas on swaps, presentation, or serving suggestions.
Enjoy these warm, cozy sliders — they’re perfect for sharing with family and friends, and reinventing Thanksgiving flavors into something simple and satisfying. Always add
tag after Directions.
Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or sliced Makes use of leftovers and adds lean protein.
- 6 slices Swiss cheese or provolone cheese, halved Melts beautifully and adds creamy, savory flavor.
- 12 pieces slider rolls or mini brioche buns Soft, buttery bread that holds fillings without falling apart.
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce Provides sweet-tart brightness that defines the holiday flavor.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise Adds creaminess and helps bind flavors.
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Lends tangy depth and balances the sweetness of cranberry.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Encourages a golden, rich top crust.
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, optional Adds a subtle crunch and visual appeal.
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional Fresh herb lift and a pop of color.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder Boosts savory umami with minimal effort.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder Enhances overall savory flavor and rounds out seasoning.
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Slice the slider rolls in half horizontally, keeping the individual rolls attached so they form a single sheet of tops and bottoms.
- Arrange the bottom halves of the rolls in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Spread the mixture evenly over the cut side of the bottom rolls.
- Distribute 2 cups of cooked turkey evenly over the prepared buns.
- Spoon 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce over the turkey, spreading gently.
- Layer the halved slices of cheese over the turkey and cranberry layers.
- Place the top halves of the rolls over the cheese.
- In another small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (if using), and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (if using).
- Brush the butter mixture generously over the tops of the rolls so they brown nicely while baking.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden.
- Remove the dish from the oven and allow the sliders to cool briefly.
- Use a sharp knife to separate the sliders into individual servings.
- Serve the sliders warm and enjoy.
