Friendsgiving is the ultimate celebration of togetherness, where friends become family, and food is the language that binds us all. This Friendsgiving Turkey & Cranberry Sliders recipe is a delightful fusion of classic holiday flavors, crafted to bring a cozy, comforting touch to your festive gathering. With tender turkey, tangy cranberry, and a hint of seasonal spice, these sliders are the perfect way to savor the flavors of the season and create lasting memories with your loved ones.
Why You’ll Love This Friendsgiving Turkey & Cranberry Sliders
These Friendsgiving Turkey & Cranberry Sliders are a true crowd-pleaser, blending the familiar comfort of Thanksgiving with a modern, handheld twist. The combination of juicy turkey, tart cranberry, and savory stuffing all nestled between soft, fluffy buns creates a flavor explosion in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a Friendsgiving feast or looking for a unique appetizer to share, these sliders are sure to be the star of the show. Plus, with their easy-to-assemble nature, you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time mingling with your guests, creating the ultimate Friendsgiving experience.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for a delightful blend of classic Thanksgiving ingredients, including tender turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and savory stuffing, all brought together on soft, pillowy buns. The key ingredients are turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and dinner rolls or slider buns.
- 2 cups – Cooked, shredded turkey
- 1 cup – Cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup – Prepared stuffing
- 12 – Dinner rolls or slider buns, sliced in half
- 1 tbsp – Unsalted butter, melted (optional)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Turkey: Swap the turkey for 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken (an easy time-saver)
- Dietary Restrictions: Use a plant-based meat alternative for a vegetarian or vegan option
How to Make Friendsgiving Turkey & Cranberry Sliders
Assembling these delightful sliders is a breeze, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the company of your friends and loved ones.
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Slice the dinner rolls or slider buns in half, creating the top and bottom pieces. Warm the turkey and stuffing according to package instructions, and prepare the cranberry sauce if using homemade.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Assemble the sliders by placing a generous portion of warm turkey onto the bottom buns, followed by a spoonful of cranberry sauce and a layer of stuffing. Carefully place the top buns over the fillings, creating a complete slider.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Arrange the assembled sliders on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the buns are lightly toasted and the fillings are heated through. This will help meld the flavors and create a delightful, cohesive bite.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
For an extra special touch, you can brush the tops of the buns with the melted butter, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or thyme, or add a final drizzle of cranberry sauce for a pop of color and flavor.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Cheese Addition: Sprinkle a handful of shredded cheddar or Gruyère cheese over the turkey before adding the cranberry sauce and stuffing for a melty, indulgent twist.
- Caramelized Onions: Add a layer of sweet, caramelized onions to the sliders for an extra depth of flavor.
- Mashed Potato Topping: For a heartier slider, top the turkey with a dollop of creamy mashed potatoes before adding the cranberry sauce and stuffing.
- Bun Variations: Experiment with different types of buns, such as fluffy Hawaiian rolls, savory pretzel buns, or even buttery brioche sliders to suit your taste preferences.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: A fresh green salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a side of mashed potatoes for a complete Friendsgiving feast.
Storage: Any leftover sliders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes, or in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, until warmed through.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the sliders in advance and store them, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to bake. This makes for a hassle-free party prep.
Nutrition Information
These Friendsgiving Turkey & Cranberry Sliders are a hearty and satisfying dish, providing a balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Each slider contains approximately 200 calories, with 15 grams of protein, 25 grams of carbohydrates, and 8 grams of fat, making them a nutritious and delicious option for your Friendsgiving celebration.
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Protein: 15 g
- Carbs: 25 g
- Fat: 8 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the sliders ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the sliders and store them in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Just be sure to cover them tightly to prevent them from drying out.
Can I use leftover Thanksgiving turkey?
Absolutely! Using leftover turkey is a great way to repurpose those holiday flavors and reduce food waste.
What kind of bread works best for the sliders?
The best options are dinner rolls or slider buns, as they provide the perfect vessel for the filling ingredients. Hawaiian rolls, brioche buns, or even savory pretzel rolls would also work well.
Can I make a vegetarian or vegan version?
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be vegetarian or vegan. Simply substitute the turkey with a plant-based meat alternative, and use a vegan-friendly stuffing and cranberry sauce.
How do I reheat the sliders?
For best results, reheat the assembled sliders in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes, or until the buns are lightly toasted, and the fillings are heated through.
Try These Next
- Harvest Festive Turkey And Cranberry Sliders
- Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Sliders With Cranberry Sauce
- Savory Turkey And Cranberry Sliders With Herb Sauce
Friendsgiving Turkey & Cranberry Sliders
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: 🎉 Festive & Seasonal Feasts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Friendsgiving Turkey & Cranberry Sliders are a perfect way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. They are easy to prepare and full of flavor!
Ingredients
– 12 slider buns
– 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded
– 1 cup cranberry sauce
– 1 cup cream cheese, softened
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
– 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
– 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. 2. In a large bowl, mix together the shredded turkey, cranberry sauce, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, rosemary, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. 3. Slice the slider buns in half and place the bottom halves in a baking dish.
4. 4. Spread the turkey mixture evenly over the bottom halves of the buns.
5. 5. Top with shredded Swiss cheese and then place the top halves of the buns on.
6. 6. Brush the tops of the buns with melted butter.
7. 7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
8. 8. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
9. 9. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
– These sliders can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
– Feel free to customize the ingredients with your favorite herbs or cheeses.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Turkey, Cranberry, Sliders, Friendsgiving