Thanksgiving is a time of gathering, gratitude, and indulging in delicious comfort foods. But what do you do with all those leftover turkey slices once the big feast is over? Transform them into these Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce – a creative and craveable way to enjoy the flavors of the holiday well into the winter months.
Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce
These juicy, melty turkey sliders are the ultimate in cozy, comfort-food nostalgia. Tender turkey is piled high on soft, pillowy buns, then smothered in a bright, zesty cranberry sauce that cuts through the richness. Warm, satisfying, and easy to make, these sliders are a delicious way to bring people together and savor the flavors of the season. Plus, they’re a cinch to whip up using up your Thanksgiving leftovers – no waste here!
Ingredients
This recipe calls for just a handful of simple ingredients, most of which you likely have on hand from your Thanksgiving feast. You’ll need leftover roasted turkey, fluffy dinner rolls or Hawaiian buns, creamy mayonnaise, tangy Dijon mustard, and a quick homemade cranberry sauce.
- 2 cups (340g) – Shredded or finely chopped leftover roasted turkey
- 12 slider-sized buns (such as dinner rolls or Hawaiian buns)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) – Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) – Dijon mustard
- 1 cup (150g) – Fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup (100g) – Granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (60ml) – Fresh orange juice
- Pinch of salt
Ingredient Substitutions
- Turkey: Rotisserie chicken or plant-based turkey alternative (for a vegetarian option)
- Buns: King’s Hawaiian rolls or brioche sliders (for a softer texture)
How to Make Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce
Begin by prepping your ingredients. Then, make a quick cranberry sauce on the stovetop. Assemble the sliders and bake until warmed through. It’s that simple!
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by shredding or finely chopping your leftover turkey into bite-sized pieces. Slice your dinner rolls or buns in half horizontally to create the slider “buns.” In a small bowl, stir together the mayo and Dijon to make a quick sandwich spread.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Spread the mayo-mustard mixture onto the bottom buns. Top with the shredded turkey, then spoon the warm cranberry sauce generously over the top. Place the top buns on the sliders and serve warm.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
For an extra festive touch, garnish the turkey sliders with fresh rosemary sprigs or a sprinkle of toasted pecans.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Get Creative: Feel free to swap out the turkey for roasted chicken or plant-based “turkey” slices. You can also switch up the toppings, using a smear of creamy brie, crunchy dill pickles, or caramelized onions instead of the cranberry sauce.
- Load It Up: For a hearty, loaded slider, add a spoonful of your leftover stuffing or mashed potatoes.
- Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce: The cranberry sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the sliders.
- Reheating Tips: If your leftover turkey is cold from the fridge, you can quickly reheat it in the microwave or a skillet before adding it to the buns.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Sliders pair beautifully with a crisp green salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a steaming bowl of creamy mashed potatoes. They also make a delicious appetizer alongside a festive holiday charcuterie board.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Simply reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Make-Ahead: The cooked cranberry sauce and baked buns can be frozen separately and thawed when ready to assemble the sliders.
Nutrition Information
These turkey sliders are a satisfying, protein-packed way to enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers. Each slider contains approximately 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, 18 grams of carbs, and 15 grams of protein. The cranberry sauce adds a boost of vitamin C, while the whole grain buns provide fiber to keep you feeling full.
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Protein: 15 g
- Carbs: 18 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the cranberry sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The cranberry sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the sliders.
Do I need to reheat the turkey?
Not necessarily. The turkey will warm up nicely when you assemble the sliders. However, if your leftover turkey is cold from the fridge, you can quickly reheat it in the microwave or a skillet before adding it to the buns.
Can I freeze the assembled sliders?
For best texture and flavor, we recommend assembling and serving the sliders fresh. However, you can freeze the cooked cranberry sauce and thaw it in the fridge when ready to use. The baked buns can also be frozen separately and reheated before assembling.
What should I serve with the turkey sliders?
These Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Sliders pair beautifully with a crisp green salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a steaming bowl of creamy mashed potatoes. They also make a delicious appetizer alongside a festive holiday charcuterie board.
How spicy is the cranberry sauce?
The cranberry sauce in this recipe has a nice zing from the orange juice and a touch of warmth from the pinch of salt, but it’s not overly spicy. Feel free to add a dash of cayenne or red pepper flakes if you want to amp up the heat.
Try These Next
- Thanksgiving Leftover Sliders With Cranberry Sauce
- Savory Turkey And Cranberry Sliders With Herb Sauce
- Cheesy Applewood Smoked Turkey Melt With Cranberry Sauce
Flavorful Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: 🎉 Festive & Seasonal Feasts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These sliders are a delicious way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers, featuring juicy turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and melty cheese on soft slider buns.
Ingredients
– 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
– 1 cup cranberry sauce
– 1 cup Swiss or cheddar cheese, shredded
– 12 slider buns
– 1/2 cup mayonnaise
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1.
2. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
3. 2. In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. 3. Slice the slider buns in half and place the bottom halves in a baking dish.
5. 4. Layer the shredded turkey over the bottom halves of the buns.
6. 5. Spread cranberry sauce over the turkey.
7. 6. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the cranberry sauce.
8. 7. Spread the mayonnaise mixture evenly over the inside of the top halves of the buns.
9. 8. Place the top halves of the buns on the sliders.
10. 9. Brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder.
11. 10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
12. 11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
13. 12. Remove from the oven, slice into individual sliders, and serve warm.
Notes
These sliders can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving. Feel free to customize with your favorite leftovers or add some greens for extra crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Turkey, Sliders, Thanksgiving, Leftovers