Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders Recipe

Introduction

These Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders are a delicious way to transform your holiday leftovers into a mouthwatering new meal. Tender turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and melted cheese all come together in soft slider buns for an easy and satisfying sandwich.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or sliced
• 6 slices Swiss cheese 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
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: Slice the slider rolls in half horizontally, keeping the individual rolls attached. Arrange the bottom halves in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and Dijon mustard. Spread this mixture evenly over the cut side of the bottom rolls.
4. Step 4: Distribute the turkey evenly over the prepared buns. Spoon the cranberry sauce over the turkey.
5. Step 5: Layer the halved slices of cheese over the turkey and cranberry. Place the top halves of the rolls over the cheese.
6. Step 6: In another small bowl, mix melted butter with garlic powder, onion powder, poppy seeds, and parsley. Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the rolls.
7. Step 7: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
8. Step 8: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
9. Step 9: Remove from oven, let cool briefly, then separate the sliders using a sharp knife. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Use leftover turkey from your holiday meal or rotisserie chicken for a quick alternative.
• Swap Swiss or provolone with cheddar or mozzarella for different flavor profiles.
• If you prefer a sweeter touch, add a drizzle of honey to the mayo-mustard spread.
• For extra crunch, sprinkle toasted nuts like pecans over the cranberry sauce before adding cheese.

Storage

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through to keep the bread from getting soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these sliders ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the sliders a few hours in advance and refrigerate them covered. Bake just before serving for the freshest results.

What can I use instead of cranberry sauce?

If you don’t have cranberry sauce, a berry jam or a tangy chutney works well as a substitute to provide a sweet and savory contrast.

Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders Recipe

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4.7 from 290 reviews

These Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders are a delicious and easy way to transform holiday leftovers into a savory and satisfying meal. Featuring shredded turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, creamy mayonnaise and mustard spread, and melted Swiss or provolone cheese on soft slider buns, finished with a buttery poppy seed topping and baked to golden perfection.

• Author: Ruby
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 sliders 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Slider Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or sliced
• 6 slices Swiss cheese or provolone cheese, halved
• 12 slider rolls or mini brioche buns

Sauces and Toppings

• 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
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the sliders.
2. Prepare Rolls: Slice the slider rolls in half horizontally, keeping the rolls attached. Arrange the bottom halves evenly in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Mix and Spread Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and Dijon mustard. Spread this mixture evenly over the cut side of the bottom halves of the rolls.
4. Add Turkey and Cranberry: Evenly distribute the shredded or sliced turkey over the prepared buns, then spoon whole berry cranberry sauce over the turkey layer.
5. Add Cheese and Top Rolls: Place halved slices of Swiss or provolone cheese evenly over the turkey and cranberry, then cover with the top halves of the rolls.
6. Prepare and Apply Topping: In another small bowl, mix the melted butter with garlic powder, onion powder, poppy seeds, and chopped parsley if using. Brush this flavorful butter mixture generously over the tops of the assembled rolls.
7. Bake Covered, Then Uncovered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
8. Finish and Serve: Remove the sliders from the oven and let them cool briefly. Separate each slider using a sharp knife and serve warm for a delicious meal or appetizer.

Notes

• You can substitute Swiss or provolone cheese with cheddar or mozzarella if preferred.
• Using mini brioche buns adds a richer flavor and softer texture to the sliders.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the butter topping mixture.
• Leftover cranberry sauce or homemade cranberry relish both work well in this recipe.
• These sliders are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in the oven covered with foil to retain moisture.

Keywords: Thanksgiving leftovers, turkey sliders, cranberry sauce sliders, holiday sandwiches, baked sliders, sandwich recipe