Let’s be honest. The best part of Thanksgiving is the leftovers, but by the third day, even the most devoted turkey lover might be feeling a little… uninspired. That’s where these irresistible Turkey Cranberry Sliders come in! They’re the ultimate solution for transforming that mountain of leftover turkey into a fun, delicious, and incredibly easy meal that the whole family will gobble up.
Imagine this: soft, buttery rolls layered with juicy turkey, creamy sauce, and that sweet-tart pop of cranberry sauce, all baked until warm and melty. It’s like a cozy Thanksgiving sandwich, but better. Seriously, these sliders are so good, you might just start roasting a turkey just to have the “leftovers.”
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Turkey Cranberry Sliders
- Ultimate Leftover Magic: They give your Thanksgiving leftovers a brilliant and delicious second life, reducing food waste in the tastiest way possible.
- Crazy Easy: This recipe comes together in about 20 minutes with minimal effort. It’s the perfect low-stakes cooking after a big holiday.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s for a casual lunch, game day, or a post-Thanksgiving family feast, these sliders are always a hit with both kids and adults.
- Endlessly Customizable: Don’t have exactly these ingredients? No problem! I’ll give you plenty of tasty swaps and variations below.
Gathering Your Ingredients
This recipe is wonderfully forgiving, so feel free to use what you have on hand :
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Turkey Cranberry Slider Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
Description
Transform Today leftovers Easy turkey slider hack with cranberry sauce rolls Quick recipe for a fast delicious post Thanksgiving meal
Ingredients
- 12 slider rolls
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or sliced
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 6 slices provolone cheese, cut in half
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 tablespoon Everything Bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Without separating the individual rolls, slice the entire sheet of slider rolls in half horizontally, creating a top and bottom slab. Place the bottom slab in a baking dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Spread the creamy sauce evenly over the bottom layer of rolls. Then, layer on the shredded turkey. Dollop the cranberry sauce over the turkey and gently spread it out. Top with the halved provolone cheese slices.
- Place the top slab of rolls on the cheese. Brush the melted butter evenly over the top of the rolls and sprinkle generously with the Everything Bagel seasoning.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops of the rolls are golden brown.
- Let the sliders cool for a minute or two, then slice them into individual sliders and serve.
Notes
An irresistible recipe for transforming Thanksgiving leftovers into fun, delicious, and easy Turkey Cranberry Sliders that the whole family will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 sliders
- Calories: 245 calories
- Sugar: 6 g
- Fat: 13 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- 12 slider rolls (like Hawaiian rolls or small dinner rolls)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or sliced
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 6 slices provolone cheese, cut in half
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 tablespoon Everything Bagel seasoning (or sesame seeds)
How to Make Thanksgiving Leftover Sliders
Follow these simple steps for the most delicious sliders of your life.
- Prep the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Without separating the individual rolls, slice the entire sheet of slider rolls in half horizontally, creating a top and bottom slab. Place the bottom slab in a baking dish.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Layer It Up: Spread the creamy sauce evenly over the bottom layer of rolls. Then, layer on the shredded turkey. Dollop the cranberry sauce over the turkey and gently spread it out. Top with the halved provolone cheese slices.
- Top and Butter: Place the top slab of rolls on the cheese. Brush the melted butter evenly over the top of the rolls and sprinkle generously with the Everything Bagel seasoning.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops of the rolls are golden brown.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the sliders cool for a minute or two, then slice them into individual sliders and watch them disappear!
Handy Tools You’ll Need
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry brush
Tips, Tricks, and Tasty Variations
The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. Here’s how to make it your own:
- Cheese Swap: Provolone is our favorite, but Swiss, cheddar, or even pepper jack would be fantastic.
- Mix-Up the Meat: This is a fantastic way to use up leftover ham or even rotisserie chicken!
- Cranberry Choices: Jellied or whole-berry cranberry sauce both work. You could even use a flavored cranberry relish for a fun twist.
- Make it Ahead: You can assemble these sliders a day in advance, cover them tightly, and keep them in the fridge. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you’re putting them in the oven cold.
- Reheating Leftovers: Pop individual sliders in the air fryer or a toaster oven for a few minutes to get them crispy again. The microwave will work in a pinch but can make the buns a bit soft.
I first started making these for my family the Friday after Thanksgiving, and it’s since become a non-negotiable tradition. It’s the one meal everyone looks forward to almost as much as the main event!
What to Serve With Your Sliders
These sliders are a meal all on their own, but if you want to round out your plate, they pair wonderfully with a light, crunchy side to balance their richness. A simple Easy Wedge Salad or a handful of baby carrots and chips is perfect. If you’re still in a potato mood, you can’t go wrong with a side of these Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes—they’re not just for breakfast!
Turkey Cranberry Sliders Nutrition Info
Remember, this will vary based on your specific ingredients, but it’s a good general guide per slider.
Calories: 245 | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 320mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g
So there you have it! The easiest, most delicious way to tackle your Thanksgiving leftovers. These Turkey Cranberry Sliders are the perfect blend of comfort food and clever cooking, turning the expected into the extraordinary. I promise this recipe will become a cherished part of your holiday weekend routine.
Your Turkey Cranberry Slider Questions, Answered
Can I freeze these sliders?
You can! Assemble them completely (without brushing with butter) and wrap the entire pan tightly in both plastic wrap and foil before freezing. When you’re ready, bake from frozen, adding the butter and seasoning before putting them in the oven. You’ll need to add significant baking time—start with 30 minutes covered, then 10-15 uncovered.
I don’t have slider rolls. What can I use instead?
No problem! You can use larger sandwich rolls or even croissants for a delicious, flaky variation. Just adjust the baking time as needed based on the size.
What’s a good substitute for the creamy sauce?
A simple combination of mayonnaise and a bit of Dijon is fine. For a tangier flavor, some whole grain mustard would be lovely. You could also use a creamy Italian or ranch dressing in a pinch.
How long will the leftovers last?
Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer for the best texture.
More Easy Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed making these sliders, you’ll definitely want to try these other simple and satisfying dishes:
Easy Sausage and Peppers or this creamy Creamy Tuscan Chicken. They’re both weeknight heroes in my house.