Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders Recipe
These Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders are a delicious and easy way to transform your leftover turkey into a flavorful sandwich. Combining savory turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, melty Swiss or provolone cheese, and a buttery, seasoned topping on soft slider buns, these sliders are baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a party appetizer or a cozy snack, they bring together classic holiday flavors in a fun, handheld form.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Slider Assembly
- 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
Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Topping
- 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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is at the right temperature for baking your sliders evenly.
- Prepare Rolls: Slice the slider rolls in half horizontally, keeping the individual rolls attached so they stay as a single unit. Arrange the bottom halves in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish to serve as the base for the sliders.
- Mix and Spread Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the cut side of the bottom rolls to add flavor and moisture.
- Add Turkey and Cranberry: Distribute the cooked turkey evenly over the sauce-covered buns. Spoon the whole berry cranberry sauce over the turkey to add a sweet and tangy contrast.
- Add Cheese and Top Rolls: Layer the halved slices of Swiss or provolone cheese over the turkey and cranberry mixture. Then place the top halves of the rolls over the cheese to form complete sliders.
- Prepare and Apply Topping: In another small bowl, mix the melted butter with garlic powder, onion powder, poppy seeds (if using), and chopped fresh parsley (if using). Brush this seasoned butter generously over the tops of the rolls to enrich flavor and help achieve a golden crust.
- Bake Covered, Then Uncovered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops of the sliders are golden brown.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the sliders from the oven and allow them to cool briefly to set. Use a sharp knife to carefully separate the sliders, then serve the warm sliders immediately for best taste.
Notes
- You can substitute the Swiss or provolone cheese with your favorite melting cheese such as mozzarella or cheddar.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free slider buns.
- The poppy seeds and parsley are optional but add a nice texture and fresh flavor to the topping.
- Leftover homemade cranberry sauce or store-bought versions both work well.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a teaspoon of hot sauce to the mayo-Dijon sauce mixture.
- These sliders are best served warm but can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for about 10 minutes covered with foil.
Keywords: Thanksgiving leftovers, turkey sliders, cranberry sauce, party appetizer, easy sliders, holiday sandwich, slider recipes
