Need something to do with all of that leftover Thanksgiving turkey? I’ve got the perfect solution. These Turkey Sliders are a quick & easy way to repurpose turkey into tasty little sandwiches. The cranberry sauce is the perfect addition, and everything gets sandwiched between buttery Hawaiian rolls. These sliders can also be enjoyed all year long with regular turkey deli meat. If you’re not a person who loves leftovers…this recipe might just change your mind ;)
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I feel like leftover turkey sandwiches are a given after Thanksgiving, but turkey can easily become dry and boring. So, instead of just throwing it between two slices of bread, I like to get a little more creative with my leftovers! These turkey cranberry sliders are one of my favorite ways to enjoy my Thanksgiving turkey breast all over again. I layer it between sweet Hawaiian rolls with tangy cranberry sauce and Swiss cheese, then top it off with a buttery mustard glaze. It’s easy, delicious, and even works with regular deli turkey meat!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these turkey and cheese sliders:
- Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: These are the perfect size for slider sandwiches and have a slightly sweet flavor that goes well with the savory turkey. I also like how they’re all connected, making it easy to slice them all at once! If you can’t find Hawaiian rolls at the store, regular dinner rolls work just as well, but you might need to add more filling because they’re a bit bigger than Hawaiian rolls.
- Cooked Turkey: I used leftover turkey breast that had already been roasted and cooled. You can use a mix of dark and white meat, depending on your preference. I also tested this recipe with sliced deli turkey. Both options work well, which means I can make these sliders any time of year!
- Cranberry Sauce: Either homemade cranberry sauce or store-bought will work perfectly fine.
- Swiss Cheese: Adds a mild cheesy flavor and melts beautifully. But you can use any type of cheese you like! This is the perfect opportunity to use up any leftover cheeses from your holiday cheese board. :)
- Butter Sauce: I brush the tops of the rolls with a mixture of melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and everything bagel seasoning. The flavor and texture this sauce adds is amazing, and I never make a slider without it now!
Do I have to Use the Cranberry Sauce?
The cranberry sauce is completely optional, but I think it tastes so good with the leftover turkey. It stops it from getting dry in the oven by adding extra moisture, and the sweetness compliments the sandwich very well. But that said, the cranberry sauce didn’t work as well with the turkey deli meat as it did with leftover turkey breast.
Tips & Variations to Try!
- I tested this recipe with both deli turkey and cooked turkey breast. The turkey breast was definitely more flavorful, but the deli turkey is quick and easy to use. It’s also readily available year-round and doesn’t count on me having leftovers. Or, if you have leftover ham instead of turkey, you can make these ham and cheese sliders instead!
- Trust me when I tell you these Hawaiian roll turkey sliders can burn quickly once you remove the foil at the end. Mine only needed an extra 5-7 minutes to get lightly browned on top. Keep an eye on your sliders because all ovens are different.
- I use a serrated knife to slice the Hawaiian rolls in half. These rolls are super soft, so using a serrated knife helps create a clean slice without squishing the rolls too much!
- You can easily prep some of this recipe ahead of time for potlucks, party appetizers, or tailgates! I’d slice the rolls, then layer the turkey and Swiss cheese on top. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. I wouldn’t add the cranberry sauce or butter sauce until right before baking to stop the rolls from getting soggy.
Storing Leftovers
These turkey sliders are definitely best when served fresh and warm out of the oven because the cranberry sauce can make them soggy if they sit for too long. However, if you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I’d reheat them in the oven at 350°F for the best texture. Make sure the turkey is hot all the way through before serving! Please note this storage time is only a suggestion and will depend on how fresh your turkey was to begin with.
Turkey Sliders Recipe
Servings 6 servings (2 sliders each)Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls ($4.79)
- 4 cups leftover sliced turkey meat* ($0.00)
- 1 cup cranberry sauce ($1.00)
- 6 slices Swiss cheese ($1.87)
- 8 Tbsp butter ($1.12)
- 1 ½ tsp Dijon mustard ($0.02)
- 1 ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce ($0.05)
- 1 ½ Tbsp everything bagel seasoning ($0.30)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice the rolls in half lengthwise.
- Place the bottom half of the rolls in a 9×13" baking dish. Evenly divide and layer the turkey meat over each roll.
- Spread the cranberry sauce over the turkey.
- Add the Swiss cheese on top of the cranberry sauce in a single layer.
- Now, make the butter mixture. Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Add the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and everything bagel seasoning to the bowl. Whisk all the ingredients together.
- Place the top rolls on top of the cheese. Using a pastry brush, brush the butter mixture over the tops of the rolls and the sides of the sandwiches. Brush several layers of the butter, making sure the rolls are well coated. You can also carefully pour the butter mixture over the top if you don't have a pastry brush.
- Loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the aluminum foil and continue baking for 5-7 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
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Equipment
- 9×13 Baking Dish
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!how to make Turkey Sliders – step by step photos
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls in half lengthwise.
Place the bottom half of the rolls in a 9×13″ baking dish. Evenly divide and layer 4 cups lefltover turkey meat over each roll.
Spread 1 cup cranberry sauce over the turkey.
Add 6 slices Swiss cheese on top of the cranberry sauce in a single layer.
Now make the butter mixture. Melt 8 Tbsp butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Add 1 ½ tsp Dijon mustard, 1 ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 ½ Tbsp everything bagel seasoning to the bowl. Whisk all the ingredients together.
Place the top rolls on top of the cheese. Using a pastry brush, brush the butter mixture over the tops of the rolls and the sides of the sandwiches. Brush several layers of the butter making sure the rolls are well coated. You can also carefully pour the butter mixture over the top if you don’t have a pastry brush.
Loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the aluminum foil and continue baking for 5-7 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
This turkey sliders recipe is the best appetizer, day-after-Thanksgiving meal, or weeknight dinner! It’s easy to make and perfect for serving a crowd.
