Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Use your Thanksgiving leftovers for these Turkey Cranberry Sliders! These Hawaiian roll turkey sliders are made with leftover turkey, cranberry sauce and cheese, then baked with a savory butter drizzle.
Are you ready for some turkey! I am! Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday because it’s all about food (and naps). What’s better than that? Well, maybe the leftovers! This yummy Thanksgiving turkey sliders recipe does a GREAT job using up all of your leftover turkey and cranberry sauce!
Reusing my turkey leftovers from is always something I look forward to every year. I love to make a basic turkey noodle soup, but I REALLY love to make these melty Turkey Cranberry Sliders for the fam!
Want to make your Thanksgiving turkey breast in the air fryer? Check out my Air Fryer Turkey Breast. It gets great reviews!
If you’ve been following along on Blackberry Babe for a while, you know I am the Queen of Thanksgiving Turkey!
I have pretty much all of the cooking techniques for turkey documented here on my site, including smoked whole turkey, smoked boneless turkey breast, grilled turkey breast, fried turkey, air fried turkey or delicious oven roasted turkey!
But, after you enjoy your delicious turkey for the holiday, what should you do with the leftovers? My top pick is this recipe right here, Thanksgiving Leftovers Sliders!
If you have even more leftover turkey after making this sliders recipe, I recommend using it in this Easy Chicken Stuffing Casserole! Just sub leftover turkey for the chicken.
These mini turkey sandwiches are perfect for the day after Thanksgiving, when you’re lazing around with friends and family.
Because of the beautiful colors and the delicious poppyseed topping, these sandwiches both look and taste special.
But, they’re so easy! Just 5 minutes of prep and 20 minutes in the oven is all you need to make these yummy turkey sliders.
Can I Use Deli Turkey For This Turkey Cranberry Sliders Recipe?
When I made these leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders, I used my leftover turkey and cranberry sauce. It doesn’t matter if your leftover turkey is in slices or pulled pieces. Either works fine!
Please don’t be discouraged if you don’t have leftovers available! You can still make this recipe. Just visit your deli and ask them to thick cut their deli turkey for you.
If thin-sliced deli turkey is what you have on hand, use it! It will be delicious.
Recipe Substitutions for Cranberry Turkey Sliders
The best recipes have plenty of available ingredient substitutions so you can use what you have on hand! Here are a few ingredient substitution ideas for these yummy turkey sliders:
- Substitute cut brie wedges for the Swiss cheese
- Substitute your favorite cheese for the Swiss cheese! Provolone cheese, Havarti cheese and cheddar cheese are wonderful substitutes!
- Use prepared cranberry sauce if you do not have any leftover cranberry sauce on hand. I like whole berry cranberry sauce if you have it!
- Substitute a chutney or bacon jam for the cranberry sauce
- Add arugula or spinach to the sandwiches for a pop of green color
- Omit poppyseeds if you don’t have them on hand.
- Consider adding a thin layer of mayonnaise on the bottom half of the rolls for added moisture.
- Or substitute everything bagel seasoning for the poppyseeds! It’s awesome and adds so much flavor.
As far as ingredient additions, my opinion is that if you would mix it together on your Thanksgiving plate, you can add it to these turkey sliders!
Over the years, we’ve added layers leftover stuffing, leftover gravy, and even a thin layer of leftover mashed potatoes and green bean casserole! All were delicious and fit right in with the layers of turkey slices and cranberry sauce.
Tips for Preparing Turkey Cranberry Sliders
I think this recipe is very forgiving and difficult to mess up! But here’s a few tips I’ve learned along the way to help them turn out perfect:
- I prefer to pre-cut the rolls to allow for the sauce to fall into the nooks and crannies around each roll!
- Remember to remove the foil for the last few minutes of bake time. This will let the tops of the rolls crisp up nicely and help reduce any greasiness.
- Whisk the butter mixture vigorously before pouring over the top of the rolls to be sure the spices are evenly distributed.
Serving Suggestions
I recommend serving these tasty sliders warm with a simple fall salad or some potato chips!
Have you checked out my new cookbook, A Crowded Table? It’s full of delicious seasonal recipes like this one! Check it out here.
Saving Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Place leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. I recommend reheating them in the oven to help the top of the buns crisp back up.
I hope that you enjoy these super easy, baked Turkey Cranberry Sliders! If you tried out this recipe, I’d love to hear your comments below.
Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Ingredients
- 1 package Hawaiian Sweet Rolls 12-count
- 3 cups cooked turkey diced, sliced or pulled
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
For the butter drizzle:
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard or Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon teaspoon poppy seeds optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with non-stick foil or spray with cooking spray with cooking spray.
- Separate the Hawaiian Rolls (top and bottom portion) and place the bottom half of the rolls into the prepared baking dish.
- Layer with turkey, cranberry sauce and cheese then place the top part of the rolls back on top of the layers of ingredients.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, mustard, garlic powder, salt and poppy seeds.
- Pour butter mixture over the top of the buns and use a brush or spoon to spread the butter and spices evenly over the top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for 3 more minutes, uncovered.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- 2/3 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Nutrition
These turkey sandwiches with cranberry are perfect ways to use up extra turkey after Thanksgiving!
Glad you liked them Tisha! I have to admit I almost like these more than the actual Thanksgiving meal 😉
These are delicious! Cannot recommend enough!
Glad you liked them Amanda! Thank you for reporting back!
These were so good, I almost ate the whole pan myself! It was the perfect combination of sweet and savory! I want more!
LOL I wouldn’t have judged you if you did. Glad you all loved them!
I love the combo of turkey, cranberry, and melty Swiss cheese on those sweet Hawaiian rolls.
I’m with you! Glad you enjoyed them and happy holidays.
I made these Turkey Cranberry Sliders as it was written and they were really good. The flavors mixed together good, and they were so easy to throw together. My family loved them, and I’ll be making them again next year.
Betty, I’m glad they turned out for you and your family! Hope you have a great holiday season.
These are delicious! Used 1lb package of Hillshire Farms Turkey, 9 slices baby Swiss cheese, & cranberry sauce. I put the foil in my 9×13 pan. The bottom got very brown but it was so full of flavor. Will be making these again!
These were fabulous! A keeper! I used Turkey deli meat. I did have to cook mine longer – 30 minutes. Paired with broccoli cheese soup and Stove Top Turkey dressing on the side.
These look delicious. Being December I don’t want to use cranberry sauce. Do you think Fig jam/spread would work?
Hi Miriam! Yes, I think fig jam would work well, I like tart cherry jam or pepper jelly as well!
These are so good! Between the turkey, the cranberry, and the buttery rolls, every bite tastes like the holidays. I love them so much.
Beth, you made my day! You’re right that they taste like the holidays.
This recipes sounds so very delicious & healthy for those who trying to watch carbs & cholesterol
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Made these tonight and they were delicious!!
I love it! Such a great recipe for Thanksgiving leftovers!
What a great way to use leftover turkey! Can’t wait to make these!
These mini turkey sandwiches are mouth watering!
Wow those are such a great idea! Imagine using some leftover turkey with these sliders!
What a great way to enjoy leftovers! Can’t wait to make these for lunch time and time again after Thanksgiving!
Oh man, those look SO good! I totally know what I’ll be using the leftover turkey for this year!
Sounds good. I’ll try it with chicken instead of Turkey.