Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders (Turkey Cranberry Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls)

These Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders are one of the best leftover turkey recipes, and the perfect way to turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into a new meal! These Easy Turkey Cranberry Sliders are baked on soft Hawaiian rolls until they’re warm and golden brown on top. Thanksgiving sliders are great for the day after Thanksgiving, a game-day spread, or a quick, easy dinner the whole family will love… and they’re on the table in about 30 minutes!

Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

If I had to choose, Thanksgiving dinner is my absolute most favorite meal of the year (all that dressing!!) and having leftovers for the next day is just the icing on the cake!

If you find yourself searching for all the leftover turkey recipes – please pause and consider making these delicious sliders! As far as I’m concerned, making leftover turkey sliders is the best way to use up all those great dishes you had on Thanksgiving day.

These little sandwiches are basically your whole Thanksgiving plate tucked inside a roll. This recipe is a next-level turkey sandwich, with layers of leftover turkey, tart cranberry sauce, a little cheese, and, of course, Southern Cornbread Dressing for the stuffing layer. 

Instead of letting that container of turkey sit in the back of the fridge, turn it into a slider recipe that disappears in minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

They use up your Thanksgiving leftovers. Turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce all go into these sliders, so you can clean out the fridge and feed everybody at the same time. It’s one of my favorite leftover turkey recipes because it doesn’t taste like leftovers at all.

They’re quick and simple. You only need about 10 minutes to put them together, and the oven does the rest. After a long week of holiday cooking, that’s exactly the kind of recipe I want!

Everybody loves them. Picky kids, hungry teenagers, and grown-ups all reach for these little turkey cranberry sliders. They’re perfect for a game day party, a casual holiday get-together, or a cozy dinner at home with the whole family.

Tools Needed

You probably already have everything you need in your kitchen! (This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

• Serrated knife
• 9×13 baking dish (or a rimmed baking sheet)
• Parchment paper
• Small bowl
• Pastry brush
• Aluminum foil (optional, for keeping the tops from getting too dark)

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these leftover turkey sliders. Feel free to swap things around to use what you have!

• Sweet Hawaiian rolls – Hawaiian sweet rolls are my favorite for sliders, but any soft rolls or slider buns will work.
• Leftover turkey – This is our favorite turkey recipe. White meat, dark meat, or a mix of both. Sliced or shredded turkey both work, and deli turkey meat is a great option if you want to make these any other time of year.
• Provolone cheese – Swiss cheese, white cheddar, Monterey Jack, or your favorite cheese all work well here.
• Leftover cornbread dressing – Of course I’m gonna rally for cornbread dressing, but any leftover savory stuffing you have on hand.
• Cranberry sauce – Leftover cranberry sauce, canned, jellied, or whole berry… whatever you like!
• Butter
• Honey 
• Dijon mustard 
• Poultry seasoning 

Find the full recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make Turkey Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls

This turkey sliders recipe comes together in a few simple layers. Here’s how I make them!

1.  Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Cut the tops off of the rolls with a serrated knife and set them aside. Do not separate the rolls before cutting the tops off
3. Carefully place the bottom half of the rolls in a baking dish lined with parchment paper, and arrange 6 slices of provolone cheese on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
4. Remove the bottom layer of rolls from the oven and arrange the turkey on top of the melted cheese.
5. Spread the cornbread dressing evenly over the turkey.
6. Arrange the remaining 6 slices of cheese over the top of the dressing.

7. Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the underside of the top layer of rolls, and place the top half of the rolls back on the sliders.
8. Combine the butter, honey, and dijon mustard in a small bowl.

9. Brush the mixture of melted butter over the top of the rolls. 
10. Sprinkle the poultry seasoning evenly over the tops of the buns.
11. Bake the sliders in the preheated oven for 16 minutes or until the tops of the rolls are golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.

12. These are best served right out of the oven.

Pro Tips

• Make sure the cranberry sauce is thin enough to spread. Cold cranberry sauce can be thick, so warm it in the microwave for a few seconds to make it easier to spread on the rolls.
• Turkey straight out of the fridge can stay cold in the middle of the sliders. Heat it in the microwave for a few seconds before you assemble everything so it’s warm all the way through.
• Got dry turkey? Drizzle a spoonful of leftover gravy or a little broth over the meat before adding the dressing. It brings tender turkey right back to life.
• Keep the rolls in one big slab while you cut and build. Separating them first makes the layers slide around.
• Keep an eye on the tops of the rolls during the last few minutes. Lay a sheet of aluminum foil loosely over the pan when they’re browning faster than the cheese is melting.
• Don’t overstuff them! A nice even layer of each filling keeps the sliders from falling apart when you cut them.

Variations

These Thanksgiving sliders are so easy to customize with whatever you have left from your Thanksgiving feast. Here are a few new ways to switch them up:

• Use leftover ham instead of turkey (or use both!). Ham and Swiss cheese is a classic combination.
• Swap the provolone for white cheddar, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or Swiss for a different kind of cheese slider.
• Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of garlic powder to the butter sauce for extra savory flavor.
• Sprinkle poppy seeds or sesame seeds over the buttery topping along with (or instead of) the poultry seasoning.
• Top the turkey with thin slices of green apple for a sweet, crunchy bite.
• Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on the bottom buns before adding the cheese for an extra creamy slider.
• No leftover stuffing? Leave it out and add an extra layer of cheese instead. They’re still delicious!

Serving Suggestions

These sliders are hearty enough to be the main dish, but a few simple sides make it a full meal. Serve them with a bowl of warm soup, a simple green salad, potato chips, or a pickle spear. You can also warm up any leftover sides from your Thanksgiving meal, like mashed potatoes, green beans, or sweet potatoes, and call it a second Thanksgiving dinner!

Storage Instructions

These are best served right out of the oven, but leftovers keep well too.

• Fridge: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for 2-3 days.
• Reheat: Place them on a baking sheet, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. The microwave works in a pinch, but the rolls will be softer.
• Make ahead: Assemble the sliders (without the butter topping), cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a few hours. Brush on the topping right before baking and add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
• Freezing: Freezing isn’t recommended since the dressing and cranberry sauce can make the rolls soggy when thawed.

FAQ

Can I make turkey sliders ahead of time? Yes! Put them together a few hours early and keep them covered in the fridge. Add the buttery topping right before they go in the oven so the tops bake up golden brown.

Can I use deli turkey instead of leftover turkey? Absolutely. Deli turkey meat is a great way to make these any time of year, not just the day after Thanksgiving.

What other cheese can I use? Any melty cheese works! Swiss cheese, white cheddar, monterey jack, and cheddar cheese are all delicious. Use your favorite cheese or whatever is in the fridge.

Can I use boxed stuffing? Of course! Any leftover stuffing works, whether it’s homemade cornbread dressing or the boxed kind.

Do I have to warm up the turkey first? It helps. Turkey straight from the fridge can still be cold in the center when the rolls are done, so a few seconds in the microwave makes a big difference.

How many sliders does this make? One 12-count package of rolls makes 12 sliders. Plan on 2 to 3 per person for a meal, or 1 to 2 each for a game-day spread.

Make These Your New Favorite Way to Use Leftovers

When the big meal is over and the fridge is packed, these leftover Thanksgiving turkey sliders are the best part of the whole weekend. They’re quick, cozy, and so easy to make your own with whatever cheese, meat, or stuffing you have. I hope they become a new tradition at your house too!

Tried this recipe? Please leave a comment and a star rating below. It helps me grow my blog, and I’d be so grateful!

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