Cranberry Turkey Sliders
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If your fridge is packed with leftover turkey, these Cranberry Turkey Sliders are the easiest way to turn it into a warm, melty meal everyone gets excited about. They come together with simple ingredients you already have on hand and bake in about 30 minutes. Perfect for the day after Thanksgiving when you need something quick, cozy, and crowd-friendly.
Back when I ran my meal assembly business, our ham and cheese sliders were always a customer favorite. This version uses the same simple method but gives your leftover turkey and cranberry sauce a fresh spin. It’s an easy way to turn holiday leftovers into something fun that your family will be excited to eat.
Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Turkey Sliders
- A simple leftover turkey recipe that still feels special.
- Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Family-friendly and great for feeding holiday guests.
- Uses leftover cranberry sauce.
- Easy to prep ahead for busy days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Recipe Notes
Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need to make these sliders.
- Slider rolls. Hawaiian rolls work great because they stay soft.
- Leftover turkey. Shredded or thinly sliced.
- Cranberry sauce. Homemade or store bought.
- Cheese. Provolone, mozzarella, Havarti, or Swiss.
- Mayo and Dijon. These melt into a creamy layer under the turkey.
- Butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Brushed on top for flavor and browning.
Cheese options: Provolone gives the best melt. Havarti is mild and creamy. Swiss adds a little sharpness.
Roll swap: Any soft slider rolls or dinner rolls will work.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Step 1: Prep the rolls
Slice the entire pack of rolls in half horizontally. Set the bottom half into a parchment-lined baking dish.
Step 2: Mix the sauce
Stir the mayo and Dijon together, then spread it over the bottom half of the rolls.
Step 3: Add the turkey
Scatter the leftover turkey across the surface in an even layer.
Step 4: Add the cranberry sauce
Spoon cranberry sauce over the turkey and gently spread it out.
Step 5: Layer the cheese
Cover the cranberry layer with slices of cheese so everything is fully covered. Place the top sheet of rolls over the top.
Step 6: Brush with garlic butter
Melt the butter and mix it with garlic powder and parsley. Brush it over the tops.
Recipe Tips
- Warm the turkey slightly if it’s very cold so the cheese melts faster.
- Use parchment for easy lifting and clean slicing.
- A serrated knife makes it easy to slice cleanly.
Variations
- Ham and Swiss sliders
- Rotisserie chicken with mozzarella
- Add a layer of leftover stuffing
- Add thinly sliced red onion
- Pepper jack cheese for a little heat
- Swap cranberry sauce for fig jam or raspberry preserves
Make Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
Make ahead: Assemble the sliders up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. Hold off on brushing the garlic butter until just before baking.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat sliders in a 300-degree oven, covered, until warm and melty. You can also reheat individual sliders in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.
Freezing: Assemble and place in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw int he fridge over night and cook as directed.
FAQ
Yes. Gelled or whole berry both work. Whole berry gives a better texture.
Provolone melts beautifully, but Havarti, mozzarella, or Swiss work too.
Absolutely. Ham and Swiss is a classic combination.
Yes. Bake two pans at the same time. You may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
No. The rolls stay soft but not soggy, especially when baked covered first and uncovered at the end.
What to Serve With These Sliders
Let’s keep it simple and serve the sliders with a classic wedge salad, or with these easy-to-make Brussels sprouts.
Did you make the recipe? Let us know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook! Thanks so much!
Recipe
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Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Ingredients
- 12 slider buns
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 cups turkey shredded or sliced
- 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce
- 6 slices of white cheese such as provolone, mozzarella, or Havarti
- 3 Tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking dish or sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Slice the slider buns in half horizontally, keeping the tops and bottoms connected as a single sheet. Place the bottom halves of the buns in the prepared baking dish.12 slider buns
- In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard. Spread this mixture evenly over the bottom layer of buns.¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
- Layer the shredded or sliced turkey over the buns.3 cups turkey
- Spoon cranberry sauce over the turkey, spreading it evenly.1 cup leftover cranberry sauce
- Lay the cheese slices over the cranberry sauce, ensuring each slider gets a good amount of cheesy goodness.6 slices of white cheese
- Place the top halves of the slider buns over the cheese layer.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley. Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the buns.3 Tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Cover the sliders loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes to melt the cheese. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes, until the tops are golden and slightly crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let the sliders cool for a minute or two. Use a knife to separate the sliders, and serve them warm.
Notes
- Cover tightly with foil for the first half of baking. This traps steam and keeps the tops from browning too quickly.
- If the tops brown too quickly, re-cover with foil. Every oven behaves differently, so this is an easy fix.’
- Let them rest before slicing. Two to three minutes makes the cheese settle so the sliders hold together better.
- Use a serrated knife for clean cuts. It’s the easiest way to slice through warm rolls without crushing them.
This is a GREAT idea for leftover turkey!!