Easy Turkey Cranberry Sliders (Leftovers Recipe)

Need a unique and delicious way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers? These easy Turkey Cranberry Sliders are a must-try! Hawaiian rolls are bursting with turkey, cranberry sauce, Swiss cheese, and spices and baked with an irresistible butter drizzle – YUM!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and I’m already getting my game plan ready for the main event AND the leftovers! I love Thanksgiving because it’s one of the most relaxing holidays for us. We make and eat a crazy amount of food and then enjoy an afternoon/evening of hanging out, watching movies, and (yep) napping.

Here is an easy recipe that not only can transform leftovers during the holidays, but you can use this same recipe year-round for picnics, sports events, appetizers for gatherings, and so much more.

It takes the ordinary turkey cranberry sandwich and elevates it to new levels! And it’s the perfect sweet and savory combo 😘

While I love not having to cook for a couple of days after our Thanksgiving feast, we all get tired of that leftover Thanksgiving turkey after a day or two.

That’s why this recipe is SO great – it’s easy, delicious, and satisfying, and it doesn’t feel like eating leftovers (again)!

How To Make Turkey Cranberry Sliders

These sliders are an incredible way to eat holiday meal leftovers the next day, And if you need more creative ideas, I have some other leftover turkey recipes, too!

Check out my Thanksgiving Leftover Crescent Rolls, Turkey Leftover Stuffing Muffins, and Mashed Potato Puffs.

Let’s make some sliders!

Ingredients Needed

Here are the simple ingredients that you’ll need to gather to make leftover turkey sliders as you see them here:

• Hawaiian Dinner Rolls – sliced in half sandwich style
• Turkey – sliced or thinly sliced turkey breast (Thanksgiving leftover and deli meat both work great!)
• Swiss Cheese – sliced
• Cranberry Sauce – Finally! A great use for leftover cranberry sauce!
• Poppy Seed Butter Mixture – This is what gets coated all over these delicious turkey cranberry sliders and includes melted butter, spicy brown mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds.
• Dried Cranberries

*NOTE: For more details on making the best turkey cranberry sliders, please refer to the handy printable recipe card at the bottom of the post!

Turkey Cranberry Sliders Instructions

Assembling these Hawaiian roll turkey sliders only takes a few minutes! Here’s how:

Step 1 – Preheat Your Oven

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.

Step 2 – Prepare The Rolls

Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half like a hamburger bun. Line the bottom of a prepared baking dish with the bottom portion of the entire slab of rolls. 

Step 3 – Add Cranberry Sauce & Turkey

Spread tangy cranberry sauce on the Hawaiian Rolls. Place a layer of sliced deli turkey on top of the layer of cranberry sauce.

NOTE: I used deli turkey in these images because I hadn’t made our holiday turkey yet!

Step 4 – Add Cheese & Roll Tops

Next, add a layer of sliced Swiss cheese on top of the turkey slices. Place the tops of the buns on the top.

Step 5 – Brush Butter Mixture Over The Top

Begin making the topping by melting a stick of butter. Add in cranberry sauce, spicy brown mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds, and mix until well combined and there are no lumps. Pour over sandwiches.

Step 6 – Bake & Enjoy

Top the sandwiches with dried cranberries. Bake until rolls are golden brown and cheese is melted, approximately 20 – 25 minutes.

Turkey Cranberry Sliders Recipe Notes And Tips

• I would recommend covering the sliders with aluminum foil for the first 15 minutes of baking. Then remove the foil and bake so they can turn golden brown.

• Plan how many you need. Most people will eat around 2 sliders. Depending on how many people you are serving, it is very simple to double or triple this recipe.

• I like to pre-cut around each Hawaiian roll before adding the topping and baking so all the ooey, gooey goodness seeps in around the individual sliders. Yum! 

• Game Day Favorite! Use this recipe to get a whole new meal out of holiday leftovers. It also doubles as a fabulous finger good or appetizer at gatherings!

Variations Of Turkey Cranberry Sliders To Try

There are so many ways you can change up these cranberry turkey sliders so that they make the perfect crowd favorite dish any time of the year. Here are a few ideas that will make your tongue dance with pleasure:

• Buns – If you don’t have Hawaiian rolls, brioche buns work well too!
• Meat – Leftover ham and deli ham make a perfect substitute if you do not have turkey.
• Cheese – Smoked gouda, provolone cheese, brie, or Havarti cheese are great choices in place of Swiss cheese.
• Bacon – What a delicious addition to these sliders! Because…bacon is amazing on almost anything, right?! 😋
• Sauce – Substitute bacon jam or chutney for the cranberry sauce for a different flavor profile. 
• Spices – Sub out the spicy brown mustard for tangy Dijon mustard in the melted butter mixture, a dash of garlic powder or onion powder, sesame seeds, yellow mustard, or a pinch of brown sugar.

FAQs

More Delicious Holiday Recipes

If you love these turkey cranberry sliders, give these other popular holiday recipes a try too!

• Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf
• Vanilla and Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Easy Scalloped Potatoes (2 Ways)
• Pumpkin Chiffon Pie