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About This Recipe
We all know one of the best parts about Thanksgiving are all the delicious leftovers. But after a day or two, you start to crave something new and this turkey sliders recipe is the perfect creative way to repurpose thanksgiving turkey leftovers in a delicious, bite-size way that everyone will love!
You can easily make these leftover turkey sliders using soft Hawaiian rolls (or use leftover dinner rolls like these yeast rolls), turkey (or ham), cheese and a lightened-up aioli using my fresh, homemade cranberry sauce. I also like to throw some extra cranberry sauce and arugula on there for extra flavor! These sliders are one of my favorite things to make the next day and you might not even need to go to the grocery store to make them!
These little sandwiches are so good and so easy! They’re perfect to whip together if you still have family over or have busy holiday plans! You can also make these turkey sliders using regular deli meat instead of turkey breast. Serve them as a tasty appetizer, high protein snack or quick meal!
Why You’ll Love These Delicious Turkey Cranberry Sliders
- The perfect size sandwich to enjoy a hearty snack or quick meal!
- Quick to throw together! Only 10 minutes of prep required!
- The savory combo of the cheese and turkey pair perfectly with the sweetness of the whole berry cranberry sauce!
- An easy recipe that taste like a whole new meal using your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers!
- The perfect party food this holiday season! Guest will love these individual sliders packed with so much flavor!
- Rolls: I love using Hawaiian sweet rolls for this recipe. I think the sweetness of the rolls goes perfectly with the savory turkey. However, you could also use any leftover Thanksgiving dinner rolls you have like these honey butter yeast rolls!
- Turkey: this recipe is perfect for using leftover thanksgiving turkey! You could also use leftover ham. Or, use regular deli turkey if you don’t have holiday leftovers to use up!
- Cheese: any melty cheese works! I used sharp white cheddar cheese but you could use provolone cheese, swiss cheese, havarti cheese, etc!
- Butter: helps the parsley stick to the top of the rolls and add extra buttery goodness!
- Parsley: fresh or dried!
- Cranberry sauce: I HIGHLY recommend making my healthy cranberry sauce (that’s naturally sweetened with honey). The combination of sweetness from the honey, tartness of cranberries and freshness of orange juice makes this cranberry sauce perfect for adding a burst of flavor to these turkey sliders.
- Arugula: this is optional but I think it’s so yummy and adds a balance of flavor to the sliders.
- Light mayo and dijon mustard: combine with the cranberry sauce to make a lightened-up, creamy aioli!
- Turkey: don’t have leftover turkey? Use deli turkey or ham! You can also make these sliders with cooked chicken.
- Poppyseeds: throw some poppy seeds on top with the parsley if you love them.
- Cranberry sauce: if you don’t have any cranberry sauce left, use prepared cranberry sauce. My apple butter would also be delicious.
- Thanksgiving leftovers: if you have additional Thanksgiving leftovers like my apple sausage stuffing you can also throw them on there!
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Preheat your oven broiler to low (or 400F). Slice rolls lengthwise with a large serrated knife separating the tops from the bottoms. Place both cut-side up on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Broil for about a minute, until golden brown (they will brown quickly!) Remove from oven and reduce the temperature to 350F.
2. Combine the mayo, cranberry sauce, dijon mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Spread the cranberry aioli on the cut side of the top half of the rolls.
4. To the bottom rolls, add the turkey, cheese, and then the tops of the rolls.
5. Brush the melted butter all over the rolls and sprinkle with parsley.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Keep a close eye at the end and cover with aluminum foil if rolls are browning too quickly. Enjoy these sliders as they are or open up and stuff with some cranberry sauce and arugula (so good!)
These sliders are best enjoyed fresh right out of the oven.
If you do have leftover sliders, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. I like to pop mine back in the air fryer or oven for a minutes to help the rolls crisp back up.
What other ways can I use my leftover turkey?
In addition to these leftover turkey cranberry sliders, you can use leftover roasted turkey in my chicken pot pie soup, lemon ginger soup or chicken noodle soup. Or try throwing it on my fall harvest salad or in my pecan cranberry chicken salad or apple pecan chicken salad.
Can I use store-bought cranberry sauce for these sliders?
Yes, you can use any leftover cranberry sauce for these hawaiian roll turkey sliders. I HIGHLY recommend making healthy cranberry sauce (not only is delicious but it’s naturally sweetened with honey so there’s no additional sugar) but any cranberry sauce (or jam/jelly you love) works!
Can I make these sliders in advance?
You can assemble these sliders a few hours in advance and store in the fridge until ready to bake.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Aioli
Ingredients
- 12 sweet Hawaiian rolls
- 1 lb. roasted turkey deli or leftover
- 5 slices/4oz. sharp white cheddar cheese
- 1.5 Tbsp melted butter (22g)
- 2 tsp finely chopped parsley or 1 tsp dried
- Cranberry sauce optional for serving
- Fresh arugula optional for serving
Cranberry aioli:
- 1/4 cup light mayo (60g)
- 2 Tbsp cranberry sauce (30g)
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- pinch of salt & cracked black pepper
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Instructions
- Preheat your oven broiler to low (or 400F).
- Slice rolls lengthwise with a large serrated knife separating the tops from the bottoms. Place both cut-side up on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Broil for about a minute, until golden brown (they will brown quickly!) Remove from oven and reduce the temperature to 350F.
- Combine the mayo, cranberry sauce, dijon mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Spread the cranberry aioli on the cut side of the top rolls. To the bottom rolls, add the turkey, cheese, and then the tops of the rolls.
- Brush the melted butter all over the rolls and sprinkle with parsley.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Keep a close eye at the end and cover with foil if rolls are browning too quickly.
- Enjoy these sliders as they are or open up and stuff with some cranberry sauce and arugula (so good!)
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
