Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce

A Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe Worth Repeating

If you're staring at a fridge full of leftover turkey and cranberry sauce, these Turkey Sliders are exactly what you need. They're warm, buttery, slightly sweet, and bursting with the comforting flavors of Thanksgiving.

Jump to:

• A Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe Worth Repeating
• Why You’ll Love These Turkey Sliders
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Tips for Perfect Sliderss!
• What to Serve with Turkey Sliders
• Storing and Reheating
• Common Questions
• Final Thoughts
• Turkey Sliders

These sliders are built on soft Hawaiian rolls and packed with roasted turkey, melty Swiss cheese, and a tangy layer of cranberry sauce. Everything is topped with a buttery mustard glaze and baked to golden perfection. Whether you're planning a cozy weekend lunch or a post-holiday party appetizer, this recipe is simple, satisfying, and seriously addictive.

this recipe

This dish is perfect for your Thanksgiving leftovers board on Pinterest. You can pin this and more recipe ideas from my Thanksgiving recipe board at Pinterest.com/bakewithlina.

Why You’ll Love These Turkey Sliders

Quick and Easy to Make

You only need about 10 minutes to prep and 20 minutes in the oven. It’s a low-effort recipe with high-reward flavor, which makes it perfect after a big holiday like Thanksgiving when you want something simple but tasty.

Great for Using Leftovers

These sliders are a smart and satisfying way to repurpose leftover turkey and cranberry sauce. But they’re not just for the holidays — you can make them year-round using sliced deli turkey and store-bought cranberry sauce.

Family-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing

These are great for parties, potlucks, game days, and family dinners. They’re portioned into easy-to-grab servings and have that sweet-and-savory combination that everyone loves.

Ingredients and Substitutions

What You’ll Need

• 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls
• 4 cups cooked or leftover turkey
• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 6 slices Swiss cheese
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 ½ tablespoons everything bagel seasoning

Ingredient Notes

• Turkey: Leftover roasted turkey breast gives the best flavor, but deli-sliced turkey works well for a quick, anytime version.
• Cranberry Sauce: Homemade or canned both work. The cranberry sauce adds moisture and tang, which balances the richness of the cheese and butter.
• Cheese: Swiss melts well and has a mild flavor, but you can swap it for provolone, gouda, or mozzarella.
• Rolls: Hawaiian sweet rolls add a slight sweetness that complements the turkey and cranberry. If you’d like to bake your own rolls, try these Soft Dinner Rolls or these Vegan Garlic Parmesan Butter Rolls from Lina’s blog.

Possible Swaps

• Use ham instead of turkey
• Replace cranberry with Dijon or apple butter
• Use dairy-free butter and vegan cheese for a plant-based option
• Make it gluten-free with GF rolls

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Use a serrated knife to slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. Keep the rolls connected.
3. Place the bottom halves of the rolls into a 9x13-inch baking dish.

4. Evenly layer the cooked turkey over the rolls.
5. Spoon the cranberry sauce across the top of the turkey.
6. Add the Swiss cheese in a single layer over the cranberry.

7. Place the roll tops back on.
8. In a small bowl, melt the butter. Whisk in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and everything bagel seasoning.
9. Use a pastry brush to coat the tops and sides of the rolls generously with the butter mixture.

10. Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and bake an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden.

12. Slice into individual sliders and serve warm.

What to Serve with Turkey Sliders

Side Dish Ideas

• Roasted sweet potatoes
• Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze
• A crisp green salad with apple slices
• Leftover stuffing or mashed potatoes

Plating and Presentation

Serve these sliders on a large wooden board or a colorful platter for a festive, casual feel. Garnish with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to highlight those Thanksgiving flavors.

Drink Pairings

• Sparkling apple cider
• Light red wines like Pinot Noir
• Cranberry spritzers or flavored sparkling water

Storing and Reheating

How to Store Leftovers

Place leftover sliders in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. These are best eaten fresh but can be stored if needed.

Best Way to Reheat

Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes until the sliders are warm and the tops are crisp. Avoid microwaving if possible, as the bread can become soggy.

Common Questions

Try More Thanksgiving-Inspired Recipes

If you're looking for more creative ways to enjoy your holiday leftovers, check out this Cranberry Turkey Sliders recipe from Lina’s kitchen. It's another great twist that’s worth saving to your Thanksgiving board.

For soft, homemade rolls that level up any meal, try Lina’s Soft Dinner Rolls or Vegan Garlic Parmesan Butter Dinner Rolls as a base for your sliders or alongside any holiday main.

Final Thoughts

These turkey sliders are more than just a leftovers recipe — they’re a cozy, satisfying way to enjoy the best flavors of Thanksgiving all over again. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, they’re sure to become a new tradition in your holiday kitchen.

Save this recipe to your Pinterest board for easy reference and let me know how it turned out. If you tried a unique twist or made it vegetarian, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

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