These delicious turkey cranberry sliders just may be the perfect Thanksgiving leftovers recipe! These simple slider sandwiches take just 30 minutes from fridge to table, and have the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and cheesy. They’re great for a lazy meal after the holiday rush, but delicious enough to serve to guests at your next holiday party!
Leftovers are arguably one of the best parts of Thanksgiving, there’s no cooking to do, just great food that’s ready to eat! But by your second or third cold turkey sandwich, it might be time to change things up, which is where these turkey cranberry sliders come in!
Each little sandwich is packed with INSANE flavor thanks to three easy layers of leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese. The sweet and savory Hawaiian buns, irresistible honey Dijon glaze, and a crunchy sprinkle of everything seasoning bring it all together into a seriously yummy sandwich the whole family will love.
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- So Fast – It takes just 10 minutes to prep the sandwiches, then they bake for 20. So easy!
- Easy to Share – Cranberry turkey sliders are great for sharing at holiday parties or making dinner super easy!
- Amazing Flavor! – Leftover turkey, sweet and tart cranberry sauce, and gooey cheese are an irresistible combo, especially sandwiched between a soft glazed roll!
- Makes Leftovers Gourmet – These leftover turkey cranberry sliders transform your Thanksgiving scraps into a whole new meal that is so good you’ll be proud to share them with friends and family!
Recipe Notes
This turkey cranberry slider recipe is as simple as promised! Just a one pan and 30 minutes for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make turkey sliders with cranberry sauce to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Hawaiian Rolls – We love the sweetness of a Hawaiian roll, and the 12 pack is perfect, but any small dinner roll can work as a substitution.
- Leftover Turkey– If you don’t have leftover turkey, you can use sliced deli turkey or rotisserie chicken instead.
- Cranberry Sauce – I use my homemade cranberry sauce, but you can use canned or whole cranberry sauce instead.
- Provolone Cheese – Mozzarella or fontina make a good substitution as well.
- Butter
- Dijon Mustard
- Honey
- Everything Bagel Seasoning – Use a store bought mix, or my homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Turkey Stuffing Cranberry Sliders– After layering on the turkey, spread 1 cup of leftover stuffing over the top then add the cranberry layer. Continue on with the recipe as written.
- Turkey Brie Cranberry Sliders– Swap slices of brie for the slices of provolone and otherwise make the recipe as directed.
- Turkey Cranberry Cream Cheese Sliders– Skip the provolone and spread 1/2 cup of softened cream cheese under the top half of the rolls. Continue on with the remaining steps.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make turkey cranberry sliders.
Cut the Hawaiian rolls horizontally and arrange the bottoms in a baking dish. Add shredded turkey.
Spread the cranberry sauce on the bread,
Layer sliced or shredded cheese over the turkey and cranberry sauce.
Place the tops of the rolls on then brush over the honey butter Dijon glaze. Add on the everything seasoning and bake.
Recipe Tips
- Leave the rolls together – When you make baked sliders like these cranberry turkey ones or my roast beef sliders it’s best to leave the whole 12 pack of Hawaiian rolls intact. Simply slice horizontally through all of them at once with a bread knife, so you have two pieces to work with rather than a dozen individual sliders to assemble.
However after you have everything put together in the pan, slice the tops apart slightly to let the glaze seep down. It adds more flavor with just that simple extra step! - Fill in with chicken – If you don’t have enough Thanksgiving leftovers, or you’re making this any other time of the year, you can fill in with deli turkey meat or use shredded chicken instead.
- Embrace cheese options – My kids adore provolone on these turkey cheese cranberry sliders, but personally I love brie cheese! Feel free to swap in cheddar, pepper jack, or any other cheese you like best.
- Change up the topping – Everything bagel seasoning adds amazing flavor that perfectly compliments all the other ingredients, but you can add whatever you like. Use poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or dried onions if you prefer!
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Prep Ahead – Shred the turkey and make your glaze up to 24 hours ahead of time. You’ll need to rewarm the butter mixture before brushing it on the tops of the buns, but it will save you a few minutes in a pinch.
- Assemble Ahead – Assemble the turkey and cranberry sliders right up to the point of baking, but hold off on applying the glazy. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. Pull them out of the fridge while the oven preheats and warm the butter mixture, then brush it on and add the seasoning. If they’re still cold when your oven is ready, add an additional 3-5 minutes to the bake time.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this leftover turkey sliders recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Make the sandwiches up to step 4, but leave the glaze off.
- Slide the sandwiches into a freezer-safe bag or wrap tightly in a freezer-safe wrap.
- Thaw in the fridge for 24-48 hours.
- Add the glaze and everything bagel seasoning, then bake.
How to Freeze Turkey Sliders with Cranberry After Cooking
- Allow to cool completely after baking.
- Place all the sandwiches in a freezer-safe bag, or separate into individual portions.
- Freeze.
- Thaw in the fridge, then reheat gently in the oven until hot and the cheese is melted.
What to Serve with Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of Thanksgiving, it will pair well with many of your favorite traditional side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Steakhouse Style House Salad – Crisp lettuce, tomatoes, croutons, and a delicious dressing makes this light side delicious with any meal.
- Slow Cooker Tomato Soup – A good bowl of creamy tomato soup is irresistible with a delicious gooey turkey and cranberry slider.
- Maple Glazed Carrots – Everyone loves a classic glazed carrot, and this recipe is so easy!
- Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Try this variation on classic mashed potatoes by swapping in sweet potatoes.
- Brown Butter Broccoli – The nutty flavor of brown butter takes simple broccoli to a delicious new place!
Cranberry Turkey Slider Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Recipe FAQ’s
How long do I heat the sliders in the oven?
For this recipe you’ll want to bake your Hawaiian roll turkey sliders for about 18 to 22 minutes. Different ovens may run at slightly different temperatures, so check at 18 and heat further if you’d like.
How do I keep my bottom slider from getting soggy?
It’s liquid that will make the bottom bun soggy, so avoid putting on the glaze until you have to.
What is the best cheese on a turkey sandwich?
The best cheese for a turkey slider is entirely subjective! We like provolone or brie best, but your family may like cheddar, gouda, or havarti cheese.
More EASY Slider Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy dinner recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Ingredients
For the sliders
- 12 Hawaiian rolls
- 3 cups shredded turkey, 12 ounces *see note
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 4 ounces provolone cheese, 6 slices
For the glaze
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- Make the glaze by whisking together the melted butter, honey, and dijon mustard in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cut the sweet Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. Lay the bottoms of the rolls in a baking dish. Cover the bottom of the rolls with the shredded turkey. Dollop on the cranberry sauce in an even layer on top of the turkey. Then lay the sliced cheese over the cranberry sauce.
- Place the tops back on the rolls and then use a pastry brush to spread the glaze over the top and sides of the rolls. Sprinkle the top with everything bagel seasoning.*I like to cut between each sandwich before brushing the glaze on so that it can seep between the sliders for more flavor, but this extra step is optional.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tops of the rolls are golden brown.
Recipe Notes
- Sliced deli turkey
- Turkey tenderloin
- Shredded chicken
- Rotisserie chicken
- Make the sandwiches up to step 4, but leave the glaze off.
- Slide the sandwiches into a freezer-safe bag or wrap tightly in a freezer-safe wrap.
- Thaw in the fridge for 24-48 hours.
- Add the glaze and everything bagel seasoning, then bake.
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
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