Make the most of your Thanksgiving leftovers with this 20-minute recipe for Hawaiian Roll Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce. These hot turkey and cheese sandwiches are incredibly easy to make and loaded with stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce and leftover turkey. Make them year-round with your favorite deli meat!
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Staring down a fridge full of Thanksgiving leftovers? I’ve got you covered with the tastiest sliders featuring not one, not two but four holiday leftovers: turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy.
The setup on this one is simple: Soft Hawaiian rolls are slathered with cranberry sauce and then topped with leftover stuffing, turkey, gravy and your favorite cheese. A drizzle of garlicky, poppy seed-infused butter tops it all off, and a quick trip to the oven turns them into golden brown perfection.
But perhaps the best part about these delicious baked mini sandwiches is that they’re completely customizable 365 days a year with a wide range of fillings. No cranberry sauce? No problem! Not a fan of stuffing? Swap in leftover mashed potatoes. And any deli meat works, including rotisserie chicken (my go-to shortcut for a wide range of recipes!).
What to Love About This Recipe
- Makes the most of holiday leftovers.
- Ready in 20 minutes. These leftover Thanksgiving turkey sliders are a breeze to prepare, making them a perfect solution for using up leftovers without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Great for a crowd. You can easily adjust the recipe to serve any size group, making them perfect for remaining holiday guests or laid-back get-togethers.
- Perfect for any time. They’re great for casual dinners, game day snacks or potlucks any time of the year.
- Customizable. You can adapt the ingredients to suit your preferences, from using different deli meats to leaving off the cranberry sauce and stuffing.
- Hawaiian sweet rolls: These soft, slightly sweet rolls are a staple for this recipe. However, if you can’t find Hawaiian rolls, you can use other sweet dinner rolls, plain dinner rolls or even pumpkin dinner rolls.
- Cranberry sauce: The sweet-tart glue that brings the sliders together. Its tangy zing adds a burst of freshness to each bite, creating a delicious contrast to the savory elements.
- Stuffing: When I’m not transforming leftover stuffing into hot and crispy stuffing waffles, I’m spreading it atop these rolls. It adds a savory, herb-infused element to each bite.
- Turkey: I used leftover Thanksgiving turkey, but you can use turkey of any cut. And if you’re looking for a quicker, year-round option, rotisserie chicken (or any deli meat) is a delicious substitute!
- Cheese: While cheddar and provolone are classic choices, don’t be afraid to experiment with other cheeses you love. Swiss, havarti or gouda would all be delicious, too!
- Butter: Melted butter, infused with garlic and poppy seeds, is brushed on top of the sliders before baking. This buttery mixture adds a savory and aromatic layer while creating a golden, crispy top.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
While the combination of turkey and cranberry is undeniably delicious, don’t be afraid to get creative. Experiment with additional ingredients or personalize the sliders with your favorite deli meats, cheeses and whatever sandwich toppings you have stashed in your fridge. The possibilities are endless!
- Breakfast: Use leftover turkey, a slice of cooked bacon and a fried egg. Skip the cranberry sauce and add a drizzle of maple syrup for a breakfast twist.
- Italian: Swap the cranberry sauce for marinara sauce, and omit the stuffing and poppy seed butter; drizzle the sliders with olive oil and Italian seasoning.
- Ranch and bacon: For the ultimate indulgence, layer crispy bacon and drizzle ranch dressing on your sliders.
Grab all your holiday leftovers for the easiest-ever turkey sliders made on buttery Hawaiian rolls.
- Preheat your oven and prepare your baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the rolls and layer on the fillings. Using a serrated knife, halve the rolls width-wise then slather the cranberry sauce on the bottom portion of the rolls. Top the cranberry sauce with the stuffing, turkey, gravy and cheese. Return the tops to the rolls.
- Butter the tops and bake to perfection. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic and poppy seeds. Brush the butter on top of the rolls then bake until the rolls are golden and cheese is melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Enjoy Immediately: While leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, these sliders are at their best when enjoyed straight from the oven. The cheese is gooey, the tops are crispy, and the flavors are at their peak.
- Slice Before Baking: For easier serving, you can use a sharp knife to score the sliders along the lines where you’ll eventually separate them, before baking. This makes it simpler to serve individual portions.
- Ingredient Swaps: Don’t be afraid to swap out ingredients based on what you have. Instead of traditional turkey, try using ham or roast beef. Experiment with other leftovers, such as mashed sweet potatoes or creamy mac and cheese for a comforting, cheesy layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Leftovers, if stored properly, can be safely consumed for up to 3 to 4 days. If you haven’t eaten all your leftovers by the Monday after Thanksgiving, it’s best to store them in the freezer to enjoy later. Properly stored in the freezer, leftovers can last up to 3 months.
Absolutely! You can enjoy the deliciousness of turkey cranberry sliders even if you don’t have holiday leftovers on hand. Simply use freshly cooked turkey, rotisserie chicken or your favorite deli meat, and for an extra touch of holiday flavor, use prepared stuffing mix and canned cranberry sauce. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility, making it a fantastic choice year-round.
Leftover sliders can be refrigerated for 2-3 days. Reheat them in the oven for best results.
Mashed potato pancakes, butternut squash soup or a simple wedge salad are all great options to serve alongside these leftover sliders.
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- Leftover Stuffing Waffles
- Leftover Turkey Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuit Crust
- The Best Leftover Turkey Salad
- Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Muffins
- Leftover Cranberry Sauce and Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 1 (12-oz.) package Hawaiian sweet rolls
- 1 1/2 cups cranberry sauce
- 3 cups stuffing
- 3 cups sliced turkey
- 6 slices provolone or cheddar cheese
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a serrated knife, halve the rolls width-wise then slather the cranberry sauce on the bottom portion of the rolls. Top the cranberry sauce with the stuffing, turkey, gravy and cheese. Return the tops to the rolls.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic and poppy seeds. Brush the butter on top of the rolls then bake until the rolls are golden and cheese is melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
Kelly’s Notes
- While the combination of turkey and cranberry is undeniably delicious, don’t be afraid to get creative. Experiment with additional ingredients or personalize the sliders with your favorite deli meats, cheeses and whatever sandwich toppings you have stashed in your fridge. The possibilities are endless!
- While leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, these sliders are at their best when enjoyed straight from the oven. The cheese is gooey, the tops are crispy, and the flavors are at their peak.
- For easier serving, you can use a sharp knife to score the sliders along the lines where you’ll eventually separate them, before baking. This makes it simpler to serve individual portions.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
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Just tried this recipe with some rotisserie chicken before we make them with all the extras from Thanksgiving and they were DELISH. That garlic butter is amazing!
I’m so thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Johanna!
There are the two of us (3 if you include Gnattie Noodles).This sounds SO good! Will have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but the following day we’ll make this recipe. We’re excited about both, and we’re going to prepare them as you suggest. I’ll send an opinion and pictures. This will be fun for our tummies..
Let me know how they turn out and how you like them, Andy!
This looks and sounds so good but I would only want to make 1-2 maybe three or 4.
I may try this with my turkey leftovers.
Let me know if you try the recipe and hope you enjoy it, Jan!