Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders

You know that moment the day after Thanksgiving when you open your fridge and see all those containers of turkey? Last year, I stared at mine for a solid five minutes before Amy walked in and asked if we could make "sandwich bites." That's when I created these Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders, and honestly? They've become our family's favorite post-holiday tradition.

These sliders turn your holiday leftovers into something completely different. We're talking soft rolls loaded with tender turkey, your leftover stuffing, melted white cheddar, and a sweet-tangy sauce that brings everything together. Bradley ate four in one sitting last year, and John declared them better than the actual Thanksgiving dinner. I wouldn't go that far, but they're definitely a close second!

The best part is how quick these come together. About 27 minutes from start to finish, and you've got a crowd-pleasing meal that doesn't feel like leftovers at all. Plus, they're perfect for those casual weekend gatherings or game day snacks. I made a double batch for our neighbors last December, and they've been asking for the recipe ever since.

If you're looking for more ways to transform your holiday leftovers, check out my easy popcorn chicken recipe that also works great for casual gatherings.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love These Turkey Sliders
• Ingredients For Your Turkey Sliders
• How To Make Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders
• Storage And Reheating Your Sliders
• Tips For The Best Turkey Sliders
• Leftover Turkey Slider Variations
• Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Sliders
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts On These Turkey Sliders
• Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders

Why You'll Love These Turkey Sliders

• Quick assembly - Ready in under 30 minutes using ingredients you already have
• Uses multiple leftovers - Turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce all in one dish
• Feeds a crowd - Makes 12 sliders perfect for family meals or parties
• Customizable flavors - Swap cheeses, add bacon, or adjust the sauce to your taste
• Make-ahead friendly - Assemble hours in advance and bake when ready
• Kid-approved - Even picky eaters love these handheld bites

Ingredients For Your Turkey Sliders

For the honey mustard sauce:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup honey
• ⅛ cup mustard
• ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)

For the sliders:

• 12 white rolls (I use Hawaiian rolls when I can find them)
• 9 thick slices of turkey (about 2-3 cups shredded works too)
• 2 cups stuffing (your leftover Thanksgiving stuffing)
• 12 slices white cheddar cheese
• 1 to 1 ½ cups cranberry sauce

I learned the hard way that the quality of your rolls makes a huge difference here. Those soft, slightly sweet dinner rolls work best because they don't get too tough when baked. Amy likes when I use the connected dinner rolls because they're easier to eat without everything falling apart.

How To Make Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders

Prepare your oven and pan:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grab a 9x13-inch baking dish and give it a light spray with cooking oil.

Mix the sauce:

3. Whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, and mustard in a medium bowl until it's completely smooth.
4. Pour in your melted butter and mix again until everything's combined. The sauce should look glossy and smell amazing.

Assemble the sliders:

5. Place your connected rolls in the prepared baking dish without separating them.
6. Slice the entire block of rolls horizontally, keeping the bottom half in the pan.
7. Spread half of your honey mustard sauce across the bottom layer of rolls. Don't be shy with it!
8. Layer your turkey slices evenly across the sauced bottom. I usually overlap them slightly to make sure every bite has turkey.
9. Spoon your leftover stuffing over the turkey layer, pressing it down gently so it sticks.
10. Place one slice of white cheddar on each slider spot. The cheese acts like glue for everything.
11. Dollop cranberry sauce over the cheese layer. John thinks this is the secret ingredient that makes these sliders special.
12. Put the top half of the rolls back on and press down gently to compact everything.

Bake to perfection:

13. Brush the remaining honey mustard sauce over the tops of the rolls. This creates that gorgeous golden finish.
14. Cover your baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
15. Bake covered for 12 minutes until the cheese starts melting.
16. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes until the tops turn golden brown and slightly crispy.
17. Let the sliders rest for 3-4 minutes before cutting them apart with a sharp knife.

The hardest part is waiting those few minutes before digging in. Last time I made these, Bradley tried to grab one right out of the oven and almost burned his fingers. Trust me, the wait is worth it!

Storage And Reheating Your Sliders

Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They actually taste pretty good cold, which I discovered when I ate one straight from the fridge at midnight (don't judge).

For reheating, I've tried a few methods:

• Oven: 350°F for about 8-10 minutes wrapped in foil
• Microwave: 30-45 seconds, though they lose some crispiness
• Air fryer: 5 minutes at 350°F gives you that crispy top back

The flavors actually get better overnight as everything melds together. I made these on a Friday once, and we ate them all weekend long.

Tips For The Best Turkey Sliders

Choose your rolls wisely. Hawaiian rolls are my favorite, but any soft dinner rolls work great. Just make sure they're fresh and slightly sweet to balance the savory filling.

Don't skip the sauce on top. That honey mustard mixture brushed on top is what gives these sliders their signature golden crust. It's also what makes them smell so good that John always asks what's for dinner before he even walks in the door.

Press everything down. After you put the top rolls on, give them a firm press. This helps everything stick together and makes them easier to eat. Amy calls this the "squish step" and insists on doing it herself.

Adjust the cranberry sauce. Some families use more cranberry sauce than others at Thanksgiving. Start with 1 cup and add more if you want a sweeter, tangier bite.

Try different cheeses. While I usually stick with white cheddar, Swiss cheese adds a nutty flavor, and pepper jack gives a nice kick. Bradley keeps asking me to make a version with three different cheeses, and I might try that next time.

Add bacon if you want. Crispy bacon pieces scattered over the turkey layer take these from great to incredible. It's not traditional, but who's judging?

Make them spicier. A few dashes of hot sauce in the honey mustard mixture or some sliced jalapeños on the turkey layer work for those who like heat.

Watch the baking time. Ovens vary, so check your sliders at the 10-minute mark when they're covered. If the cheese looks melted, you can move on to the uncovered phase.

Leftover Turkey Slider Variations

Buffalo turkey sliders: Replace the honey mustard sauce with buffalo sauce mixed with melted butter, and use blue cheese instead of cheddar.

BBQ turkey sliders: Swap the honey mustard for your favorite BBQ sauce and add crispy onions on top.

Mediterranean turkey sliders: Use feta cheese, add some spinach, and replace cranberry sauce with sun-dried tomatoes.

Breakfast sliders: Add a fried egg and swap cranberry sauce for jam. We tried this on Black Friday morning, and it was a hit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Sliders

Recipes You May Like

• The Best Meatloaf Recipe - Another comforting family dinner that uses simple ingredients
• Homemade Corn Dogs Recipe - Perfect handheld food for casual gatherings
• Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp - If you love Hawaiian rolls as much as we do

Final Thoughts On These Turkey Sliders

These Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders have seriously changed how we handle our holiday leftovers. Instead of eating the same reheated plate for days, we turn everything into something new that everyone actually gets excited about.

The honey mustard sauce combined with the melted cheese and cranberry sauce creates this sweet-savory-tangy flavor that tastes nothing like regular leftovers. And using all those Thanksgiving components means less food waste, which makes me feel good about feeding my family.

Give these a try with your leftover turkey this year. They're simple enough for a weeknight but special enough that you'll want to make them even when it's not Thanksgiving. Plus, they're fun to put together, and the kids can help with almost every step.

Make a batch, save this recipe to Pinterest, and let me know how your family likes them! I promise they'll become part of your post-holiday tradition too.

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