Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Cranberry Sliders Recipe

If there’s one thing I love more than the Thanksgiving meal itself, it’s the leftovers. This Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Cranberry Sliders Recipe is a great way to use Thanksgiving leftovers the next day or to serve at a casual Friendsgiving party. This recipe takes all the comforting flavors of the holiday and tucks them into warm, sweet Hawaiian rolls. It is Thanksgiving all wrapped up in one little square – the perfect holiday bite! 

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And like many of my recipes, I find inspiration from food or restaurants I’ve experienced, and this one is no different. These delicious Turkey Cranberry Sliders were inspired by our favorite cheesesteak spot in Philly (now in Charlotte too!) called Capriotti’s. They have a sub on the menu called The Hot Bobbie, made with turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing (or dressing if you’re from the South) that is my husband’s favorite. So naturally, I had to give it a shot, and dare I say these sliders might give the Bobbie a run for its money! Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but let’s just say the family was happy with their dinner on this particular recipe testing day! 

I hope you enjoy this easy recipe as much as we did! It’s an excellent alternative to preparing a giant Thanksgiving feast if that’s not your thing – it’s not really my thing LOL! And if it is your thing, it’s the perfect way to use your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fast & easy: Ready in about 25 minutes with no actual turkey-roasting needed. 
• Perfect for leftovers: In my opinion, this is a no-brainer way to use your leftover turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
• Serves a crowd: Makes 12 individual sliders in one go, making it the perfect party food.
• Delicious: Buttery rolls and sweet cranberry sauce with savory turkey and stuffing make for a delicious combination.
• Make-ahead friendly: You can assemble the sliders early and bake them when you’re ready.

And the best part? You can make them entirely from leftovers or start fresh with deli turkey and boxed stuffing. No rules here — just deliciousness.

How to Make Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Key Ingredients:

Here’s everything you need:

• 1 package Hawaiian rolls (12 count)
• Mayonnaise (enough to generously spread on the inside of the rolls, top and bottom)
• 3/4 lb Shaved deli turkey or leftover Thanksgiving turkey
• 1 cup Cranberry sauce or leftovers (I used Trader Joe’s, but any brand/type you like is fine)
• 1 box Stuffing or leftovers (I used Trader Joe’s, but any brand/type you like is fine. Prepare according to the package)
• Pinch of Salt and Pepper
• 1 tbsp Butter, melted (or cooking spray)
• Poppy seeds, optional

Simple ingredients, big Thanksgiving energy.

Equipment:

• Serrated Knife
• Measuring cup
• Baking Dish
• Pastry Brush
• Aluminum foil 

Instructions:

1. Prep the rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take your Hawaiian rolls out of the package and place them on a cutting board or flat surface. Using your serrated knife, slice the rolls horizontally, cutting the entire top half of the rolls off in one whole section, and place them aside.
2. Layer: Spread a generous layer of mayonnaise on the bottom half of the rolls and place them into an ungreased baking dish. Next, spread the shaved turkey on the rolls, then spread the cranberry sauce, then the stuffing. 
3. Top: Spread another generous layer of mayonnaise on the top half ot the rolls and place them on the assembled sliders.
4. Precut: With your hand on the rolls, apply pressure as you cut along the lines with a serrated knife, making them easier to pull apart after baking.
5. Butter: Brush tops with melted butter or spray with olive oil spray. Sprinkle with poppyseeds if using.
6. Bake: Cover with aluminum foil and bake on the middle rack of your oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the sliders are warmed throughout.
7. Serve warm: Serve immediately and enjoy!

Pro Tips for the Best Sliders

Don’t separate the rolls to assemble: Cut the rolls in half and build your sliders in the baking dish. *I do like to cut the sliders along the lines once they are in the baking dish so they’re easier to pull apart after baking. 

Layer to your liking: You can use as much or as little of each layer as you like. If you don’t love the cranberry, then go lighter on it, or vice versa with the stuffing.

Bake covered: Foil keeps the tops from browning too fast. You can remove the foil during the last few minutes of the bake if you like them crisper, but be careful not to burn. 

Add butter right before baking: The butter gives the rolls that glossy, golden finish and adds to the yumminess. Sprinkle with poppyseeds if you have them on hand. 

Serve immediately: These sliders can definitely be reheated and eaten later, but they are delicious right out of the oven. Let them cool enough before pulling them apart. You may have to go over the lines with your knift again before serving. 

Recipe Variations & Swaps

Honestly, they are perfect as is, and I wouldn’t make any changes. The only exception would be if you don’t love mayo; I would replace it with your favorite mustard or a mild cheese like provolone. 

Troubleshooting

To avoid the rolls being soggy on the bottom, do not grease your baking dish and bake on the middle rack of your oven. If you find them still a little soggy, next time you can try toasting the bottoms of the rolls for a few minutes before assembly. Or try removing the foil about halfway through the bake, but keep an eye on the sliders so the tops don’t burn.

How to Store

• Refrigerate: Up to 3 days wrapped or in an airtight container.
• Freeze: Wrap individually or in small batches and freeze up to 1 month.

How to Reheat

Oven. Reheat sliders at 350° (175°C), covered, for about 10 minutes.

Air fryer. Air fry for about 3-4 minutes at 350° (175°C) for extra crispiness.

Microwave. Heat in 20–30 second intervals until warmed through. They won’t be as crispy, but will still be tasty.

Final Thoughts

With just 6 main ingredients, these Easy Thanksgiving Turkey and Cranberry Sliders bring all the comfort of Thanksgiving dinner into a warm, bite-sized sandwich that’s perfect for sharing. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, using up your Thanksgiving leftovers, or just want something cozy, this is proof that sometimes less is more and easy recipes can still feel special!

It doesn’t have to be complicated – sometimes, all it takes is a tray of sliders and a few good friends around the table.

Do you love sliders like we do? Try my Caprese Sliders with Balsamic Glaze and my Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders!

Happy Hosting!

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