Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders

Remember that feeling the day after Thanksgiving when you open the fridge and there's enough turkey to feed a small army? I used to stress about what to do with all those leftovers until I discovered these Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders. They're honestly one of those recipes that makes me look forward to the day after Thanksgiving just as much as the big feast itself!

Last year, Emily's friends came over the Friday after Thanksgiving, and I threw these sliders together in less than 30 minutes. The kids devoured them so fast I had to make a second batch (which disappeared just as quickly). These aren't your average turkey sandwiches – we're talking about tender turkey layered with savory stuffing, melted cheese, and cranberry sauce, all topped with the most amazing honey mustard glaze that brings everything together.

What I really appreciate about this recipe is how it transforms what could be boring leftovers into something everyone actually gets excited about. Plus, you can make them ahead of time, which is a lifesaver during the busy holiday weekend. If you're looking for more ways to turn leftovers into something special, you might want to check out my easy chicken pot pie recipe with crescent rolls – it uses similar techniques for creating comfort food that feels brand new.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love These Turkey Sliders
• Ingredients For These Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders
• How To Make Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders
• Storage & Reheating Tips
• Tips For The Best Leftover Turkey Sliders
• Variations You Can Try
• Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders FAQ
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts
• Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders

Why You'll Love These Turkey Sliders

• Quick prep time – Only 10 minutes to assemble, and they're ready in under 30 minutes total
• Perfect for crowds – Makes 12 sliders, which is great for feeding hungry family members or game day guests
• Uses up leftovers – Finally, a way to use that turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce without anyone complaining
• Make ahead friendly – Assemble them the night before and bake when you're ready
• Customizable – Swap out ingredients based on what you have left in your fridge
• Kid approved – Even picky eaters love these (trust me, I've tested this theory multiple times)

Ingredients For These Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders

Here's what you'll need to make these amazing sliders:

For The Sauce:

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

For The Sliders:

• 12 white rolls (Hawaiian rolls work great too!)
• 9 thick slices of turkey
• 2 cups stuffing
• 12 slices white cheddar cheese
• 1 to 1 ½ cups cranberry sauce

A quick note about the ingredients – don't worry if your measurements aren't exact. I've made these with whatever turkey and stuffing I had left, and they always turn out great. The key is that honey mustard sauce on top – it's what makes these sliders stand out from regular sandwiches.

How To Make Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders

Getting Started

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). I always do this first so the oven's ready when I am.

Making The Sauce

2. Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, mustard, and melted butter until everything's smooth and combined. This sauce is seriously good – I've been known to make extra just to have on hand for regular sandwiches later in the week.

Assembling Your Sliders

3. Slice the white rolls horizontally while keeping them all connected at the bottom. This is the trick that makes these so easy to assemble – you're basically working with one big piece instead of individual rolls. Spread about half of your sauce mixture on the bottom half of the rolls.
4. Start layering your turkey slices across the rolls. I usually tear or cut the turkey into pieces that fit nicely. Then add your stuffing on top of the turkey – just spread it out evenly.
5. Add the cheese slices right on top of the stuffing. Then comes the cranberry sauce – spoon it over the cheese layer. Don't skip this step! The cranberry sauce adds that sweet-tart flavor that reminds you why Thanksgiving dinner is so good.
6. Place the top half of the rolls back on your assembled sliders. Spread the remaining sauce on top of everything. This top layer of sauce is what creates that golden, slightly crispy top when they bake.

Baking

7. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and pop it in the oven for about 12 minutes. The foil helps everything heat through without the tops getting too brown too fast.
8. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes. You're looking for melted cheese and golden brown tops that look absolutely irresistible.
9. Let them cool for just a couple minutes before slicing them into individual sliders. I know it's hard to wait, but this helps everything set up so the sliders hold together better when you cut them.

The whole process is so simple that I've had Emily help me make these before. She loves spreading the cranberry sauce (though admittedly, some of it ends up being eaten straight from the spoon – I totally get it).

Storage & Reheating Tips

Store any leftover sliders (if there are any!) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Honestly, they rarely last that long at my house.

To reheat them, I put them back in a 350°F oven for about 10-12 minutes until they're warmed through. The microwave works in a pinch, but the oven keeps them from getting soggy and maintains that nice texture on top.

If you want to freeze them, wrap individual sliders tightly in plastic wrap and then put them in a freezer bag. They'll keep for about a month. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Tips For The Best Leftover Turkey Sliders

Here are some things I've learned from making these multiple times:

• Use good quality rolls – The bread is important here! Hawaiian rolls are my favorite because they're slightly sweet and super soft, but any soft white rolls will work.
• Don't skip the sauce on top – I know it seems like a lot of sauce, but that top layer is what makes these sliders special. It gets all golden and creates this amazing flavor.
• Warm your stuffing first if it's been in the fridge – Cold stuffing doesn't spread as easily, and warming it helps everything meld together better when baking.
• Cut the turkey into bite-sized pieces instead of using huge slices – This makes the sliders much easier to eat and helps distribute the turkey more evenly.
• Customize the cheese – White cheddar is my go-to, but Swiss, provolone, or even pepper jack work great. Emily prefers mild cheddar, so sometimes I do half and half.

What about using different types of bread? I've tried these with regular sandwich rolls, and they work fine, but the texture isn't quite as good as those soft Hawaiian-style rolls. The slight sweetness of Hawaiian rolls actually pairs really well with the cranberry sauce.

Variations You Can Try

One of my favorite things about these Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders is how easy they are to customize:

• Add bacon – Because bacon makes everything better (cook it crispy and layer it with the turkey)
• Try different sauces – Sometimes I add a touch of Dijon mustard or a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the glaze
• Use different cheese – Swiss gives them a more traditional feel, while pepper jack adds a nice kick
• Add greens – A few fresh spinach leaves or arugula can add a nice freshness
• Make them spicy – Add some hot sauce to the glaze or use spicy brown mustard instead of regular
• Switch the cranberry sauce – Try cranberry relish or even lingonberry jam for a different twist

Last Thanksgiving, I ran out of white cheddar and used a combination of Swiss and provolone. Everyone loved it! Don't be afraid to experiment with what you have on hand.

Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders FAQ

Recipes You May Like

If you're enjoying these turkey sliders, you'll probably love these other recipes too:

• Philly Cheesesteak Sliders – Another slider recipe that's perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal effort
• Reuben Sandwich Sliders – These have that same make-ahead convenience and are always a hit at parties
• Ham Cheese Pinwheels – Easy finger food that works great alongside these sliders for a bigger spread

Final Thoughts

These Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders have become a tradition at our house. The Friday after Thanksgiving, Emily actually asks if we're making "those slider things" – which is pretty high praise from a teenager!

What I really appreciate about this recipe is that it takes leftovers that might otherwise sit in the fridge for days and turns them into something everyone actually wants to eat. The combination of flavors – the savory turkey and stuffing, the sweet cranberry sauce, the tangy honey mustard glaze – just works so well together.

Plus, they're perfect for those lazy post-holiday days when you don't want to spend much time in the kitchen but still want something better than plain turkey sandwiches. I've made these for casual family dinners, game day gatherings, and even as an easy lunch option throughout the weekend.

Give these sliders a try with your Thanksgiving leftovers this year. I think you'll be as hooked as we are! And don't forget to save this recipe to Pinterest so you can find it easily next Thanksgiving.