These easy Leftover Turkey Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls are one of my favorite ways to use up Thanksgiving leftovers! They’re made with tender turkey, sweet cranberry sauce, melty Swiss cheese, and soft Hawaiian rolls, all topped with buttery Italian seasoning and sesame seeds.
If you’re wondering what to make with leftover Thanksgiving turkey, these delicious turkey cranberry sliders are perfect for a quick lunch, easy dinner, or even a party appetizer. They only need a handful of ingredients and are ready in about 20 minutes!
Why You’ll Love These Leftover Turkey Sliders
- Perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers: A delicious way to use up leftover roast turkey and cranberry sauce without making another regular turkey sandwich.
- Quick and easy: These baked turkey sliders need just a few simple ingredients and very little prep time.
- Great for feeding a crowd: Hawaiian roll sliders are easy to make in a big batch, making them perfect for parties, game days, or family gatherings.
- Sweet and savory: The combination of cranberry sauce, Swiss cheese, and buttery Hawaiian rolls is so good!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need 7 simple ingredients to make these easy turkey sliders on Hawaiian rolls!
- Hawaiian rolls: Soft, slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls work perfectly for these sliders. King’s Hawaiian rolls are a great option.
- Leftover turkey: Use sliced leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Both white and dark meat work well for this recipe.
- Swiss cheese: Adds a delicious melty, cheesy layer. You can also use provolone or cheddar if you prefer.
- Cranberry sauce: The perfect way to add a little sweetness and use up leftover Thanksgiving cranberry sauce.
- Melted butter: Brushed over the tops of the rolls to give them a delicious buttery finish.
- Sesame seeds: Add a little crunch to the topping.
- Italian seasoning: Adds extra flavor to the buttery tops of the sliders.
How to Make Leftover Turkey Sliders
These Thanksgiving turkey sliders are super easy to put together and make a great last-minute meal when you don’t feel like cooking anything complicated.
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: Prepare the Hawaiian rolls
Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping the rolls connected if possible.
Place the bottom half of the rolls into a baking dish.
Step 3: Add the cranberry sauce
Spread an even layer of cranberry sauce over the bottom half of the Hawaiian rolls.
Step 4: Layer the turkey and cheese
Add your sliced leftover turkey on top of the cranberry sauce.
Next, layer the Swiss cheese slices over the turkey, making sure the rolls are evenly covered.
Step 5: Add the tops
Place the top half of the Hawaiian rolls back over the cheese.
Step 6: Add the buttery topping
Brush the tops of the rolls generously with melted butter.
Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and sesame seeds.
Step 7: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly golden and the cheese has melted. Make sure the leftover turkey is heated all the way through to 165°F (74°C); cover loosely with foil and continue baking if necessary.
Remove from the oven, slice into individual sliders, and serve warm!
Tips for the Best Turkey and Cheese Sliders
Don’t overdo the cranberry sauce. You want just enough to add that delicious sweet and tangy flavor without making the bottom of the Hawaiian rolls too soggy.
Use thinly sliced turkey. Thin slices are easier to layer and help the turkey heat evenly while the cheese melts.
Keep the rolls connected. Instead of cutting each Hawaiian roll individually, slice the whole sheet of rolls in half horizontally. This makes assembling your sliders so much easier.
Cover with foil if needed. If the tops of your turkey sliders are browning too quickly before the filling is hot, loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Serve warm. These turkey and cheese sliders taste best fresh out of the oven when the cheese is melted and the rolls are soft and buttery.
What to Serve With Turkey Cranberry Sliders
These baked turkey sliders are great on their own for a quick lunch, but you can also turn them into an easy dinner with a few simple sides.
Some delicious options include:
- Sweet potato fries
- Coleslaw
- A simple green salad
- Potato wedges
- Roasted vegetables
- Leftover Thanksgiving sides
They’re also perfect for a party sandwich tray alongside other easy appetizers and finger foods.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Turkey Sliders
If you have any sliders left over, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Fridge: Since these sliders are made with leftover turkey, count the storage time from when the turkey was originally cooked, not from when you made the sliders. Use refrigerated cooked turkey within 3–4 days of its original cooking date.
Reheating: Place the sliders in an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and reheat at 350°F (175°C) until the filling is steaming hot and reaches 165°F (74°C).
Make ahead: You can assemble the sliders a few hours before baking and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Add the melted butter topping just before baking to help prevent the rolls from becoming soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use deli turkey instead of leftover Thanksgiving turkey?
Yes! Although this recipe is a great way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers, you can absolutely make these Hawaiian roll sliders with deli turkey. Just layer the sliced turkey with cranberry sauce and Swiss cheese and bake as directed, making sure the filling is thoroughly heated.
Can I make turkey sliders ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the turkey cranberry sliders a few hours ahead of time and keep them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. For the best results, wait until just before baking to brush the tops with melted butter and add the seasonings.
How do you keep Hawaiian roll sliders from getting soggy?
Avoid adding too much cranberry sauce, and don’t brush the rolls with melted butter until you’re ready to bake. Serving the sliders shortly after baking also helps keep the rolls from becoming too soft.
Leftover Turkey Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
These leftover turkey sliders with cranberry sauce are such an easy way to turn Thanksgiving leftovers into something the whole family will actually be excited to eat!
