If there’s one tradition I look forward to almost as much as Thanksgiving dinner itself, it’s what happens the next day — when the fridge is overflowing with containers of turkey, cranberry sauce, and those soft leftover rolls. And every year, without fail, these Turkey Cranberry Sliders become the star of the weekend.

They’re warm.
They’re melty.
They’re sweet, savory, buttery, and ridiculously easy.
And best of all? They taste like a whole new meal, not leftovers.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd after Black Friday shopping, prepping an easy lunch, or setting out party snacks for Friendsgiving round two, these sliders disappear faster than pumpkin pie at midnight.

Let’s turn those leftovers into something unforgettable.

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⭐ Why You’ll Love These Sliders

These aren’t just little sandwiches — they’re full-on holiday hugs in food form. Here’s why they’re a keeper:

• Ready in 30 minutes — perfect for lazy weekends
• Uses classic leftovers you already have (or pantry staples!)
• One-pan, no-stress cleanup
• Great for feeding a crowd or nibbling through the day
• Sweet + savory flavor combo that’s totally addictive
• Pinterest-perfect photos every time (they bake beautifully!)

Honestly, they’re the type of recipe people try once… and then make every single year.

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🦃 Ingredients You’ll Need

(Simple ingredients — huge flavor)

Turkey & Filling

• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or sliced
• ½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce
• 6 slices Swiss or provolone cheese, halved

Rolls

• 12 slider buns or mini brioche rolls

Creamy Sauce

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

Buttery Topping

• 4 tbsp melted butter
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds (optional, but sooo good)
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley

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👩‍🍳 How to Make the Best Turkey Cranberry Sliders

1. Preheat & Prep

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) while you gather everything.
Then take the buns and slice them horizontally, keeping each set connected. Place the bottoms in a greased 9×13 baking dish.

Tip: Soft, pillowy rolls = the best sliders.

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2. Make the Creamy Spread

Mix the mayo and Dijon until silky.
Spread generously over the bottom buns — this is what keeps everything moist and adds that perfect tangy layer.

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3. Add Turkey & Cranberry

Scatter your turkey evenly.
Then spoon the cranberry sauce on top.

The sweet-tart cranberry cutting through buttery rolls + savory turkey = pure magic.

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4. Add Cheese & Close Them Up

Lay the cheese slices across the top, overlapping slightly for that gorgeous melty blanket.
Place the top half of the rolls back on.

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5. Brush With Buttery Topping

Mix melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and poppy seeds.
Brush generously over the buns until shiny and well-coated.

This buttery topping? It’s the “wow factor.” Don’t skip it.

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6. Bake Covered, Then Uncovered

• Cover with foil → bake 15 minutes
• Remove foil → bake 5 minutes until golden and melty

The smell alone will have people hovering in the kitchen.

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7. Slice & Serve Warm

Let them sit a minute to set, then slice and enjoy your bite-sized perfection.

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🌟 What Makes These Sliders So Special?

✔ They don’t taste like leftovers

Between the cranberry sauce, creamy spread, and buttery topping, everything feels brand new.

✔ The texture combo is perfect

Soft rolls + juicy turkey + melted cheese + glossy buttery tops = slider heaven.

✔ Great for serving a crowd

Everyone can grab one (or three), and they rewarm beautifully.

✔ They’re flexible

Swap turkey for rotisserie chicken, ham, or deli turkey.
No cranberry? Try:

• apricot jam
• fig spread
• cherry preserves
• apple butter

All of them pair beautifully.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Try pairing your sliders with:

• crispy green salad
• roasted veggies
• dill pickles
• sparkling cider
• a cozy mug of hot chocolate

For parties, place these on a platter with festive toothpicks — they vanish quickly.

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💡 Expert Tips (Don’t Skip These!)

These small tricks make a HUGE difference:

🔸 Spread the sauce to all edges

Keeps every bite juicy.

🔸 Add extra cheese for maximum melt

A layer under and over the turkey = wow.

🔸 Cover while baking

This keeps the buns soft and shiny.

🔸 Use whole berry cranberry

It gives the best texture and color.

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❄️ Storage + Make-Ahead

• Fridge: 3 days, tightly covered
• Reheat: 350°F wrapped in foil
• Make-Ahead: assemble → refrigerate → bake before serving

Great for brunch the next day!

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🔄 Variations to Try

Want to switch up the flavors?

🔹 Hawaiian Turkey Sliders

Use Hawaiian rolls + add a splash of pineapple juice to the butter.

🔹 Spicy Turkey Jalapeño Sliders

Add sliced jalapeños under the cheese.

🔹 Stuffing Sliders

Add a thin layer of stuffing for the ultimate leftover mashup.

🔹 Gourmet Fig + Turkey Sliders

Swap cranberry for fig jam + use Brie instead of Swiss.

All Pinterest gold, by the way.

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🧠 FAQs (Answering Real Reader Questions)

→ Can I use a different cheese?

Absolutely! Cheddar, provolone, mozzarella, Brie — all melt beautifully.

→ How do I keep sliders soft and moist?

The butter topping + baking under foil first keeps everything tender.

→ Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes — assemble, refrigerate, and bake when ready.

→ Should turkey be shredded or sliced?

Either works! Shredded gives more texture; sliced gives neat layers.

→ Are these good for parties?

They’re one of the BEST. You’ll get asked for the recipe every time.

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🎉 Final Thoughts

If you’re tired of dry leftover turkey sandwiches or don’t want your fridge to turn into Thanksgiving round two, these Turkey Cranberry Sliders are the fun, cozy solution you’ll never get tired of making.

They’re everything we love about holiday food — comforting, melty, nostalgic — transformed into something easy, exciting, and seriously delicious.