3-Ingredient Turkey Cranberry Slider Magic – Epic Leftover Hack

You know that magical moment after Thanksgiving when you’re staring at piles of leftovers and thinking, “What now?” That’s when these leftover turkey cranberry sliders come to the rescue! I first discovered this trick when my sister-in-law dumped all our Thanksgiving remnants onto the counter and said, “Watch this.” Twenty minutes later, we were devouring the most delicious post-Thanksgiving meal I’d ever had.

These sliders are my secret weapon for turning that mountain of turkey and cranberry sauce into something special without any fuss. The combination of warm, shredded turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and melty Swiss cheese is downright addictive. And the best part? You’re just 10 minutes of baking away from a meal that tastes like you slaved over it all day.

Why You’ll Love These Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Listen, I don’t blame you if you’re sick of turkey sandwiches by now. But trust me – these sliders are different. Here’s why they’ll become your new post-Thanksgiving tradition:

• 20-minute miracle: From fridge to table faster than you can say “Black Friday deals”
• No-fuss fancy: Looks like you tried, tastes like you’re a gourmet chef
• Flavor bomb: Sweet cranberry, savory turkey and melty cheese in every bite
• Crowd-pleaser: Kids, grandparents, and picky uncles all go back for seconds
• Fridge freedom: Finally clears out those Thanksgiving leftovers without waste

My nephew once ate six of these in one sitting. Need I say more?

Ingredients for Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Here’s the beautiful part – you probably have most of this already sitting in your fridge! Just gather:

• 2 cups leftover turkey – shredded (not diced, trust me on this texture thing)
• 12 slider buns – those little Hawaiian rolls work magic here
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce – homemade or that jar you didn’t finish at dinner
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise – the glue that holds it all together
• 4 slices Swiss cheese – torn to fit each slider perfectly
• 1 tbsp melted butter – for that golden top crunch
• 1 tsp dried thyme – my secret flavor booster

See? Nothing fancy – just Thanksgiving leftovers transformed into something magical.

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these sliders! Just grab:

• A baking sheet (line it with parchment if you’re feeling fancy)
• A pastry brush for that buttery top (or just use a spoon in a pinch)
• A sharp knife to split those buns without squishing them

That’s it! Now you’re ready to transform those leftovers into something amazing.

How to Make Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Okay, let’s turn those leftovers into something incredible! The whole process is so easy you’ll be shocked at how good the results are. Just follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Prep the Buns and Spreads

First, crank your oven to 350°F – we want it hot and ready by the time we’re done assembling. Take your slider buns and slice them in half without separating the individual rolls – we’re making a sheet of sliders here! Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the bottom halves – this creates a moisture barrier so your buns don’t get soggy. Then comes the cranberry sauce – dollop and spread it right over the mayo. Pro tip: if your cranberry sauce is too thick, warm it slightly to make spreading easier!

Step 2: Layer Turkey and Cheese

Now, pile on that shredded turkey! I like to use my fingers to distribute it evenly across all the buns. The shreds cling together better than diced pieces. Next, tear your Swiss cheese slices into quarters (or sixths for smaller sliders) and drape them over the turkey. Don’t worry about perfect coverage – the melting will take care of that!

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pop the top buns on, then brush the melted butter over them – this gives that gorgeous golden color. Sprinkle with thyme for extra flavor. Bake for about 10 minutes until the cheese is melty and the tops are just starting to crisp. Watch closely after 8 minutes – if you like extra crispiness, you can broil for the last 30 seconds! The sliders should come out warm, gooey, and smelling like Thanksgiving all over again.

Tips for the Best Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders

After making these sliders every Thanksgiving for years, I’ve picked up some tricks that take them from good to “Oh my goodness, give me the recipe!” good:

• Warm your turkey for 10 seconds in the microwave before assembling – helps everything melt together perfectly
• Season as you go – a tiny pinch of salt on the turkey makes all the difference
• Butter both sides of the top buns for extra crispiness
• Let them rest for 2 minutes after baking – the cheese sets so they don’t fall apart
• Add a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning on top for extra flavor

These little tweaks make big flavor differences – try them!

Variations and Substitutions

The beauty of these sliders? You can mix them up based on what’s in your fridge! Here are my favorite twists:

• Cheese swap: Cheddar instead of Swiss gives a bolder flavor – perfect if you’re craving something richer
• Bun alternatives: Dinner rolls work great, or try croissants for an ultra-buttery version (just reduce bake time)
• Add greens: A layer of arugula or spinach adds freshness and crunch
• Spice it up: Mix a dash of hot sauce into the mayo for a kick

Just remember – drier breads (like baguettes) absorb more moisture, so go lighter on the cranberry sauce!

Serving and Storing Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders

These sliders taste best straight from the oven when the cheese is gloriously gooey! I love serving them with pickle spears on the side – that tangy crunch cuts through the richness perfectly. For a fuller meal, add a simple green salad or some sweet potato fries.

Got leftovers of your leftovers? No problem! Store any uneaten sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready for round two, reheat them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked magic. (The microwave works in a pinch, but the buns won’t stay crispy.) Trust me, they might just taste better the second day!

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on these sliders based on the ingredients we’re using. Each slider comes out to about 180 calories, with 10g of protein to keep you satisfied. The cranberry sauce adds about 5g of natural sugar per slider (hey, it’s the holidays!), while the Swiss cheese keeps the lactose content lower than you might expect.

Of course, these numbers are just estimates – your exact nutrition will depend on whether you use homemade cranberry sauce, light mayo, or if you go back for thirds like my uncle always does. The important thing? These sliders taste so good, you won’t even think twice about the numbers!

Frequently Asked Questions

Over the years, I’ve gotten tons of questions about these leftover turkey cranberry sliders – here are the ones that come up most often:

• Can I use chicken instead of turkey? Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works wonderfully. Just adjust the seasoning since it’s usually saltier than leftover turkey.
• How do I prevent soggy buns? That mayo layer is key! Also, don’t overdo the cranberry sauce – a thin, even layer is plenty. If you’re worried, toast the buns lightly before assembling.
• Can I make these ahead of time? You can assemble them a few hours early, but wait to bake until serving for the crispiest results. Cover tightly with foil in the fridge.
• What if my cranberry sauce is too sweet? Balance it with a sprinkle of black pepper or a squeeze of lemon juice before spreading.

Got more questions? Just ask in the comments – I’ve probably tested every variation under the sun!

For more delicious recipes and inspiration, be sure to check out our Pinterest page!

Print