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These Thanksgiving turkey sliders give leftovers a proper second act. Sliced turkey, stuffing and melted cheese are layered inside soft Hawaiian rolls, brushed with garlic butter and baked until hot.
Serve the sliders with warm Turkey Gravy for dipping. If you’re still planning the original holiday meal, my Thanksgiving food guide will help you put together the full menu and create the leftovers you’ll need here.
Cranberry lovers can add a few spoonfuls of cranberry sauce before baking. If you’re not a fan, like me, leave it out. These turkey and cheese sliders have plenty of flavor without it.
Leftover Turkey
The star of this recipe is sliced leftover turkey. My testing used meat from this Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast, but almost any cooked turkey will work.
You can also use leftovers from my Turkey Breast Tenderloin or Smoked Turkey Breast. Sliced deli turkey works when you don’t have holiday leftovers.
If you’re deciding what to cook for the original meal, browse my complete collection of Thanksgiving recipes.
Ingredients And Substitutions
Here are the main ingredients you’ll need. Refer to the recipe card below for exact amounts.
- Turkey: Use leftover roasted or smoked turkey cut into approximately ¼-inch slices. Sliced deli turkey can also be used.
- Stuffing: Any variety of leftover stuffing works. If you don’t have enough, prepare a fresh batch of boxed stuffing.
- Cheese: Havarti melts particularly well, but provolone or Swiss cheese can be substituted.
- Slider rolls: Hawaiian rolls add a subtle sweetness, while leftover dinner rolls or small hamburger buns provide a more neutral option.
- Fried onions: Add crispy fried onions after baking so they retain their crunch. Caramelized onions can be used for a softer, sweeter variation.
- Garlic butter: The rolls are brushed with melted butter, garlic powder, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce before baking.
- Turkey gravy: Serve warm gravy alongside the sliders for dipping. Store-bought gravy can be used when you don’t have homemade gravy left over.
How To Make Turkey Sliders
Keep the individual rolls connected while cutting the entire slab horizontally. This makes the sliders easier to assemble and transfer to the baking dish.
Layer the cheese and turkey: Place the bottom half of the rolls in a greased baking dish. Arrange the cheese and sliced turkey evenly over the rolls.
Add the stuffing: Spread the stuffing evenly over the sliced turkey. Break apart any large clumps so the sliders have an even layer.
Brush with garlic butter: Replace the top half of the rolls. Mix the melted butter, garlic powder, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce, then brush the mixture over the tops.
Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 8–9 minutes. Add the Parmesan and bake for one final minute.
Add the fried onions: Let the sliders rest for five minutes. Lift the top layer of rolls, scatter the crispy onions over the stuffing and replace the tops before serving.
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Turkey Slider Variations
- Turkey cranberry sliders: Spread cranberry sauce over the turkey before adding the stuffing.
- Turkey and cheese sliders: Leave out the stuffing and increase the amount of turkey and cheese.
- Spicy turkey sliders: Add sliced jalapeños or a thin layer of pepper jelly.
- Extra-savory sliders: Add a thin layer of gravy inside the sandwiches. Use it sparingly so the bottoms don’t become soggy.
Turkey Sliders Recipe Tips
- Don’t separate the rolls: Keep them connected while assembling and baking. Cut them into individual sliders immediately before serving.
- Distribute the filling evenly: Make sure every portion has turkey, cheese and stuffing before replacing the top half of the rolls.
- Cover before baking: Aluminum foil prevents the tops from becoming too dark before the centers are hot.
- Add the onions last: Fried onions soften when trapped next to the moist stuffing, so add them after baking.
- Adjust the quantity: These sliders are generously filled. Divide the ingredients between additional rolls if you want smaller or lighter portions.
Storage And Reheating
Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep any remaining gravy in a separate container.
Reheat the sliders covered in a 325°F oven until warmed through, then uncover them for the final few minutes to refresh the tops. The microwave works in a pinch, but the bread will be softer.
More Slider Recipes
Try my Prime Rib Sliders, Carne Asada Sliders or Philly Cheesesteak Sliders.
If you’re serving these at a holiday party instead of using them as leftovers, browse my complete collection of Thanksgiving appetizers for more recipes to serve with them.
Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders
Ingredients
TURKEY SLIDERS
- 1 package slider rolls, 16-count (*Note 1)
- 9-12 slices havarti, provolone, or Swiss cheese
- 1-1½ lb leftover turkey or deli turkey, sliced approx. 1/4 inch thick (*Note 2)
- 2-3 cups leftover stuffing
- ½-1 cup fried onions
TOPPINGS
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- optional: sea salt, to taste (*Note 3)
- 1 batch turkey gravy (*Note 4)
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350°F degrees.
- Cut the slider rolls in half horizontally, keeping the individual rolls attached.
- Place the bottom half of the rolls in a greased baking pan. Top the rolls with the cheese, turkey, and stuffing. Divide evenly between the rolls as much as possible. Place the top of the rolls on top of the stuffing.
- In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, garlic powder, dijon mustard, and Worcestershire Sauce. Use a pastry brush to evenly brush the tops of the sliders with the garlic butter sauce.
- Optional topping: sprinkle sea salt over the top of the rolls.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 8-9 minutes or until warm throughout. Keep an eye on them to ensure the rolls don't burn. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and bake for 1 additional minute.
- While the sliders are baking, make a batch of turkey gravy or heat up store bought gravy.
- Let the sliders rest for 5 minutes. Right before serving remove the top of the sliders and sprinkle fried onions over the stuffing. Place the top back on and serve with hot turkey gravy for dipping.