Leftover Turkey Recipes – Turkey Sliders

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Special thanks to McCormick® for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

Looking for leftover turkey recipes? These leftover turkey sliders with turkey, cheese, cranberry sauce, gravy, and delicious sweet buttered rolls are the BEST!

After you’ve enjoyed this moist crock pot turkey and this amazing cranberry sauce, repurpose both into these simple sliders!

An up close shot of a turkey slider: one of many leftover turkey recipes

What can I do with leftover turkey from Thanksgiving?

After slaving away for a couple of days in the kitchen you deserve some leftover turkey recipes that are tasty and easy to make! Thanksgiving leftovers make up some of my favorite meals — delicious ingredients repurposed in a quick prep time = win, win!

You can make healthy leftover turkey recipes (I’m always craving this salad after the big feast), leftover turkey pasta recipes, and more. My #1 tip: look for your favorite dishes with shredded chicken and replace that chicken with turkey (this penne pasta or this chicken avocado flatbread are both good places to start!)

Of all of the delicious meals you can make with Thanksgiving leftovers, these turkey sliders are definitely one of my very favorites — tender turkey breast meat, flavorful McCormick Turkey Gravy, sweet cranberry sauce, melty muenster cheese, and sweet Hawaiian rolls — these sliders are the best!

Overhead shot of ingredients to repurpose into another meal -- turkey sliders: one of many leftover turkey recipes

What can be made with leftover turkey?

The possibilities for leftover turkey recipes are endless! If you don’t have anything leftover BUT turkey, I’d recommend whipping up a packet of McCormick Turkey Gravy (which takes less than 5 minutes), and enjoying the two together OR use the ready-to-serve McCormick Simply Better Gravy to replace cream sauces in some of your favorite meals. (And add in some turkey to those meals or replace other protein with that turkey).

McCormick Turkey Gravy is made with real and flavorful ingredients, like hearty stock, vegetables and McCormick herbs and spices. Your family will be obsessed with this turkey gravy. We don’t do Thanksgiving (or Thanksgiving leftovers) without it!

Process shots of assembling turkey sliders: one of many leftover turkey recipes

How do you make these leftover turkey sliders?

  • First, inventory those leftovers! You’ll need one pound of leftover turkey breast, cranberry sauce, and 1 packet of McCormick Turkey Gravy. You’ll also need one package of Sweet Hawaiian rolls, cheese, butter, and seasonings.
  • Slice the entire package of Sweet Hawaiian Rolls in half (keeping the individual rolls together).
  • On the bottom half of the rolls, evenly layer half of the turkey, the cranberry sauce, cheese, and the remaining half of the turkey and top with the top half of the rolls.
  • Melt the butter, mix in the spices (part of the turkey gravy packet goes in this mixture which infuses these rolls with an amazing gravy flavor), and evenly pour over the rolls. Cook until cheese is melted and turkey is warmed through.
  • While it’s cooking, you can whip up the remainder of the turkey gravy to dip your sliders in.

Overhead shot of baked turkey sliders

Leftover Turkey Recipes FAQS

How long can you keep leftover gravy in the fridge?

You can store leftover prepared gravy in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze prepared gravy in an airtight container for up to 4-6 months.

McCormick Turkey Gravy packets (unprepared) have a long shelf life — be sure to check your individual packet.

How long is leftover turkey good for in the fridge?

Leftover turkey will keep for 3-5 days in the fridge. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to prevent the turkey from drying out in the fridge.

How long does sliced turkey last in the fridge?

If you’re using packaged turkey or deli meat, an open package will last for 3-5 days. An unopened package of turkey should last for about 2 weeks in the fridge, but be sure to check the expiration date!

Can you freeze leftover cooked turkey?

You can freeze leftover cooked turkey for up to three months; just make sure you have removed the bones before you freeze the meat.

An up close shot of a turkey slider being pulled from the casserole dish: one of many leftover turkey recipes

More leftover turkey recipes:

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Leftover Turkey Recipes - Turkey Sliders

5 from 1 vote
These leftover turkey sliders with turkey, cheese, cranberry sauce, gravy, and delicious sweet buttered rolls are the BEST!
Print Recipe

Leftover Turkey Recipes - Turkey Sliders

5 from 1 vote
These leftover turkey sliders with turkey, cheese, cranberry sauce, gravy, and delicious sweet buttered rolls are the BEST!
Course Dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword leftover turkey recipes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 12 sliders
Calories 162kcal
Author Chelsea

Ingredients

  • 1 (12 count) package Sweet Hawaiian rolls, sliced in half
  • 1 pound Leftover turkey breast OR Deli Honey Smoked Turkey Breast, thinly sliced
  • 2/3 cup cranberry sauce*
  • 10 ounces Muenster cheese, thinly sliced to get 8 slices
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 package (.87 ounces) McCormick Turkey Gravy, separated
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon McCormick Poppyseeds
  • 3/4 teaspoon McCormick Dried Minced Garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Onion Powder

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Using a large serrated knife, slice the entire package of rolls in half. You don't want to cut or separate individual rolls, but rather make it so you have a bottom half of all the rolls and a top half of all the rolls (see photos in this post). Place the bottom half of the rolls in the prepared pan.
  • Evenly layer half of the turkey over the rolls. Spread an even layer of cranberry sauce on top. (Make sure you have a good thick cranberry sauce so the bottom of the rolls don't get soggy!)
  • Evenly layer the cheese. (I do 2 layers of muenster cheese). Evenly layer the remaining turkey. Add the top half of the rolls and set aside.
  • To a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the butter and melt. Stir in 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of the turkey gravy packet, dijon mustard, poppyseeds, dried minced garlic, and onion powder. Whisk to combine.
  • Evenly and slowly pour the butter mixture over the rolls. Use a spatula or pastry brush to spread the mixture over the tops. Some of the mixture will pool at the base of the rolls -- that's okay. 
  • Cover the sliders with foil and allow rolls to stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. Then bake in preheated oven (covered) for 18-25 minutes or until the cheese has melted and turkey is heated throughout. Uncover and bake the sliders for another 3-5 minutes or until the sliders are done to your desired preference.
  • Make sure to watch your sliders carefully to avoid burning. The bake time will vary based on the pan you used, the current climate/humidity, and differences in ovens. 
  • Meanwhile, add the remaining gravy mix to a small pot. Add in 3/4ths cup of cold water and prepare the gravy according to package instructions. Serve alongside finished sliders!
  • Slice into individual sliders and serve immediately with a side of gravy! Sliders are best served right after being removed from the oven. These don't store or re-heat very well.

Recipe Notes

*I highly recommend a thick homemade cranberry sauce to ensure these rolls don't get soggy and have the right amount of sweetness. 

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 162kcal

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

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Nutrition Facts for leftover turkey recipes: sliders

The ultimate BEST EVER turkey sliders using Thanksgiving leftovers! via chelseasmessyapron.com #slider #thanksgiving #leftover #recipe #recipes #easy #quick #sliders #party #appetizer #turkey #cranberry #rolls
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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Looking for something to use up the leftover turkey breast that would please everyone! Better than expected results and the family loved every bite! Was ready for them when the boys got home from practice! Everyone raves about them including grandpa!!

    1. Yay!! Love hearing that, so glad these turkey sliders were a hit! 🙂 Thanks for the comment and review Cari 🙂

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