Small Batch Thanksgiving Sliders

After the big Thanksgiving feast, what’s better than finding creative ways to enjoy all those delicious leftovers? Enter the world of Leftover Thanksgiving Sliders! This recipe transforms your festive leftovers into scrumptious, bite-sized turkey sliders that are perfect for a relaxed post-holiday meal or snack.

Using simple ingredients like leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, we’re turning the remnants of your Thanksgiving dinner into a delightful new treat. With a small baking dish, you’ll whip up 4 mouth-watering sliders in no time. It’s a fun and easy way to savor the flavors of Thanksgiving all over again.

For those celebrating Thanksgiving For One or Thanksgiving For Two, this meal plan is perfect. Start with the delightful Thanksgiving sliders, enjoy them along with a refreshing Fall Sangria, and conclude with the spiced Pumpkin Pie Bars. This combination ensures a memorable and cozy holiday experience, whether you’re enjoying it on your own or with a special someone.

Why You’ll Love These Thanksgiving Sliders

1. Convenience: Utilize your Thanksgiving leftovers efficiently and deliciously.
2. Versatility: Easily adjustable recipe to cater to your leftover supply.
3. Perfect Size: Ideal for a snack or a small meal, especially when you’re still full from the holiday feast.
4. Customizable: Swap out ingredients based on what you have on hand.
5. Quick Preparation: Simple and quick to assemble, making them a great choice for a hassle-free meal.

What Is A Thanksgiving Slider?

A Thanksgiving slider is a mini sandwich that encapsulates all the classic flavors of a Thanksgiving dinner. These sliders typically include turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and cheese, all neatly packed into a small roll. It’s like enjoying the holiday feast in just a few bites!

Ingredients

This section provides a quick rundown of the ingredients used in this small batch sliders recipe. For complete measurements and step-by-step instructions, please scroll to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

• Leftover Turkey: Turkey is the star of these sliders. Can be substituted with roasted chicken or ham. For a vegetarian version, omit the turkey and add more of the other ingredients.
• Cranberry Sauce: Cranberry sauce adds a sweet and tart flavor. Substitute with a different fruit preserve if desired.
• Stuffing or Dressing: Feel free to use mashed potatoes instead.
• Havarti Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds creaminess. Feel free to use another melty cheese like Swiss or cheddar.
• Mayonnaise and Dijon Mustard: Enhances the flavor of the sliders but in the end, use your preferred condiments.
• Hawaiian Sweet Dinner Rolls: Perfect for their size and sweetness. Any small rolls will do.
• Butter and Poppy Seeds: For brushing on top of the rolls for added flavor and texture.

This Leftover Thanksgiving Sliders recipe is a great base, but feel free to mix in other Thanksgiving leftovers. Add Green Bean Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole, or Cornbread Dressing to your turkey sandwich for added flavor and texture. It’s a delicious way to enjoy the full essence of your Thanksgiving feast in every bite!

How To Make Turkey Sliders

These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make Thanksgiving leftover sliders. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

1. Oven Preparation: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 5×5 inch baking dish by lightly buttering the interior. If you prefer, a 5×7 inch baking dish can also be used for a bit more space.

2. Dijon-Mayonnaise Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together Dijon mustard and mayonnaise. Cut the dinner rolls in half and apply this mixture to the top halves of the rolls and set them aside for later.

3. Prepare Rolls for Layering: Place the bottom halves of the dinner rolls in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they fit snugly.

4. Layer the Ingredients: Start by adding a layer of stuffing over the bottom halves of the rolls placed in your baking dish. Next, layer the leftover turkey on top of the stuffing.

5. Now, top the turkey with a generous spread of cranberry sauce.

6. Place slices or shreds of cheese over the cranberry sauce.

7. Top It Off: Finish assembling the sliders by placing the top halves of the dinner rolls onto the cheese layer.

Pro Tip: I recommend placing the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any possible spills.

8. Butter and Poppy Seed Topping: Brush the tops of the dinner rolls with melted butter, then sprinkle them evenly with poppy seeds. This adds a delightful flavor and texture to the tops of the sliders, making them even more irresistible.

9. Bake the Sliders: Transfer the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the sliders turn golden brown and the cheese is nicely melted.

Pro Tip: If the tops of the rolls start browning too fast in the oven, cover them with a sheet of aluminum foil. This will allow the cheese inside to keep melting without the tops of the rolls burning.

6. Rest and Serve: After baking, let the sliders stand for about 5 minutes. This brief cooling period allows the flavors to meld together. Then, remove from the oven and serve hot, enjoying the delightful blend of Thanksgiving flavors in each bite.

Expert Tips

• Dish Size: Use a 5×5 inch baking dish or a 5×7 inch baking dish for 4 sliders, or adjust the size based on how many you’re making.
• Keep Them Close: Place the rolls side by side in the dish to ensure they bake evenly and stay together.
• Even Spread of Ingredients: Ensure that each layer – stuffing, turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese – is spread evenly across the rolls. This guarantees that every slider has a balanced taste of all the Thanksgiving flavors.
• Make-Ahead Option: Assemble the sliders ahead of time and refrigerate them. When you’re ready to eat, simply bake them in the oven. This makes the sliders a convenient option for a quick and easy meal, especially if you’re planning to serve them during a busy day.

Serving Suggestions

These turkey sliders are versatile and pair beautifully with a variety of side dishes. Here are some fantastic ways to turn them into a complete and satisfying meal:

• Creamy Soup Companion: Imagine dipping your slider into a warm, creamy tomato soup. The soup’s velvety texture and subtle sweetness beautifully complement the rich flavors of the sliders.
• Crispy Caesar Salad Match: A classic Caesar salad, with its crisp romaine, savory Parmesan, and tangy dressing, makes an excellent pairing for the sliders.
• Sweet Potato Fries Sidekick: Baked sweet potato fries offer a sweet and crispy contrast, especially when served with the tangy Remoulade sauce that we use in our Crawfish Beignets recipe.
• Hearty Potato Salad: Serve a traditional potato salad or a warm German potato salad alongside your sliders for a satisfying and classic combination that never fails to please.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve made these turkey sliders, I’d love to hear how they turned out for you. Please rate the recipe and share your thoughts in the comments below.

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