We’re not saying that leftover turkey in the refrigerator after Thanksgiving is dry or boring. But, what if… This Turkey Cheese Sliders with Cranberry Mayonnaise recipe will give it the greasy glory it deserves and give a new purpose to some other Thanksgiving leftovers. Bonus: prep time is short, and shouldn’t you take a break after a week of cooking?
If you have extra dinner rolls, they work great as slider bread; but we recommend keeping a pack of Hawaiian Sweet Rolls stashed in your cupboard for just this purpose. Regardless, remember to toast the rolls so they can hold up to the shredded turkey, which is held together by a puddle of melted butter and cheese (white American or provolone, your choice). You can substitute another cheese, such as Gouda, Swiss, or Havarti, as long as it melts evenly and doesn’t clump together. Add the cheese a little at a time so the mixture becomes creamy and doesn’t break.
Any kind of cranberry sauce can be used as a condiment, such as chutney, relish, or even canned cranberry jelly. While adding the mashed potatoes is optional, don’t skip the pickled peppers, which balance the richness of the cheese and the garlic-butter mixture that coats the tops of the bread, giving them a sparkling golden brown.
If you’re craving something crunchy, a kale salad would pair well with these leftover turkey sliders, but apple slices would also be a great addition. If you’re delivering them to a neighbor/brother/mom/friend’s house, leave out the chili and cranberry mayonnaise. Place the rolls in a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Reheat them, covered, in a 300° oven for about 15 minutes or until heated through; sprinkle with mayonnaise and chili and serve.
Want to make these sliders outside of the holidays? Try sliced turkey charcuterie, or switch to roasted pork tenderloin, roasted chicken and any jam that sounds good. Looking for more ways to use up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving? We have them. Such as the turkey sandwich with bacon and cranberry-Dijon mustard sauce and entrees like turkey pozole and turkey shepherd’s pie.
