Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders

If you’re anything like me, your fridge is fully loaded with Thanksgiving dinner leftovers. But instead of eating the same plate of food, why not try these leftover turkey sliders?

These not-so-little delights are a great way to use up that extra turkey and incorporate other Thanksgiving favorites like cranberry sauce, stuffing, and even potatoes.

Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a hearty snack, or a casual dinner, these sliders are the answer. 

Why You’ll Love These Turkey Dinner Sliders

Turkey dinner sliders are a delicious and ingenious way to repurpose your Thanksgiving leftovers into a comforting and exciting meal. 

Here’s why you’ll fall in love with them:

• Flavorful Fusion: Each bite is a perfect harmony of flavors. The savory turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, hearty stuffing, and creamy-tangy slaw combine in a delightful fusion that tantalizes your taste buds.
• Textural Delight: With the softness of the bun, the slight crunch of the coleslaw, and the tender chew of the turkey, these sliders offer an excellent variety of textures.
• Convenience and Simplicity: They’re super easy to make, and you can easily modify them depending on what you have left. 
• Crowd-Pleaser: These babies are a hit among both adults and kids. You can make them as big or as small as you like, and you can simplify them for the kids if you prefer. 

Ingredients

I said before that you can modify this however you like. That means adding sweet potatoes, carrots, or even sprouts!

(Or you could try making them spicy with this spicy aioli instead of honey mustard!)

But for a super quick and always delish dish, here’s what you’ll need:

• Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess to the honey mustard and slaw dressing and provides moisture to the buns.
• Honey: Adds sweetness, complementing the savory flavors.
• Mustard: Offers a tangy kick that cuts through the richness of the other slider components.
• Poppy Seeds: Add a delightful crunch and visual appeal to the slaw. Feel free to leave this out. 
• Worcestershire Sauce: Gives a subtle umami depth.
• White Rolls: Use whatever you like here. But I usually go for something soft. If you have harder rolls, the filling will squash out. 
• Turkey: The main event! Cut it nice and thick.
• Stuffing: It’s not a holiday leftover sandwich without stuffing. If your stuffing is quite crumbly, place it on top of the mash so it stays in place. 
• Cheese: Melts into the warm fillings, adding a gooey, comforting texture and rich flavor.
• Cranberry Sauce: Contributes a sweet, tart contrast that brightens each bite.
• Slaw Mix: Provides a fresh and crunchy counterpoint to the soft and savory fillings.
• Mashed Potatoes: Enhance the sliders with their creamy texture and comforting, homey taste.

How to Make Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders

I have a complete, more detailed list of instructions below. For now, here’s a quick rundown:

1. Make the Honey Mustard: Whisk together mayonnaise, honey, and mustard to create the honey mustard sauce.
2. Prepare the Slaw: Toss slaw mix with mayonnaise, honey mustard, and poppy seeds for the dressing, then chill.
3. Toast the Buns: Lightly toast the white rolls until golden.
4. Assemble the Slider: Spread honey mustard on the bottom halves, then layer with turkey, stuffing, cheese, and mashed potatoes.
5. Add the Cranberry Sauce: Spoon cranberry sauce over the mashed potatoes.
6. Top with Slaw: Pile the chilled slaw over the cranberry sauce.
7. Final Touch: Spread mayonnaise on the top halves of the rolls, place on top of the slaw, and serve.

Recipe Variations

In the mood for something a little different? Check out these sensational recipe variations:

• BBQ Turkey Sliders: Swap out the honey mustard for barbecue sauce and leave out the cranberry sauce. 
• Spicy Buffalo Turkey Sliders: Use buffalo sauce instead of mustard, and add a few crumbles of blue cheese. 
• Thanksgiving Benedict Sliders: Instead of slaw, top the turkey with a poached egg and a drizzle of hollandaise sauce. 
• Italian Turkey Sliders: Use pesto instead of honey mustard, add a slice of mozzarella, and replace the slaw with fresh basil leaves and a slice of tomato.
• Sweet and Savory Sliders: Add a few slices of brie cheese instead of cheddar and add shredded apple to the slaw. Yum!
• Asian Fusion Sliders: Make a slaw with shredded Napa cabbage, carrots, and scallions, dressed with a sesame ginger vinaigrette. Then, use hoisin sauce instead of honey mustard.
• Southwest Turkey Sliders: Add a layer of guacamole instead of honey mustard. Use pepper jack cheese and top it off with corn and black bean salsa.
• Breakfast Sliders: For a breakfast take, spread maple syrup on the buns, add a layer of scrambled eggs, and top with a small sausage patty or bacon before adding the traditional slider ingredients.

What to Serve With Turkey Dinner Sliders

These sliders are pretty filling as is. But if you want a complete meal, try one of these yummy side dishes:

• Sweet Potato Fries: Their sweet and salty flavor makes them a great companion to the savory sliders.
• Garden Salad: A light, fresh salad can balance the richness of the sliders with crisp greens and a vinaigrette dressing.
• Roasted Vegetables: Add a bit of extra oil to leftover veggies and roast them until hot. 
• Macaroni and Cheese: A creamy mac and cheese side would continue the comfort food theme and be a hit, especially with children.
• Soup: A cup of tomato soup or a seasonal squash soup could be a warming and inviting addition to the meal.
• Pickle Spears: The tangy crunch of pickles contrasts nicely with the soft buns and rich filling of the sliders.