Leftover Turkey Sliders

Leftover Turkey Sliders are the perfect solution for transforming your holiday leftovers into a delicious and satisfying meal. These sliders combine all the beloved flavors of a Thanksgiving feast, making them ideal for family gatherings, game nights, or even casual dinners. With minimal prep time and simple ingredients, you can whip up a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick Preparation: With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can have these sliders ready to bake in no time.
• Flavorful Combination: The blend of turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and cheese creates a mouthwatering taste sensation.
• Perfect for Leftovers: This recipe is an excellent way to use up leftover turkey while reducing food waste.
• Versatile Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday gathering or a casual weeknight dinner, these sliders fit right in.
• Easy to Customize: Feel free to add your favorite toppings or sauces to make them uniquely yours.

Tools and Preparation

Before you start making your Leftover Turkey Sliders, gather your kitchen tools. Having everything at hand will streamline your cooking process.

Essential Kitchen Tools

• Baking dish (9×13-inch)
• Mixing bowl
• Nonstick spray
• Basting brush

Why These Tools Matter

• Baking dish: A good-quality baking dish ensures even cooking and makes serving easy.
• Mixing bowl: This is essential for combining the butter mixture that adds flavor to your sliders.
• Nonstick spray: Prevents sticking, making cleanup easier after baking.
• Basting brush: Perfect for applying the melted butter mixture on top of the sliders for that golden finish.

Ingredients

Leftover Turkey Sliders give you all the flavors and components of a Thanksgiving dinner at your fingertips.

Ingredients:
– 1 package (12-count) King’s Hawaiian Rolls
– 1 pound leftover turkey breast, (or deli turkey)
– ½ cup cranberry sauce
– 1 cup stuffing
– 6 slices provolone cheese
– ½ cup gravy
– ¼ cup butter, (melted)
– ½ teaspoon garlic salt
– ½ teaspoon fresh parsley, (minced)
– ½ teaspoon salt

How to Make Leftover Turkey Sliders

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F. This ensures that your sliders will bake evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. This will help prevent the sliders from sticking during baking.

Step 3: Assemble the Bottom Half of the Rolls

Split the rolls in half and place the bottom halves in the prepared baking dish. Make sure they fit snugly together for easy serving later.

Step 4: Layer on the Goodness

Top each bun with layers of leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, provolone cheese, and drizzle with gravy. This combination captures all those traditional flavors.

Step 5: Mix Butter Mixture

In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, garlic salt, minced parsley, and salt until well combined. This mixture will add flavor and moisture to the tops of the sliders.

Step 6: Add Top Buns and Brush with Butter Mixture

Place the tops of the buns on top of the fillings. Use a basting brush to generously apply the melted butter mixture over each slider for added flavor.

Step 7: Bake Covered

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 15 minutes. You want the cheese to be hot and bubbly by this point.

Step 8: Bake Uncovered for Golden Brown Finish

Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes or until the tops turn golden brown. This step adds that perfect crispy texture.

Step 9: Slice and Serve

Once baked, remove from oven, slice into individual sliders, and serve warm! Enjoy your delicious Leftover Turkey Sliders!

How to Serve Leftover Turkey Sliders

Leftover Turkey Sliders are versatile and can be served in various ways to delight your guests or family. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying a cozy meal at home, here are some creative serving suggestions.

Pair with Fresh Salads

• Mixed Greens Salad: A light salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a vinaigrette complements the sliders perfectly.
• Cranberry Spinach Salad: This salad features spinach, dried cranberries, nuts, and a tangy dressing for a refreshing balance.

Add Dipping Sauces

• Extra Gravy: Serve warm gravy on the side for dipping to enhance the turkey flavor.
• Creamy Ranch Dressing: A cool ranch dressing offers a nice contrast and adds creaminess to every bite.

Offer Chips or Fries

• Sweet Potato Fries: Crispy sweet potato fries provide a sweet contrast to the savory sliders.
• Kettle-Cooked Chips: The crunchiness of kettle-cooked chips adds texture and pairs well with the sliders.

Create a Slider Platter

• Variety of Sliders: Include different types of sliders like chicken or veggie options for variety and fun.
• Garnished with Pickles: Add pickles on the platter for an extra tangy flavor that complements the main dish.

How to Perfect Leftover Turkey Sliders

Perfecting your Leftover Turkey Sliders is all about attention to detail. Here are some tips to elevate your slider game.

• Bold Flavor Combinations: Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar or gouda for unique flavors.
• Add Fresh Herbs: Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary into your stuffing for added aroma and taste.
• Toast the Rolls: Lightly toast the rolls before adding fillings; this helps them hold up better against moisture.
• Adjust Gravy Consistency: Ensure your gravy is not too thick; it should drizzle easily over the sliders without making them soggy.
• Use Quality Ingredients: Fresh ingredients make a noticeable difference in taste; opt for homemade cranberry sauce if possible.
• Serve Immediately: For the best experience, serve sliders right after they come out of the oven while they’re hot and cheesy.

Best Side Dishes for Leftover Turkey Sliders

Side dishes can elevate your meal and complement your Leftover Turkey Sliders beautifully. Here are some fantastic options to consider.

1. Roasted Vegetables: A medley of seasonal vegetables roasted until golden makes a healthy side.
2. Coleslaw: This crunchy, tangy dish adds freshness and contrasts well with the richness of sliders.
3. Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes infused with garlic create comfort food perfection alongside your sliders.
4. Corn on the Cob: Sweet corn on the cob is always a crowd-pleaser and adds color to your plate.
5. Macaroni and Cheese: A creamy mac and cheese brings indulgence that pairs well with savory turkey flavors.
6. Baked Beans: Sweet and smoky baked beans provide a hearty addition that complements turkey nicely.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding common mistakes can make a big difference in your Leftover Turkey Sliders. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:

• Bold preparation: Skipping the preheating step can lead to unevenly cooked sliders. Always preheat your oven to 350°F for the best results.
• Bold using stale rolls: Using old or stale rolls can ruin the texture. Opt for fresh King’s Hawaiian Rolls for a soft and delightful bite.
• Bold overcrowding the dish: Stuffing too much filling into the sliders may cause them to fall apart. Ensure you balance the ingredients for perfect layering.
• Bold ignoring cheese types: Not choosing the right cheese can affect flavor. Provolone works well, but feel free to experiment with cheddar or mozzarella.
• Bold neglecting seasoning: Forgetting to season the butter mixture can result in bland sliders. Include garlic salt and parsley for added flavor.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator Storage

• Store leftover turkey sliders in an airtight container.
• They will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Freezing Leftover Turkey Sliders

• Wrap each slider tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag.
• They can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Reheating Leftover Turkey Sliders

• Bold Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F, cover with foil, and heat for about 15 minutes until warmed through.
• Bold Microwave: Place one slider on a microwave-safe plate and heat for about 30-45 seconds, checking frequently.
• Bold Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add a little butter, and toast each side of the slider until warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Leftover Turkey Sliders?

Leftover Turkey Sliders are a delicious way to enjoy Thanksgiving flavors in a portable format. They combine turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and cheese on soft rolls.

Can I customize my Leftover Turkey Sliders?

Absolutely! You can add different cheeses, vegetables like spinach or arugula, or use different sauces like barbecue instead of gravy.

How do I prevent my sliders from getting soggy?

Make sure not to overload on sauces. A thin layer of cranberry sauce is enough without making the rolls mushy.

How do I serve Leftover Turkey Sliders?

These sliders are perfect as an appetizer or main dish. Serve them warm with extra gravy or cranberry sauce on the side for dipping.

Conclusion

Leftover Turkey Sliders are an easy and flavorful way to repurpose holiday leftovers! Their versatility allows you to customize with various ingredients while delivering that comforting Thanksgiving taste. Try this recipe and make it your own!

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