Thanksgiving Sliders Recipe

Juicy Thanksgiving Sliders Recipe: Festive Mini Bites Everyone Loves

Thanksgiving sliders revolutionize post-feast culinary creativity with their compact, flavor-packed design.

Miniature sandwiches capture the essence of traditional holiday ingredients in one delectable bite.

Soft rolls cradle succulent meat, complemented by unexpected zesty condiments that dance across your palate.

Compact yet powerful, these mini creations elevate ordinary leftovers into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Precise layering techniques ensure each slider delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.

Guests will marvel at how such small packages can pack such tremendous flavor profiles.

Prepare to elevate your leftover game with these irresistible little sandwiches.

Fun Twists on Thanksgiving Slider Recipes

  • Vegetarian Thanksgiving Sliders: Replace turkey with roasted portobello mushrooms or grilled vegetable slices, keeping the cranberry mustard spread and stuffing for a plant-based holiday option.
  • Spicy Southwest Thanksgiving Sliders: Add jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and swap Dijon mustard for chipotle sauce to give these sliders a zesty southwestern kick.
  • Pulled Pork Holiday Sliders: Substitute turkey with tender pulled pork, maintain the cranberry sauce and stuffing base for a rich, hearty alternative that still captures Thanksgiving flavors.
  • Mediterranean Thanksgiving Sliders: Incorporate feta cheese, roasted red peppers, and swap traditional stuffing with herb-infused quinoa for a Mediterranean-inspired holiday slider experience.

What Makes Thanksgiving Sliders Irresistible

What Makes Thanksgiving Sliders Irresistible
  • Capture Thanksgiving Flavors in One Bite: These sliders pack all the classic holiday tastes into a compact, delicious package that delivers the entire traditional meal experience in a single, perfect mouthful.
  • Effortless Entertaining Wonder: Prepare these sliders quickly with minimal prep time, making them ideal for busy hosts who want to serve impressive appetizers without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Versatile Party Pleaser: Perfect for game day, holiday gatherings, or casual get-togethers, these sliders offer a crowd-pleasing option that satisfies different taste preferences with layers of complementary flavors and textures.
  • Smart Leftover Transformation: Brilliantly repurpose traditional Thanksgiving ingredients into a fresh, exciting dish that breathes new life into classic holiday components like turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

The Delicious Bits Inside Thanksgiving Sliders

Main Protein:
  • Turkey Slices: Tender, lean protein that brings the classic Thanksgiving flavor to the sliders.
Bread Base:
  • Slider Buns, Hawaiian Rolls: Soft, slightly sweet base that holds all the delicious ingredients together with a light, fluffy texture.
Filling Base:
  • Stuffing: Traditional Thanksgiving side that adds savory, herb-seasoned depth to the sliders interior.
Sauce and Spread Components:
  • Cranberry Sauce: Sweet and tangy condiment that provides a classic holiday flavor profile.
  • Dijon Mustard: Sharp, tangy condiment that adds a zesty kick to the sliders overall taste.
Topping Mixture Ingredients:
  • Butter: Rich, melted ingredient that helps create a golden, glossy finish on slider tops.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Umami-rich liquid that enhances the overall savory flavor.
  • Poppy Seeds: Small seeds that add a subtle nutty crunch and visual appeal.
  • Dried Minced Onion: Provides a concentrated onion flavor without added moisture.

Easy Guide to Thanksgiving Slider Prep

Easy Guide to Thanksgiving Slider Prep

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F. This ensures even baking and creates a beautiful golden color for your sliders.

Step 2: Prepare the Buns

Slice the slider buns or Hawaiian rolls horizontally using a serrated knife, keeping them connected at the back. Place the bottom halves in a single layer inside a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 3: Layer the Filling

Add layers to your sliders:
  • Spread prepared stuffing evenly over the bottom bun halves
  • Place turkey slices on top of the stuffing
  • Mix cranberry sauce with Dijon mustard
  • Spread the cranberry-mustard mixture over the turkey
  • Gently place the top halves of the rolls over the filling

Step 4: Create the Butter Mixture

In a bowl, combine:
  • Melted butter
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Poppy seeds
  • Minced dried onion
  • Additional Dijon mustard

Whisk until well mixed. Drizzle or brush this mixture over the tops of the sliders.

Step 5: Bake the Sliders

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until golden brown and heated through. Let rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Use a serrated knife to slice along the pre-cut lines without completely separating the sliders. Serve warm directly from the baking dish or transfer to a platter. Pair with a side salad or chips for a complete meal.

Little Tips for Slider Success

Little Tips for Slider Success
  • Slice Strategically: Keep buns connected at the back for easy handling and a unified look when serving.
  • Layer Wisely: Spread stuffing evenly to ensure each slider gets the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
  • Brush with Precision: Use a pastry brush for an even, glossy coating of the butter mixture on top of sliders.
  • Rest and Relax: Let sliders sit for 5 minutes after baking to allow flavors to meld and filling to settle.
  • Cutting Technique: Use a serrated knife and follow pre-sliced lines to create clean, neat portions without breaking the buns apart.

How to Keep and Reheat Sliders Just Right

How to Keep and Reheat Sliders Just Right
  • Refrigerate Leftovers: Store leftover Thanksgiving sliders in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Wrap the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer individual sliders to sealed containers to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
  • Refrigerator Storage: Keep sliders refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. Place containers in the coldest section of your refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to preserve quality and taste.
  • Reheating Method: Warm sliders in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent bread from drying out and ensure even heating. Remove foil during the last 2-3 minutes to restore a crispy top and restore that fresh-from-the-oven texture. Avoid microwaving, which can make bread soggy and compromise the slider's delicious layers.

Drinks and Dishes to Go with Sliders

  • Boost Beverage Pairing: Reach for a crisp, light-bodied white wine like Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc that cuts through the rich, savory flavors of the Thanksgiving sliders, providing a refreshing contrast.
  • Craft Beer Complement: Choose an amber ale or a golden lager with mild malty undertones that harmonize with the turkey and stuffing, enhancing the slider's hearty profile without overwhelming the delicate flavors.
  • Salad Side Kick: Prepare a tangy apple and fennel slaw with a light vinaigrette dressing that adds brightness and crunch, balancing the warm, comforting sliders and introducing a fresh element to the meal.
  • Festive Fruit Finish: Serve a small dish of cranberry compote or a light cranberry sorbet as a palate cleanser, echoing the cranberry sauce in the sliders and providing a sweet, tart conclusion to the dining experience.
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Thanksgiving Sliders Recipe

Thanksgiving Sliders Recipe


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4.7 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Thanksgiving Sliders celebrate comfort and nostalgia with mini sandwiches packed with roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. Generous layers of holiday flavors nestle between buttery rolls, inviting you to savor classic meal memories in one delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Proteins:

  • 1 cup thinly sliced deli turkey or leftover turkey

Bread and Filling:

  • 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls
  • 2 cups stuffing, prepared

Seasonings and Sauces:

  • 6 tablespoons (85 grams) salted butter, melted
  • 1 cup cranberry sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
  • 2 teaspoons minced dried onion

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure uniform heating and achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior on the sliders.
  2. Using a serrated knife, horizontally slice the slider buns or Hawaiian rolls, maintaining their connection at the bottom. Place the bottom halves in a single layer within a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  3. Distribute an even layer of stuffing across the bottom bun halves, then carefully arrange turkey slices on top of the stuffing.
  4. Whisk cranberry sauce with of Dijon mustard to create a tangy spread. Apply this mixture evenly over the turkey slices.
  5. Gently position the top halves of the buns over the prepared layers.
  6. In a separate mixing bowl, thoroughly combine melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, dried minced onion, and an additional teaspoon of Dijon mustard.
  7. Generously brush or drizzle the butter mixture across the top of the sliders, ensuring complete coverage.
  8. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the sliders turn golden brown and the filling becomes thoroughly heated.
  9. Remove from the oven and allow the sliders to rest for 5 minutes, which helps the flavors meld and ensures easy handling.
  10. Using the serrated knife, carefully slice along the pre-cut lines without completely separating the sliders.
  11. Serve warm directly from the baking dish or transfer to a serving platter, accompanied by a side salad or chips for a complete meal experience.

Notes

  • Elevate your Thanksgiving leftovers into mouthwatering sliders that transform traditional holiday flavors into an irresistible mini sandwich experience.
  • Perfectly balance sweet and savory notes by combining cranberry sauce with Dijon mustard, creating a zesty spread that complements tender turkey meat.
  • Butter and Worcestershire sauce glaze adds rich depth and glossy golden-brown finish, ensuring each bite delivers maximum flavor and attractive presentation.
  • Convenient make-ahead option allows quick assembly and minimal prep time, making these sliders ideal for post-holiday gatherings or casual family meals.
  • Hawaiian rolls provide soft, pillowy base that absorbs seasoned butter mixture while maintaining structural integrity during baking process.
  • Simple technique of keeping rolls connected ensures easy serving and elegant look when presenting these crowd-pleasing miniature sandwiches.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 340 kcal
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 620mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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