Thanksgiving Leftovers Sliders (The Ultimate Day-After Delight!)

There’s something absolutely genius about transforming your Thanksgiving leftovers into warm, buttery sliders that might actually taste better than the original feast. These Thanksgiving Leftovers Sliders are the ultimate day-after tradition—layering turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and cheese on Hawaiian sweet rolls, then baking everything with a savory butter glaze until golden and melty. It’s like experiencing Thanksgiving dinner all over again, but in a fun, handheld format that makes everyone excited about leftovers.

What makes this recipe truly brilliant is how it uses up multiple leftover dishes at once while creating something that feels completely new and special. The combination of sweet Hawaiian rolls with savory turkey, herb-packed stuffing, tart cranberry sauce, and that irresistible poppy seed butter glaze creates layers of flavor that capture the entire essence of Thanksgiving in every bite. You’ll get sliders that are perfect for easy lunches, casual dinners, or even a post-Thanksgiving party with family still hanging around.

Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 20 min | Total: 30 min
Yield: 12 sliders | Difficulty: Easy

Quick Stats Box:

Cuisine: American
Course: Main dish, lunch, dinner
Diet: Can be customized
Best for: Day-after Thanksgiving, using leftovers, casual meals

Why This Recipe Works

Uses multiple leftovers at once — Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and gravy all come together beautifully
Better than the original meal — The sweet rolls and butter glaze add new dimensions that make leftovers exciting
Ready in 30 minutes — Quick assembly and baking means lunch or dinner is ready fast
No food waste — Transforms odds and ends into a complete, satisfying meal everyone will love
Highly customizable — Use whatever leftovers you have—the recipe adapts to what’s in your fridge

Ingredient Spotlight

Hawaiian Rolls are Perfect: The slightly sweet, soft texture of Hawaiian rolls complements savory Thanksgiving flavors perfectly and stays pillowy even after baking. They’re the ideal vessel for all those rich leftovers.

Leftover Turkey is the Star: Whether you have white meat, dark meat, or a combination, leftover turkey works beautifully sliced or shredded. The moisture from other ingredients keeps it from drying out during reheating.

Stuffing Adds Moisture and Flavor: Leftover stuffing becomes even better as a slider filling—it’s already seasoned with herbs and adds substance that holds everything together. It acts as both filling and flavor enhancer.

Cranberry Sauce is Essential: The tart-sweet cranberry sauce provides crucial balance to the rich, savory components. It can be jellied or whole berry—both work perfectly.

Butter Glaze Magic: A mixture of melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds creates a savory-sweet glaze that ties everything together. This is what transforms simple leftovers into something special.

Ingredients

For the Sliders:

1 package (12 count) Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls
2 cups leftover stuffing (or dressing)
2-3 cups leftover turkey, sliced or shredded
1 cup cranberry sauce (jellied or whole berry)
6-8 slices cheese (Havarti, Swiss, cheddar, or Gouda)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)

For the Butter Glaze:

6 tablespoons (about ½ stick) salted butter, melted
1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
2 teaspoons poppy seeds
½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Optional Leftover Add-Ins:

1 cup leftover mashed potatoes (as a layer)
½ cup leftover green beans
½ cup leftover gravy (for dipping or drizzling)
¼ cup leftover mac and cheese

Ingredient Notes:

Quality matters most: Use whatever Thanksgiving leftovers you have—the recipe is incredibly flexible
Room temperature is key: Let turkey and stuffing come to room temperature for easier assembly and even heating
Don’t skip: The butter glaze is what makes these special—it’s not optional

Essential Equipment

You’ll Need:

9×13-inch baking dish — greased or lined with parchment
Serrated knife — for slicing rolls horizontally
Small bowl — for mixing butter glaze and cranberry mixture
Pastry brush or spoon — for applying glaze
Aluminum foil — for covering during baking

Nice to Have:

Toothpicks — for holding sliders together when serving
Small saucepan — for warming gravy for dipping

How to Make Thanksgiving Leftovers Sliders (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Rolls

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Without separating the rolls, use a sharp serrated knife to carefully slice the entire sheet of Hawaiian rolls horizontally through the middle, creating one complete top half and one complete bottom half. Place the bottom half in the prepared baking dish, cut side up.

Pro tip: Keeping rolls connected makes assembly much faster and ensures even distribution.

Step 2: Spread Mustard and Add Stuffing Layer

In a small bowl, mix together Dijon mustard and mayonnaise if using. Spread this mixture evenly over the bottom rolls—this adds tang and moisture. Next, spread the leftover stuffing in an even layer over the bottom rolls, covering the entire surface. Press down gently to create a compact layer. The stuffing should be about ½ inch thick.

Common mistake: Piling stuffing too high makes the sliders hard to eat—keep layers moderate.

Step 3: Layer Turkey and Optional Additions

Layer the turkey slices or shredded turkey evenly over the stuffing, covering all 12 slider sections. If using mashed potatoes, spread a thin layer under or over the turkey. Add any other optional leftovers like green beans or mac and cheese at this point.

Test kitchen discovery: Shredded turkey distributes more evenly than slices for easier eating.

Step 4: Add Cranberry Sauce and Cheese

In a small bowl, mix the cranberry sauce with 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard until spreadable. This makes the cranberry sauce easier to spread and adds extra tang. Spread or dollop the cranberry mixture evenly over the turkey layer. Top with cheese slices, arranging them to cover all the turkey. Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese layer.

Pro tip: Mixing mustard with cranberry sauce creates better flavor and spreadability.

Step 5: Make and Apply Butter Glaze

In a small bowl, combine melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, dried onion, poppy seeds, and garlic powder if using. Whisk or stir until well combined. Use a pastry brush or spoon to generously brush the entire butter mixture over the top of the rolls, making sure to coat every inch and get into all the crevices. Use all of the glaze for maximum flavor.

Common mistake: Being stingy with the glaze—use it all for the best golden, buttery tops.

Step 6: Cover and Bake

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake covered for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the glaze has caramelized slightly. Watch carefully to prevent burning—you want golden, not dark brown.

Pro tip: The foil keeps everything moist while the cheese melts, then removing it crisps the tops perfectly.

Step 7: Cool, Slice, and Serve

Remove from the oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes before cutting. This allows the cheese to set slightly. Use a sharp knife to cut along the natural divisions in the rolls, creating 12 individual sliders. Serve warm with extra cranberry sauce or warmed leftover gravy on the side for dipping. Insert toothpicks if desired to keep sliders together.

Pro tip: Warm gravy for dipping takes these over the top—it’s like Thanksgiving sauce heaven.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Temperature Matters: Let cold leftovers come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before assembling. This ensures even heating and prevents cold spots in the center.

Don’t Overload: It’s tempting to use all your leftovers, but too many layers make the sliders impossible to bite through. Stick to 3-4 main components for best results.

The Secret to Moisture: If your turkey or stuffing seems dry, drizzle a little leftover gravy over those layers before adding cheese. This keeps everything moist and flavorful.

Common Mistake: Skipping the cranberry-mustard mixture step—mixing them together makes spreading easier and flavor better.

Cheese Choice: Havarti melts beautifully and has mild flavor, Swiss is traditional, cheddar adds sharpness, and Gouda brings smokiness. All work wonderfully.

Customization Ideas

Dietary Modifications:

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free rolls and check that stuffing is gluten-free
Lower Sodium: Use low-sodium turkey and stuffing, reduce Worcestershire sauce
Dairy-Free: Skip the cheese or use dairy-free cheese alternative

Flavor Variations:

Spicy Kick: Add pickled jalapeños or hot sauce to the cranberry mixture
Bacon Addition: Layer crispy bacon strips for extra savory richness
California Style: Add avocado slices and bacon for turkey-bacon-avocado sliders
Extra Creamy: Add a layer of mashed potatoes and drizzle with gravy before baking
Southern Style: Use cornbread dressing and add pickled okra

Serving Styles:

With Gravy: Serve warm gravy on the side for dipping—absolute game changer
Open-Faced: Serve as open-faced sliders with extra toppings for a knife-and-fork meal
Sliced Small: Cut into bite-sized pieces for appetizers
Lunch Box: Wrap individually for easy grab-and-go lunches

Storage & Meal Prep

Make Ahead:

Fully assembled (unbaked): Assemble completely up to 24 hours ahead, cover tightly, refrigerate, and bake when ready
Individual components: Prepare glaze up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate; rewarm before using
Baked sliders: Bake completely, cool, wrap tightly, and refrigerate up to 3 days

Storing:

Counter: Baked sliders should not sit at room temperature more than 2 hours
Fridge: Store covered for up to 3-4 days—perfect for using throughout the weekend
Freezer: Wrap assembled unbaked sliders tightly and freeze up to 1 month; bake from frozen adding 10 minutes

Reheating for Best Results:

From refrigerator: Cover with foil and reheat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Remove foil for last 2-3 minutes to re-crisp tops.

From frozen: Bake frozen sliders covered at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, then uncovered 5 minutes.

Microwave method: Heat individual sliders 30-45 seconds, but tops won’t be crispy.

Pro tip: These make excellent meal prep for the entire weekend after Thanksgiving.

What to Serve With Thanksgiving Leftovers Sliders

Perfect Pairings:

Simple Green Salad: Light, fresh greens balance the rich sliders
Leftover Sweet Potato Casserole: Sweet and savory sides work beautifully together
Potato Chips or Kettle Chips: Keep it casual with crunchy chips
Pickle Spears: Tangy pickles cut through the richness

Complete the Meal:

Soup: Warm leftover soup or a simple butternut squash soup
Leftover Sides: Serve remaining green beans, Brussels sprouts, or roasted vegetables
Beverages: Iced tea, cider, or beer
Dessert: Leftover pie, of course!

Nutrition Facts (Per Slider – Based on 12 servings)

Note: Nutrition varies significantly based on specific leftovers used. This is an average estimate.

Your Questions Answered

What if I don’t have all these leftovers?
Use what you have! The basic formula is rolls + turkey + something moist (cranberry sauce or gravy) + butter glaze. Everything else is flexible.

Can I use different types of rolls?
Yes, but Hawaiian rolls’ slight sweetness really makes these special. Brioche slider buns also work beautifully.

Do I have to use stuffing?
No, though it adds great texture and flavor. You can skip it or substitute with mashed potatoes or extra cheese.

How do I prevent soggy sliders?
Don’t use too much gravy or wet ingredients, and make sure stuffing isn’t overly moist. The bread naturally soaks up some moisture during baking.

Can I make these without cheese?
Yes, though cheese adds creaminess and helps hold everything together. The sliders will still be delicious without it.

What other Thanksgiving leftovers work?
Mashed potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, and even Brussels sprouts can all be incorporated.

How long do leftovers last in sliders?
As long as your original leftovers were stored properly, the assembled sliders keep for 3-4 days refrigerated.

Recipe History & Cultural Context

The tradition of Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches dates back generations, with the classic day-after turkey sandwich being an American institution. However, the evolution into baked slider format represents modern home cooking creativity—taking that beloved leftover sandwich concept and making it easier to prepare for a crowd while adding new layers of flavor through baking and glazing.

The slider format gained popularity in American home cooking during the 2010s when food bloggers discovered that baking entire sheets of Hawaiian rolls with fillings created impressive, shareable meals with minimal effort. Thanksgiving Leftovers Sliders emerged as a natural evolution, addressing the annual question of what to do with all those odds and ends from the holiday feast.

These sliders represent the best of American food culture—resourcefulness, creativity with leftovers, and the ability to transform yesterday’s meal into something that feels new and exciting. They’ve become a post-Thanksgiving tradition in many households, sometimes even more anticipated than the original meal itself. The recipe embodies the principle that leftovers don’t have to be boring—with a little creativity and some Hawaiian rolls, they can become the highlight of the entire holiday weekend. It’s the perfect answer to Thanksgiving fatigue while still honoring all those beloved flavors.

Printable Recipe Card