Leftover Turkey Sliders with Cranberry BBQ Sauce Recipe

If you’ve got some turkey leftovers and are wondering how to jazz them up without much hassle, you’re going to love this. I’m talking about my favorite Leftover Turkey Sliders with Cranberry BBQ Sauce Recipe—a flavorful, juicy, and super easy way to reinvent that holiday bird into something fun and shareable. You’ll be surprised how a luscious cranberry BBQ sauce pairs perfectly with the tender turkey, nestled on sweet Hawaiian rolls. Stick with me—I promise you’re about to create a fan-freaking-tastic dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Ingredients & Why They Work

All the ingredients in this Leftover Turkey Sliders with Cranberry BBQ Sauce Recipe come together in harmony to balance sweet, tangy, and savory notes. Using Hawaiian-style rolls adds a soft, sweet foundation that complements the tartness of the cranberry BBQ sauce and the cool crunch of coleslaw.

• Hawaiian-style rolls: Their natural sweetness and soft texture make them ideal slider buns for this recipe, and their size is perfect for finger food.
• Kewpie mayo or regular mayonnaise: Adds a creamy, tangy layer that helps toast give a golden crust without drying the sliders.
• Coleslaw mix with dressing: Brings a fresh, crunchy contrast that brightens up the richness of turkey and sauce.
• Pickled red onions or sliced pickles: Adds a nice acidic bite that cuts through the sauce’s sweetness and refreshes your palate.
• Leftover turkey (shredded): Ready-to-go protein that’s easy to reheat and coat with sauce, keeping it juicy and tender.
• Cranberry BBQ Sauce: The star of this recipe—combining classic BBQ sauce with tangy leftover cranberry sauce and a hint of cider vinegar and brown sugar for depth.

Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Make It Your Way

I like to think of this Leftover Turkey Sliders with Cranberry BBQ Sauce Recipe as a base you can dress up how you want. Personally, I throw in whatever crunchy or zesty toppings I’ve got on hand to create layers of flavor and texture.

• Variation: One weekend, I swapped coleslaw for a quick apple and fennel slaw to add even more crunch and sweetness—it was a hit with guests!
• Diet-friendly tweak: Use gluten-free slider buns and swap mayo for Greek yogurt mixed with a pinch of mustard for a lighter option.
• Spicy kick: Add a few dashes of hot sauce into the cranberry BBQ for a subtle heat that balances the sweetness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Leftover Turkey Sliders with Cranberry BBQ Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Make the Cranberry BBQ Sauce

Start by combining your BBQ sauce, leftover cranberry sauce, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, and brown sugar in a small saucepan. I like to bring it up to a low simmer over gentle heat, stirring often so nothing sticks or burns. This step only takes about 5 minutes, and you’ll notice the sauce become glossy and flavorful with a beautiful tang. Set it aside to cool slightly while you prep the rest.

Step 2: Prepare the Coleslaw

Next, toss the coleslaw mix with the provided dressing or your favorite store-bought version. I’ve found that letting it chill and settle while you get the sliders ready makes the crunch pop even more and ensures it’s super fresh when you serve.

Step 3: Toast the Slider Buns

Slice your Hawaiian rolls horizontally with a bread knife, trying not to tear them apart if you want to keep that pull-apart option. Brush both top and bottom halves with a thin layer of kewpie mayo—trust me, this adds flavor and helps the buns toast to a perfect golden brown. Heat a griddle or cast iron pan over medium heat and toast the buns for 2-3 minutes until invitingly crisp. Set aside carefully.

Step 4: Reheat and Coat the Turkey

Heat your pan again over medium heat and spread out the shredded turkey to gently warm through. Toss and flip occasionally to prevent drying out. As soon as the turkey is hot, transfer it to a mixing bowl and pour the cranberry BBQ sauce over. Use tongs to toss until every shred is coated in that fabulous sauce.

Step 5: Assemble the Sliders

Now the fun part: stacking those sliders. Layer the turkey first, then top with pickled red onions or sliced pickles for zing, add a handful of coleslaw for crunch, and finally crown it with the toasted bun top. Serve warm, either as individual sliders or as a crowd-pleasing pull-apart platter. Watching everyone dig in is one of my favorite sights!

How to Serve Leftover Turkey Sliders with Cranberry BBQ Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I’m all about maximizing flavor with minimal fuss, so I usually garnish the sliders with extra pickled red onions for that tangy zing and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley when I want a pop of color. Sometimes, crispy fried onions add a nice crunch contrast too—totally optional but highly recommended if you want to up the texture game.

Side Dishes

Since these sliders are a meal on their own, I like to pair them with simple sides like sweet potato fries, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a crisp green salad. When I’ve had coleslaw leftover, I add extra to the side for a fresh, crunchy bite that complements the smoky-sweet notes beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

When I serve this recipe at gatherings, I sometimes use a large cast iron skillet for a pull-apart slider “platter”—everyone can grab a warm slider straight from the pan. For special occasions, arranging sliders on a wooden board with small bowls of extra sauce and pickles is a charming way to invite sharing and conversation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After assembling, if you have leftovers, I recommend storing the turkey with cranberry BBQ sauce separately from the buns to keep things from getting soggy. Place the turkey mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the buns wrapped in foil or a resealable bag at room temp or in the fridge depending on when you’ll use them next.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the turkey tossed in cranberry BBQ sauce before with good results. Freeze it in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. I don’t recommend freezing the assembled sliders as buns tend to get soggy after thawing.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the turkey mix gently in a skillet over low-medium heat, stirring regularly so it heats through evenly. Toast the slider buns separately in the oven or on a skillet just before building the sliders again. This keeps the buns fresh and not soggy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Leftover Turkey Sliders with Cranberry BBQ Sauce Recipe has become my go-to for shaking up holiday leftovers, and I honestly look forward to making it every time there’s turkey in the fridge. It’s simple, satisfying, and indulgently delicious without being complicated. Give it a try—I’m convinced it’ll become one of your favorite quick meals too, whether you’re feeding family or friends. Here’s to turning leftovers into something spectacular!

Print