Quick, Easy Thanksgiving Leftovers!
- Transform leftovers into comforting Thanksgiving sandwiches.
- A simple solution for days you don’t feel like cooking.
- Perfect for snacking or packing for lunch.
- Toppings and fillings are flexible—use what you have.
- Add a sweet, flavorful topping for balance.
If you like these sandwiches, try similar breakfast sliders with ham, cheese, and scrambled eggs next.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Slider buns: Hawaiian rolls or leftover Thanksgiving rolls (soft sourdough or dinner rolls work well).
- Leftover turkey: Sliced or shredded cooked turkey breast.
- Cranberry sauce: Store-bought or homemade.
- Goat cheese: Or substitute Havarti for a milder, creamy option.
Jump to Recipe
How to Make This Leftover Turkey Sandwich Recipe
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Split the rolls into tops and bottoms and arrange the bottom halves in an even layer in the dish.
- Evenly layer turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese over the bottoms of the rolls. Replace the tops and set aside.
- Whisk together the topping ingredients (butter, mustard, garlic powder, and poppy seeds) and brush the mixture over the tops of the rolls so they’re well coated.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 3–5 minutes until warmed through and slightly golden. Serve warm.
Molly’s Pro Tips
- When hosting, make extra so guests can take sandwiches home—everyone appreciates a to-go portion.
- If you’re visiting family, bring a container to pack up leftovers so you can enjoy them later.
Recipe Variations
Use extra leftovers to customize your sandwiches. A few ideas:
- Stuffing added between the layers for extra texture.
- A drizzle of gravy for a richer, saucier sandwich.
- A scoop of mashed potatoes for a hearty bite.
- Roasted or mashed sweet potatoes for a sweeter note.
More Thanksgiving Recipes
- Healthy cranberry sauce
- Gluten-free dairy-free green bean casserole
- Acorn squash casserole
- Creamy mashed potatoes with Boursin
- Sourdough stuffing
- Healthy sourdough buns
- Soft pull-apart sourdough rolls
- Best dairy-free mashed potatoes
Leftover Turkey Sandwich Recipe
Leftovers are one of the best parts of Thanksgiving. This leftover turkey sandwich uses your turkey and sides to make warm, satisfying sliders—built with leftover rolls and topped with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, or stuffing if you like.
Servings: 6 (2 sliders each)
Ingredients
- 12 leftover rolls or store-bought Hawaiian rolls
- 14 ounces cooked white turkey breast
- 1 cup prepared cranberry sauce
- 6 ounces goat cheese or Havarti
- 4 tablespoons grass-fed butter or vegan butter
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp poppy seeds
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Separate the rolls into tops and bottoms and place the bottoms in an even layer in the dish.
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Layer turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese evenly across the 12 rolls. Replace the tops and set aside.
-
Whisk melted butter, mustard, garlic powder, and poppy seeds together. Brush the mixture over the tops of the rolls so each slider is coated.
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Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake 3–5 more minutes until warmed through and lightly browned. Serve warm.
Notes
Recipe Variations. Add stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, or sweet potatoes to change the texture and flavor.
Storage. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Turkey: 3–4 days refrigerated.
- Stuffing and gravy: Consume within 1–2 days for food safety.
- Cranberry sauce: Up to a week refrigerated.
- Bread: May become soggy or stale after a couple of days depending on type.
If sandwiches contain moist ingredients like gravy or mashed potatoes, eat them within 1–2 days to avoid sogginess. To keep longer, wrap tightly and freeze up to one month; reheat in the oven or toaster oven for best texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 2sliders | Calories: 478kcal
Nutrition information is an approximation.
FAQs
How long will leftover turkey last?
Leftover Thanksgiving turkey stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator will keep for up to 4 days.
What is the best bread for leftover turkey sandwiches?
Hawaiian rolls add sweetness and convenience, but sourdough, artisan bread, croissants, or any leftover dinner roll all work well depending on your preference.