Gourmet Thanksgiving Sliders Recipe

Golden Thanksgiving Sliders Recipe: Bite-Sized Holiday Joy

Game day or holiday gatherings call for these mouthwatering Thanksgiving sliders that bring everyone together around delectable bites.

Packed with succulent turkey, creamy cranberry sauce, and melted cheese, these mini sandwiches burst with classic seasonal flavors.

Soft dinner rolls cradle tender meat and tangy spreads, creating irresistible handheld delights.

Each slider delivers a perfect balance of savory and sweet elements that dance across your taste buds.

The recipe comes together quickly, making it a stress-free addition to any festive spread.

Guests will devour these sliders faster than you can plate them, so be sure to make extra.

Let’s find out this crowd-pleasing recipe and watch these tiny sandwiches become the star of your next celebration.

Assembling Thanksgiving Sliders the Way

Assembling Thanksgiving Sliders the Way
  • Oven Warmup

Prepare your kitchen companion by setting the temperature to a cozy 350°F, creating the perfect environment for transforming simple ingredients into a delightful meal.

  • Bread Foundation

Gently separate slider buns into a connected sheet, laying them softly in a spacious baking dish to create a delicious canvas for your festive creation.

  • Flavor Layers

Spread a generous blanket of stuffing across the bread base, then nestle tender turkey slices on top. Drizzle a zesty blend of cranberry sauce and tangy mustard for an unexpected flavor burst.

  • Magic Butter Glaze

Craft a luxurious coating by mixing melted butter with Worcestershire sauce and aromatic seasonings. This liquid gold will transform your sliders from ordinary to extraordinary.

  • Baking Transformation

Slide the dish into the waiting oven, allowing the heat to work its magic for about 15 minutes. Watch as the tops turn a gorgeous golden brown, signaling your culinary masterpiece is ready.

  • Serving Celebration

Carefully slice your creation into individual portions, presenting a warm, inviting dish that captures the essence of Thanksgiving comfort and joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 298 kcal

Servings: 13

Thanksgiving Sliders Ingredient Rundown

For Bread Base:
  • Slider Buns or Hawaiian Rolls: Soft, pillowy foundation that cradles the delicious Thanksgiving flavors, providing a sweet and tender vessel for the slider.
For Protein and Filling:
  • Deli Turkey or Leftover Turkey: Tender, juicy meat packed with traditional holiday taste, best when thinly sliced for even distribution.
  • Stuffing: Hearty and seasoned mixture that adds rich, comforting texture and classic Thanksgiving essence.
For Flavor Enhancers and Toppings:
  • Cranberry Sauce: Tangy and sweet condiment that brings bright, festive notes and balances the richness of the turkey.
  • Salted Butter: Creates a golden, crispy glaze that adds richness and helps brown the slider tops.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth and umami flavor with its complex, savory profile.
  • Dijon Mustard: Sharp and zesty ingredient that provides a subtle kick and enhances overall taste.
  • Poppy Seeds: Adds delicate crunch and visual appeal with tiny, nutty seeds.
  • Dried Minced Onion: Provides subtle, aromatic onion flavor without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Tools You Need for Thanksgiving Sliders

  • Baking Dish (9×13-inch): Essential for layering and baking sliders evenly.
  • Serrated Knife: Perfect for cleanly slicing rolls and cutting sliders after baking.
  • Mixing Bowls (2): One for combining cranberry sauce mixture, another for butter sauce.
  • Whisk: Great for blending butter sauce ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure Dijon mustard and other small quantities.
  • Pastry Brush (optional): Useful for evenly spreading butter mixture over slider tops.

Flavor Tips for Thanksgiving Sliders

Flavor Tips for Thanksgiving Sliders
  • Mix in some fresh chopped sage or thyme into the stuffing for an extra aromatic thanksgiving touch.
  • Assemble these sliders completely up to 24 hours before baking, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. Pull out 30 minutes before baking to reach room temperature.
  • Transform remaining sliders into a cold sandwich by skipping the baking step and enjoying them straight from the refrigerator with a crisp side salad.
  • Replace turkey with rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted ham for a delicious alternative that works beautifully with the cranberry and stuffing combination.
  • Swap turkey with roasted portobello mushrooms or plant-based deli slices for a meat-free version that maintains the same delightful flavor profile and festive spirit.

Serving Thanksgiving Sliders at Your Table

Serving Thanksgiving Sliders at Your Table
  • Festive Family Feast Companion: Pair these sliders with a crisp green salad featuring mixed autumn vegetables like roasted butternut squash and cranberries for a complete holiday meal experience.
  • Leftover Magic Makeover: Transform any remaining sliders into a delightful next-day breakfast by quickly reheating and topping with a sunny-side-up egg for an extra protein boost.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Presentation: Arrange sliders on a rustic wooden board with small ramekins of extra cranberry sauce and Dijon mustard, allowing guests to customize their flavor combinations and enjoy interactive dining.
  • Wine and Dine Pairing: Select a light-bodied pinot noir or a crisp hard apple cider to complement the rich turkey and tangy cranberry flavors, enhancing the overall taste profile of your Thanksgiving sliders.

Thanksgiving Sliders: How to Store or Prep Ahead

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to lock in freshness and prevent moisture absorption. Refrigerated sliders stay delicious for 3-4 days when properly contained.
  • Quick Reheating Technique: Warm individual sliders in microwave for 30-45 seconds on medium power. For crispy edges, use oven method: preheat to 350°F, wrap sliders in foil, heat for 10 minutes until warmed through completely.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Prepare sliders, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating. Best to freeze before baking for maximum quality retention.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble sliders entirely up to 24 hours before baking. Cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate, then remove wrap and bake directly from cold state. Add extra 5 minutes to baking time for chilled preparation method.
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Gourmet Thanksgiving Sliders Recipe

Gourmet Thanksgiving Sliders Recipe


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4.7 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Mouthwatering Thanksgiving sliders combine classic holiday flavors in miniature sandwich form. Cranberry sauce, roasted turkey, and herbed stuffing nestled between small rolls create an irresistible bite you’ll crave long after the holiday feast.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) thinly sliced deli turkey or leftover turkey
  • 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls
  • 2 cups (480 ml) stuffing, prepared
  • 6 tbsps (85 g) salted butter, melted
  • 1 cup (240 ml) cranberry sauce
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp poppy seeds
  • 2 tsp minced dried onion

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal environment for golden-brown slider perfection.
  2. Assembly Foundation: Slice slider buns horizontally, keeping them connected at the bottom. Arrange bottom halves in a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a unified base for layering.
  3. Flavor Layering: Spread stuffing evenly across bun bottoms, then delicately place turkey slices. Whisk cranberry sauce with Dijon mustard and apply as a zesty spread over the turkey.
  4. Flavor Enhancement: Combine melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, dried minced onion, and additional Dijon mustard. Brush this aromatic mixture generously over the slider tops, ensuring complete coverage.
  5. Baking Process: Transfer the prepared dish to the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes until sliders transform into a golden-brown delicacy with heated, melded fillings.
  6. Resting and Serving: Allow sliders to rest for 5 minutes, enabling flavor integration. Carefully slice along pre-cut lines without fully separating. Serve warm, accompanied by a side salad or chips for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

  • Slice Strategically: Keep bun bottoms connected for easy assembly and neat presentation.
  • Layer Wisely: Distribute stuffing and turkey evenly to ensure balanced flavor in every bite.
  • Butter Blend Magic: Whisking the butter mixture thoroughly prevents ingredient separation and creates a uniform, flavorful coating.
  • Rest and Meld: Letting sliders rest after baking allows flavors to blend and makes handling easier without losing heat or texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 298
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 540 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds

Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Modern American and European Cuisines​, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.​

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.​

Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.

Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.

At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.

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