Turkey Sliders
I am writing this Turkey Sliders post the Monday before Thanksgiving because I’m already looking forward to turkey leftovers so we can all make these Turkey Sliders!! Their deliciousness will help soften the blow of saying goodbye to turkey day, food, friends and family while helping you feed your family and use up all that turkey! These pulled Turkey Sliders eliminate stressful entertaining or hosting a large group because they literally take 20 minutes to make AND they can be made ahead of time. That way you can spend more time with family and less time worrying and preparing food. These Turkey Sliders are light, fresh and comforting all at the same time. You can serve them as a main dish or appetizer, with turkey or chicken, with light or dark meat, with or without coleslaw, but one thing is for certain – they need to be smothered with the intoxicating Chipotle BBQ Cranberry Sauce! I adapted my favorite ever (and readers favorite!) barbecue sauce from my Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs to make the heavenly Chipotle BBQ Cranberry Sauce that is sweet and smoky, layered with spices and absolutely lick the pan addicting. Once this sauce smothers your turkey or chicken you won’t be able to stop eating – for the second day in a row. The only thing you will be wishing for is more leftover turkey!
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO MAKE TURKEY SLIDERS?
Hawaiian rolls
sharp cheddar cheese OR Havarti, Gruyere, Swiss or provolone
whole cranberry sauce (canned or homemade) ketchup molasses cider vinegar spices!
WHAT BUNS ARE BEST?
You can use your favorite buns for these pulled Turkey Sliders such as Hawaiian rolls, small dinner rolls, or sweet rolls. I personally love Hawaiian rolls because they are tender, slightly sweet, soft and fluffy. You can also use larger buns such as burger buns, Kaiser rolls, sesame seed buns, and even sturdy bread if you would like to make larger sandwiches.
How to Make Turkey Sliders
These Turkey Sliders are super simple to make! Here’s how:
Whisk together your Chipotle BBQ Cranberry Sauce ingredients of canned whole cranberry sauce, ketchup, molasses, cider vinegar and a rainbow of spices. Simmer sauce for a couple minutes to warm through and for the flavors to build and meld. Add leftover turkey (or shredded chicken for non-Thanksgiving leftover versions) and heat through. Toast the buns by laying them on a baking sheet and topping with sliced cheddar and broiling until melted, approximately, 1-2 minutes. Pile your saucy turkey on your cheese covered slider buns and top with Apple Poppy Seed Slaw for a total of 20 minute prep – at the most.
What Toppings for Turkey Sliders?
My favorite topping for these Turkey Sliders is Apple Poppy Seed Slaw. The crunchy, sweet and tangy Apple Poppy Seed Slaw is delectable all on its own and the ideally delicious compliment to these saucy sliders! I was eating the leftover Slaw as a salad the next day because its just so undeniably delicious. The light slaw is a tossing of angel hair coleslaw (love the texture), a little mayo, sugar, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and poppy seeds. Its crunchy, tangy, refreshing and the perfect enlivening companion to the Chipotle BBQ Cranberry Turkey. You can also pile on any toppings your heart desires such as bacon, pineapple, mushrooms, sprouts, cucumbers, caramelized onions, onion rings, etc.
HOW DO YOU SERVE TURKEY SLIDERS?
Turkey Sliders are best served warm, especially because the cheesy sliders will not stay warm and the cheese will harden. If you’re worried about timing, I suggest assembling the cheese on the buns (but not melting) and making your Chipotle Cranberry Barbecue Turkey and keeping warm. Once you’re ready to serve the turkey sliders, you can melt the cheese on the buns last minute.
How to Store Turkey Sliders?
Leftover Turkey Sliders should preferable be stored withe the buns, turkey and coleslaw separately otherwise the coleslaw can get soggy and the sliders are difficult to reheat to their former glory. If you think you might have leftovers, then you can make a “turkey slider bar” so so everyone can make their own sandwiches and so you can keep the components separate. Store sliders for up to 5 days.
What Sides to Serve with Turkey Sliders?
These Turkey Sliders don’t have to complicated, you can make a meal with just a green salad or Wedge Salad and fruit, or you can blow your guests away with any of these sides:
Classics: Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Beans with Brown Sugar and Bacon, Slow Cooker Creamed Corn Potatoes: Creamy Potato Salad, Company Mashed Potatoes, Twice Baked Potatoes, Baked Parmesan Fingerling Potato Fries Pasta Salad: Greek Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad or Creamy Bacon Pea Pasta Salad Veggies: Roasted Broccoli, Roasted Asparagus, Roasted Root Vegetables or Roasted Carrots Fruit: Winter Fruit Salad or Tropical Fruit Salad
Tips for Turkey Sliders
You can substitute turkey with rotisserie chicken or leftover shredded chicken. You can also substitute turkey with shredded beef. The apple slaw is optional but HIGHLY recommended. Alternatively, you can substitute with shredded red or green cabbage, broccoli slaw, lettuce or something else crunchy. I love sharp cheddar with barbecue sauce but you may also use Havarti, Gruyere, Swiss or provolone. Don’t broil the cheese with the sliders for too long or else the cheese isn’t as gooey. For extra cheesy turkey sliders, use thicker slices of cheese.
Chipotle BBQ Cranberry Turkey Sliders with Apple Poppy Seed Slaw. Possibly even more delicious than Thanksgiving itself….
Can I freeze Turkey Sliders?
Yes! You can freezer Turkey Sliders but I would not freeze them assembled. Instead, freeze the turkey and the buns separately. To freeze the buns, seal them in sealed freezer bags. To freeze the turkey:
LOOKING FOR MORE SANDWICH AND BURGER RECIPES?
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