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Warm Turkey Sliders, made from a whole turkey breast cooked in the slow cooker or an electric pressure cooker, make for some easy delicious game day food!
Why this recipe works:
These great little sandwiches are incredibly easy to make, especially when you have leftover Thanksgiving turkey that you need to use up.
- This recipe works great with leftover turkey, thick sliced turkey you pick up from the deli, or you can easily cook a whole turkey breast using a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
- You can add any kind of spread including things like cranberry sauce, onion jam, or a grainy mustard.
- If you’re looking to feed a crowd, these turkey sliders can easily be prepared ahead of time and heated just prior to serving.
How to cook a whole turkey breast:
If you aren’t using leftover Thanksgiving turkey or deli meat, these are your best options for enjoying delicious, moist turkey. There are two ways I like to prepare turkey breast.
Slow cooker option:
If using your crockpot, my Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe is super easy to follow.
You simply coat the turkey breast in a variety of spices with some olive oil, set it on a bed of sliced onions, and cook on low for 4-5 hours. No liquid is required as the onions and turkey both release liquid and juices that can be turned into a heavenly gravy.
Instant Pot option:
To cook your turkey breast in the electric pressure cooker, you will use the same ingredients but add additional water. Then, you simply place the fully thawed turkey breast in the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 22-30 minutes (for 2-6 pound breast).
Whichever method you choose, the turkey will turn out moist and tender. Just be sure to insert an instant read thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
How to make warm turkey sliders:
My sliders are super simple and I even bake them up in a disposable aluminum tray for easy transport. Good sliders start with amazingly soft rolls. I used soft potato rolls from the bakery but you can choose any rolls of your choosing.
From there, these turkey slider sandwiches are super simple. You can get as creative as you’d like, but here’s how I make warm turkey sliders:
- Split the rolls
- Use some kind of spread. You can find something tasty in a jar or use something from the olive bar. What you choose is personal preference. For this version of turkey sliders, I used a bacon onion jam, but cranberry sauce would be fabulous.
- Cover your sliders with those perfectly cooked pieces of turkey breast, and then top everything with cheese. I chose provolone for these sliders but you can’t go wrong with so many different varieties.
- Melt some butter to brush onto the tops of the rolls and then top with garlic and poppy seeds. This step is what takes these turkey sliders from really good to amazingly delicious.
- Just before serving, simply heat your sliders in the oven for about 20 minutes until everything is heated through and the cheese is completely melted.
Related recipes:
Looking for more inspiration for those Thanksgiving turkey leftovers? You’ll love these favorites:
- Turkey Tetrazzini
- Turkey Pot Pie
- Leftover Turkey Soup
- Leftover Turkey Risotto
- Leftover Turkey Salad
- Leftover Turkey Enchiladas
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Equipment
Ingredients
To cook the turkey breast:
- 2 pound turkey breast bone in, skin on
- 1 large yellow onion sliced thick
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
To make the sliders:
- 16 ounce package soft rolls
- 6 tablespoons of desired spread anything from bacon onion jam, cranberry sauce, or mustard
- 6-12 ounces sliced provolone
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
Instructions
To cook the turkey breast in a slow cooker:
- Place 1 large yellow onion in the bottom of your slow cooker. Rinse clean the 2 pound turkey breast and place on top of the onion, breast side up. Top breast meat with 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the top. Cover with lid and set the slow cooker to low for 4-5 hours. Continue to cook on low until internal temperature reads 165°F.
To cook turkey in the Instant Pot:
- Place onion in the bottom of your Instant Pot. Add two cups water. Rinse clean the turkey breast and place on top of the onion, breast side up. Top breast meat with paprika, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drizzle olive oil over the top. Cook on high pressure for 22-30 minutes (for 2-6 pound breast) and allow to release the pressure slowly once done. Insert an instant read thermometer and if it is not yet at 165 degrees F, continue to cook for several more minutes on high pressure.
- Once turkey has finished cooking, slice against the grain to desired thickness.
To assemble sliders:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Set the 16 ounce package soft rolls in a baking dish and split the rolls with a knife and remove the tops. Cover with 6 tablespoons of desired spread, turkey, and 6-12 ounces sliced provolone. Replace the tops of the rolls.
- Melt 4 tablespoons butter in microwave and add 1 teaspoon minced garlic and 1 teaspoon poppy seeds. Brush mixture on top of rolls.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally created in August 2016 and was updated in November 2020 with more fun facts and tidbits for your reading pleasure.
Can you use deli meat?
Sure can!
I love these because they’re so versatile and so easy! Perfect for everything from a game day appetizer or easy leftover Thanksgiving sandwiches. yum!
Oh, this looks mouthwatering! This recipe is just what my busy summer needed! Quick, easy and delicious! Thank you!!
So easy to make and it’s perfect for busy moms 🙂
My sister in law made these this week and they were great!!! Totally saved to make myself one day.
Oh I LOVE these simple and yummy recipes for summer picnics, making this over the weekend for sure!!
This was great!
tasted delicious.