Baked Cranberry Turkey Sandwiches

5 from 1 vote
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These baked cranberry turkey sandwiches are perfect for your leftover Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce. What’s not to love about delicious potato rolls topped with Thanksgiving leftovers? 

Baked Cranberry Cheddar Turkey Sandwiches on a plate.
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Are you looking for a fun and delicious way to use up all that leftover turkey from Thanksgiving?

Made with adorable and delicious mini potato rolls, these baked cranberry turkey sandwiches are the perfect tiny turkey sandwich!

The combination of the savory herbed mayonnaise, sweet and tangy cranberry sauce, on top of the juicy turkey, with gooey sharp cheddar cheese, is so delicious that you won’t be able to eat just one!

And they come together so fast in one pan that it’s easy to feed a hungry crowd.

Trust me, you’ll love these tasty leftover turkey sandwiches!

And if you’re looking for more baked sandwich options, try my Baked Ham and Cheese Party Sandwiches with Apple Butter, Baked Supreme Pizza Sliders, or Baked Turkey Bacon Onion Sandwiches.

Baked Cranberry Cheddar Turkey Sandwiches on a baking tray.
baked turkey cranberry sandwiches on a try.

Ingredients needed

For herbed mayonnaise:

  • Mayonnaise – Feel free to use homemade or your favorite store-bought variety.
  • Chives – Chives have a delicate onion flavor.
  • Rosemary – Rosemary is earthy and robust in flavor.

For sandwiches:

  • Mini potato buns – Potato buns are slightly sweet, fluffy, and dense.
  • Leftover turkey – White or dark meat; use your favorite here. 
  • Cranberry sauce – will give our sandwiches a subtle sweetness, tart flavor, and added moisture. I’m using my homemade cranberry sauce for this recipe.
  • Sharp cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar has a strong flavor and melts beautifully. 

For topping:

  • Unsalted butter – The unsalted butter helps crisp the tops of the buns and makes the garlic powder stick!
  • Garlic powder – Garlic powder will add an earthiness to the tops of the buns.

How to make Baked Cranberry Turkey Sandwiches

The best part about utilizing leftovers is how easy dinner is to throw together. This dinner is about making a few sandwiches and then warming them up in the oven.

  1. Whip up your quick garlic mayo and set aside while you prepare the sandwiches.
  2. Lay out your 9×13 baking dish and add the bottom of your buns to the tray. Spread the mayo onto the bottom of the buns.
  3. Top with turkey, cranberry sauce, cheese, and the top bun.
  4. Brush the tops of the buns with the prepared butter mixture and bake until warmed and melty.
Baked Cranberry Cheddar Turkey Sandwiches on a baking tray with a spatula.

Storage and leftovers of cranberry cheddar turkey sandwiches

Any leftover sandwiches can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, place on a microwave-safe dish covered loosely with a damp paper towel and heat for 2-3 minutes or until heated thoroughly.

But honestly, they’re just as tasty, eaten cold, straight from the fridge. 

FAQ’s

I’ve used sharp cheddar in these baked cranberry cheddar turkey sandwiches because its sharp, pungent flavor doesn’t get lost in the other ingredients, and cheddar melts wonderfully.

But if you’re not a fan of cheddar, no worries!

You could easily substitute the cheddar with a Monterey jack, provolone, or mozzarella. 

I always like to keep herbed mayonnaise or some garlic aioli on hand. 

The flavors of the herbed mayonnaise can elevate any sandwich, and it lasts up to a week in your fridge. 

So feel free to make the herbed mayo and store it in a jar with a fitted lid in your fridge. That way, it’s ready for you to use right away!

You can prep those sandwiches the night before, BUT leave off the top bun until you’re ready to bake. That will ensure the bread doesn’t get too soggy.

Don’t worry, spice lovers, I haven’t forgotten about you.

Want to add a little kick to these baked cranberry cheddar turkey sandwiches? Easy!

Switch out the sharp cheddar for pepper jack cheese (or even habanero cheddar if you can find it).

It’ll still be gooey and melty, but it will kick your taste buds!

baked turkey and cranberry sandwiches on a sheet pan.

More turkey leftover recipes

5 from 1 vote

Baked Cranberry Turkey Sandwiches

Servings: 12 mini sandwiches
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
These baked cranberry turkey sandwiches are perfect for your leftover Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce. What's not to love about delicious potato rolls topped with Thanksgiving leftovers? 
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Equipment

Ingredients 

For herbed mayonnaise:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon minced chives
  • 2 teaspoons minced rosemary

For sandwiches:

  • 12 mini slider buns
  • ½ pound leftover turkey, sliced or pulled
  • ¾ cup cranberry sauce
  • 6 slices sharp cheddar cheese, cut in half

For topping:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons minced chives, for topping

Instructions 

For mayo:

  • In a small bowl mix together mayo and set aside.

For sandwiches:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Spread the herbed mayonnaise mixture onto the bottom half of the buns. Set the bottoms into your 9×13 pan or baking dish.
  • Top the buns with turkey and then 1 tablespoon of cranberry sauce per bun.
  • Lay on the cheese and top with the top of the buns.
  • Brush the top of the buns with the topping mixture.
  • Add sandwiches to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sandwiches are warmed.
  • If desired, sprinkle the top with chopped chives.

For topping:

  • Stir together melted butter and garlic powder.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 14gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 266mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 158IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 162mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Sandwiches
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @NutmegNanny or tag #nutmegnanny!
Baked Cranberry Cheddar Turkey Sandwiches pin for Pinterest.

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About Brandy

I am a food lover and recipe developer bringing you delicious recipes that taste great and are easy to make! My food is inspired by travels around the world and my love of flavorful food. A list of things that make me happy: cats, Coke Zero, houseplants, and travel.

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16 Comments

  1. These look HEAVENLY! We don’t have Thanksgiving where I live, but I always think the best part of leftover turkey (at Christmas etc) are the epic sandwiches! Definitely pinning this for later.

  2. I love Thanksgiving leftovers just as much, if not more, than the original meal. Maybe because the stress of cooking is done and over. I need to get those rolls so I’m ready to make this tomorrow night!

  3. Hey Nanny…! i love cranberry and your baked cranberry cheddar turkey sandwiches looks amazing and sooo yummy, i can’t wait make this. this is one of my favorite recipe..Thanks for sharing…….!

  4. I can definitely use this recipe today with pounds of leftover turkey, etc, beautifully photographed too, already stoking my appetite, thank you!