I know, I know.  It’s turkey–again.  But stay with me, folks.  I promise that this additional ode to “what to do with leftover turkey will not be a boring testament to yet another turkey dinner-flavored meal.  Really.  I mean it.

After all, I think what I like LEAST about leftover turkey after a big holiday meal is that everything I try using it in turns out tasting just like the original meal.  And that’s what I’m trying to get away from!  I mean, I can only eat the same flavors over and over so many days in a row without pissing off my taste buds completely.  That’s where creativity is key.  I tried thinking about other ideas I’ve seen on the interwebs, as well as flavors that I like when it’s NOT the holiday season, and then I play mashup.  And that’s where these little gems came along.  Turkey Cuban Sliders were a perfect antidote to those concerns!

Turkey Cuban SlidersI don’t know about you, but I am a sucker for a good Cuban sandwich.  I love the simplicity of the sandwich, but the complexity of flavors can’t be beat.  Playing around with those flavors was so fun, and so darned good, that I’ll be making sure we have PLENTY of leftover turkey the next time a big ole’ bird gets roasted in this house!

Don’t worry if you still have some additional bird lying around.  There’s still a lot of fun and delicious ways to use it up!  Check out my Turkey Posole, Turkey Chili, or even Turkey Kebaps.

Bye bye, boring turkey leftovers; hello Turkey Cuban Sliders!

Turkey Cuban Sliders
Turkey Cuban Sliders
Print Recipe
Turkey is so much more versatile than people give it credit for. While it definitely has more flavor than chicken (in my opinion), it's still a chameleon in that it can take on flavors more easily than other proteins. And that is why this particular bird does so well in mash up recipes like this one. The great basic flavors of a good Cuban sandwich combined with the rich flavors of a roasted turkey, and you've got yourself finger foods of the highest order. Time to roast another bird just to have leftovers for this delicious spin on turkey!
Servings Prep Time
8 people 10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Servings Prep Time
8 people 10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Turkey Cuban Sliders
Turkey Cuban Sliders
Print Recipe
Turkey is so much more versatile than people give it credit for. While it definitely has more flavor than chicken (in my opinion), it's still a chameleon in that it can take on flavors more easily than other proteins. And that is why this particular bird does so well in mash up recipes like this one. The great basic flavors of a good Cuban sandwich combined with the rich flavors of a roasted turkey, and you've got yourself finger foods of the highest order. Time to roast another bird just to have leftovers for this delicious spin on turkey!
Servings Prep Time
8 people 10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Servings Prep Time
8 people 10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Ingredients
Servings: people
Instructions
  1. Preheat toaster oven or conventional oven to 350 degrees. With dinner rolls, do not separate them individually. Slice connected pieces lengthwise so that it opens up like large 2 piece of bread.
    Turkey Cuban Sliders Ingredients
  2. Spread mustard evenly over bottom piece of bread.
    Turkey Cuban Sliders Mustard
  3. Spread turkey out over mustard-spread bread.
    Turkey Cuban Sliders Layers
  4. Sprinkle cheese over layer of turkey.
    Turkey Cuban Sliders Cheese
  5. Add one slice of pickle per segment of each roll.
    Turkey Cuban Sliders Pickles
  6. Place top slice of bread on pickles and press down to secure ingredients together. Roast in toaster oven for 10 minutes, or until cheese begins to melt.
    Turkey Cuban Sliders Layered
  7. Preheat skillet to medium high heat. Spray with cooking spray. Separate bread into 2 large pieces (with 8 rolls per side). Place one half into skillet and press down to create thinner sandwich pieces, treating sandwich like a grilled cheese. Don't have a panini press or heavy spatula? No problem! Use a smaller skillet to press sandwich down in pan.
    Turkey Cuban Slider Pressed
  8. Pan fry on each side about 5 minutes, or until golden brown.
    Turkey Cuban Slider Pressed
  9. Pull individual rolls apart to create small slider sandwiches. Serve immediately.
    Turkey Cuban Slider Bite
Recipe Notes

What was great about these is that we served them as we watched football.  A perfect quick bite in between yelling at our teams as they played some big games.  These are great to use up leftovers, sure.  But just making them straight up with regular roasted turkey any time of year is a great treat, too!  And any guests will love this twist on some well-loved flavors.

Want to really amp up the flavor?  Use a smoked turkey or other flavor-enhanced meat.  Toss in some bacon before pan frying for an additional crunch.  Get creative with the basic model for these sliders and mix it up!

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