Basil ground turkey and cranberry stuffing sliders

A great way to repurpose leftover stuffing and cranberry sauce.

You know what the best part of this slider is? Besides everything, it’s the stuffing that’s hiding in the middle of the turkey patty. And the good news is that while the turkey burger (made with fresh basil) is cooking, some of the stuffing sneaks out here and there and forms small bits of crust on the burger. All of this deliciousness and it’s made from leftover Thanksgiving stuffing and cranberry sauce. But only the chef will know that this was made with leftovers.

Basil ground turkey and cranberry stuffing sliders recipe

Serves 3

Ingredients:

For the basil and stuffing turkey burgers

• 1-1/4 pounds ground turkey
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (equal to about a 3/4 ounce package of fresh basil leaves and stems)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup prepared stuffing (about 1 heaping teaspoon per ground turkey patty)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the sliders

• 6 basil and stuffing turkey burgers
• 6 slices chilled canned jellied cranberry sauce (about 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick) (or 6 tablespoons of any kind of cranberry sauce)
• 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 6 pieces green leaf lettuce (just the leafy ends of the lettuce)
• 6 slider or dinner rolls

Directions:

For the basil and stuffing turkey burgers

1. In a medium-size bowl, add the ground turkey, basil, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder and salt.
2. Mix all ingredients together.
3. Make 12 patties out of the ground turkey mixture that are about the width of the slider or dinner rolls.
4. Top 6 of the patties with the prepared stuffing.
5. Then for each patty with stuffing, put one of the remaining patties (without the stuffing) on top of the stuffing.
6. Squeeze the sides of the ground turkey to seal in the stuffing. It’s fine if some of the stuffing is showing.
7. Heat a medium-size skillet on medium heat and add the olive oil.
8. Add each patty to the skillet. When the bottom side of the patty is browned, gently turn it over to brown the other side.
9. Once both sides of the patty are browned, put a lid on the skillet and turn the heat down just a bit. Continue cooking the patties with the lid on until they are thoroughly cooked.

For the sliders

1. Lightly toast the slider or dinner rolls.
2. Add the mayonnaise to both sides of the rolls.
3. Add the basil and stuffing turkey burger to the bottom side of the bun.
4. Top with the cranberry and lettuce. Then add the top side of the bun.
5. Serve while the burger is warm.

More Thanksgiving leftover recipes

Cranberry turkey sandwich recipe
The best Thanksgiving leftover recipes
Turkey, arugula and cranberry stuffed sweet potatoes recipe