Homemade Turkey and Stuffing Roll Ups

I used to think Thanksgiving leftovers meant the same boring turkey sandwich for a week straight. That’s what we always did growing up—slap some turkey between two pieces of bread and call it lunch.

Then I discovered turkey and stuffing roll ups, and suddenly those leftovers became something my family actually gets excited about. These little bundles pack all the best parts of Thanksgiving dinner into one neat package. No more sad sandwiches—just roll up that turkey with stuffing, add a few simple ingredients, and you’ve got a meal that tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did.

What Kind of Deli Turkey Should I Use?

For these roll ups, you’ll want to grab thick-cut deli turkey from the deli counter rather than the pre-packaged thin slices. The thick slices give you enough surface area to hold the stuffing without tearing, and they’re sturdy enough to roll up nicely. Most delis can slice turkey to about 1/4 inch thick, which is perfect for this recipe. If you only have access to regular sliced deli turkey, you can layer two pieces together to create a thicker base that won’t fall apart when you’re rolling. Either roasted or smoked turkey will work great, so just go with whatever you prefer flavor-wise.

Options for Substitutions

This simple recipe is great for using up leftovers, and you can easily swap things around based on what you have:

• Deli turkey: If you don’t have thick deli turkey slices, you can use leftover roasted turkey from Thanksgiving or even rotisserie chicken. Just slice it thin enough to roll but thick enough to hold the stuffing.
• Stove Top stuffing: Any boxed stuffing mix works here, or use your leftover homemade stuffing from the holidays. If using homemade, make sure it’s not too wet or the rolls will fall apart.
• Whole cranberry sauce: Jellied cranberry sauce works too, though it won’t have the same texture. You could also try apple butter or even a sweet chutney for a different flavor twist.
• Turkey gravy: Chicken gravy is a fine substitute, or you can make a quick gravy using a packet mix. In a pinch, even a cream soup like mushroom or chicken can work as a sauce.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making turkey roll-ups is using stuffing that’s too wet or hot, which will make the turkey slices tear and the rolls fall apart – let your prepared stuffing cool to room temperature and make sure it’s moist but not soggy.

Another common error is overfilling each roll, which makes them impossible to secure and causes the filling to spill out during cooking, so stick to about 2-3 tablespoons of stuffing per slice.

To prevent your roll-ups from unraveling, secure each one with a toothpick and place them seam-side down in your baking dish, and don’t skip warming the gravy separately since pouring cold gravy over the rolls can make them soggy.

For the best texture, bake the roll-ups just until heated through (about 15-20 minutes at 350°F) – overcooking will dry out the turkey and make it tough.

What to Serve With Turkey and Stuffing Roll Ups?

These turkey and stuffing roll ups are like having Thanksgiving dinner in bite-sized form, so I love pairing them with classic holiday sides. Mashed potatoes are a natural choice since you can drizzle that turkey gravy right over everything, and some roasted green beans or Brussels sprouts add a nice fresh contrast to all the rich flavors. A simple mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette helps cut through the richness, or you could go all-in on the comfort food theme and serve them alongside some buttery dinner rolls. Sweet potato casserole also makes a great side if you want to lean into those cozy fall flavors even more.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: These turkey roll ups keep really well in the fridge for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. I like to make them ahead for easy weeknight dinners or lunch prep. Just cover them tightly with plastic wrap or foil to prevent them from drying out.

Freeze: You can definitely freeze these for up to 2 months! Wrap each roll up individually in plastic wrap, then place them all in a freezer bag. This way you can grab just what you need for a quick meal later on.

Warm Up: To serve from the fridge, just microwave them for about 30-45 seconds or until heated through. If they’re frozen, let them thaw in the fridge overnight first, then warm them up the same way. You might want to add a little extra gravy on top since they can dry out slightly when reheated.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	35-40 minutes
Total Time	45-55 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 60-70 g
• Fat: 25-32 g
• Carbohydrates: 195-210 g

Ingredients

For the roll-ups:

• 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce (I use Ocean Spray)
• 2 cups prepared stuffing (use leftover Thanksgiving stuffing for best flavor)
• 8 thick slices deli turkey

For the topping:

• 1 cup ready-to-serve turkey gravy

Step 1: Prepare the Turkey Slices

• 8 thick slices deli turkey

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

On a clean working surface, lay out the 8 thick slices of deli turkey so they’re ready to be stuffed.

Grease a baking dish and set aside for later.

Step 2: Stuff and Fill the Turkey Slices

• 2 cups prepared stuffing (such as Stove Top or homemade)
• 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce

Place a generous portion of the prepared stuffing—about 1/4 cup or so—on one end of each turkey slice.

In a small bowl, stir the cranberry sauce to loosen it up for easier spreading.

Then, divide the cranberry sauce evenly over the stuffing on each turkey slice.

I like to use the back of a spoon to make sure the cranberry sauce is spread out nicely for even flavor.

Step 3: Roll and Assemble the Turkey Roll Ups

• rolled and filled turkey slices from Step 2
• 1 cup ready-to-serve turkey gravy

Gently roll up each turkey slice, enveloping the stuffing and cranberry sauce, and place them seam side up in the prepared, greased baking dish.

Secure each roll with a toothpick so they keep their shape during baking.

Pour the turkey gravy evenly over the top of each roll-up.

Step 4: Bake the Roll Ups

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven.

Bake for about 30 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5–10 minutes, or until the tops become slightly golden and the gravy is bubbly.

Step 5: Serve the Roll Ups

Allow the turkey stuffing roll ups to cool slightly before transferring them to serving plates.

For added color and freshness, you can garnish them with fresh parsley or another herb of your choice—I find that a little fresh greenery really makes the dish pop.