Turn leftover Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce into a mouthwatering pull-apart bread filled with melted mozzarella and finished with fragrant rosemary butter.
If your refrigerator is still stocked with holiday leftovers, this Cranberry Turkey Mozzarella Pull Apart Bread is a fast, irresistible way to transform those flavors into an easy shareable appetizer or snack. Using a crusty sourdough loaf as the vessel, the bread becomes a gooey, savory-sweet bundle when layered with diced turkey, spoonfuls of cranberry sauce and plenty of shredded mozzarella. A simple rosemary-infused melted butter brushed over the top gives it an herbaceous finish that bakes into the crust and keeps the interior luxuriously moist.
This recipe is quick to assemble—about 10 minutes of prep—and bakes in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings, casual gatherings, game day, or the days after Thanksgiving when you want something comforting and festive without a lot of fuss. It’s also a great party appetizer: tear-and-share pull-apart bread is perfect for feeding a crowd and goes well with soup, salad, or alongside other leftover-inspired dishes.
This pull-apart bread works beautifully whether you’re repurposing leftover roasted turkey or grabbing a few slices from the deli. The contrast of savory turkey, sweet-tart cranberry, and mild, melty mozzarella is elevated by the buttery rosemary topping. Serve it warm straight from the oven so everyone can pull apart cheesy, flavorful pieces right away.
More turkey leftover recipes
If you’re looking for more ways to reinvent leftover turkey, try classics like Turkey Fajita Rice Bowls, Turkey Pot Pie with a puff pastry crust, Stuffing Biscuit Turkey Sliders, Turkey Tostadas with pomegranate guacamole, a savory Turkey Spinach Quiche with a stuffing crust, or a hearty Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast Casserole. These ideas make it easy to keep flavors interesting while using up your holiday roast.
What’s your favorite way to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers? Share your go-to idea in the comments below.
Cranberry Turkey Mozzarella Pull Apart Bread
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Sourdough bread
- ½ cup cooked turkey, chopped
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Using a sharp serrated knife, make four cuts in each direction across the top of the sourdough loaf, creating a grid pattern. Take care not to slice all the way through—leave the base intact so the loaf holds together.
- Gently pry open the cut sections and stuff the bread with the chopped turkey, distributing it evenly through the pockets.
- Add small dollops of cranberry sauce throughout the cuts so each section gets a touch of sweet-tart flavor.
- Pack shredded mozzarella into the remaining spaces, pressing it down so the cheese melts into the turkey and cranberry pockets.
- Mix the melted butter and chopped rosemary together, then brush the mixture over the top of the loaf, allowing some to seep into the cuts for extra flavor.
- Wrap the stuffed loaf tightly in foil and bake for 15 minutes to heat through and melt the cheese.
- Unwrap the foil and return the loaf to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to crisp the crust and lightly brown the cheese. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for a minute before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Tips and Variations
For a different flavor profile, swap mozzarella for a blend of fontina and provolone, or add a sprinkle of sharp cheddar for more depth. Fresh herbs like thyme or chopped sage work well in place of rosemary. If you prefer a sweeter contrast, stir a little orange zest into the cranberry sauce before dolloping it into the bread.
To make assembly easier, warm the cranberry sauce slightly so it spreads more easily into the cuts. If your turkey is very lean and dry, toss the chopped pieces with a tablespoon of leftover gravy or a splash of olive oil to add moisture before stuffing.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days and reheat gently in the oven to preserve the crust and melt the cheese. This pull-apart style is ideal for serving warm—encourage guests to tear pieces from the loaf and enjoy the combination of savory turkey, tangy cranberry and gooey cheese.