Cranberry Brie Turkey Crackers
It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and if you’re anything like me, the last thing you want is another plate of the same meal you’ve been eating for two days straight. But the refrigerator is full of leftovers, the kids are asking for something to eat, and you don’t want to be wasteful — and you definitely don’t want to cook. That’s exactly where these Cranberry Brie Turkey Crackers come in, right next to a turkey cranberry brie quesadilla. They take everything we already love about Thanksgiving — the cranberry, the turkey, the brie — and transform them into a sophisticated little bite that feels nothing like a leftover. For more ideas, see what to do with Thanksgiving leftovers and my guide to shopping Thanksgiving at The Fresh Market. In fact, it feels like something you’d set out at a party.
What I love most about this recipe is that you already have everything you need. The turkey is in the refrigerator, the cranberry sauce is on the counter — the same one I spoon over baked brie with orange zest cranberry sauce — and the brie, well, if you entertain during the holidays, brie is always within reach. It comes together in minutes, requires almost no effort, and serves beautifully on a platter alongside a crisp green salad or a festive Cranberry Moscow Mule. It’s my go-to the day after Thanksgiving when everyone wants a snack but I’m not ready to commit to a full meal.
The best part? This recipe is endlessly adaptable, much like my easy cranberry brie crostini. Not a cranberry sauce person? Swap it for fig jam, the way I finish my prosciutto and fig crackers, or try red pepper jam or even a spoonful of pimento cheese. In fact, if you remove the brie, a turkey and pimento cheese cracker is its own kind of Southern holiday perfection. These crackers have become a permanent fixture in my post-Thanksgiving rotation, right alongside a mug of pumpkin hot chocolate, and once you make them, I think they will earn a spot in yours too.
What Are Cranberry Brie Turkey Crackers
Cranberry brie turkey crackers are a two-bite holiday appetizer: crisp crackers topped with leftover turkey and a thin slice of brie, broiled until the cheese melts, then finished with a spoonful of whole-berry cranberry sauce and a fresh herb leaf.
In essence, they are Thanksgiving in one bite, and they come together in about 15 minutes with ingredients you likely already have.
Cranberry Brie Turkey Crackers Ingredients (With Purpose & Flavor Notes)
Crackers
The base. Thin water crackers keep the toppings the star, and round buttery crackers add a little richness. Either holds up under the broiler.
Cooked Turkey
Leftover Thanksgiving turkey, shredded or thinly sliced. The broiler warms it through without drying it out.
Brie
Sliced about ¼ inch thick so it melts quickly and evenly. It is the ingredient that makes a simple snack feel elegant, just like it does in my brie, honey and apple crostini.
Whole-Berry Cranberry Sauce
The bright, tart finish that ties everything together. Half a cup gives each of the 24 crackers exactly 1 teaspoon.
Fresh Basil or Mint
A small leaf on top adds color and freshness and makes the platter look polished.
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Everything I Love for this recipe
Baking Sheet
Needed for the broiler method — a rimmed sheet keeps crackers stable and catches any melted brie that drips over the edge.
Serving Platter
A beautiful platter turns these into a centerpiece. The visual contrast of the golden brie, red cranberry, and fresh herb garnish deserves a surface that shows it off.
Cheese Knife / Slicer
For slicing the brie thinly and evenly — thin slices melt faster and more evenly under the broiler, which makes a real difference in the final result.
Small Serving Bowls
Small ceramic bowls keep the cranberry sauce and garnishes tidy and beautiful on the board.
Cheese Knife Set
Cuts the brie into neat pieces so every cracker gets the same creamy layer.
Marble Cheese Board
A beautiful marble board for passing the crackers at a holiday party.
Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
Whole berry cranberry sauce brings the tart, festive topping in minutes.
Herb Keeper
Keeps fresh herbs green and ready for garnishing.
Pepper Grinder
A fresh crack of black pepper balances the sweet cranberry.
Spreader Knives
Spreads the cranberry sauce neatly onto every cracker.
Linen Cocktail Napkins
Linen napkins make passing appetizers feel polished.
Serving Platters
A set of white platters for serving a big batch of crackers.
How To Make Cranberry Brie Turkey Crackers
Step 1: Heat the Broiler
Preheat the broiler to high and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Arrange and Top the Crackers
Lay the crackers in a single layer, then top each with a little turkey and a thin slice of brie.
Step 3: Broil
Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely, until the brie is melted and just beginning to bubble.
Step 4: Add the Cranberry Sauce
Take the pan out and spoon about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce onto each cracker.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Finish with a basil or mint leaf and serve warm while the brie is still melty.
Cranberry Brie Turkey Crackers
Ingredients
- 24 water crackers or round buttery crackers
- 1 cup cooked turkey shredded or thinly sliced (about 5 oz)
- 8 oz brie sliced about ¼ inch thick
- ½ cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
- fresh basil or mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the broiler. Preheat the broiler to high and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the crackers. Lay the crackers in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Add the toppings. Top each cracker with a little turkey, then a thin slice of brie.
- Broil. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely, until the brie is melted and just beginning to bubble.
- Add the cranberry. Remove from the oven and top each cracker with about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce.
- Garnish and serve. Finish with a basil or mint leaf and serve warm.
Notes
KEEP HOSTING
Build the festive appetizer table — a fig-and-brie bite, a cranberry pour, and an elegant board to gather around.
Mini Fig & Brie Bites
Sweet fig, melty brie, and flaky pastry — another elegant two-bite appetizer for your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe →
Cranberry Moscow Mule
Tart cranberry, ginger, and lime in a festive mule — the bright, bubbly pour that loves a holiday appetizer table.
Pour a Glass →
How to Make the Perfect Caviar Board
An elegant, showstopping caviar board with all the trimmings — the luxe centerpiece for festive hosting.
Keep Reading →Cranberry Brie Turkey Crackers Variations
Fig Jam
A slightly sweeter, more complex flavor that pairs beautifully with brie and works when you are out of cranberry sauce.
Red Pepper Jam
Sweet heat against creamy brie is an unexpected combination guests always love, with a jewel-toned color.
Make It Southern
Skip the brie and cranberry and top the turkey with a spoonful of pimento cheese. No broiling needed.
Prosciutto Instead of Turkey
For a year-round version, salty, paper-thin prosciutto with melted brie and cranberry is just as elegant.
A Honey Drizzle
A small drizzle of honey over the finished crackers adds warmth that ties the flavors together.
Vegetarian
Skip the turkey and use a slightly thicker slice of brie, finished with cranberry and a sprig of thyme.
When I Love Serving Cranberry Brie Turkey Crackers
The Day After Thanksgiving
This is the moment this recipe was made for. The refrigerator is full, no one wants to cook, and these come together in minutes. It is the same instinct behind my turkey cranberry brie sandwich.
Holiday Parties
Set these out at a Christmas or Friendsgiving gathering and watch them disappear. Not only are they fast, but they also scale easily for a crowd.
A Casual Afternoon Snack
When the kids are asking for something to eat, a tray of these alongside a simple salad is a light meal in disguise.
On a Holiday Grazing Board
Tuck them onto a larger charcuterie board for a warm element among the cold bites.
Low-Key Holiday Entertaining
When friends stop by during the season, these deliver warmth and flavor with about 15 minutes of effort.
Cocktail Hour
Pass them on a tray with a festive drink before dinner for an elegant start to the evening.
What To Serve With Cranberry Brie Turkey Crackers
Cranberry Moscow Mule
Serve both for a full cranberry holiday moment.
A Crisp Winter Salad
Round it into a light lunch with my winter salad or my cranberry walnut gorgonzola salad.
A Cozy Soup
A bowl of white sausage tortellini soup is all it needs beside it.
More Brie Bites
Pair them with mini fig and brie bites for a festive appetizer table.
A Holiday Board
Set them next to a caviar board for a high-low spread.
A Glass of White Wine
A crisp, chilled white balances the creamy brie and tart cranberry.
Cranberry Brie Turkey Crackers Storage
Serve Fresh
Once broiled, the crackers soften quickly, so assemble and serve them fresh.
Turkey
Leftover cooked turkey keeps in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Cranberry Sauce
Homemade or opened cranberry sauce keeps in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Brie
Wrapped tightly, an opened wedge of brie keeps for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Cranberry Brie Turkey Crackers FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Prep the components ahead, slicing the brie and shredding the turkey, then assemble and broil right before serving.
Can I use any cracker?
Yes. Water crackers are thin and neutral, and buttery round crackers add richness. Avoid very thin crackers that may burn before the brie melts.
What kind of brie works best?
A standard double-cream brie is perfect. Triple-cream brie is even more luxurious.
How many crackers does this make?
24. Half a cup of cranberry sauce is 24 teaspoons, so there is exactly 1 teaspoon for each cracker.
Can I make a larger batch?
Multiply the ingredients and broil in batches so each sheet gets even heat.
What if I don’t have leftover turkey?
Rotisserie chicken or thinly sliced deli turkey both work, and prosciutto needs no cooking at all.
Final Thoughts
I am always trying to find new ways to make good use of leftovers, and these crackers are one of my favorites. All things considered, they prove that the day after a big holiday can still feel special: a little turkey, a slice of brie and a spoonful of cranberry, and you have an appetizer that looks like it was planned all along. If you try these, I would love to know whether you kept them classic or experimented with your own variations!
Erica A. Thomas
Founder of Eating With Erica
SAVE NOW, MAKE LATER!
