Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Published
Published
Put those holiday leftovers to great use in these cranberry turkey sliders, by combining tender turkey, sweet tart cranberry sauce, and melted cheese on soft Hawaiian rolls. This delicious and easy recipe takes about 15 minutes to prep and 25 minutes in the oven, which makes it a great meal when you’re wiped out from hosting and for repurposing extras.
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My family and friends get together in the days after Thanksgiving just so we can work our way through all the leftovers. These sliders filled with leftover roasted turkey and my cranberry sauce are the perfect way to feed everyone without the fuss of the whole spread again. They’re warm, gooey, and just the right mix of sweet and savory. I brush a savory-sweet glaze over the top of the buns for that crisp bite and extra flavor. If you need a crowd-pleasing way to use up what’s in the fridge, this is it!
Helpful Tips & Variations
- Use good-quality sweet rolls for the best flavor. Hawaiian-style rolls work beautifully here because their natural sweetness balances the tangy cranberry sauce. Soft, fluffy rolls also hold up well to the glaze without getting soggy.
- Don’t skip the mayo layer. Spread the mayonnaise in an even, thin layer over the bottom slab of rolls. It adds flavor, but it also creates a light barrier that helps keep the bread from getting soggy once the cranberry sauce and glaze go on.
- Warm the glaze. When whisking together the butter, honey, Worcestershire, mustard, and seasonings, make sure the butter is fully melted and slightly warm. A warm glaze soaks into the rolls more evenly and gives you that golden, flavorful top.
- Bake covered, then uncovered for perfect texture. Covering the sliders with foil for the first bake helps the cheese melt and the centers heat through without drying out. Removing the foil for the last few minutes allows the tops to brown and lightly crisp—warm middle, melty cheese, and a golden top every time.
Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Ingredients
- 12 ounce package slider rolls, (such as sweet Hawaiian), sliced in half horizontally
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 cups freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
- 3 cups finely diced cooked turkey breast
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Lay the bottom halves of the rolls in the dish. Spread with the mayonnaise.
- Sprinkle half of the cheese on top of the mayo, followed by the chopped turkey. Then spoon the cranberry sauce over the top of the turkey layer; spread to an even layer as best you can.
- Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Place the roll tops on the cheese.
- In a large measuring cup, whisk together the butter, honey, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, black pepper, and parsley. Pour the mixture over the sliders.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the sliders are warmed through.
- Serve hot. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- I recommend shredding your Monterey Jack from a block rather than pre-shredded bag cheese—it melts more evenly and gives you that irresistible gooey layer between the rolls.
- Stuff the sliders with whatever you have! I’ve used stuffing and mashed potatoes before, too.
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!How to Make Cranberry Turkey Sliders Step by Step
Gather the ingredients: Gather all the ingredients together. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Prep the rolls: Slice a 12 oz package of slider rolls (such as sweet Hawaiian) in half horizontally and place the bottom halves into the dish. Spread the bottoms with 3 tbsp of mayonnaise.
Layer the fillings: Sprinkle 1½ cups of the 3 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the mayo, then add 3 cups of finely diced cooked turkey breast in an even layer. Spoon 1 cup of cranberry sauce over the turkey and spread it out as best as you can.
Top with cheese: Top with the remaining 1½ cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
Make the glaze: Place the top halves of the rolls over the cheese. In a large measuring cup, whisk together 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley. Pour this mixture evenly over the rolls.
Bake the sliders: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sliders are warmed through.
Slice and serve: Slice and serve hot!
Serving Suggestions
I usually serve these sliders with something simple like kettle chips, a veggie tray, or a light green salad to balance the richness. If we’re still in holiday mode, I’ll pair them with sweet potato fries, Brussels sprouts, or whatever leftover sides are hanging out in the fridge like stuffing. For drinks, light beer, sparkling water with a cranberry slice, or a mug of apple cider moscow mule all fit the cozy vibe perfectly.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until the cheese is melted again and the tops are lightly crisp. You can also heat individual sliders in the microwave for 30–45 seconds, though the oven keeps that buttery glaze texture best.
More Easy Party Sandwich and Slider Recipes
- French Dip Sliders
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
- Chopped Cheeseburgers
- Reuben Pretzel Sliders
- Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Came across this recipe on my Instagram feed. Could not find one can of cranberry sauce in my grocery store, so I used raspberry jam instead. They were delicious!