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A tray of Turkey Cranberry Sliders with sesame seed buns, melted cheese, sliced turkey, and a rich cranberry spread nestled inside.

Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Author: Mandy Applegate
If you’ve got leftover turkey after the holidays, these Turkey Cranberry Sliders make it feel like a whole new meal. They've got just the right mix of sweet, savory, and melty goodness from turkey, cranberry sauce, and Swiss cheese, making them irresistibly crave-worthy. From Thanksgiving and Christmas to game day spreads and weeknight dinners, they make every bite feel special without any extra effort. They're simple to prep ahead, store well in the fridge or freezer, and reheat easily whenever you need a quick crowd-pleaser.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner Party, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Servings: 12
Calories: 244kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls
  • ½ pound cooked turkey sliced or shredded
  • ⅔ cup cranberry sauce
  • ½ pound Swiss cheese thinly sliced
  • Cooking spray
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A smiling woman points downward beside a video player graphic with a play button and text that reads, ‘Watch the recipe video now.’ The heading says, ‘Prefer to watch? I’ve got you covered below.

Video

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="TkSlevgQ" upload-date="2025-11-13T09:08:07+00:00" name="Sweet and Savory Turkey Cranberry Sliders" description="Mini sandwiches that balance savory turkey with tart cranberry sauce." player-type="default" override-embed="default"]

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
    Cooking spray
  • In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the poppy seeds and set aside.
    4 tablespoons salted butter, 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally without separating the individual rolls. Place the bottom half in the prepared baking dish, cut side up.
    12 Hawaiian sweet rolls
  • Layer the turkey evenly over the rolls, spread cranberry sauce on top, and add a layer of Swiss cheese. Place the top half of the rolls back on and brush the tops with half of the poppy seed butter.
    ½ pound cooked turkey, ⅔ cup cranberry sauce, ½ pound Swiss cheese
  • Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Remove the foil and bake for another 5–8 minutes, until the tops are golden and slightly crisp.
  • Brush with the remaining butter and let the sliders rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Use Hawaiian dinner rolls: Their soft, slightly sweet flavor balances the cranberry and savory turkey perfectly.
  • Warm the turkey a bit: Bringing it closer to room temperature helps the sliders heat evenly in the oven without them drying out, whether you’re using leftover Thanksgiving turkey or deli turkey as a shortcut.
  • Layer cranberry carefully: Spread only a thin layer so the rolls don't get soggy. You can use whole berry cranberry sauce for extra tartness, or leftover homemade cranberry sauce for fresher flavor if you have some on hand.
  • Add flavor boosters: Brush Worcestershire sauce lightly over the layers of turkey before adding cranberry sauce for a deeper, savory note. Whisk Dijon mustard or yellow mustard into the melted butter for mild tang and extra richness.
  • Try different cheese substitutions: Provolone cheese gives a smooth, smoky melt. Cheddar cheese adds sharper contrast; and Havarti cheese offers a mild, buttery creaminess.
  • Enhance the rolls: Brush the tops of the buns twice, once before baking and once after, to keep them glossy. For more control over the saltiness, use unsalted butter. You could also stir in a bit of onion powder for subtle savory depth.
  • Top with bagel seasoning: Sprinkle it over the buttered rolls before baking for a crunchy, garlicky twist that replaces or enhances the poppy seeds. It gives the sliders a little extra texture and that classic everything-bagel-style finish.

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 286IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 175mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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