Turkey cranberry sliders with tangy cranberry sauce and melty cheese packed into soft Hawaiian roll buns for game days or fall and holiday entertaining!
Turkey cranberry sliders are a deliciously easy way to capture a sneak preview of those epic Thanksgiving flavors ~ and the perfect way to extend the holiday vibe right through the weekend and beyond.
Is there anyone who doesn’t love a slider? It’s always been the perfect party food, and there are so many great ways to layer them up ~ today we’re taking our inspiration from the greatest American meal, Thanksgiving!
I start craving Thanksgiving food weeks before the holiday. So to satisfy my urge for turkey with all the fixings I came up with these easy turkey cranberry sliders. Grab your turkey at the deli counter (ask them to slice it thick) and pick up some readymade cranberry sauce. This Thanksgiving sliders recipe captures the essence of the holiday meal while preserving the ease and simplicity we all love about classic sliders.
what you’ll need for cranberry turkey sliders
the sandwiches
- 12 ounce package King’s Hawaiian rolls
- sliced deli turkey (have them slice it a littler thicker than sandwich style)
- thinly sliced Swiss cheese
- cranberry sauce or relish
- pick up readymade, or make your own, it’s so easy. Sometimes I like to spice up my turkey cranberry sliders with Hot Pepper Cranberry Jam, or change things up with Orange Cranberry Relish.
seasoned mayo (my secret slider sauce!)
- mayonnaise
- poultry seasoning
butter sauce
The butter sauce is, if you ask me, what makes a slider a slider. The sauce soaks into the rolls and creates a crispy top layer, adding richness and flavor.
- unsalted butter
- Worcestershire sauce
- honey
- salt
- mixed herb blend
- dried minced onion
how to layer sliders
Turkey cranberry sliders are layered up in the same way as classic Ham and Cheese Sliders, and once you’ve got the system down you can use it to get as creative as you like. If you’ve never made sliders and you’re worried that they’re fiddly, they’re not! The rolls slice easily in half across the middle, and the top and bottom sheets stay together until you cut and serve them.
- Slice your sheet of rolls in half crosswise, through the middle using a serrated bread knife. Do not separate the rolls, leave the two sheets intact.
- Spread the bottom half with mayo or another condiment according to your recipe.
- Layer with your meat, cheese, and other toppings.
- Place the top half of the rolls on top.
- Brush with butter sauce.
- Bake and slice!
how to make your turkey sliders ahead
Turkey cranberry sliders can be assembled ahead of time so they’re super convenient for entertaining. Assemble your sliders but hold off on the butter sauce. Cover with plastic and refrigerate up to a day ahead. Add the butter sauce and bake when you’re ready. These sliders are best served warm.
turkey cranberry slider variations
- Go full on Thanksgiving using holiday leftovers. Add a thin layer of stuffing on top of your turkey, and maybe some mashed sweet potatoes along with the cranberry sauce. Consider it a lighter version of my Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich.
- Use another type of packaged rolls, just adjust the filling to fit a larger or smaller size.
- Try smoked turkey for a richer flavor, you might even pair that with some smoked cheese.
- Use mustard, or a combo of mustard and mayo for a sharper flavor that plays well with the tangy cranberries.
- Double the turkey cranberry sliders recipe for a crowd using King’s Hawaiian rolls in the larger 24 count size.
Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Equipment
- parchment paper or foil
Ingredients
for the butter sauce
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp mixed herb blend*
- 1 Tbsp dried minced onion
seasoned mayo
- 2 Tbsp (heaped) mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
for the sandwiches
- 1 package King's Hawaiian rolls (or other similar mini rolls)
- 1/2 lb sliced deli turkey (have them slice it a littler thicker than sandwich style)
- 1/2 lb thinly sliced Swiss cheese (you may have some leftover)
- 1/3 cup prepared cranberry sauce or cranberry relish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet or pan with parchment paper or foil.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan.
- Remove from the heat, and whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, honey, salt, herb blend, and minced onion. Set aside.
- Mix the mayo with the poultry seasoning and set aside.
- With a sharp serrated knife, carefully slice the rolls in half horizontally through the middle. Do not speparate the rolls, keep the sheets intact.
- Lay the bottom half of the rolls, cut side up, on your lined baking pan. Spread evenly with the seasoned mayonnaise.
- Layer the turkey over the rolls, overlapping the slices slightly. Then lay the Swiss cheese over the meat, again overlapping it somewhat. Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the cheese.
- Place the tops of the rolls on top. Drizzle the butter sauce over the sandwiches, and brush to coat evenly.
- Cover the sandwiches with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, until heated through. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes or so.
- Remove from the oven, and use the parchment paper to gently lift the rolls out of the pan. Use a serrated knife to slice them, and serve immediately.
- Sliders can be reheated, covered with foil, in a low oven until warmed throughout, or microwaved for 20 seconds.
Notes
Nutrition
more cranberry recipes
I brought these to the office yesterday and they were a huge hit. Thanks for another great recipe!
Do you add the cranberry sauce before baking or after?
You add it before. Everything goes on before baking.