Cranberry Turkey Sliders Recipe

Cranberry Turkey Sliders are the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, all packed into a warm, melty bite-sized sandwich.

These sliders are great for using up leftover turkey or creating a festive appetizer for holiday gatherings. With layers of juicy turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and gooey cheese nestled in soft slider buns, they’re irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a party or looking for a quick family meal, these sliders will be a hit!

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Baking dish or sheet
• Pastry brush
• Small mixing bowl
• Sharp knife

Ingredients

• 12 slider buns or dinner rolls
• 2 cups cooked turkey, sliced or shredded
• 1 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 6 slices provolone or Swiss cheese, halved
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (optional)
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard (optional)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare Buns: Slice the slider buns in half horizontally, keeping them connected. Place the bottom half in the prepared baking dish.
3. Assemble Sliders: Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard (if using) on the bottom buns. Layer with turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese slices. Place the top half of the buns over the fillings.
4. Make Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic powder, parsley, and poppy seeds.
5. Brush and Bake: Brush the butter mixture generously over the top of the buns. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted.
6. Serve: Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and slice into individual sliders. Serve warm.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

15 minutes

Total Time

25 minutes

Nutrition (Per Slider)

• Calories: 220
• Protein: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fat: 11g
• Fiber: 1g

Expert Tips

• Make-Ahead Option: Assemble the sliders up to 4 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
• Leftover Turkey Alternative: Use deli turkey slices if you don’t have leftover turkey.
• Add Greens: Layer in spinach or arugula for added freshness and flavor.
• Cheese Substitutions: Try cheddar, Havarti, or Gruyère for a different twist.

FAQs

Can I use leftover roasted turkey?
Absolutely! Leftover roasted turkey works perfectly for this recipe.

What can I use instead of cranberry sauce?
You can substitute cranberry sauce with raspberry jam, apricot preserves, or a thin layer of barbecue sauce for a unique flavor.

Can these be frozen?
Yes, assemble the sliders without the butter topping and freeze them. When ready to bake, thaw, add the butter topping, and bake as directed.

Can I make them spicy?
Add a drizzle of hot sauce or a layer of sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick.

Storing & Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes or microwave briefly until heated through.

Substitutions & Variations

• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free slider buns.
• Vegan Option: Replace turkey with roasted vegetables or plant-based turkey slices, use vegan cheese, and swap butter for olive oil.
• Sweet Topping: Sprinkle brown sugar on top of the butter mixture for a sweet glaze.

Cranberry Turkey Sliders Recipe

Cranberry Turkey Sliders are the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, all packed into a warm, melty bite-sized sandwich. These sliders are great for using up leftover turkey or creating a festive appetizer for holiday gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

• - Baking dish or sheet
• - Pastry brush
• - Small mixing bowl
• - Sharp knife

Ingredients

  

• - 12 slider buns or dinner rolls
• - 2 cups cooked turkey sliced or shredded
• - 1 cup cranberry sauce homemade or store-bought
• - 6 slices provolone or Swiss cheese halved
• - 1/2 cup mayonnaise optional
• - 1/4 cup Dijon mustard optional
• - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• - 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Instructions

 

• **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• **Prepare Buns:** Slice the slider buns in half horizontally, keeping them connected. Place the bottom half in the prepared baking dish.
• **Assemble Sliders:** Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard (if using) on the bottom buns. Layer with turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese slices. Place the top half of the buns over the fillings.
• **Make Butter Mixture:** In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic powder, parsley, and poppy seeds.
• **Brush and Bake:** Brush the butter mixture generously over the top of the buns. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted.
• **Serve:** Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and slice into individual sliders. Serve warm.