Cranberry Turkey Sliders Recipe

Got leftover turkey and a craving for something tasty? You're in for a treat with these cranberry turkey sliders. Imagine transforming your holiday remnants into bite-sized sandwiches that'll have everyone asking for seconds. These mini marvels combine tender turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and melty Swiss cheese on buttery Hawaiian rolls—a culinary quick fix that's about to become your new favorite post-feast recipe. Curious how to whip up these crowd-pleasers in no time?

Recipe Highlights

• Combine leftover holiday turkey, Hawaiian sweet rolls, Swiss cheese, and cranberry sauce to create delicious mini sandwiches in under 30 minutes.
• Slice rolls horizontally while keeping them connected, layer with turkey and cheese, then spread cranberry sauce before reassembling and brushing with melted butter.
• Bake covered at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts and rolls turn golden-brown, allowing a brief resting period before serving.
• Customize sliders by experimenting with different cheese varieties, herbs, spices, and additional ingredients like roasted peppers or fresh vegetables.
• Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator, reheating in the oven to maintain optimal texture and consume within 3-4 days.

History

Although sliders have become a popular modern appetizer, their culinary origins trace back to the mid-20th century hamburger scene.

You'll find these miniature sandwiches emerged from White Castle restaurants in the 1920s, where small, square hamburgers were initially served at a wallet-friendly price. As burger culture evolved, chefs began experimenting with different proteins and flavor combinations, transforming the humble slider into a versatile culinary canvas.

The turkey and cranberry iteration specifically gained popularity during the early 2000s, when home cooks sought creative ways to reimagine holiday leftovers.

You'll appreciate how these sliders represent a clever intersection of traditional Thanksgiving flavors and contemporary food trends. By reimagining classic ingredients, you're participating in a delicious culinary evolution that celebrates both innovation and nostalgia.

Recipe

Cranberry Turkey Sliders transform leftover holiday turkey into a delightful mini sandwich that brings together sweet and savory flavors. The combination of warm, buttery rolls, tender turkey, melted Swiss cheese, and tangy cranberry sauce creates a perfect bite-sized meal that's both comforting and exciting.

These sliders aren't just a quick meal solution but a versatile dish that can work for lunch, game day snacks, or casual entertaining. The simple preparation method means you can have a delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes, with minimal effort and maximum flavor impact.

Ingredients:

• 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls
• 1 pound sliced turkey
• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 6 Swiss cheese slices, halved

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Keep the Hawaiian sweet rolls connected and slice them horizontally as one unit, creating a top and bottom half. Layer the bottom half with turkey slices, then add halved Swiss cheese slices, and spread cranberry sauce evenly across the meat and cheese.

Place the top half of the rolls back onto the layered bottom, then brush melted butter over the entire surface of the rolls. Cover the slider tray with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the rolls turn a golden brown color. Once done, remove from the oven and cut into individual sliders before serving.

When preparing these sliders, remember that moderation is key with the cranberry sauce to prevent soggy rolls. Use room temperature turkey for more even cheese melting, and consider assembling the sliders up to 4 hours in advance for convenient meal preparation.

These make-ahead qualities make the dish perfect for both impromptu gatherings and planned events.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by gathering your ingredients and prepping your workspace with a cutting board, baking sheet, and all necessary components.

Next, you'll carefully layer the turkey, Swiss cheese, and cranberry sauce onto the connected Hawaiian sweet rolls, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.

Finally, you'll brush the rolls with melted butter, cover with foil, and bake until the sliders achieve a golden-brown finish with perfectly melted cheese.

Step 1. Prepare Ingredients and Workspace

Gather your ingredients and clear a clean, spacious workspace before diving into these delightful cranberry turkey sliders. Lay out your mise en place: Hawaiian sweet rolls, sliced turkey, cranberry sauce, butter, and Swiss cheese. Double-check that ingredients are fresh and at the right temperature—room temperature turkey ensures even melting and optimal flavor development.

Key workspace preparation steps:

• Sanitize countertops
• Arrange cutting board
• Gather essential tools:
• Sharp knife
• Baking dish
• Pastry brush
• Measuring cups

Verify you have all measurements: 12-count roll package, 1 pound turkey, 1 cup cranberry sauce, 4 tablespoons butter. Position ingredients within easy reach, creating an efficient workflow that'll streamline your slider assembly process and minimize kitchen chaos.

Step 2. Layer Turkey and Cheese

The perfect foundation for mouthwatering turkey sliders begins with strategic layering techniques that maximize flavor and texture.

Spread your rolls horizontally, keeping them connected as a single unit. Carefully arrange thin, even slices of room-temperature turkey across the bottom half, ensuring complete coverage without overwhelming the bread.

Next, create a delicate cheese layer:

• Halve the Swiss cheese slices
• Place cheese sections uniformly over turkey
• Aim for light, even distribution

Gently spoon cranberry sauce between the cheese layers, using approximately 1-2 tablespoons per slider. Be cautious not to oversaturate, which could compromise the roll's structural integrity. The goal is balanced moisture that complements—not drowns—the other ingredients.

Delicately position the top roll half, pressing lightly to secure the layers.

Step 3. Brush Rolls With Melted Butter

After carefully arranging your turkey, cheese, and cranberry sauce layers, melted butter becomes the golden key to transforming these sliders from good to irresistible.

Use 4 tablespoons of butter, melting it gently in a small saucepan or microwave-safe dish until fully liquefied and slightly warm.

With a pastry brush, evenly coat the top of the connected rolls, ensuring complete coverage for a rich, golden-brown finish. Pay special attention to the edges and corners, where butter helps create a crisp, appetizing texture.

The butter won't only enhance flavor but also promote even browning, giving your sliders a professional, bakery-quality appearance. Aim for a light, consistent layer that doesn't pool or saturate the bread, maintaining a delicate balance of moisture and crispness.

Step 4. Cover With Foil

While preparing your cranberry turkey sliders for baking, carefully drape a sheet of aluminum foil over the entire baking dish, creating a protective cover that will help trap moisture and promote even heating.

The foil acts as a barrier, preventing the rolls from browning too quickly while ensuring the interior stays tender and warm.

Ensure the foil is loosely tented, allowing some space between the cover and the sliders. This technique helps steam circulate, melting the Swiss cheese uniformly and keeping the turkey moist.

Press the edges of the foil gently around the baking dish's perimeter to seal in heat and flavor.

Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking to let the rolls develop a golden, slightly crispy top that'll add delightful texture to your sliders.

Step 5. Bake Until Golden, Heated Through

Carefully slide your assembled cranberry turkey sliders into a preheated 350°F oven, ensuring the baking dish is centered for even heat distribution.

Cover the dish tightly with foil to trap moisture and prevent the rolls from drying out. Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking at the 15-minute mark for key visual cues:

• Cheese should be completely melted
• Rolls turning a light golden-brown
• Edges of rolls slightly crisp
• Butter creating a glossy, appetizing sheen

Look for a uniform warmth throughout the sliders, with the internal temperature reaching about 165°F. The foil helps steam the rolls, keeping them soft while allowing the edges to crisp slightly.

Once golden and heated through, remove from the oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes before cutting into individual sliders.

Final Thoughts

Since cranberry turkey sliders offer such a delightful way to reimagine holiday leftovers, you'll find these mini sandwiches are more than just a quick meal—they're a culinary transformation.

You're not just repurposing ingredients; you're creating a new dining experience that elevates simple components into something special.

Consider these pro tips for slider success:

• Serve immediately after baking for optimal texture
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container
• Experiment with cheese varieties for unique flavor profiles
• Try adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary

The key is balance—not too much sauce, not too little cheese.

Your goal is a harmonious blend of flavors that celebrates the turkey's richness while introducing a bright, tangy counterpoint.

With practice, you'll master these sliders and impress your guests every time.