These Turkey Cranberry Sliders are warm, cheesy, sweet, and savory all at once. They are a great way to use leftover turkey, but deli turkey works just as well. Soft Hawaiian rolls hold turkey, cranberry sauce, and melted cheese, while a buttery Dijon topping makes the tops golden and flavorful.
Makes: 12 sliders
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20–25 minutes
Total time: About 40 minutes
Why I Love This Recipe
I first think of these sliders when there is leftover turkey in the fridge and a little cranberry sauce that needs a home. Putting the two inside soft rolls with cheese turns leftovers into something that feels completely new.
The best part is the contrast. You get salty turkey, sweet and tart cranberry sauce, creamy melted cheese, and soft bread. Then the buttery Dijon topping gives each bite a little extra flavor.
- It takes about 40 minutes from start to finish.
- Leftover turkey works beautifully.
- You can also make it with sliced deli turkey.
- Everything bakes together in one dish.
- The sliders are easy to serve for lunch, dinner, parties, or holiday leftovers.
- You get sweet, savory, creamy, and buttery flavors in every bite.
What You’ll Need
- 1 package (12 count) Hawaiian sweet rolls
- 3 cups cooked turkey, thinly sliced or shredded
- 3/4 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Recipe and Instructions
Step 1: Slice the Rolls
Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Keep 1 package (12 count) Hawaiian sweet rolls connected. Place them on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, carefully slice the whole slab through the middle from side to side. You should have one connected top half and one connected bottom half.
Place the bottom half of the rolls, cut side up, in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Add the Turkey and Cranberry Sauce
Spread 3 cups thinly sliced or shredded cooked turkey evenly over the bottom half of the rolls. Spoon 3/4 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce over the turkey. Gently spread the cranberry sauce so you get some in every slider.
Step 3: Add the Cheese and Tops
Place 6 slices Swiss cheese over the cranberry-covered turkey. Overlap the cheese a little so the filling is covered from edge to edge. Put the connected top half of the Hawaiian rolls back on top.
Step 4: Make the Butter Topping
In a small bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon poppy seeds, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder until combined.
Step 5: Brush the Sliders
Slowly pour or brush all of the butter mixture from Step 4 over the tops of the 12 assembled Hawaiian roll sliders. Make sure it reaches the edges and some of the spaces between the rolls.
Step 6: Bake
Cover the baking dish loosely with foil. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5–10 minutes, until the Swiss cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
Watch closely near the end because sweet rolls can brown quickly.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
Let the sliders rest for about 5 minutes. Use a knife to cut between the 12 rolls. Transfer them to a round serving plate and serve while the cheese is still warm and melted.
Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
Hawaiian rolls are soft and slightly sweet, so they balance the salty turkey and tangy Dijon mustard. Cranberry sauce brings sweetness and acidity, which helps cut through the rich cheese and butter.
Swiss cheese melts smoothly and helps hold the turkey and cranberry filling together. Covering the sliders for the first part of baking traps heat and helps warm the center without burning the bread. Removing the foil at the end lets moisture escape, so the tops turn golden instead of staying too soft.
Pro Tips
- Keep the rolls connected while assembling them. It is much faster than making 12 sliders one at a time.
- Spread the turkey all the way to the edges so the outside sliders have plenty of filling.
- If your cranberry sauce is very thick, stir it well before spreading.
- Don’t skip the covered baking time. It helps the cheese melt before the tops get too dark.
- Give the sliders 5 minutes to rest before cutting. They will hold together better.
Tools You’ll Need
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Serrated bread knife
- Cutting board
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Pastry brush or spoon
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Aluminum foil
- Serving plate
Substitutions and Variations
- Turkey: Use leftover roasted turkey, deli turkey, or cooked shredded chicken.
- Swiss cheese: Try provolone, mozzarella, white cheddar, or Havarti.
- Cranberry sauce: Whole-berry gives great texture, but smooth jellied cranberry sauce also works.
- Hawaiian rolls: Use other small, soft dinner rolls if needed.
- More savory: Add a thin layer of turkey gravy before the cheese.
- More crunch: Add a small amount of crispy fried onion inside the sliders.
- Herby version: Add a pinch of dried sage or thyme to the butter topping.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can assemble the turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese inside the rolls several hours ahead. Cover the baking dish and refrigerate it.
For the best texture, make the butter mixture separately and keep it covered in the fridge. Warm it just enough to become liquid, then brush it over the rolls right before baking.
If you bake the sliders straight from the refrigerator, they may need a few extra minutes to become hot in the middle.
Common Mistakes
- Using too much cranberry sauce: More is not always better. Too much can make the bottoms soggy.
- Baking uncovered the whole time: The roll tops may become too dark before the center gets hot.
- Packing in cold, thick turkey: Spread the turkey in an even layer so everything heats at the same speed.
- Cutting right away: Hot sliders can slide apart. A 5-minute rest helps.
- Forgetting the edges: Spread the fillings from edge to edge so every slider gets turkey, cranberry, and cheese.
What to Serve With
These sliders are filling, so simple sides work well.
- Green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Sweet potato fries
- Potato wedges
- Coleslaw
- Tomato soup
- Butternut squash soup
- Pickles
- Fresh fruit
- Potato chips
For a holiday leftovers meal, serve them with reheated stuffing and roasted vegetables.
Macros Information
Approximate nutrition per slider, based on 12 sliders:
- Calories: 270
- Protein: 17 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fat: 11 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 10 g
These are estimates. The exact macros will change based on the rolls, cranberry sauce, cheese, and turkey you use.
Leftovers and Storage
Keep leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days, as long as the cooked turkey is still within its safe storage window.
For the best texture, reheat them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 8–10 minutes, or until hot in the center. Cover them loosely with foil if the tops are already brown.
You can use the microwave when you are in a hurry, but the rolls will be softer. Heat one slider at a time in short bursts until hot.
FAQ
Q: Can I use deli turkey?
A: Yes. Thinly sliced deli turkey works very well. Use about 3 cups and layer it evenly over the rolls.
Q: Can I use leftover Thanksgiving turkey?
A: Yes. This is one of my favorite ways to use leftover roasted turkey. Slice or shred it before adding it to the sliders.
Q: Can I use jellied cranberry sauce?
A: Yes. Stir or mash it first so you can spread the 3/4 cup evenly.
Q: How do I keep the bottoms from getting soggy?
A: Stick with about 3/4 cup cranberry sauce and avoid adding extra liquid. Also, don’t assemble the sliders too far ahead with the cranberry sauce already inside.
Q: How do I know when the sliders are ready?
A: The cheese should be melted, the filling should be hot, and the roll tops should look golden brown.
Q: Can I freeze Turkey Cranberry Sliders?
A: You can, but the cranberry sauce can make the bread softer after thawing. For the best texture, these sliders are better made fresh or refrigerated for a few days.
Final Thoughts
Turkey Cranberry Sliders take simple ingredients and turn them into a warm, cozy meal. The sweet cranberry sauce, savory turkey, melted Swiss cheese, and buttery golden rolls make every bite a little different.
They are especially handy when you have holiday turkey waiting in the fridge and want something besides another turkey sandwich. Make a pan, serve them warm, and don’t be surprised when they disappear quickly. If you try the recipe, leave a comment about how your sliders turned out and any questions you have.