Savor Melty Turkey Cranberry Sliders – warm, buttery buns stuffed with juicy turkey, tangy cranberry, and rich, melty holiday goodness!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Great Use For Leftovers: Perfectly repurposes leftover turkey and cranberry sauce.
Quick And Easy: Just 5 minutes of prep time before they go in the oven.

Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for parties, potlucks, or holiday brunches.
Sweet And Savory: A delicious balance of sweet rolls, tart cranberry, and savory turkey.
Cheesy And Melty: Swiss cheese adds a smooth, creamy melt to every bite.

No Mess Assembly: Just slice, layer, and bake—no complicated steps.
Customizable: Easy to adapt with different cheeses or sauces.
Festive Flavors: Tastes like the holidays in slider form.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble ahead and bake just before serving.
Bakes In One Dish: No need for multiple pans—everything comes together in one baking dish.

Ingredients

1 package (12-count) Hawaiian sweet rolls

3 cups cooked turkey, sliced or shredded
1 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)
6 slices Swiss cheese

For the butter drizzle:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon yellow or Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with non-stick foil.
Without separating the rolls, slice the entire package horizontally to create a top and bottom layer. Place the bottom half in the prepared dish.
Layer the turkey evenly over the bottom half of the rolls. Spoon the cranberry sauce over the turkey, then place the Swiss cheese slices on top. Cover with the top half of the rolls.

In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and poppy seeds. Pour or brush the mixture evenly over the tops of the rolls.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 3 minutes until the tops are lightly browned.
Remove from oven, let cool slightly, slice into individual sliders, and serve warm.

Servings And Timing

Servings: 12 sliders
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 23 minutes
Calories Per Serving: Approximately 290 kcal per slider

Variations

Cheese Options: Try provolone, mozzarella, or brie for a different flavor.

Sauce Swap: Use leftover gravy in place of cranberry sauce for a savory twist.
Add Stuffing: Layer in a thin layer of stuffing for a more complete holiday bite.
Herb Butter Glaze: Add thyme or rosemary to the butter glaze for extra holiday flavor.

No Turkey?: Substitute with cooked chicken for a similar taste and texture.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 10–12 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid the microwave to maintain texture.

Freezing: Assemble sliders (without baking), wrap tightly in foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw before baking.

FAQs

Can I Make These Sliders Ahead Of Time?

Yes, you can assemble them ahead and refrigerate, then bake just before serving.

Can I Use Different Rolls?

Absolutely. Any soft dinner rolls will work, but Hawaiian rolls add a nice sweetness.

Is There A Substitute For Cranberry Sauce?

You can use a bit of jam (like raspberry or fig) or skip it entirely for a more savory version.

What’s The Best Cheese For These Sliders?

Swiss is traditional, but cheddar, provolone, or brie are great alternatives.

Can I Use Deli Turkey?

Yes, deli-sliced turkey works well if you don’t have leftover roasted turkey.

How Do I Keep The Bottoms From Getting Soggy?

Use a lined baking dish and avoid adding too much cranberry sauce directly to the bread.

Can These Be Made Vegetarian?

Yes, substitute turkey with a plant-based alternative or roasted vegetables.

How Can I Add A Little Crunch?

Add a thin layer of fried onions or lightly toasted stuffing between the layers.

Are These Sliders Freezer-Friendly?

Yes, you can freeze assembled (unbaked) sliders wrapped in foil for up to 1 month.

What Dips Go Well With These?

Try honey mustard, creamy Dijon, or leftover turkey gravy for dipping.

Conclusion

Melty turkey cranberry sliders are a flavorful and festive way to enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers—or just create a cozy, holiday-inspired snack anytime. With minimal prep, bold flavors, and a buttery finish, these sliders are easy to love and even easier to share.

Perfect Pairings & Cozy Bites to Try Next

Love those melty sliders? Explore these delicious additions and variations:

For another sweet-savory delight, don’t miss Banana Bread Cinnamon Swirl Rolls — ideal for brunch alongside your sliders.
Keep the cheesy comfort going with Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Muffin Cups — bite-sized and party-ready.

Add a vibrant contrast with Zesty Carrot Salad — crisp, tangy, and refreshing.
Warm up your winter plate with Creamy Cheddar Baked Potato Soup — cozy, rich, and slider-approved.
Craving more meaty indulgence? Check out Cheesy Dorito Chicken Casserole — the ultimate comfort casserole.

Melty Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Author: Chef Clara
Total Time: 23 minutes

Yield: 12 sliders 1x
Diet: Halal

Print Recipe

Description

Savor Melty Turkey Cranberry Sliders – warm, buttery buns stuffed with juicy turkey, tangy cranberry, and rich, melty holiday goodness!

Ingredients

Scale

1 package (12-count) Hawaiian sweet rolls
3 cups cooked turkey, sliced or shredded
1 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)

6 slices Swiss cheese
For the butter drizzle:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon yellow or Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line with non-stick foil.
Without separating the rolls, slice the entire package horizontally to create a top and bottom layer. Place the bottom layer in the prepared baking dish.

Evenly layer the turkey over the bottom half of the rolls. Spoon the cranberry sauce over the turkey, then place the Swiss cheese slices on top. Cover with the top half of the rolls.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and poppy seeds. Pour the mixture evenly over the tops of the rolls, using a brush or spoon to spread it out.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 3 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned.

Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then slice into individual sliders and serve warm.

Notes

Use leftover roast chicken if turkey is unavailable.
Try different cheeses like provolone or brie for variation.

Sliders can be assembled ahead and baked when needed.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes

Category: Appetizer
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slider
Calories: 290
Sugar: 6g

Sodium: 380mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 7g

Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g

Fiber: 1g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 45mg