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Irresistible Cranberry Turkey Sliders
One of my top go-tos for handling leftover turkey after the holidays is this slider idea. I take fluffy sweet buns and stack them up with turkey, cranberry sauce, and a load of gooey cheese. Then I slather the whole thing with some fantastic flavorful butter before popping it in the oven. What comes out is golden, beautiful, and totally craveworthy. No joke, you might end up roasting turkey just for an excuse to make these.
Why Everyone Loves These
Seriously, these sliders are next-level. Every bite is a killer combo of salty, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet. I dig how you can eat them for breakfast, lunch, or a super fast dinner. They're a clever way to upgrade those holiday leftovers into something seriously delicious and new. Plus, they're just plain fun to eat.
What Goes Into These Bad Boys
- Pillowy Base: Pick up some brioche or Hawaiian buns, soft and with a hint of sweetness.
- Melty Goodness: I'm partial to Swiss, but cheddar, provolone, or Havarti are also awesome here.
- Main Event: Any leftover turkey will do, but sliced deli turkey works too.
- Cranberry Kick: Use whatever cranberry sauce you've got—homemade or from a can, it's all good.
- Buttery Finish: Use melted butter for that dreamy top.
- Packed With Flavor: Dijon mustard and some Worcestershire go right into the sauce.
- Herby Pow: Dried basil and garlic powder give it character.
- Just for Looks: Add poppy seeds on top if you like a cute touch.
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Time To Throw These Together
- Start Things Off
- Turn your oven up to 375°F, foil a baking pan, and spritz some nonstick spray on it quickly.
- Time To Stack
- Slice your buns through the middle, leave 'em attached, set the bottoms in your pan, then pile on the cheese first, turkey, cranberry, more cheese, then cap it with the other half of the buns.
- Butter Magic
- Melt the butter, mix in your Dijon, Worcestershire plus your spices, then brush that goodness all over the tops.
- Oven Time
- Put foil over the top and bake for 15 minutes. Take the foil off and keep them in for another 5 to 10 till everything is golden and your cheese is bubbling.
- Dig In
- Slice those sliders apart and let everyone grab one before they're gone!
Little Tricks To Make Them Even Better
Always shred your own cheese—it makes melting way smoother. Want crispier sliders? Toast the buns a little before building them. If you’re into sweet, throw a tad of honey into your butter sauce. And seriously, make a double batch—people will gobble these up at any get-together.
How To Keep Extras Tasty
Leftovers? Stick 'em in a tight-lid container and keep them in the fridge up to three days. You could also freeze them for three months. When it’s time to reheat, pop them in at 350°F for fifteen minutes, or just microwave for a hot minute.
Mix It Up For Fun
Switch things around as much as you want. Use different buns, try new cheese, or swap in chicken or ham instead of turkey. Sometimes I go spicy with some sriracha or red pepper flakes. Seriously, just have fun and make it your own.
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Common Questions
- → Can I use deli turkey instead of leftovers?
Totally! If you don't have extra turkey, just grab some thick slices from the deli.
- → What kind of rolls work best?
Try Hawaiian sweet rolls if you can, or any pack of soft, pull-apart dinner rolls. Cut them as a group and keep them stuck together while filling them.
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
Sure can. Assemble them the night before, and pop on the buttery stuff before you bake. Store in the fridge covered until you’re ready.
- → What can I substitute for Swiss cheese?
Use havarti, provolone, or white cheddar if you want. Basically, any soft cheese that melts nicely is good here.
- → Can I freeze these sliders?
They're the best fresh. But if you must, freeze them before baking. Thaw in the fridge and top with the butter just before they go in the oven.