Cranberry Turkey Sliders: The Ultimate Leftover Makeover

Don’t let those delicious holiday leftovers go to waste! Transform them into something extraordinary with these irresistible cranberry turkey sliders. This recipe combines succulent turkey, the sweet and tangy taste of cranberry sauce, and the comforting melt of cheese, all nestled between soft, fluffy Hawaiian rolls. With a prep time of just 15 minutes and an oven time of 25 minutes, these sliders are the perfect solution for when you’re tired from holiday hosting and looking for a creative way to repurpose those extra goodies.

Cranberry Turkey Sliders: Golden baked to perfection, drizzled with a parsley butter glaze. — Golden baked cranberry turkey sliders topped with parsley butter glaze in a white baking dish.

For many, the days following Thanksgiving or Christmas are just as anticipated as the main event itself – a time to indulge in the abundance of leftovers! These sliders, generously filled with leftover roasted turkey and homemade or store-bought cranberry sauce, are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They offer a warm, comforting, and satisfying way to feed a group without the hassle of setting up the entire holiday spread all over again. The combination of sweet and savory flavors is simply divine. To elevate them even further, we brush a delectable savory-sweet glaze over the tops of the buns, creating a delightful crispy bite and an explosion of added flavor. If you’re searching for a surefire way to use up what’s lingering in your refrigerator, look no further – these cranberry turkey sliders are the answer!

Tips and Variations for the Best Cranberry Turkey Sliders

Choose High-Quality Sweet Rolls: The foundation of any great slider is the roll itself. Opt for good-quality sweet rolls to maximize the flavor experience. Hawaiian-style rolls are a particularly fantastic choice, as their inherent sweetness perfectly complements the tartness of the cranberry sauce. Additionally, soft, fluffy rolls hold up remarkably well to the glaze without becoming soggy.
Don’t Skip the Mayo: While it might seem like an optional addition, the thin layer of mayonnaise spread over the bottom slab of rolls plays a crucial role. Beyond adding a subtle flavor boost, the mayonnaise acts as a protective barrier, preventing the bread from becoming overly saturated once the cranberry sauce and glaze are applied.
Warm the Glaze for Maximum Impact: When preparing the glaze, ensure that the butter is fully melted and slightly warmed. A warm glaze will soak into the rolls more evenly, resulting in a perfectly golden and intensely flavorful top.
Bake Covered, Then Uncovered: This simple technique is key to achieving the ideal slider texture. Covering the sliders with foil during the initial baking period helps the cheese melt uniformly and ensures that the centers heat through without drying out. Removing the foil for the final few minutes allows the tops to brown beautifully and develop a satisfying light crispness – guaranteeing a warm, gooey center, perfectly melted cheese, and a golden top every time.

Cranberry Turkey Sliders Recipe

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Servings: 12 sliders

Warm, gooey, and bursting with flavor, these cranberry turkey sliders are the ultimate way to transform your holiday leftovers into a crowd-pleasing meal everyone will adore. Get ready for a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite!

Ingredients

12 ounce package slider rolls (such as sweet Hawaiian), sliced horizontally
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
3 cups freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
3 cups finely diced cooked turkey breast
1 cup cranberry sauce
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Lay the bottom halves of the rolls in the dish. Spread with the mayonnaise.
Sprinkle half of the cheese on top of the mayo, followed by the chopped turkey. Then spoon the cranberry sauce over the top of the turkey layer; spread to an even layer as best you can.
Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Place the roll tops on the cheese.
In a large measuring cup, whisk together the melted butter, honey, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, black pepper, and parsley. Pour the mixture evenly over the sliders.
Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the sliders are warmed through.
Serve hot and enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Video

Watch the video below for a visual guide on how to make these delicious sliders!

Notes

For the best results, shred your Monterey Jack cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese often contains additives that can prevent it from melting as smoothly.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with the fillings! You can add other holiday leftovers like stuffing or mashed potatoes.

Nutrition

(Approximate values per slider)

Calories: 362 kcal
Carbohydrates: 28g
Protein: 23g
Fat: 18g

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and cooking methods.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cranberry Turkey Sliders

Cranberry Turkey Slider Ingredients — Gather all of your ingredients for the cranberry turkey sliders.

Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by gathering all of your ingredients. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent the sliders from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

Slider Rolls with Mayonnaise — Bottom halves of slider rolls spread with mayonnaise in a white baking dish.

Prep the Rolls: Slice the 12-ounce package of slider rolls (Hawaiian sweet rolls work exceptionally well) horizontally in half. Place the bottom halves into the prepared baking dish. Spread the bottom halves evenly with 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise. This adds moisture and a subtle tang.

Slider Filling Layers — Side by side images: Cheese, turkey, and cranberry sauce layers.

Layer on the Flavor: Sprinkle 1½ cups of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the mayonnaise-covered rolls. Next, add 3 cups of finely diced cooked turkey breast in an even layer. Drizzle 1 cup of cranberry sauce over the turkey, spreading it as evenly as possible. The sweet and tart cranberry sauce provides a perfect counterpoint to the savory turkey and cheese.

Cranberry Sauce Topped with Cheese — Cranberry layer covered with the remaining shredded Monterey Jack cheese in a baking dish.

Top with More Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the cranberry sauce. This creates a gooey, cheesy blanket that holds everything together.

Glazed Slider Rolls — Slider rolls topped with warm, buttery honey-mustard glaze.

The Finishing Touch: Place the top halves of the rolls over the cheese-covered filling. In a large measuring cup, whisk together 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley. This buttery, savory-sweet glaze adds incredible flavor and a beautiful golden sheen to the rolls. Pour the glaze evenly over the tops of the slider rolls.

Baked Cranberry Turkey Sliders — Cranberry turkey sliders freshly baked with golden tops and melted butter glaze.

Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, gooey, and the sliders are warmed through. The tops of the rolls should be golden brown and slightly crisp.

Sliced Cranberry Turkey Sliders — Baked cranberry turkey sliders cut apart, showing melted cheese and cranberry filling.

Slice and Serve: Once the sliders are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. The aroma alone will have everyone reaching for one!

Single Cranberry Turkey Slider — Single cranberry turkey slider showing gooey cheese, cranberry sauce, and a golden bun.

Serving Suggestions

These cranberry turkey sliders are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of sides. For a simple and classic accompaniment, serve them with kettle chips or a fresh veggie tray. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, consider sweet potato fries or Brussels sprouts. Leftover holiday sides like stuffing are also a perfect match!

For drinks, light beer, sparkling water with a cranberry slice, or a festive apple cider Moscow mule all complement the cozy and comforting nature of these sliders.

Storing Leftover Sliders

Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sliders are heated through. You can also heat individual sliders in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, but the oven will help maintain the buttery glaze texture.

Cranberry Turkey Bites