These cranberry turkey sliders combine soft Hawaiian rolls with sliced turkey, tangy cranberry sauce and melted cheese. A savoury butter topping makes the rolls golden and flavourful.
They are an easy way to transform Thanksgiving leftovers into lunch, dinner or a party appetiser. You can also add leftover stuffing for even more holiday flavour.
Prepare the sliders in one baking dish and serve them warm while the cheese is melted.
Why You’ll Love These Turkey Sliders
- Uses leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
- Sweet and savoury flavour.
- Soft rolls with golden buttery tops.
- Melted cheese in every slider.
- Prepared in one baking dish.
- Ready in approximately 35 minutes.
- Suitable for lunch, dinner or parties.
- Easy to customise.
- Can include leftover stuffing.
- Feeds a family with minimal preparation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Sliders
- 12 connected Hawaiian sweet rolls.
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise.
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard.
- ¾ cup cranberry sauce.
- 3 cups sliced or shredded cooked turkey.
- 8 slices provolone, Swiss or Havarti cheese.
- 1 cup prepared stuffing, optional.
For the Butter Topping
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted.
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder.
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme.
- ½ teaspoon poppy seeds, optional.
- Pinch of salt.
- 1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan, optional.
Ingredient Notes
Hawaiian rolls: Their soft texture and slight sweetness pair well with turkey and cranberries. Other connected dinner rolls can be substituted.
Turkey: Use sliced or shredded cooked turkey. Both white and dark meat work.
Cranberry sauce: Whole-berry sauce adds texture, while smooth cranberry sauce spreads more evenly.
Cheese: Provolone is mild, Swiss adds a nutty flavour and Havarti melts particularly well.
Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy layer and helps prevent the bottom rolls from tasting dry.
Dijon mustard: Balances the sweetness of the rolls and cranberry sauce.
Stuffing: Optional stuffing makes the sliders taste like a complete Thanksgiving meal.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds savoury depth to the butter topping.
How to Slice Hawaiian Rolls
Keep the rolls connected.
Place the complete sheet of rolls on a cutting board.
Hold the tops gently and use a long serrated knife to cut horizontally through the centre.
Lift off the connected top section and set it aside.
Keeping the rolls attached makes assembly faster and helps the sliders remain neatly aligned.
How to Make Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Dish
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish.
Place the connected bottom half of the rolls inside the dish.
Step 2: Make the Sandwich Spread
Mix the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.
Spread the mixture evenly over the cut surface of the bottom rolls.
Leave a small border around the edges.
Step 3: Add the Cranberry Sauce
Spoon the cranberry sauce over the mayonnaise mixture.
Spread it into a thin, even layer.
Avoid using an excessively thick layer because the sliders may become difficult to hold.
Step 4: Add the Turkey
Arrange the cooked turkey evenly over the cranberry sauce.
Break up very large pieces so each slider receives a similar quantity.
Do not compress the turkey tightly.
Step 5: Add Optional Stuffing
If using stuffing, distribute it evenly over the turkey.
Break it into small pieces rather than adding one thick, solid layer.
Step 6: Add the Cheese
Arrange the cheese slices over the turkey.
Overlap them slightly so the complete surface is covered.
Place the connected roll tops over the cheese.
Step 7: Make the Butter Topping
Combine:
- Melted butter.
- Worcestershire sauce.
- Garlic powder.
- Onion powder.
- Thyme.
- Optional poppy seeds.
- Pinch of salt.
Whisk until evenly mixed.
Step 8: Brush the Rolls
Brush or spoon the seasoned butter evenly over the roll tops.
Allow a small amount to run between the rolls, but avoid soaking the bottoms of the sandwiches.
Sprinkle with optional Parmesan.
Step 9: Bake Covered
Cover the baking dish with aluminium foil.
Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the filling begins to heat and the cheese softens.
Step 10: Brown the Tops
Remove the foil.
Bake for another 5–10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the roll tops are golden.
Watch carefully because sweet rolls can brown quickly.
Step 11: Rest and Serve
Allow the sliders to rest for approximately five minutes.
Cut along the roll divisions using a sharp knife.
Serve warm.
Tips for Perfect Turkey Sliders
Keep the Rolls Connected
Slicing the complete sheet horizontally saves time and creates even layers.
Use a Thin Cranberry Layer
Too much sauce can make the bottoms soft and cause the filling to slide out.
Distribute the Turkey Evenly
Ensure every portion contains turkey, cheese and cranberry sauce.
Cover During the First Bake
The foil traps heat, helping the cheese melt before the roll tops become too brown.
Uncover Near the End
The final uncovered baking stage creates a golden, slightly crisp surface.
Do Not Overbake
Cooked turkey can become dry when reheated for too long.
Rest Before Cutting
A short rest allows the melted cheese to settle and makes the sliders easier to separate.
Turkey Slider Variations
Turkey and Stuffing Sliders
Add a thin layer of leftover Thanksgiving stuffing between the turkey and cheese.
Turkey Gravy Sliders
Serve warm turkey gravy on the side for dipping rather than pouring it inside the sliders.
Turkey Brie Sliders
Replace the sliced cheese with thin pieces of Brie.
Turkey Swiss Sliders
Use Swiss cheese and add additional Dijon mustard.
Spicy Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Mix chopped jalapeño or hot sauce into the cranberry sauce.
Turkey Bacon Sliders
Add strips of cooked bacon beneath the cheese.
Ham and Cranberry Sliders
Replace the turkey with thin slices of leftover glazed ham.
Chicken Cranberry Sliders
Use shredded cooked chicken when turkey is unavailable.
What to Serve With Turkey Sliders
Serve them with:
- Turkey gravy for dipping.
- Roasted green beans.
- Sweet potato fries.
- Potato wedges.
- Green salad.
- Coleslaw.
- Creamy tomato soup.
- Pickles.
- Crisps.
- Vegetable sticks.
- Spinach artichoke dip.
- Additional cranberry sauce.
For a Thanksgiving leftover meal, serve the sliders with reheated Turkey Gravy From Drippings, Easy Roasted Green Beans and Sweet Potato Casserole.
Can You Assemble Turkey Sliders Ahead?
Yes. Assemble the sliders without adding the butter topping.
Cover the baking dish tightly and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
Prepare the butter mixture separately and refrigerate it.
Before baking, melt the butter again if necessary and brush it over the rolls.
Longer storage after assembly may make the bread soft, especially when using cranberry sauce.
How to Keep Sliders Warm for a Party
Bake the sliders shortly before guests arrive.
Cover them loosely with foil and keep them in a warm oven for a brief period.
Avoid holding them for too long because the turkey can become dry and the bottoms can soften.
For longer parties, bake two smaller batches at separate times.
How to Store Leftover Turkey Sliders
Allow the sliders to cool slightly.
Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours.
Use them within 3–4 days, accounting for how long the cooked turkey had already been stored before making the sliders.
If the turkey was already approaching the end of its safe storage period, eat the sliders promptly rather than extending that period.
Can You Freeze Turkey Sliders?
Yes. For the best result, freeze assembled sliders before adding the butter topping.
Wrap them securely and place them in a freezer-safe container.
Freeze for up to two months for best quality.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add the butter topping and bake until thoroughly hot.
The cranberry sauce may slightly soften the rolls after freezing.
How to Reheat Turkey Sliders
In the Oven
Place the sliders in a covered baking dish.
Reheat at 325°F until thoroughly hot.
Remove the cover for the final few minutes to refresh the tops.
In the Air Fryer
Reheat individual sliders at approximately 325°F for a few minutes.
Check frequently because the sweet rolls can brown quickly.
In the Microwave
Heat individual sliders in short intervals.
The microwave is convenient, but the rolls will be softer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use deli turkey?
Yes. Thinly sliced deli turkey works when leftover roast turkey is unavailable.
Which cheese works best?
Provolone, Swiss, Havarti, mozzarella and cheddar all melt well. Brie gives the sliders a richer holiday flavour.
Can I leave out the cranberry sauce?
Yes. Replace it with honey mustard, mayonnaise or another preferred sandwich spread.
How do I prevent soggy sliders?
Use a moderate quantity of cranberry sauce, avoid adding gravy inside and bake the sliders shortly after assembly.
Can I add gravy inside the sliders?
It is better to serve gravy on the side. Adding it inside can make the bread excessively wet.
Can I use ordinary dinner rolls?
Yes. Choose rolls that can be sliced and arranged closely in a baking dish.
How many sliders should I serve per person?
Plan for one or two sliders per person as an appetiser and two or three as a meal.
Can I make them without mayonnaise?
Yes. Use softened butter, cream cheese, additional mustard or another preferred spread.
Cranberry Turkey Sliders Recipe Card
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20–25 minutes
Resting time: 5 minutes
Total time: Approximately 45 minutes
Yield: 12 sliders
Course: Appetiser or Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Method: Baking
Ingredients
Sliders
- 12 connected Hawaiian sweet rolls.
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise.
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard.
- ¾ cup cranberry sauce.
- 3 cups cooked sliced or shredded turkey.
- 8 slices provolone, Swiss or Havarti.
- 1 cup prepared stuffing, optional.
Butter Topping
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted.
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder.
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme.
- ½ teaspoon poppy seeds, optional.
- Pinch of salt.
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan, optional.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish.
- Keep the rolls connected and slice them horizontally.
- Place the bottom sheet inside the dish.
- Mix the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.
- Spread the mixture over the bottom rolls.
- Add an even layer of cranberry sauce.
- Arrange the cooked turkey over the sauce.
- Add optional stuffing.
- Cover the filling with cheese.
- Replace the connected roll tops.
- Mix the melted butter with the seasonings.
- Brush the butter mixture over the rolls.
- Add optional Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil.
- Bake for another 5–10 minutes until golden.
- Rest for five minutes.
- Separate the sliders and serve warm.
Recipe Notes
- Use a moderate layer of cranberry sauce.
- Serve gravy on the side to prevent sogginess.
- Keep the rolls connected during assembly.
- Cover during the first baking stage.
- Avoid reheating the cooked turkey for longer than necessary.
- Test the complete recipe before confirming the exact cooking time and yield.