Description
These Cranberry Turkey Sliders are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for gatherings or a festive meal. Featuring oven-roasted turkey layered with whole berry cranberry sauce and melted gouda and cheddar cheeses, all nestled within soft Hawaiian sweet rolls. Topped with a buttery, chive, and poppy seed glaze, these sliders bake to golden perfection delivering a warm, savory, and slightly sweet bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Slider Base
- 1 bag Hawaiian sweet rolls (12 count)
- 1 lb. deli-style, oven-roasted turkey or Thanksgiving turkey leftovers, thinly sliced
- 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 4 oz. gouda, thinly sliced
- 4 oz. mild cheddar, thinly sliced
Butter Topping
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
- 2 Tbsp. sliced chives, plus more for serving
- 1/2 tsp. poppy seeds, plus more for sprinkling
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Other
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 13″ x 9″ baking dish thoroughly with cooking spray to prevent the sliders from sticking during baking.
- Slice Rolls and Add Fillings: Place the Hawaiian rolls on a cutting board still connected. Using a long serrated knife, carefully slice horizontally through the rolls to separate into top and bottom halves without breaking them apart. Set the tops aside. Evenly layer the thinly sliced turkey over the bottom halves, then spread the whole berry cranberry sauce over the turkey layer. Next, arrange the sliced gouda and mild cheddar cheeses evenly on top. Replace the top halves of the rolls to close the sliders.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the softened unsalted butter. Stir in the sliced chives, poppy seeds, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce until fully combined. This butter mixture will give the sliders a flavorful glaze.
- Brush Sliders and Sprinkle Toppings: Using a pastry brush, generously brush the prepared butter glaze all over the top of the slider buns. Sprinkle additional poppy seeds on top for extra flavor and crunch. Cover the baking dish loosely with foil to trap moisture and keep the sliders soft during baking.
- Bake the Sliders: Place the covered baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. After this initial baking, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown and the cheeses have completely melted.
- Serve: Remove the sliders from the oven, transfer them to a serving platter, and garnish with extra sliced chives for a fresh, visually appealing touch. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- These sliders can be assembled a few hours ahead of time and refrigerated before baking to save prep time.
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the butter mixture.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute turkey with grilled mushrooms or a plant-based deli meat alternative.
- Leftover sliders can be wrapped and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in the oven for best texture.
