Turkey and Cranberry Sliders
The Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftover: Turkey and Cranberry Sliders
Sweet, Savory, and Oozing with Gooey Goodness
These Turkey and Cranberry Hawaiian Roll Sliders are an absolute must-make for holiday parties, game days, or for using up those glorious Thanksgiving leftovers! They take the beloved flavors of a holiday dinner—savory turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and nutty Swiss cheese—and bake them inside soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls, all topped with a buttery, savory glaze. The result is an irresistible bite that is warm, sweet, savory, and perfectly gooey.
The secret to their decadent texture lies in the melted components. As the sliders bake, the Swiss cheese melts into a beautiful thick gooey sauce, binding the turkey and cranberry layers together. The cranberry sauce itself becomes warm and wonderfully viscous, mingling with the cheese and the buttery glaze on the bun tops. This combination of textures makes these sliders an irresistible hit—flaky, cheesy, sweet, and savory all at once. Best of all, they’re incredibly easy to assemble and bake, making them ideal for feeding a crowd with minimal effort.
Quick Assembly: Gathering Your Ingredients
You need just a few simple items to create this crowd-pleasing bake.
Ingredients
I. For the Sliders:
- 1 package (12 rolls) Hawaiian sweet rolls (like King’s Hawaiian)
- 1 pound deli-sliced turkey breast (or leftover cooked turkey)
- 8-10 slices Swiss cheese (or Provolone)
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
II. For the Buttery Glaze (The Gooey Topping):
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Bake Until Gooey: Assembly and Instructions
The simplicity of this recipe makes it a holiday favorite!
Instructions
- Prep Rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Use a serrated knife to carefully slice the entire sheet of Hawaiian rolls horizontally, keeping the rolls connected. Place the bottom half of the rolls in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Layer the Fillings: Layer the sliced turkey evenly over the bottom rolls. Next, spread the cranberry sauce over the turkey. Finally, arrange the Swiss cheese slices over the cranberry sauce.
- Top the Sliders: Place the top half of the rolls back over the fillings.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. This creates the base for your thick gooey sauce topping.
- Drizzle and Seed: Pour the buttery glaze evenly over the tops of the rolls. Sprinkle generously with poppy seeds and sesame seeds. The glaze should soak into the tops and sides of the rolls.
- Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Uncover and Finish: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and the cheese is fully melted and thick gooey and the cranberry sauce is warm and viscous.
- Serve: Let the sliders cool for a few minutes before cutting them apart along the roll lines. Serve warm and enjoy the irresistible combination of flavors!
The Gooey Golden Glaze: Naturally Irresistible
The incredible flavor and texture of these sliders come from the savory and sweet gooey layers that melt together during baking.
Melted Cheese & Cranberry: The combination of the melted Swiss cheese and the warm, thick cranberry sauce forms the heart of the thick gooey sauce experience. The Swiss cheese melts perfectly, creating a smooth, viscous layer that stretches as you pull a slider apart. The cranberry sauce is naturally dense and sticky, and its warmth only enhances its viscous consistency, allowing it to mingle beautifully with the cheese and turkey, providing a satisfyingly tangy-sweet contrast.
Buttery Glaze: The buttery glaze brushed on top is the finishing touch. The melted butter, seasoned with mustard and onion powder, soaks into the soft bun tops, creating a soft, viscous coating that toasts and locks in moisture, ensuring the tops are golden and flavorful. The seeds adhere to this glaze, adding a welcome crunch to the otherwise soft and gooey interior. This glaze is what makes the sliders truly irresistible.
Perfect Pairings and Flavor Enhancements
Customize your Turkey and Cranberry Hawaiian Roll Sliders to your liking!
- Cheese Upgrade: Use Gruyère or white cheddar instead of Swiss for a bolder, nuttier flavor that still delivers a great thick gooey melt.
- Herb Boost: Add 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme or sage to the buttery glaze to amplify the traditional holiday flavors.
- Crunch Factor: Spread a thin layer of cream cheese (softened) or a small amount of caramelized onions over the bottom rolls before adding the turkey for an extra layer of flavor and creamy, gooey texture.
- Serving Tip: These sliders can be assembled ahead of time (steps 1-3) and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Add the glaze and seeds just before baking!
These Turkey and Cranberry Hawaiian Roll Sliders are simple, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. The thick gooey melted cheese and viscous cranberry sauce make them an irresistible appetizer or easy meal!
Turkey and Cranberry Hawaiian Roll Sliders
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice rolls horizontally, keeping them connected. Place the bottom half in a 9×13 dish.
- Layer turkey, then cranberry sauce, then Swiss cheese on the bottom rolls.
- Place the top half of the rolls over the fillings.
- Whisk melted butter, Dijon mustard, onion powder, and Worcestershire for the glaze.
- Pour the glaze over the tops of the rolls. Sprinkle with poppy seeds and sesame seeds.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is **thick gooey melted** and the cranberry sauce is **viscous**.
- Let cool slightly, cut, and serve warm.
