Cranberry Turkey Sliders

These holiday sliders are like mini Thanksgiving sandwiches with turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese on Hawaiian rolls. Perfect for parties or using up holiday leftovers!

These sliders turn leftover turkey into something completely different and exciting. I started making them the day after Thanksgiving when everyone was tired of traditional turkey dinner but we still had pounds of meat to use up. The combination of savory turkey, tart cranberry sauce, and creamy havarti cheese creates this perfect balance that feels both familiar and fresh. That seasoned butter mixture brushed on top makes them golden and crispy while keeping the inside warm and melty. They're basically Thanksgiving dinner reimagined as handheld comfort food that disappears faster than you can make them.

My teenage nephew, who normally picks at holiday food, devoured four of these last Christmas. He kept saying they tasted like "fancy hot sandwiches" and asked if I could make them for his graduation party. Even my picky sister-in-law, who usually avoids cranberry sauce entirely, admitted these were "actually really good" while reaching for her second one.

What You Need

• Hawaiian rolls: These sweet, soft buns hold everything together perfectly and get beautifully golden when baked with the butter mixture
• Deli turkey: I use the good stuff from the deli counter because it tastes so much better than prepackaged slices
• Cranberry sauce: Either homemade or canned works fine, though I prefer whole berry for the extra texture and tartness
• Havarti cheese: Melts incredibly smooth and has this mild, creamy flavor that doesn't fight with the other ingredients
• Seasoned butter blend: This mixture of butter, Worcestershire, mustard, and herbs transforms ordinary rolls into something special

Step-by-Step Instructions

Getting Started:

Heat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray so nothing sticks later. Take your package of Hawaiian rolls and carefully slice the whole thing in half horizontally, keeping all the rolls connected as one big piece. This makes assembly so much easier than trying to slice each roll individually. Place the bottom half in your prepared baking dish, cut side up, making sure it fits snugly.

Building Layers:

Take your deli turkey and layer it evenly across the bottom rolls, making sure every spot gets covered so each slider has plenty of meat. Don't pile it too thick or the sliders will be hard to bite through, but make sure there's enough for good flavor in every bite. Next, spread your cranberry sauce over the turkey using a spoon or offset spatula, getting it into all the corners and edges for consistent flavor throughout.

Adding Cheese:

Lay your havarti cheese slices evenly over the cranberry sauce, overlapping slightly if needed to cover everything. I usually tear the slices to fit better rather than leaving gaps where the cranberry shows through. The cheese acts like a barrier that keeps the top buns from getting soggy while adding that creamy richness that makes these sliders so satisfying.

Top Assembly:

Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese layer, pressing down gently to compress everything slightly. The rolls should fit perfectly since they came as one connected piece. This creates a neat, uniform appearance that looks professional even though it's super simple to put together.

Butter Magic:

Mix your melted butter with Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, dried minced onion, poppy seeds, and fresh chives in a small bowl until everything is well combined. The mixture should smell amazing and look speckled with all the seasonings. Brush this generously over the tops of the rolls, making sure to get into all the seams and edges where the flavors can soak in.

Baking Process:

Cover the whole dish tightly with aluminum foil and slide it into your preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until you can see the cheese starting to melt around the edges and everything is heated through. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 3 to 5 minutes until the tops turn golden brown and look crispy. The kitchen will smell incredible by this point.

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Important Details

Don't skip the foil step - Covering them first ensures everything heats evenly without the tops burning before the inside is warm

Fresh herbs make a difference - Real chives taste so much better than dried ones in the butter mixture

Slice before serving - Cut between each roll while they're still warm for the cleanest presentation

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These cranberry turkey sliders have saved me from so many boring leftover meals over the years. They take something ordinary like deli turkey and turn it into this exciting, restaurant-quality dish that makes everyone happy. The sweet and savory combination hits all the right notes, and that crispy, buttery top makes them feel indulgent even though they're really just fancy sandwiches. Every time I make them, I remember why they've become such a reliable favorite in my recipe collection.

Recipe Questions

→ Can I use leftover turkey instead of deli slices?

Yes, leftover shredded or sliced turkey works beautifully. Aim for about 3–4 cups to replace deli meat.

→ What's the best cranberry sauce to use?

Whole berry cranberry sauce adds great texture, but jellied spreads easily. Either works—choose based on preference.

→ Can these be assembled ahead of time?

Absolutely. Build them up to a day ahead, refrigerate covered, and brush with butter just before baking.

→ What cheeses can substitute for Havarti?

Provolone, Swiss, or mild cheddar are good alternatives. Look for cheeses that melt smoothly and complement the turkey.

→ How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Store in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave sliders individually for 30–45 seconds.

→ Can I freeze the assembled sliders?

Yes, assemble and freeze before baking. Wrap tightly and bake from frozen, adding 10–15 minutes to the bake time.