5 Delicious Turkey Cranberry Sliders for Instant Joy

If you’ve ever stood in front of your fridge the day after Thanksgiving wondering what on earth to do with all that turkey, these Turkey Cranberry Sliders are about to become your new holiday tradition. They’re warm, sweet-savory, melty, and—best of all—a total lifesaver when you’re tired, full, and still somehow expected to feed the family again.

And because we’re using that glorious Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce you already have, this recipe practically cooks itself. You know I’m all about minimal effort, maximum flavor, and these sliders are exactly that kind of comfort food magic that lets you spend more time relaxing (preferably in stretchy pants).

Why You’ll Love These Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Let me tell you—these little sandwiches taste like a warm hug wrapped in a soft roll. But here’s why they’re especially perfect for busy home cooks:

• Quick and fuss-free: They’re ready in about 20 minutes. Truly.
• Kid-friendly and picky-eater approved: You’d be shocked at how fast a tray disappears.
• Crowd-pleasers: Great for casual entertaining, potlucks, football Sundays, or any “I need food now” moment.
• Leftover rescue heroes: Turkey cranberry sliders turn day-old turkey and leftover cranberry sauce into something fresh and exciting.

And honestly? They smell so good while baking that your house will feel like it’s getting a cozy holiday makeover.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the great things about this recipe is how flexible it is. Here are some substitutions and suggestions to help you make the sandwiches to your tastes:

Rolls

• I use Hawaiian rolls.
• You could use plain dinner rolls if you’d like to cut the sweetness in the sliders.

Turkey

• You can use leftover sliced turkey or deli sliced turkey.

Cheese

• I like to use Havarti because it’s mild and melts well.
• You could use Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, or any other type of cheese that you like.

Cranberry Sauce

• You can use leftover homemade cranberry sauce or canned whole berry cranberry sauce.
• I don’t recommend using jellied cranberry sauce as it melts.

Butter

• I use salted butter.
• If you use unsalted butter, you may want to add a pinch or two of salt.

Mustard

• Brown mustard or yellow mustard could also be used.

Brown Sugar

• You can add more or less to taste.

Everything Bagel Seasoning

• I like the mix of seeds and seasonings in everything bagel seasoning, and it goes well with the sliders.
• You could use just sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or omit it if you prefer (though you’ll miss out on some of the flavor and texture if you do).

Worcestershire Sauce

• Adds savory depth to the buttery topping.

Refer to the recipe card below for exact ingredient measurements and full nutritional information.

How to Make Turkey Cranberry Sliders (Step-By-Step)

Let’s get these beauties in the oven.

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or rimmed baking sheet.

Step 2: Slice the Rolls

Keeping the rolls attached, slice them horizontally so you have one big “top” and one big “bottom.”

Step 3: Build the Base

Place the bottom layer of the rolls in your baking dish.

Step 4: Add Turkey and Cheese

Layer your turkey evenly over the buns, then top with slices of cheese. Don’t be shy—this is comfort food.

Step 5: Spread the Cranberry Sauce

Spoon the cranberry sauce over the cheese. Spread gently so every bite gets a pop of sweet-tart flavor.

Step 6: Add the Top Buns

Place the top half of the rolls back on.

Step 7: Make the Butter Mixture

In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, Dijon, brown sugar, everything bagel seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce.

Step 8: Pour and Drizzle

Pour the buttery mixture over the tops of the rolls. It might feel like a lot—but trust the process.

Step 9: Cover and Bake

Cover with foil and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until warmed through and melty.

Step 10: Uncover and Crisp

Remove the foil and bake another 5 minutes to let the tops toast slightly.

Serve warm and watch them disappear!

My Little Story Behind These Sliders

These turkey cranberry sliders came into my life on a week when everything felt like one giant to-do list—kids’ activities, work deadlines, grocery runs… you name it. I opened the fridge, saw leftover turkey and cranberry sauce, and thought, “Well, you two better figure something out.”

Twenty minutes later, a tray of melty, buttery sliders came out of the oven, and my whole family acted like I’d been channeling a Food Network star. That’s when I knew this recipe was sticking around.

Tips for Perfect Turkey Cranberry Sliders

• If your cranberry layer looks thick: Don’t stress! Once it melts slightly, it blends beautifully with the cheese.
• Don’t skip the foil time: It helps the cheese melt fully without over-toasting the buns.
• Feeding a crowd? Double the recipe. These sliders vanish fast—almost suspiciously fast.
• Want a savory kick? Add pickled red onions or a smear of garlic aioli under the turkey.
• Prefer less sweetness? Swap Hawaiian rolls for plain dinner rolls and reduce the brown sugar in the butter topping.

Turkey Cranberry Sliders FAQs

Final Thoughts on These Turkey Cranberry Sliders

When you’re tired of turkey soup, turkey sandwiches, and turkey staring back at you every time you open the fridge, these Turkey Cranberry Sliders step in like the hero you didn’t know you needed. They’re fast, flavorful, and just fancy enough to feel special—without any extra work on your part.

I hope they bring comfort, warmth, and a little bit of holiday joy to your table… even if the holiday was two days ago and you’ve sworn you’re never eating again.

If you try these sliders, let me know how they turned out—I love hearing your kitchen wins!

More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love

If these Turkey Cranberry Sliders brought a little extra joy to your table, you’re going to adore some of my other cozy, festive favorites! Here are a few treats and comfort meals that pair beautifully with the flavors of the season:

• For a sweet morning pick-me-up, these soft and tender Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins turn yesterday’s cranberry sauce into pure breakfast magic.
• When you’re craving something comforting but still crave a hint of tangy sweetness, the Crockpot Cranberry Apricot Chicken makes an easy weeknight dinner that practically cooks itself.
• Hosting a holiday party? These irresistible Baked Cranberry Brie Bites disappear faster than you can refill the tray—they’re warm, buttery, and absolutely melt-in-your-mouth.
• And if you love a shareable dish that wows on any table, the gorgeous Cranberry and Brie Holiday Pull-Apart Bread is as fun to eat as it is festive.

Feel free to explore any of these next—they’re all simple, delicious, and guaranteed to bring more comfort (and compliments!) to your kitchen.

Turkey Cranberry Sliders

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• Author: Mounia
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 sliders 1x

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Description

These Turkey Cranberry Sliders are the perfect way to turn leftover Thanksgiving turkey into a cozy, melty, sweet-savory meal everyone will love. Layered with juicy turkey, cranberry sauce, and melted cheese on soft rolls, then finished with a buttery seasoned topping—this warm and comforting dish comes together in minutes and disappears even faster.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Rolls :

• 1 package (12-count) Hawaiian rolls or plain dinner rolls

Turkey :

• 2 to 2 ½ cups sliced leftover turkey or ¾ pound deli-sliced turkey

Cheese :

• 8 slices Havarti cheese (or Swiss/cheddar), cut to fit
  (About 6–8 oz total)

Cranberry sauce :

• 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce

Butter :

• ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted

Mustard :

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (or brown/yellow mustard)

Brown sugar :

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Everything bagel seasoning :

• 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning

Worcestershire sauce :

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Slice the rolls horizontally, keeping them connected.
Step 3: Place the bottom layer of rolls into the dish.
Step 4: Layer sliced turkey evenly over the rolls, then top with cheese.
Step 5: Spread cranberry sauce over the cheese.
Step 6: Add the top half of the rolls.
Step 7: Mix melted butter, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, everything bagel seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce.
Step 8: Drizzle the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the rolls.
Step 9: Cover with foil and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese melts.
Step 10: Uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes to lightly toast the tops.
Step 11: Serve warm.

Notes

Hawaiian rolls add sweetness, but plain rolls work well if you prefer something less sweet.

Whole berry cranberry sauce holds up better than jellied.

The butter topping caramelizes as it bakes, giving the sliders amazing flavor.

Great for holidays, parties, quick dinners, and using leftovers.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer , dinner
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slider
• Calories: 260 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 310 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg