Picture this: you walk into the room with a tray of tiny, glossy sliders and suddenly you’re the most interesting person there. These Easy Cranberry Turkey Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls are the cheat code—fast, sticky, savory-sweet, and absolutely elite for game day, holidays, or Tuesday-night chaos. You don’t need culinary skills, just a baking sheet and 20 minutes.
The flavor payoff? Off the charts. The cleanup?
Barely a thing. And yes, they reheat like a dream.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet + Savory Magic: Buttery Hawaiian rolls, tart cranberry, and melty cheese team up with herby turkey for the ultimate bite.
- Zero Stress: Uses mostly pre-cooked or deli ingredients—no complicated steps or special tools.
- Feeds a Crowd Fast: One pan, twelve sliders, guaranteed applause. Perfect for leftovers or party trays.
- Customizable: Change the cheese, add bacon, swap sauces—the base is solid and forgiving.
- Kid and Adult Approved: Finger food that feels gourmet without the price tag or time sink.
Shopping List – Ingredients
- 1 package (12-count) Hawaiian sweet rolls
- 12–16 ounces sliced turkey (deli-style or leftover roasted turkey)
- 6–8 slices provolone or Swiss cheese (or 1 1/2 cups shredded)
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce (or cranberry relish)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (optional but recommended)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional but classic)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional add-ons: crispy bacon, thin red onion, pickled jalapeños, fresh arugula
How to Make It – Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C).Line a baking sheet or 9×13 pan with parchment for easy cleanup.
- Slice the rolls: Without separating the rolls, slice the entire slab horizontally to create a top and bottom. Place the bottom half in your pan.
- Mix the sauces: In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise and Dijon. Spread this onto the bottom layer.In another bowl, loosen cranberry sauce with a fork for easy spreading.
- Add the turkey: Layer turkey evenly over the bottom rolls. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and a pinch of thyme for that herby, roast-dinner vibe.
- Cheese time: Lay slices of provolone or Swiss over the turkey, covering to the edges. Gaps are the enemy of melty goodness.
- Cranberry layer: Gently spread the cranberry sauce over the cheese.It’s okay if it’s rustic—this is flavor, not fine art.
- Cap it: Place the top slab of rolls over the filling.
- Make the butter glaze: Combine melted butter, Worcestershire, poppy seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Brush generously over the tops.
- Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 12–15 minutes until the cheese melts. Uncover and bake 3–5 more minutes until the tops are lightly golden.
- Slice and serve: Let sit 3 minutes, then cut into 12 sliders with a serrated knife.Add optional arugula or onions if you want a crisp finish.
Keeping It Fresh
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The rolls hold up surprisingly well.
- Reheating: Warm in a 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes or air fryer at 320°F for 4–5 minutes. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the bread gets soft—your call.
- Make-ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate.Brush with butter glaze right before baking.
- Freezer-friendly: Wrap the assembled (unbaked) slab tightly in foil and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, glaze, then bake.
Benefits of This Recipe
- High-leverage cooking: Minimal effort, maximum “wow.” Great for busy weeks and last-minute hosting.
- Budget-friendly: Uses pantry basics and stretches deli turkey into 12 portions without feeling skimpy.
- Balanced flavors: Sweet, tart, salty, and creamy—no one-note bites here.
- Leftover upgrade: Turns day-old turkey into a crowd-pleasing snack or meal. FYI, even dry turkey gets rescued by the sauce and cheese.
- Kid-proof and customizable: You control the heat and toppings.No food fights, just happy faces.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the glaze: The butter mixture is not optional. It’s the crisp, savory crown that makes these addictive.
- Overloading with cranberry: Too much turns the sliders soggy. Stick to a thin but even layer.
- Using cold ingredients: Ice-cold turkey and cheese slow melting and heating.Let them sit at room temp for 10 minutes first, IMO.
- Baking uncovered the whole time:</-strong> You’ll dry out the tops before the cheese melts. Foil first, then finish uncovered.
- Uneven layering: Patchy cheese or meat leads to sad corner sliders. Spread to the edges like you mean it.
Variations You Can Try
- Turkey Club Sliders: Add crispy bacon and a thin tomato slice.Use Swiss and a touch more Dijon.
- Spicy Jalapeño Pop: Swap provolone for pepper jack and add pickled jalapeños. Stir a little hot honey into the cranberry.
- Thanksgiving Leftover Remix: Layer a little stuffing under the turkey and drizzle with gravy after baking. Wild?Yes. Delicious? Absolutely.
- Gourmet Greens: Add arugula or baby spinach after baking for freshness and a slight peppery kick.
- Herb Butter Upgrade: Stir fresh minced rosemary or sage into the butter glaze for holiday flair.
- Gluten-Free Swap: Use gluten-free sweet rolls and check that your Worcestershire is GF-friendly.
FAQ
Can I use leftover roast turkey instead of deli slices?
Yes.
Slice or shred it thin for even layering. If it’s dry, add a bit more mayo or a light drizzle of gravy before the cheese.
What cheese works best?
Provolone and Swiss melt beautifully and balance the cranberry. Havarti, mozzarella, or white cheddar also work—avoid super sharp cheddar alone as it can overpower the sweetness.
Do I have to use cranberry sauce?
No, but it’s kind of the point.
If you’re out, try a thin layer of raspberry jam mixed with a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of thyme. It fakes it well.
How do I keep the rolls from getting soggy?
Use a thin cranberry layer, keep mayo on the bottom (acts like moisture insurance), and bake covered first, then uncovered to crisp the tops.
Can I double the recipe?
Totally. Use two pans or a large sheet pan.
Rotate halfway through baking to keep the browning even.
What if I don’t have poppy seeds?
Skip them. The glaze will still be fantastic with butter, Worcestershire, garlic, and onion powder. Sesame seeds are a solid substitute.
Can I make these dairy-free?
Use dairy-free cheese and plant-based butter.
Choose rolls that fit your dietary needs and you’re set.
Wrapping Up
These Easy Cranberry Turkey Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls deliver that perfect sweet-savory-smoky bite with almost no effort. They’re fast, flexible, and guaranteed to vanish before you sit down. Keep the ingredients on hand and you’ve got a reliable party trick—or a weeknight win—ready to go.
Make them once, and you’ll wonder why you ever stressed about feeding a crowd. Now go claim your MVP status while the oven does the heavy lifting.
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