These turkey cranberry sliders turn leftover Thanksgiving turkey into a flavor-packed snack with cranberry, melted Swiss and soft Hawaiian rolls, all finished with a buttery poppy seed topping.

Turkey cranberry sliders with cranberry sauce and turkey sandwiched between Hawaiian rolls.

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Cranberry Turkey Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

We love making turkey sandwiches after Thanksgiving, and these turkey cranberry sliders are always the first thing we crave. They’re quick to assemble and a fun way to turn leftover oven roasted turkey into something warm and comforting.

Soft Hawaiian rolls, sweet cranberry sauce and melted Swiss bake together until everything is gooey and golden. Add the buttery poppy seed topping and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing appetizer that disappears fast. For more leftover turkey recipes, try turkey tetrazzini and this leftover turkey soup.

Ingredient Notes

Turkey cranberry slider ingredients on counter including Hawaiian rolls, turkey, cranberry sauce, Swiss cheese.
  • Turkey: Leftover turkey is best but deli turkey works as well!
  • Hawaiian rolls: Hawaiian rolls are my preference in turkey sliders, but my best dinner rolls recipe can alsoo be used.
  • Cheese: I used Swiss cheese because I love the sharp bite it adds. Havarti cheese is another favorite.
  • Mayonnaise: Adds a tangy taste and keeps the bread soft and moist. Omit if you don’t care for mayo.
  • Cranberry sauce: I prefer to use leftover cranberry sauce, when I make these for game day I just use whole cranberry sauce in a can.
  • Buttery topping: Just like with my ham and cheese sliders, you’ll need butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire and poppy seeds. Everything bagel seasoning is a great swap for poppy seeds.

How to Make Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Slice Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. Place bottom half of rolls in a baking pan. Spread with mayo, turkey and cheese then spread cranberry sauce over top of the buns then layer it in the dish matching up the rolls.

Bottom half of Hawaiian rolls in baking dish topped with turkey and Swiss.

In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder and poppy seeds. Pour poppy seed butter mixture evenly over all of the rolls. Let sauce sink into the rolls for 10 minutes. 

Turkey cranberry sliders with buttery golden Hawaiian rolls and a poppy seed sauce in a baking dish.

Cover turkey slider recipe with foil and bake at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 2 minutes to brown the top of the rolls. Serve immediately.

Serving a turkey cranberry slider out of the baking pan showing drippy sauce and melty cheese.

Recipe Tips

  • Deli turkey: You can still make these Hawaiian roll turkey sliders even if you don’t have leftovers available! Just use your favorite deli meat.
  • Cover with foil. To prevent the tops of rolls from burning cover your oven baked turkey cranberry sliders while they are in the oven. Remove foil only for last 2 minutes.
  • Make ahead: You can make these sliders up to four hours in advance of serving. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake and enjoy.
  • Storage: While these taste best fresh, leftover turkey sliders can be stored for up to 3 days covered in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven for best results.
Two turkey cranberry sliders stacked on a plate.

More ways to use leftover cranberries include cranberry meatballs, cranberry salad or this cranberry salsa!

More Slider Recipes

Two turkey cranberry sliders stacked on a plate.

Turkey Cranberry Sliders

5 from 14 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Rest Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12
These turkey cranberry sliders turn leftover Thanksgiving turkey into a flavor-packed snack with cranberry, melted Swiss and soft Hawaiian rolls, all finished with a buttery poppy seed topping.
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Ingredients 

  • 12 Hawaiian dinner rolls
  • 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 cup cranberry sauce
  • 12 slices deli turkey slices , or leftover turkey
  • 6 slices swiss cheese
  • 4-6 Tablespoons butter , melted
  • ½ Tablespoon dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder , or minced onions
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Using a large bread knife, slice Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally to create a top and bottom half of rolls, being sure sure to keep the rolls connected. Place the top section on a cutting board. 
  • In the baking dish, place the bottom section, cut-side up. Spread mayo on the bottom. Spread cranberry sauce over the top section. Add a slice of turkey and cheese to each roll. Place top section over the bottom section, evenly matching up the rolls.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder and poppy seeds. Pour evenly over all of the rolls. Let sit 10 minutes for sauce to soak in. 
  • Cover sliders with foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 2 minutes to brown the top of the rolls. Best served while warm. 

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Storage: These are best served the first day, but you can store in a covered container 2-3 days in the refrigerator. 

Nutrition

Calories: 262kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 51mg, Sodium: 500mg, Potassium: 90mg, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 235IU, Calcium: 117mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

  • Meat options: Adding slices of cooked bacon to these turkey sliders would also be an amazing addition! For a twist on turkey sliders, make buffalo chicken sliders or pizza sliders.
  • Cheese: No need to limit yourselves to just Swiss cheese. Try brie cheese, smoked gouda, provolone, cheddar cheese or your favorite.
  • Sauce: Cranberry turkey sliders are great for Thanksgiving but you can use your favorite jam or jelly if preferred.
  • No poppy seeds: While these add a nice crunch they can be omitted or try everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds.