20-Minute Turkey Cranberry Sliders That Steal the Show

I’ll never forget the first time I brought these turkey cranberry sliders to a girls’ night potluck – the tray was empty before I even had a chance to grab one! That’s when I knew this sweet-and-savory combo was something special. These sliders are my go-to when I need something that’s both crazy simple to make (20 minutes from fridge to table!) and always gets rave reviews. The tart pop of cranberry against the rich turkey and melty cheese? Absolute magic. Now my friends beg me to bring them to every gathering – from baby showers to football Sundays.

Why You’ll Love These Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Trust me, these little sliders are about to become your new secret weapon in the kitchen. Here’s why:

• Crazy fast to make – I’m talking 20 minutes from fridge to table. Perfect for those “oops, guests are coming over in an hour!” moments.
• Party superstar – They disappear faster than you can say “seconds please!” at every gathering I’ve brought them to.
• Sweet & savory magic – The cranberry sauce gives this amazing tangy kick that cuts through the rich turkey and cheese.
• Totally customizable – Swap Swiss for cheddar, add some bacon… make them your own! (Though I promise the original combo is perfection.)

Ingredients for Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Okay, let’s gather our goodies! The beauty of these sliders is how simple the ingredient list is – I bet you’ve got half this stuff in your fridge right now. Here’s what you’ll need (and a few of my personal shopping tips):

For the Sliders

• 12 dinner rolls – split in half (I’m obsessed with King’s Hawaiian rolls for this, but any soft dinner rolls work)
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce – the jellied kind spreads easiest, but chunky homemade works too if you don’t mind a rustic look
• 1 lb sliced turkey – I splurge on the thick-cut deli turkey for better texture
• 6 slices Swiss cheese – cut in half (pro tip: pop it in the freezer for 5 minutes to make clean cuts)

For the Butter Glaze

• 1/4 cup butter – melted (salted or unsalted both work – I use what’s on hand)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard – this is the secret flavor booster!
• 1/2 tsp onion powder – don’t skip this – it adds that “what’s that amazing smell?” factor
• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce – just a dash makes everything taste more complex

See? Nothing fancy, just good ingredients that play together beautifully. Now let’s turn this into magic!

How to Make Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Alright, let’s get these little flavor bombs assembled! I promise it’s so easy you could do it half-asleep (though I don’t recommend cooking while sleepy – butter glaze mishaps are real). Here’s my foolproof method for sliders that’ll have everyone asking for your recipe.

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

First things first – crank that oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, grab your favorite baking dish (I use a 9×13 for these) and line it up with the bottom halves of your rolls. Pro tip from my many dinner disasters: arrange them snug but not squished – they’ll puff up a bit while baking!

Step 2: Assemble the Sliders

Now the fun part! Spread that cranberry sauce like you’re frosting a cake – evenly is key here so every bite gets that tangy goodness. Layer on your turkey slices (I do a little fold-and-tuck for height), then top with those halved Swiss cheese pieces. Pop the roll tops on like little hats and press gently – don’t squish, just nestle.

Step 3: Add the Butter Glaze

Here’s where the magic happens! Whisk together your melted butter, Dijon, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce until it’s all glossy and fragrant. Brush this golden goodness generously over the tops – get into all those nooks and crannies! Bake for about 10 minutes until the cheese is oozy and the tops are that perfect golden brown. Your kitchen will smell like heaven, I promise.

Tips for Perfect Turkey Cranberry Sliders

After making these sliders more times than I can count (seriously, my friends won’t let me show up without them), I’ve picked up some tricks that take them from good to “oh-my-god-give-me-the-recipe” amazing:

• Leftover turkey magic – Thanksgiving leftovers? Perfect! Just chop or shred the meat roughly so it layers nicely. The roasted flavor actually makes these even better.
• Thyme is your friend – A tiny sprinkle of dried thyme in the butter glaze adds this earthy note that makes people go “what’s that delicious flavor?” Trust me on this one.
• Glaze like a pro – Use a silicone brush and really get in between the rolls – that’s where the flavor seeps down and makes every bite irresistible.
• Serve ’em hot – These are best straight from the oven when the cheese is still stretchy. If they sit too long, just pop them back in the oven for 2-3 minutes to revive that magic.

Serving Suggestions for Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Oh, these little guys are so versatile! I love serving them with a crisp green salad for a quick lunch – the freshness balances the richness perfectly. For parties, arrange them on a platter with some other finger foods and watch them disappear. They’re also amazing with a bowl of tomato soup on chilly days – total comfort food vibes. Honestly, I’ve eaten them straight from the pan while standing at the counter (no judgment) and they’re still incredible!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Okay, confession time – I rarely have leftovers of these sliders (they disappear too fast!), but when I do, here’s how I keep them tasting fresh. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I prefer the oven (350°F for 5-7 minutes) to keep that crisp top, but the microwave works in a pinch – just 30 seconds should do it! Pro tip: Add a tiny pat of butter before reheating to bring back that glossy goodness.

Turkey Cranberry Sliders FAQs

I get asked about these sliders ALL the time – here are the questions that pop up most often in my kitchen (and my honest answers!):

Can I use homemade cranberry sauce?

Absolutely! I actually prefer homemade when I have time – just make sure it’s not too runny or it’ll make the rolls soggy. If yours is chunky, give it a quick mash with a fork so it spreads evenly.

Can I make these ahead?

You bet! Assemble everything (without the glaze), cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 6 hours. Add the glaze right before baking – easy peasy party prep!

What cheese substitutes work?

Swiss is my fave, but provolone or mild cheddar are great too. For a sharper bite, try gruyère. Just avoid super melty cheeses like mozzarella – they can get too gooey.

Can I freeze these sliders?

Honestly? They’re best fresh. The rolls get weirdly dry when frozen and reheated. But if you must, wrap them individually in foil first – they’ll keep for a month. Reheat straight from frozen in a 300°F oven for 15-20 minutes.

Help! My glaze is too thick/thin!

No worries! Too thick? Add a teaspoon of warm water. Too thin? Mix in a pinch more onion powder or mustard to thicken it up. The beauty is in the imperfections – they’ll taste amazing either way!

Nutritional Information

Okay, full disclosure – I’m not a nutritionist, just a slider enthusiast! These numbers are estimates based on my usual ingredients (your mileage may vary with different brands or substitutions). Per slider, you’re looking at:

• 210 calories – perfect little indulgence
• 9g fat (5g saturated) – thank you, buttery glaze!
• 12g protein – that turkey packs a punch
• 20g carbs – mostly from those delicious rolls

Not too shabby for something that tastes this decadent, right? Now go enjoy without guilt!

Rate This Recipe

Did you make these turkey cranberry sliders? I’d love to hear how they turned out! Leave a star rating or drop me a comment here – your feedback makes my day and helps other home cooks too. Happy munching!

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