Easy Southern Turkey Sliders

Featured in Sandwiches packed with flavor.

These easy sliders turn holiday turkey into a tasty, crowd-pleasing dish. Juicy turkey layers, tangy cranberries, creamy Swiss cheese, and buttery topping make them perfect for a quick meal.

Maria from tastyhush
Updated on Wed, 28 May 2025 13:20:02 GMT
Close-up of a slider stuffed with turkey and cranberry, topped with rosemary. Pin it
Close-up of a slider stuffed with turkey and cranberry, topped with rosemary. | tastyhush.com

Okay y'all, here's a cozy way to deal with all those turkey leftovers after the holidays. These Cranberry Turkey Sliders are total comfort food—soft sweet buns piled with turkey, melted cheese, and a sweet-tart hit of cranberry sauce. I slather the tops with some seasoned melted butter and bake them until they're super golden. Every single time they come out looking and tasting incredible. To be real, you might start making turkey just for an excuse to whip these up.

Irresistible Crowd-Pleaser Sliders

Seriously, folks, these mini sandwiches are next-level tasty. Each bite combines sweet, salty, and tangy. They work for lunch, a no-stress dinner, or even for breakfast the next day! Plus, it's a playful and delicious spin on all those extra turkey slices lurking in your fridge. Don't be surprised if friends start asking you to bring these every year!

All the Good Stuff You’ll Need

  • Bread: Go for brioche buns or sweet Hawaiian rolls—nice and pillowy.
  • Dairy Upgrade: Swiss cheese is my fave, but cheddar, provolone, or Havarti are tasty swaps.
  • Main Filling: Leftover turkey is best here—if not, sliced deli turkey totally works.
  • That Sweet Bite: Scoop on cranberry sauce—canned or homemade, both rock.
  • Butter Finish: Melted butter gives it that glossy top.
  • Zing: Dijon mustard and a splash of Worcestershire for serious flavor.
  • Season It Up: Basil and garlic powder make it pop even more.
  • Optional Fun: Sprinkle with poppy seeds if you want them to look extra special.
A platter piled with turkey and cranberry sliders, all golden with a fresh thyme sprig on top. Pin it
A platter piled with turkey and cranberry sliders, all golden with a fresh thyme sprig on top. | tastyhush.com

Ready for Some Slider Magic?

First Step
Blast your oven up to 375°F, grab a baking dish, line it with foil, and spray so nothing sticks.
Layer Up
Slice your rolls across but leave them connected, set the bottoms in your pan, stack cheese, turkey, cranberry, more cheese, then finish with the tops.
Buttery Goodness
Melt some butter, whisk in your Dijon, Worcestershire, and the seasonings, then give those buns a nice brush on top.
Into the Oven
Toss on some foil, bake about 15 minutes, then lose the foil and let them brown up another 5 to 10 ‘til the cheese is all gooey.
Dig In
Slice up your sliders and watch everyone grab one right away.

Easy Pro Tips for No-Fail Sliders

Shred your own cheese so it melts perfectly every time. Want a toastier bite? Toast the sliced rolls a minute or two before filling them. If you're craving more sweetness, drizzle a little honey into your melted butter. Pro move—make a double batch if you're serving a hungry crowd.

How to Store ‘Em

If you end up with extras, tuck them in a container with a tight lid and stick them in the fridge for three days—still tasty! You can freeze them, too. Just heat in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes or microwave for a fast snack.

Cool Remix Ideas

Change it up however you want. Swap the type of bread, try provolone or cheddar for a new taste, or use cooked chicken or ham instead of turkey. Feel like some heat? Dash on sriracha or red pepper flakes. Seriously, these are awesome any way you make them!

A zoomed-in look at a turkey and cranberry slider with rosemary sitting on a dark stone plate. Pin it
A zoomed-in look at a turkey and cranberry slider with rosemary sitting on a dark stone plate. | tastyhush.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can deli turkey be used instead of leftovers?

Definitely! Just pick thick slices for a better bite and texture.

→ What are the best rolls to use?

Hawaiian rolls are ideal, but any soft, attached rolls will work. Keep the rolls together while prepping.

→ Can I prep these sliders ahead?

Absolutely! Assemble them up to a day in advance, then add the butter topping right before popping them in the oven. Store covered in the fridge until baking.

→ What works well instead of Swiss cheese?

Try using provolone, Havarti, or mild white cheddar. Any creamy, melty cheese pairs wonderfully with turkey.

→ Can these sliders be frozen?

Sure! Assemble them (minus the butter mixture) and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge and apply the butter sauce before baking.

Southern Turkey Sliders

Give leftovers new life with these melty turkey sliders. They're layered with cranberry sauce and baked in a buttery sauce.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Maria

Category: Sandwiches

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 sliders)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 12 pieces Swiss cheese.
02 1/4 cup melted butter.
03 2 tablespoons of dried basil (divided).
04 1 package of 12 dinner rolls.
05 3 cups of turkey (cooked and sliced or chopped).
06 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
07 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
08 1 cup cranberry sauce.
09 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.

Instructions

Step 01

Turn the oven on to 375°F.

Step 02

Spray a foil-lined 9x13 dish with cooking spray.

Step 03

Cut through the rolls horizontally, keeping them together.

Step 04

Start with 6 cheese slices on the roll bottoms. Top with turkey, then spread the cranberry sauce. Add the rest of the cheese, and put the upper buns on top.

Step 05

Microwave butter until melted (30-60 seconds). Stir in Worcestershire, Dijon, garlic powder, and half of the basil.

Step 06

Drizzle sauce on the sliders. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Take off the foil and bake another 5-10 minutes until the top is browned.

Step 07

Cut into portions and enjoy!

Notes

  1. Perfect use for leftover turkey. Deli turkey works too.
  2. Prepare ahead of time (up to a day), add sauce before baking.
  3. Hawaiian rolls are ideal but other rolls will do.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking dish (9x13 inch).
  • Aluminum foil.
  • Knife for cutting bread.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (Swiss cheese, butter).
  • Contains wheat (rolls).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 181
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 11 g
  • Protein: 13 g