These Cranberry Turkey Sliders are warm, buttery little sandwiches filled with tender sliced turkey, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and plenty of melted cheese.
Soft Hawaiian-style rolls are sliced in half and layered with turkey, cranberry sauce, and a combination of cheddar and Gouda. The tops are brushed with savory seasoned butter before the entire tray is baked until the rolls are golden and the cheese is wonderfully melted.
They are especially useful after Thanksgiving when you have leftover turkey and cranberry sauce waiting in the refrigerator, but they are just as good with deli turkey any time of year.
Serve them for Thanksgiving weekend, Christmas gatherings, game day, holiday parties, quick lunches, potlucks, or an easy family dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect for leftover turkey. A completely different way to use Thanksgiving leftovers.
Sweet and savory. Cranberry sauce balances salty turkey and rich cheese.
Extra cheesy. Cheddar and Gouda melt beautifully between the rolls.
Easy party food. Bake a whole tray at once.
Minimal preparation. Most of the recipe is simple layering.
Easy to customize. Add stuffing, Dijon mustard, bacon, or different cheeses.
Great for holidays. The turkey-and-cranberry combination fits perfectly on Thanksgiving and Christmas menus.
Ingredients
Sliders
- 12 Hawaiian-style slider rolls
- 3 cups cooked turkey, thinly sliced or shredded
- ¾ to 1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
- 6 slices Gouda cheese
Savory Butter Topping
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, optional
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley or green onions
Optional Additions
- Leftover stuffing
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Cooked bacon
- Dijon mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Provolone
- Swiss cheese
- Brie
Ingredient Notes
Turkey
Cooked Thanksgiving turkey works beautifully in this recipe.
Use:
- Sliced roasted turkey breast
- Shredded turkey
- Leftover dark meat
- Deli turkey
If using refrigerated leftover poultry, reheat the finished sliders thoroughly to 165°F.
Cranberry Sauce
Whole-berry cranberry sauce gives the sandwiches sweet-tart flavor and a little texture.
Jellied cranberry sauce also works.
Avoid adding an excessively thick layer because too much cranberry sauce can make the bottoms of the sliders soggy.
Hawaiian-Style Rolls
Soft, slightly sweet rolls pair especially well with salty turkey and tangy cranberry sauce.
Keep the entire sheet of rolls connected while assembling the sliders.
Gouda
Gouda melts smoothly and gives the sliders a mild buttery flavor.
Smoked Gouda is another excellent option.
Cheddar
Cheddar adds a sharper flavor that balances the sweet cranberry sauce.
How to Make Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to:
350°F
Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Slice the Rolls
Keep all the rolls connected.
Using a long serrated knife, cut the entire sheet horizontally through the middle.
You should have:
- One large bottom section
- One large top section
Step 3: Add the Bottom Rolls
Place the bottom half of the rolls inside the prepared baking dish.
Step 4: Layer the Turkey
Spread the cooked turkey evenly over the rolls.
Use approximately:
3 cups turkey.
Distribute it evenly so every slider gets plenty of filling.
Step 5: Add Cranberry Sauce
Spoon cranberry sauce over the turkey.
Spread gently.
You do not need to completely cover every inch.
Small pockets of cranberry sauce give the sliders a better sweet-and-savory balance.
Step 6: Add the Cheese
Layer cheddar and Gouda over the cranberry-turkey mixture.
You can alternate the two cheeses or use one cheese on each half of the tray.
Step 7: Replace the Tops
Place the top half of the rolls back over the filling.
Press down very gently.
Step 8: Make the Butter Topping
In a small bowl, combine:
- Melted butter
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dijon mustard
- Poppy seeds
Stir until combined.
Step 9: Brush the Rolls
Generously brush the seasoned butter over the tops of the rolls.
Let some of the butter drip between the individual rolls.
Step 10: Add Herbs
Sprinkle with chopped parsley or green onions.
Step 11: Cover
Loosely cover the baking dish with foil.
Step 12: Bake
Bake covered for:
15 minutes.
This gives the center time to heat and the cheese time to melt.
Step 13: Uncover
Remove the foil.
Continue baking for:
8–12 minutes
or until:
- Tops are golden
- Cheese is melted
- Turkey is thoroughly heated
If using previously cooked refrigerated turkey, the filling should reach 165°F.
Step 14: Rest
Allow the sliders to rest for approximately:
5 minutes.
Step 15: Slice
Cut along the original roll lines.
Step 16: Serve
Serve warm while the cheese is still melty.
Expert Tips for the Best Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Keep the rolls connected during assembly. This is much faster than building individual sandwiches.
Don’t use too much cranberry sauce. A thin layer gives plenty of flavor without making the bread soggy.
Use two cheeses. Cheddar gives flavor while Gouda provides excellent melt.
Bake covered first. This heats the center without over-browning the bread.
Uncover near the end. The buttery tops become beautifully golden.
Use a serrated knife. It slices through the rolls without crushing them.
Heat leftover turkey thoroughly. Previously cooked poultry should be reheated to 165°F.
Delicious Variations
Thanksgiving Leftover Sliders
Add a thin layer of leftover stuffing between the turkey and cranberry sauce.
You can even add a small spoonful of gravy before serving.
Turkey Cranberry Brie Sliders
Replace the cheddar and Gouda with thin slices of Brie.
The creamy cheese pairs especially well with cranberry sauce.
Turkey Bacon Cranberry Sliders
Add crispy bacon before the cheese layer.
Smoked Gouda Turkey Sliders
Use all smoked Gouda for a deeper savory flavor.
Turkey Cranberry Swiss Sliders
Replace the cheeses with Swiss.
Add Dijon mustard for extra tang.
Turkey Stuffing Sliders
Layer:
- Turkey
- Stuffing
- Cranberry sauce
- Cheese
for a complete Thanksgiving-leftover sandwich.
Spicy Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Add sliced jalapeños or a thin layer of pepper jelly.
Christmas Turkey Sliders
Use leftover Christmas turkey with cranberry sauce and Brie or Gouda for an easy holiday meal.
What to Serve With Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Serve these sliders with:
- Sweet potato fries
- Potato wedges
- Potato chips
- Green salad
- Coleslaw
- Roasted vegetables
- Thanksgiving leftovers
- Butternut squash soup
- Turkey soup
- Fresh fruit
For Thanksgiving weekend, they are especially good with leftover mashed potatoes or a simple salad.
Make Ahead & Party Prep
You can prepare most of the ingredients ahead.
Slice the turkey and prepare the seasoned butter in advance.
The sliders can also be assembled a few hours before baking.
Cover the baking dish and refrigerate.
For the best texture, wait to brush the butter over the tops until shortly before baking.
If baking directly from the refrigerator, they may need a few additional minutes.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
Refrigerator
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Store in an airtight container for approximately:
3–4 days.
Oven Reheating
Place sliders in a baking dish.
Cover loosely with foil and reheat at:
325–350°F
until thoroughly hot.
Air Fryer
Individual sliders can be reheated at moderate heat for several minutes.
This helps bring back some crispness to the bread.
Microwave
Microwave in short intervals until hot.
The bread will be softer than with oven reheating.
Freezing
The sliders can be frozen, although cranberry sauce may soften the bread slightly after thawing.
Wrap individual baked sliders tightly and place them in a freezer-safe container.
For best quality, use within approximately:
1–2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover Thanksgiving turkey?
Yes. This is one of the best recipes for leftover turkey.
Can I use deli turkey?
Absolutely.
What cheese goes best with turkey and cranberry?
Gouda, cheddar, Swiss, Brie, and provolone are all excellent choices.
Can I add stuffing?
Yes. A thin layer of leftover stuffing works very well.
Can I make these ahead?
Yes. Assemble them a few hours ahead and refrigerate until baking.
Can I use jellied cranberry sauce?
Yes.
How do I keep the bottoms from getting soggy?
Use cranberry sauce moderately and avoid assembling the sliders too far in advance.
Can I add mustard?
Yes. Dijon mustard is especially good with turkey and cranberry.
Can I use smoked Gouda?
Yes. Smoked Gouda gives them excellent flavor.
How hot should leftover turkey be when reheated?
Reheat previously cooked turkey and leftovers to 165°F.
Printable Cranberry Turkey Sliders Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 23–27 minutes
Total Time: About 40 minutes
Servings: 12 sliders
Ingredients
Sliders
- 12 Hawaiian-style rolls
- 3 cups cooked turkey
- ¾–1 cup cranberry sauce
- 6 slices cheddar
- 6 slices Gouda
Butter Topping
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, optional
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Slice the connected rolls horizontally.
- Place the bottom half in the baking dish.
- Layer turkey evenly over the rolls.
- Spoon cranberry sauce over the turkey.
- Add cheddar and Gouda.
- Replace the top rolls.
- Mix melted butter, Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon, and poppy seeds.
- Brush over the rolls.
- Sprinkle with herbs.
- Cover loosely with foil.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove foil.
- Bake another 8–12 minutes until golden and melted.
- If using leftover turkey, heat the filling to 165°F.
- Rest for 5 minutes.
- Slice and serve warm.
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Turkey Sliders are one of the easiest ways to turn leftover holiday turkey into something completely different the next day.
Tender turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, melted Gouda and cheddar, and soft rolls create the perfect balance of savory, sweet, creamy, and buttery flavors.
They are especially useful after Thanksgiving because you can also tuck leftover stuffing inside, but the recipe works equally well with deli turkey for an easy party tray throughout the year.
For the best results, use only a moderate layer of cranberry sauce, combine a flavorful cheese with a good melting cheese, bake the sliders covered first, uncover them for a golden finish, and serve while the cheese is hot and melty.
