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Turkey Cranberry Sliders

These turkey cranberry sliders are a friendly, feel-good mashup of sweet Hawaiian rolls, tangy cranberry sauce, melty Havarti, and savory turkey — perfect for a casual crowd or weeknight comfort. They come together fast, bake in one pan, and deliver familiar holiday flavors without the fuss. For another take on this classic slider idea, you can peek at a similar recipe on this recipe page.

Why make this recipe
These sliders stand out because they combine holiday flavors into a handheld, crowd-pleasing format. The sweet, buttery Hawaiian rolls contrast with tangy whole-berry cranberry sauce and creamy Havarti, while the Dijon-brown sugar butter glaze on top adds a glossy, savory finish. They’re also versatile — great for leftovers, game day, potlucks, or an easy weeknight upgrade.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Ingredients

12 count package Hawaiian rolls
8 ounces sliced turkey (deli-style or leftover roasted turkey)
8 ounces sliced Havarti cheese
1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. You don’t usually need to grease this dish when making sliders, as the butter glaze will take care of any sticking.
Prepare the Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Take your package of Hawaiian sweet rolls. Using a large serrated knife, carefully slice the entire block of rolls in half horizontally, keeping them connected. Gently place the entire bottom section of the rolls into your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish.
Spread the Cranberry Sauce
Take your 1/2 cup of whole berry cranberry sauce. Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread it evenly over the bottom layer of the Hawaiian sweet rolls, ensuring a consistent layer across all the buns.
Layer on the Deli Turkey
Arrange half of your thinly sliced deli turkey in an even layer over the cranberry sauce. Try to cover as much surface area as possible, folding or tearing larger slices to fit.
Add the Cheese Layer
Lay your Havarti cheese slices over the turkey. Cut regular-sized cheese slices in half or quarters to fit neatly on the smaller buns, overlapping them slightly to ensure full coverage.
Add Another Layer of Turkey for Heartiness
To make these sliders extra satisfying, add the remaining half of your deli turkey over the cheese layer, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
Place the Top Rolls
Carefully take the top section of your connected Hawaiian sweet rolls and place it directly over the layered turkey and cheese. Gently press down on the rolls to make sure everything is snug and secure.
Prepare the Flavorful Butter Glaze
In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter. Once melted, stir in the Dijon mustard, brown sugar, everything bagel seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk everything together until it’s well combined.
Pour the Glaze Over the Sliders
Generously pour the prepared butter glaze evenly over the top of the assembled Hawaiian sweet rolls. Make sure to get it over all the buns, allowing some of it to seep down into the cracks between the rolls.
Cover and Bake
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place the covered dish into your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 20 minutes. This helps steam the sliders and melt the cheese perfectly.
Uncover and Bake Until Golden
After 20 minutes, carefully remove the aluminum foil. Return the uncovered dish to the oven and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the tops of the rolls are beautifully golden brown and slightly crisp, and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
Rest and Serve
Once baked to perfection, remove the baking dish from the oven. Let the sliders rest for about 5 minutes; this allows the cheese to set slightly, making them easier to cut. After resting, use a sharp knife to cut along the lines of the individual rolls, separating them. Serve warm and enjoy!

What makes the components work

Hawaiian rolls: sweet, pillowy buns act as a counterpoint to savory elements and hold up well after baking.
Cranberry sauce: whole-berry preserves provide texture and the essential sweet-tart lift.
Havarti and turkey: creamy cheese melts into the meat for a satisfying, savory center.

Best Way to Store Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Short-term (refrigerator): Store leftovers in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in foil at 40°F (4°C) or below for up to 3–4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, wrap individual sliders or the whole tray tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze at 0°F (-18°C) for up to 2 months.
Reheating: From the fridge, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–12 minutes covered with foil to warm through, then uncover for 3–5 minutes to crisp the top. From frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator then reheat as above.

Serving Suggestions for Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Party platter: Arrange sliders on a large board with toothpicks, and offer small bowls of extra cranberry sauce and grainy mustard for dipping.
Side pairings: Serve with a crisp green salad, slaw, or a cup of butternut squash soup to keep the meal balanced.
Game-day spread: Complement with classic sides like kettle chips, pickles, and roasted nuts for a casual spread guests can graze on.
Mini meal: Add a handful of mixed greens or apple slaw on the side to make the sliders feel more like a complete lunch.

Tips to make Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Q: How do I keep the sliders from getting soggy?
A: Spread the cranberry sauce thin and evenly, and avoid adding extra wet fillings. Let the assembled sliders rest briefly after baking so the juices settle before cutting.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes. Assemble the sliders, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add the glaze right before baking for best results.

Q: How can I get a crispier top?
A: After removing the foil for the final bake, switch the oven to broil for 1–2 minutes while watching closely to quickly brown the tops.

Variations

Vegetarian swap (paragraph): Replace the turkey with thick slices of roasted butternut squash or shiitake mushroom caps and use a sharp white cheddar in place of Havarti for a richer bite. The squash offers that sweet-savory profile while keeping the sliders hearty for vegetarians.
Crowd-size adjustment (bullet):
- Double the recipe for larger groups by using two 9×13-inch pans or a half-sheet pan.
- For mini sliders, use a dinner roll variety and scale down the cheese/turkey per slider.

FAQs
Q: Can I use leftover roast turkey instead of deli-sliced turkey?
A: Yes — leftover sliced roast turkey works beautifully. For best texture, slice the turkey thinly so it layers evenly within the slider.

Q: Will other cheeses work besides Havarti?
A: Absolutely. Swiss, provolone, or a mild cheddar are great substitutes; choose a cheese that melts well to keep the sliders gooey and cohesive.

Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Use a dairy-free buttery spread for the glaze and replace Havarti with a dairy-free melting cheese. The rolls and cranberry sauce are typically dairy-free, but check labels to be sure.

How long will the assembled but unbaked sliders last in the fridge?
They’re fine to assemble and keep in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking; beyond that the rolls may become saturated.
Can I prepare just a few sliders rather than a whole pan?
Yes — scale ingredients down proportionally and bake in a smaller oven-safe dish; adjust baking time slightly if the mass of sliders is reduced.

Final notes on flavor balance
The key to these sliders is balance: a thin, even layer of cranberry gives brightness without sogginess; a generous but not overwhelming amount of cheese ensures every bite is creamy; and the Dijon-brown sugar butter glaze is the seasoning glue that ties sweet and savory together. Adjust any component slightly to suit your palate — more mustard for tang, more brown sugar for sweetness, or extra everything bagel seasoning for a crunchy, garlicky top.

Conclusion

For a simple, crowd-pleasing sandwich that channels holiday flavors year-round, these sliders are hard to beat — and you can find another solid riff on the idea in this version of Cranberry Turkey Sliders – Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe, which offers alternate serving suggestions. If you want a slightly different ingredient list or presentation ideas, check out this handy collection of slider variations at Turkey Cranberry Sliders – I Heart Eating for more inspiration.