Introduction

Oh, friends, get ready for the most delicious way to capture all the cozy flavors of the holidays in one perfect bite! These Turkey Cranberry Sliders are an absolute dream. Imagine this: soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls, piled high with savory roasted turkey, tart, zesty cranberry sauce, and gooey, melted Swiss cheese, all brushed with a savory, buttery poppy seed topping and baked ’til they’re golden and hot. They are the perfect “Thanksgiving food ideas appetizers,” but honestly, they are one of my favorite “Thanksgiving leftover recipes” for a busy weeknight after the big day. It’s the perfect, beautiful balance of indulgent comfort, lean protein, and unbelievable ease.

Serving Versatility

These Thanksgiving Sliders are the ultimate “grab-and-go” comfort food! They are a complete, hearty appetizer or a light meal all on their own. They are truly the star of the show. Just pile them on a platter, and watch them disappear!

Full Recipe Section

Easy Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20-25 minutes Total time: 30-35 minutes Servings: 12 sliders Calories: Approximately 280 kcal per slider

Ingredients:

• 1 pack (12-count) Hawaiian sweet rolls
• 1 lb sliced roasted turkey (deli-style or Thanksgiving leftovers)
• 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
• 8 slices Swiss cheese
• For the Topping:
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Slice Rolls: Without separating the rolls, use a large serrated knife to slice the entire slab of 12 rolls in half horizontally (like you’re opening a giant book). Place the bottom half of the rolls in your prepared baking dish.
3. Layer Up: Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the bottom rolls. Layer the roasted turkey on top, followed by the slices of Swiss cheese. Place the top half of the rolls back on.
4. Make Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder until combined.
5. Pour & Soak: Pour the butter mixture evenly all over the top of the rolls. Let the sliders sit for 5-10 minutes to soak up all that deliciousness.
6. Bake (Step 1): Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 15 minutes. This steams the inside and melts the cheese.
7. Bake (Step 2): Remove the foil. Bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the tops of the rolls are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is bubbly.
8. Serve: Let them cool for just a minute, then use a knife to cut along the individual rolls and serve immediately.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• 10-Minute Prep: This is one of the best “Thanksgiving easy recipes!” Just 10 minutes to assemble, and the oven does the rest.
• The Best Leftover Hack: This is, hands down, the most delicious way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. No boring turkey sandwiches here!
• Big, Cozy Flavor: It’s the perfect bite of Thanksgiving! Sweet, savory, tart, cheesy, and buttery all at once.
• Perfect Party Food: These “Thanksgiving sliders” are the ultimate appetizer for a crowd, a “Friendsgiving,” or a game day.
• Customizable: Don’t like Swiss? Use provolone or brie! Add a little leftover stuffing! The options are endless.

Cultural or Cooking Technique Note (Optional)

These “pull-apart” baked sliders are a modern American party food classic! The magic comes from baking the entire slab of rolls as one unit. The most important technique is the two-step bake. First, you bake them covered with foil. This traps the steam, allowing the cheese to get perfectly melted and the inside to become warm and gooey. Then, you uncover them for the last few minutes to toast the tops to a perfect, buttery, golden brown.

Serving Suggestions

1. On a Platter: Serve warm, cut into individual sliders, on a big platter for a party.
2. With Soup: Pair two or three sliders with a warm bowl of butternut squash soup for a perfect fall lunch.
3. With a Salad: A simple, crisp arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette is a perfect, fresh side to balance the richness.
4. With Leftover Gravy: Serve with a small bowl of warm leftover gravy for dipping!

Pro Tips for Success

• Don’t Separate the Rolls: The “pull-apart” magic works best when you slice the entire slab of rolls in half at once, layer, and then cut them apart after baking.
• Use Whole Berry Sauce: Whole berry cranberry sauce gives you a much better texture and pops of tartness than the jellied kind.
• Let the Topping Soak: Don’t skip the 5-10 minute “soak” time after pouring the butter. It lets the savory topping soak into the sweet bread.
• Foil is Your Friend: Covering with foil first is the key to getting the cheese perfectly melted without burning the tops of the rolls.

Storage & Reheating

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: The best way to reheat is in the air fryer or oven! Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes. This makes the tops crispy again! A microwave will work, but the rolls will be soft.

Closing Paragraph

I truly hope these Turkey Cranberry Sliders become your new favorite way to celebrate the holiday season (or just use up those leftovers!). They are so easy, so cozy, and an absolute crowd-pleaser every single time. If you try them, please leave a comment and a rating below!

🎀 Final Thoughts

This is my #1 “day after Thanksgiving” recipe, hands down. My family honestly gets more excited for these sliders than they do for the actual dinner! That first bite of the sweet, savory, cheesy, tart-ness… it’s just pure, delicious magic.