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Irresistible Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Here's my go-to move for dealing with leftover turkey from the holidays. These sliders are straight up comfort on a plate. I grab some squishy rolls, pile them with turkey, cranberry, and gooey cheese, then slather melted herby butter over the top and bake. They're always perfectly golden and honestly, you'll probably find yourself roasting turkey just so you can make these little guys.
Why Everyone Loves These
Seriously, you won't believe how tasty these minis are. Every bite has that mix of sweet, savory, and tangy. They're crazy flexible, too—work for breakfast, lunch, or a speedy dinner. I’m all about how they turn leftovers into something totally fun and so darn good you’ll look forward to them every year.
What You'll Want on Hand
- Magic Topping: Melted butter is key for that shiny, flavorful crust.
- Sweet Tangy Touch: Grab your cranberry sauce, whatever kind you love works.
- The Star: Turkey leftovers are best but sliced deli stuff steps in fine.
- Cheese Please: Swiss is awesome here, but cheddar, provolone, or Havarti rock too.
- The Base: Hawaiian rolls or brioche buns—they're soft and just a little sweet.
- Optional Pretty: Sprinkle those poppy seeds if you want some flair.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder and dried basil for a pop of flavor.
- Extra Flavor: Dijon mustard and Worcestershire give it a little edge.
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We're Making These Together
- Time to Eat
- Slice into those sliders and get ready for them to vanish!
- Baking Time
- Pop the foil on, bake 15 minutes, then uncover and go another 5-10 for that golden cheese magic.
- The Secret Sauce
- Stir Dijon, Worcestershire, and all those seasonings into melted butter, then brush all over the rolls.
- Building Your Sliders
- Split the rolls (don’t separate), drop the bottoms in your pan, then layer cheese, turkey, a big scoop of cranberry, more cheese, and top it off with the roll tops.
- Getting Started
- Fire up your oven to 375°F, line a dish with foil, and hit it with spray oil.
Tips to Nail It
Shred your own cheese for extra meltiness. For some crunch, toast the buns before anything else. Want more sweet? Add honey into that butter mix. And hey—double the recipe ‘cause everyone grabs more than one!
How to Keep Them Tasty
Leftovers? Just toss ‘em in a sealed container. They hang out fine in the fridge for three days or hit the freezer for three months. When hunger hits, a quick 15 minutes in a 350°F oven or a fast microwave warm-up does the trick.
Ideas for Remixing
Mix things up without overthinking. Any rolls will do if you don’t have Hawaiian. Try smoked cheese, swap in ham or chicken, or bring the heat with red pepper or sriracha. Seriously, just go with whatever you’re feeling.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Is deli turkey okay to use?
Totally! No leftovers? Just grab thick-sliced deli turkey for the perfect bite.
- → Which bread should I pick?
Go for Hawaiian sweet rolls or any rolls that stay together. Don't pull them apart before filling!
- → Can I prep these the night before?
Yup, build them up to a day ahead and wait to pour on the butter. Cover and chill until baking time.
- → What cheese could I swap in for Swiss?
Try Havarti, provolone, or white cheddar. Just pick a melty cheese that's soft and mild for best taste.
- → Should I freeze sliders or not?
Fresh is best, but you can freeze before baking. Defrost in the fridge, then add butter and bake as usual.