If you need a tasty way to use leftover turkey that works as an appetizer, lunch, or an easy dinner, these Turkey and Cranberry Sliders are a perfect choice. Inspired by a deli favorite from a bakery I owned for years, this sandwich pairs turkey and Swiss with a creamy cranberry spread on soft, buttery dinner rolls.
Soft dinner rolls are split and layered with sliced turkey, melty Swiss cheese, and a smooth cranberry-cream cheese spread, then baked until warm and irresistible. It delivers the classic deli sandwich flavor with a festive cranberry twist.
Recipe Tip
- Recipe Name: Turkey and Cranberry Sliders
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 12 sliders
- Time-Saving Ingredients: Dinner rolls, jellied cranberry sauce, and deli turkey or leftover turkey
Key Ingredients
- Dinner rolls: A connected sheet of soft dinner rolls (butter-flavored rolls like King’s Hawaiian work well) so you can slice them all at once.
- Turkey: About 1 pound of thinly sliced leftover roasted turkey or deli turkey.
- Cranberry sauce: Jellied cranberry sauce mixes smoothly into the cream cheese; whole-berry sauce also works.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese forms the base of the cranberry spread.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts.
How to make Turkey and Cranberry Sauce Slider Sandwiches
Step One: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and cranberry sauce. Mix until smooth.
Step Two: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Use a long serrated knife to slice the connected sheet of dinner rolls in half horizontally, keeping the bottom half intact. Place the bottom half in a 9×13-inch baking pan and spread with the cranberry cream cheese mixture.
Step Three: Layer the sliced turkey evenly over the spread.
Step Four: Top the turkey with slices of Swiss cheese.
Step Five: Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese. Mix melted butter with garlic powder and parsley flakes, then brush or spoon the mixture over the top of the rolls.
Step Six: Cover the pan with foil and bake for 20 minutes, until the filling is warm and the cheese has melted. Remove the foil and bake 3–5 minutes more until the tops are golden. Cut into individual sliders and serve warm.
Expert Tips
- Slice rolls while connected: Use a long serrated knife to cut the entire sheet in half; it keeps everything even and speeds assembly.
- Use foil for the first bake: Covering the sliders traps steam and melts the cheese without over-browning the tops.
- Make ahead: Assemble completely, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add a few extra minutes to the covered baking time if baking cold from the fridge.
- Adjust cranberry level: Increase to ½ cup if you want a more pronounced cranberry flavor, or use ⅓ cup for a milder taste.
Storage and Freezing
Store: Keep leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual sliders in the microwave for 30–45 seconds, or warm the whole batch covered with foil in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes.
Freeze: To freeze unbaked, assemble the sliders, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 10–15 minutes to the covered baking time. To freeze after baking, cool completely, wrap portions or the whole pan tightly, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Turkey Sliders FAQs
I like Swiss for its savory, nutty flavor, but provolone, white cheddar, or Havarti are great alternatives. Use sliced cheese rather than pre-shredded for better melting.
Yes. Use two 9×13 pans or a large sheet pan. If crowded, add a few extra minutes of baking time to ensure everything heats through.
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Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
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Turkey Cranberry Slider Sandwiches
By: June Albertson-Dick
Buttered rolls filled with turkey, Swiss, and a cranberry cream cheese spread — an excellent way to use leftover turkey.
Ingredients
Sandwiches
- 1 package dinner rolls (1 dozen)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup cranberry sauce (jellied)
- 1 pound sliced turkey
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
Butter Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon parsley flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Combine softened cream cheese, mayo, and cranberry sauce until smooth.
- Cut the dinner rolls in half horizontally with a serrated knife. Place the bottom half in a 9×13 pan and spread with the cranberry cream cheese mixture. Top with sliced turkey and Swiss cheese.
- Combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley. Brush over the top of the rolls. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes, until the filling is warm and cheese is melted. Remove foil and bake 3–5 minutes more until the tops are golden. Cut into 12 sliders and serve warm.
Notes
If you love cranberry flavor, use up to ½ cup of cranberry sauce in the spread. For a milder cranberry note, stick with ⅓ cup. Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 2 sandwiches — Calories: 304 kcal (approximate). Nutrition values are estimates and should be used as a guide.