If you’re looking for a quick and delightful snacking option, let me introduce you to these incredibly tasty Turkey Cranberry Sliders! Perfect for a cozy evening or a party, these sliders bring together the savory goodness of turkey and the sweet tartness of cranberries, all melting perfectly with Havarti cheese inside a warm, buttery roll. Trust me, you’ll want to make these every week!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Elegance: With simple ingredients, you’ll create a dish that’s both gourmet and comforting.
- Perfect for Gatherings: These Turkey Cranberry Sliders are a hit at parties, leaving everyone asking for the recipe.
- Flavorful Fusion: The sweet cranberry sauce perfectly balances the savory turkey and creamy Havarti cheese.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, these sliders are perfect for a quick meal or appetizer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about the magic behind these Turkey Cranberry Sliders. Each ingredient plays a critical role in creating this delicious harmony of flavors. With just a handful of elements, you’ll experience a burst of taste that’s surprisingly easy to put together.
- Hawaiian rolls: Their subtle sweetness is the ideal canvas for our flavorsome fillings.
- Sliced turkey: Smoky and savory, make sure to choose a good quality deli turkey for extra flavor.
- Havarti cheese: Its creamy texture complements the savory turkey and offsets the tangy cranberries perfectly.
- Whole berry cranberry sauce: Provides just the right amount of tart sweetness, adding a festive flair.
- Melted butter: For brushing the tops, ensures they turn golden brown and wonderfully crispy.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle kick to the buttery topping that enhances all other flavors.
- Everything bagel seasoning: A sprinkle provides additional texture and bursts of flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce & Brown sugar: These contribute depth and a touch of sweetness to the buttery glaze.
Variations
This Turkey Cranberry Sliders recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Feel free to make it your own by experimenting with different flavors and ingredients. Here are some variation ideas to get you started.
- Cheese Swap: Try using Brie cheese for a richer, creamier twist.
- Spiced Up: Add a dash of sriracha to the cranberry sauce for those who like a bit of heat.
- Vegetarian Option: Use roasted vegetables in place of turkey for a delightful meat-free slider.
- Herbed Butter: Infuse the butter with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for an aromatic touch.
How to Make Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Step 1: Prepare Your Setup
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. This creates the perfect environment for your sliders to heat evenly, ensuring each bite is as delicious as the last.
Step 2: Assemble the Sliders
Divide the Hawaiian rolls, place the bottom halves in your dish, and layer with turkey and Havarti cheese. Spread the cranberry sauce generously before setting the top halves back on. This layering ensures every slider gets a bit of everything, providing a balanced taste with each bite.
Step 3: Create and Apply the Topping
Combine the melted butter, Dijon mustard, everything bagel seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Drizzle over the sliders’ tops for an enticing golden-brown finish. This step is essential for adding a flavorful crunch that differentiates these sliders from ordinary sandwiches.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Cover the dish with aluminum foil, bake for 15–20 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes. This ensures the cheese is melted beautifully, and the tops are perfectly crispy.
Pro Tips for Making Turkey Cranberry Sliders
- Cheese Melting Point: Allow the Havarti cheese to reach room temperature before assembling the sliders for the smoothest melted texture.
- Cranberry Consistency: Whisk the cranberry sauce slightly if it’s too chunky to make spreading easier and more even.
- Butter Brushing: Use a pastry brush to apply the buttery mixture evenly, ensuring every roll top is well-coated for extra crispiness.
- Advance Prep: Assemble the sliders the night before and refrigerate; bake when ready to serve to reduce last-minute prep work.
How to Serve Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Garnishes
A sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme on the platter adds a touch of green and a subtle, inviting aroma. You can also dust the tops with a bit more bagel seasoning or crushed nuts for added crunch.
Side Dishes
These sliders pair beautifully with a fresh green salad or a tangy coleslaw. For something warm, roasted vegetables, like Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes, create a wonderful complementary dish.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving these sliders on a wooden platter for a rustic feel. Arrange them in a spiral or circular pattern, or use a tiered stand to create a grand centerpiece at your gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. They can be reheated in the oven to maintain that perfect gooey and crispy balance.
Freezing
Freeze these sliders pre-baked by wrapping them tightly in foil and placing them in a freezer bag. Defrost overnight in the fridge and bake as directed, adding an additional 5 minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. Avoid the microwave as it may make the buns soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of cheese for these sliders?
Absolutely! While Havarti offers a smooth melt and mild flavor, you can swap it out for cheeses like cheddar or Swiss if you prefer a sharper taste.
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Can I prepare Turkey Cranberry Sliders in advance?
Yes, you can assemble them in advance. Keep them tightly wrapped in the refrigerator and bake them when you’re ready to serve.
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What can I do if I don’t have everything bagel seasoning?
If you don’t have the seasoning, you can make your own using a mix of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
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How do I prevent the sliders from getting soggy?
To keep the sliders from getting soggy, ensure you preheat the oven before baking and allow the cranberry sauce to drain slightly if it’s too liquidy.
Final Thoughts
The next time you’re in need of a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish, don’t hesitate to whip up these delightful Turkey Cranberry Sliders. They encapsulate the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making them an unforgettable treat. Gather your ingredients, invite your friends over, and watch these little sliders disappear in no time!
Print
Turkey Cranberry Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These delicious Turkey Cranberry Sliders are a perfect quick and easy meal or party appetizer. Soft Hawaiian rolls are layered with tender turkey slices, melted Havarti cheese, and tangy cranberry sauce, then baked with a buttery, seasoned topping until warm and gooey. They are a crowd-pleaser with a balance of savory, cheesy, and sweet flavors in each bite.
Ingredients
Sliders
- 12 slices Hawaiian rolls
- 8 ounces sliced turkey breast
- 8 ounces Havarti cheese, sliced
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
Topping
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or rimmed baking sheet to prevent sticking.
- Slice the rolls: Carefully cut the package of Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, creating a top and bottom layer.
- Assemble the sliders: Place the bottom half of the rolls in the prepared baking dish. Layer the sliced turkey evenly over the bottom buns. Arrange the sliced Havarti cheese over the turkey. Spread the cranberry sauce over the cheese, covering as much surface as possible. Place the top half of the rolls over the cranberry sauce to form a sandwich.
- Make the butter topping: In a small bowl, stir together melted butter, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, everything bagel seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined.
- Dress the rolls: Drizzle the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the assembled sliders. This will give them a flavorful, golden-brown finish when baked.
- Bake the sliders: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sliders are heated through. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to enhance the golden color and crust.
- Serve hot: Carefully remove from the oven, slice if desired, and serve warm. These sliders are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for a short period in an airtight container.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a layer of crispy bacon or caramelized onions before baking.
- Use pre-sliced turkey for convenience; for a fresher taste, slice your own from a cooked turkey breast.
- These sliders can be assembled a few hours in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave or oven but are best enjoyed immediately for optimal gooeyness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider (about 70g)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
