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Cranberry Turkey Bites

Featured in Tasty Appetizers.

I have to share these turkey sliders because they're a total game-changer after the holidays! Forget dry turkey sandwiches. We grab soft dinner rolls, stuff in shredded turkey, Swiss cheese, and leftover cranberry sauce. The magic? Brushing the tops with buttery herbs and Dijon mustard before baking. The flavors soak into the bread while the cheese turns gooey, and the tops crispen into golden brown perfection. Trust me, my crew loves these more than Thanksgiving dinner itself! They're the perfect snack for football day, and everyone's grabbing seconds. Now I cook extra turkey just to make these. Addictive isn’t even the word.
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punchofyummy
Updated on Fri, 14 Mar 2025 18:16:28 GMT
A delicious sandwich on soft bread stuffed with turkey, melted cheese, cranberry sauce, and topped with parsley. Pin it
A delicious sandwich on soft bread stuffed with turkey, melted cheese, cranberry sauce, and topped with parsley. | pinchofyummy.com

I've gotta tell you about my go-to trick for holiday extras - these amazing Turkey Cranberry Sliders. I stumbled on this idea when trying to jazz up our Thanksgiving leftovers, and now my family actually looks forward to the extras! Nothing beats that combo of juicy turkey, tart cranberry, and gooey cheese on those soft, buttery buns. It's basically comfort food paradise.

What Makes These Extra Wonderful

These sliders take all the good stuff from your holiday feast and turn it into something totally fresh. The flavors just click together so well, and they come together in no time. They work great for feeding a bunch of hungry folks or just making yourself a nice lunch that won't disappoint.

What You'll Need

  • Buns: I always grab brioche rolls because they're incredibly fluffy.
  • Cheese: Try Swiss for that classic taste, though any cheese that melts well fits the bill.
  • Turkey: Your holiday leftovers shine brightest here.
  • Cranberry Sauce: This sweet-tart layer really makes the whole thing pop.
  • Butter: Gives you that gorgeous golden crust on top.
  • Mustard: A bit of Dijon adds that perfect tang.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Just a splash for extra flavor depth.
  • Spices: They bring everything together beautifully.

Creating Your Sliders

Prep Your Pan
Using foil will save you tons of cleanup time afterward.
Stack Everything Up
Go slow with this part since every layer adds something special.
The Magic Topping
That butter mix really takes these from good to unforgettable.
Into The Oven
They're done when the cheese gets all melty and you see that golden top appear.

Storing For Later

They taste best straight from the oven, but you can definitely save some for tomorrow. Just wrap them up tight and stick them in the fridge. A quick warm-up with a dab of butter makes them almost taste brand new.

Switching Things Up

I sometimes throw in different cheeses or add some sweet browned onions. The recipe works so well you can play around with it quite a bit. When turkey's gone, I've made them with leftover ham too - they turn out great either way.

Great Side Dishes

These go really well with something light like a green salad or some crunchy potato sides. The contrast just makes everything taste better. They fit right in at casual get-togethers or when you're watching the big game.

A close-up of a sandwich featuring sliced turkey, cheese, and cranberry sauce, served on a soft bun and garnished with parsley. Pin it
A close-up of a sandwich featuring sliced turkey, cheese, and cranberry sauce, served on a soft bun and garnished with parsley. | pinchofyummy.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is it okay to prep these early?
Sure! Put them together, stash them in the fridge, and when you're ready, pour on the butter mix and bake. Great for parties or busy days.
→ Why bake them covered first?
Covering them at the start melts the cheese and heats everything up. Taking the foil off later crisps the tops beautifully.
→ Can I swap the cheese for something else?
Definitely! Swiss is amazing, but provolone, havarti, or any melty cheese you like works great too.
→ What's the best bread for these?
Soft rolls like Hawaiian ones are perfect. Keep them attached when slicing to make everything easier to handle.
→ Can I use another cranberry sauce?
Absolutely! Go with whole berry or jellied—homemade or store-bought—whatever fits your taste.

Cranberry Turkey Bites

Warm and buttery rolls packed with roasted turkey, tart cranberry sauce, and creamy Swiss cheese, finished with a tasty herb-butter glaze baked to perfection.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Amelia

Category: Tasty Appetizers

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 sliders)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 12-pack of rolls, any kind.
02 12 slices of swiss cheese, split into two portions.
03 Cooked turkey, about 3 cups, chopped small or thinly sliced.
04 Cranberry sauce, 1 cup.
05 1/4 cup of melted butter.
06 Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon.
07 1 tablespoon of worcestershire sauce.
08 A teaspoon of garlic powder.
09 2 tablespoons of dried basil, split in half.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 375°F. Cover a 9x13 pan with foil, then coat it lightly with non-stick spray.

Step 02

Cut the rolls in half horizontally. Put the bottom halves in the pan, then layer with half the cheese, the turkey, and cranberry sauce.

Step 03

Lay the rest of the cheese over the cranberry mix. Place the top rolls back on and gently press everything together.

Step 04

Stir the melted butter with dijon, worcestershire, garlic powder, and one tablespoon of basil. Drizzle it evenly over the sandwiches.

Step 05

Cover the pan with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Take the foil off and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the tops look golden.

Notes

  1. Great way to use up extra turkey.
  2. You can prep these in advance!
  3. Any dinner rolls work well in this dish.

Tools You'll Need

  • A 9x13 pan.
  • Foil sheet.
  • Knife for cutting bread.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Made with wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 181
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 11 g
  • Protein: 13 g