Havarti Cranberry Turkey Sliders

Sticky sweet cranberry, creamy Havarti, and savory turkey piled on soft Hawaiian rolls make these Havarti Cranberry Turkey Sliders my signature quick dinner for the holidays. Ready in about 45 minutes from start to finish, they are the perfect answer for Friendsgiving food ideas, easy weeknight meals, or a delicious way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey. With just 15 minutes of hands on time, these crowd pleasing sliders are a main dish favorite for festive gatherings and cozy Sunday suppers alike.

I first made these cranberry turkey sliders on Hawaiian rolls after Thanksgiving last year, and now I am always searching for an excuse to whip up a batch. My family calls them the ultimate stuffed sliders for holiday parties and game day since the creamy Havarti cheese and bright cranberry sauce melt into the tender turkey for a meal that tastes both comforting and special. Whether you have leftover turkey or grab sliced deli meat, every time I bake these, they disappear faster than any other main dish I make.

Gather Your Ingredients for Havarti Cranberry Turkey Sliders

• One twelve count package soft Hawaiian rolls: The sweetness of Hawaiian bread makes these sliders stand out, but substitute classic dinner rolls if you prefer a buttery or more neutral flavor. Look for fresh rolls with no cracks for easier slicing.
• Twelve ounces sliced deli turkey or leftover Thanksgiving turkey: Thinly sliced turkey ensures the best texture and keeps the sliders moist. Leftovers work well or deli turkey gives year round flexibility.
• Eight ounces sliced Havarti cheese: Creamy, mild, and meltable, Havarti delivers gooey goodness. Swap for provolone, Swiss, Monterey Jack, or Muenster as needed for different flavors or creamy dairy free cheese for allergies.
• Half cup melted butter: This coats the roll tops for a rich golden crust. For dairy free, use olive oil or a high quality plant based butter substitute.
• One teaspoon poppy seeds and one teaspoon sesame seeds: These seeds add nutty, toasty aroma and crunch to the baked topping. Omit if you prefer plain rolls or vary with everything bagel seasoning for more flavor.
• One tablespoon Dijon mustard, one teaspoon onion powder, one teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, two teaspoons brown sugar: This mixture flavors the butter topping, creating a sweet and savory glaze that caramelizes in the oven. Adjust spice for taste or swap in a bit of garlic powder if desired.
• Half to three quarters cup jellied or whole berry cranberry sauce: Homemade or canned works equally well, or use leftover cranberry chutney. Adjust amount for a sweeter or more savory slider based on your taste.

How to Make Havarti Cranberry Turkey Sliders

Preheat and Prepare the Rolls:

Set your oven to 350 degrees F and let it come to full temperature. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice the entire package of Hawaiian rolls horizontally in half, keeping the buns connected so you have a single top and single bottom. This makes for even layering and easy assembly of the sliders.

Arrange Bottom Buns and Layer Cheese:

Lightly grease a nine by thirteen inch baking dish to prevent sticking, then place the bottom slab of Hawaiian rolls cut side up in the dish. Arrange half the sliced Havarti evenly across the rolls, bringing cheese close to the edges for gooey coverage in every bite.

Pile on Sliced Turkey:

Layer all the sliced turkey over the cheese, overlapping the pieces to fully cover. Use a generous amount, especially if your turkey is thicker, to ensure juicy, satisfying sliders in every portion.

Add Cranberry Sauce:

Spoon cranberry sauce carefully over the turkey. Use the back of a spoon to gently spread or dot it for little bursts of tangy sweetness and vibrant color in every slider. Adjust the amount to match your family's preference for sweet or savory.

Top with Remaining Cheese and Buns:

Add the rest of the Havarti cheese as a thick, even layer, then set the roll tops over everything to build a snug sandwich block. Gently press down so the ingredients bind nicely and the cheese melts through the whole slider.

Make Savory Butter Glaze:

In a microwave safe bowl, melt butter until just liquid, about thirty seconds. Stir in poppy seeds, sesame seeds, Dijon mustard, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar until smooth and sugar mostly dissolves. This mixture will form a beautiful glazed crust when baked.

Brush and Bake Covered:

Brush the tops and sides of the assembled rolls liberally with the butter mixture, ensuring seeds and spices are well distributed. Cover tightly with foil and bake for fifteen to twenty minutes so the cheese melts fully and everything is heated through without the rolls drying out.

Uncover and Crisp the Tops:

Remove foil and bake sliders for an additional five to seven minutes until the roll tops are golden brown and lightly crisped. Watch closely near the end so they do not overbake or burn. The aroma will signal when they are ready to serve.

Slice and Serve:

Use a sharp knife to cut along the seams and separate the sliders—usually eleven or twelve slices per package. Serve immediately for maximum melty texture and, if desired, brush with a final swipe of melted butter just before enjoying.

My top discovery was adding a touch of both poppy and sesame seeds to the butter mixture for an aromatic bakery style finish that truly elevates every bite. Serving these at holiday brunch with sparkling cider is one of my new favorite family traditions, and I love how each slider blends savory turkey and colorful cranberry so everyone leaves full and happy.

Smart Swaps and Variations for Havarti Cranberry Turkey Sliders

Customizing these Havarti cranberry turkey sliders is easy with ingredient substitutions to fit the occasion or your dietary needs. No cranberry sauce available? Try a layer of whole berry jam or savory homemade onion marmalade for a different flavor profile. Gluten free friends can use their favorite allergy friendly rolls and double check condiments. For budget friendly swaps, use Swiss or Monterey Jack in place of Havarti and substitute shredded rotisserie chicken when turkey is not on hand. Add leftover stuffing for turkey stuffing sliders, especially around the holidays, for a comfort food boost everyone appreciates.

How to Store and Reheat Havarti Cranberry Turkey Sliders

Storing your sliders is simple and keeps them fresh for quick meals. Once cooled, wrap tightly in foil or use an airtight container to refrigerate for three to four days without losing texture. For freezing, individually wrap sliders and place them in a freezer safe bag, squeezing out as much air as possible so they retain their shape and flavor for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight for best results or place the sliders directly on a baking sheet and reheat in a 325 degree oven for about ten minutes until hot and the cheese is melted again. Assemble ahead but bake right before serving if prepping for a gathering.

What to Serve with Havarti Cranberry Turkey Sliders

These sliders are flexible as a main for Friendsgiving or as part of a fun holiday appetizer spread. For a balanced dinner, pair with a tangy arugula salad or creamy butternut squash soup, both of which cut through the richness nicely. Baked fries or roasted sweet potatoes round out the meal with crowd pleasing comfort. At parties, offer a slider bar with toppings like pickled onions and spicy mustard, or serve with bubbly apple cider for a festive touch at brunch or lunch.

Nutritional Benefits

Each Havarti cranberry turkey slider delivers lean protein from turkey breast and plenty of calcium from Havarti cheese, making them both satisfying and nourishing. Cranberry sauce adds vitamin C and natural antioxidants that help brighten the dish and lighten the richness. Choosing whole wheat rolls or lighter cheeses can further reduce calories, and with the recipe naturally nut free and easy to adapt for gluten free diets, it works for a wide variety of guests.

Recipe Success Tips

If your buns brown too quickly in the oven before the filling is hot, cover with foil until the cheese melts, then remove foil to crisp the tops just at the end. Make sure cheese slices cover the turkey to lock in moisture and create extra gooey pulls with every bite. For even crisper tops, finish baking on the upper rack in the oven for the last few minutes and serve immediately for best texture.

These easy Havarti cranberry turkey sliders bring creamy cheese, sweet tangy cranberry, and juicy turkey together for a main dish that makes holiday and weeknight meals feel special with almost no fuss. Give them a try and see how quickly they become a new family favorite—share your favorite twist in the comments to inspire others!

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ What type of turkey works best?

Both sliced deli turkey and leftover roasted turkey are delicious. The key is to slice it thinly for even layering and flavor in each bite.

→ Can I substitute another cheese for Havarti?

Yes, Swiss, provolone, or Monterey Jack cheese all work well, but Havarti offers a creamy melt that pairs nicely with the cranberry and turkey.

→ Do I have to use Hawaiian rolls?

Hawaiian rolls add a touch of sweetness, but any soft dinner rolls can be used. Just ensure they fit snugly in your baking dish to keep the sliders intact.

→ How do I prevent the sliders from getting soggy?

Layer ingredients carefully and avoid overfilling with cranberry sauce. Cover with foil while baking, then remove it at the end to crisp the tops.

→ Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the sliders and refrigerate up to a day ahead. Brush with butter mixture before baking for best results.