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Poppy Seed Cheddar Turkey Sliders

These mini Poppy Seed Cheddar Turkey Sliders are a fantastic way to use leftover turkey from the holidays. They’re spectacular using Deli turkey, too for  year-round treat. To make them, fresh slider rolls are brushed liberally with a sweet and buttery poppy seed glaze then layered with cheddar cheese. Next, comes sliced turkey and whole berry cranberry sauce. After assembling, they’re baked until the cheese has melted and the tops are golden. The only hard part about these is, waiting to pull apart and enjoy.

Poppy Seed Cheddar Turkey Sliders on a serving platter

Easy Poppy Seed Cheddar Turkey Sliders

These cheddar turkey sliders are a spin-off of my recipe for Ham and Swiss poppy seed rolls. The combination of the cranberry sauce with the cheddar cheese and turkey gives them a bit of a sweet and salty edge. I serve these turkey sliders throughout the entire holiday season and they’re usually one of the first things to go from the appetizer table. They’ve become sort of a tradition for our holiday eats, much like cheddar sausage balls and a family favorite, my beef and cheddar cheeseball. Apparently, we have a thing for cheese. Guilty as charged. How to make Turkey Sliders:

  • Bread – 12-count package of slider rolls (i.e.. Pepperidge Farms).
  • Turkey – One pound of thinly sliced roasted turkey or leftover holiday turkey.
  • Cheese – Sliced sharp cheddar cheese.
  • Cranberry – Whole berry or jellied cranberry sauce.
  • Basting Butter – Salted or unsalted butter, spicy brown mustard, honey, poppy seeds, onion, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder.

ingredients to make turkey sliders

How to Make the Best Poppy Seed Cheddar Turkey Sliders Recipe

These sweet honey butter glazed turkey sliders are so delicious, make sure you grab a couple and set them aside for yourself, they always disappear in a hurry. An alternate plan would be making a double batch, depending on the appetites of those you’re serving.

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Poppy Seed Cheddar Turkey Sliders: Thinly sliced cooked turkey (either deli turkey or leftover turkey) slider rolls, poppy seeds, butter, spicy brown mustard,  grated sweet onion, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, sliced cheddar cheese and cranberry sauce.
  • Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A sharp knife and cutting board, sheet pan, measuring cups and spoons, a small bowl to make the seasoned honey butter poppy seed glaze and pastry brush.
  • You can make these sliders with deli turkey or to reinvent leftover turkey during the holidays for a round two meal.
  • These aren’t’ pull apart rolls. It’s best to use a sharp knife to cut these turkey sliders apart following the perforations of the slider rolls.
  • To save time, these turkey rolls can be assembled one day in advance then covered tightly and chilled along with the remaining poppy seed glaze.
  • Just before baking uncover and transfer to a baking sheet then brush with the extra glaze.
  • Make your own turkey using my recipe for Slow Cooked Turkey Breast.
  • Store leftover Cheddar turkey sliders wrapped in foil chilled in the refrigerator. You can enjoy them gently warmed in the microwave or cold.
baked Poppy Seed Cheddar Turkey Sliders

More Easy Turkey Recipes to Make

As I mentioned previously, while turkey is especially associated with the holiday season, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy it in some form year-round. Other turkey recipes to try:

easy to make Poppy Seed Cheddar Turkey Sliders

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

Poppy Seed Cheddar Turkey Sliders

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Sandwich
Cuisine: American
Keyword: poppy-seed-cheddar-turkey-sliders
Servings: 12 sliders
Calories: 364kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 1 15 oz package 12-count slider rolls (i.e.. Pepperidge Farms)
  • 1 lb thinly sliced roasted turkey
  • 16 slices sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup cranberry sauce whole berry or jellied (Your preference)
  • 6 Tbsp butter
  • 3 Tbsp spicy brown mustard
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 1 Tbsp poppy seeds
  • 1 Tbsp grated sweet onion
  • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Using a serrated knife cut through the middle of the slider rolls. Place the bottoms side by side on the pan. Set the tops aside.
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt together the softened butter, mustard, honey, poppy seeds, grated onion, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder. Whisk until fully combined and slightly thickened then remove from the heat.
  • Brush the bottoms of the sliced rolls with about 1/3 of the seasoned butter.
  • Layer 1/2 of the cheese on the bottom, then arrange the turkey over the cheese. Break cheese slices when needed to fit.
  • Spread the turkey with cranberry sauce.
  • Top with the final layer of cheese. Brush liberally with butter mixture.
  • Place the tops over the cheese.
  • Brush the remaining seasoned butter on the top and all sides.
  • Cover loosely with foil. Bake covered for 20 minutes then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the tops are lightly golden.
  • Cut apart and serve immediately with additional cranberry sauce, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 524mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 564IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 290mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Wondering if these can be assembled the night before and baked the next day or if they would get soggy? I would wait to brush the tops until cooking. But didn’t know if the butter mixture/cranberry sauce would turn the bread soggy overnight.

    1. HI Chrissy, yes they can. Just as you said, wait and brush the outside just before baking. Also, bring to room temperature for at least 15 minutes prior to baking.

  2. 5 stars
    I made those delicious sandwiches today and they were great! I didn’t have slider buns so I used small burger buns, deli turkey, cheddar jack cheese- will make again

  3. 5 stars
    I’m having company today to play Mahjongg. I just made up these beautiful sandwiches. I’m using smoked turkey today. I usually never buy the orange cheese but I broke down and got it for the color contrast. I know everyone will love these little treats.

  4. This was a major hit at a potluck picnic. People were asking for the recipe off the bat. I used Hawaiian rolls, and sans the poppy seeds, but still insanely delish. Thanks for this great recipe!

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