Turkey + Cheese Sliders Recipe
These Turkey + Cheese Sliders are soft, buttery, and irresistibly gooey, with layers of sliced turkey and melty cheese tucked inside sweet, pull-apart rolls. They’re brushed with a savory butter glaze that bakes into the tops, giving every bite a mix of crunch, softness, and cheesy comfort. Perfect for game day, family movie night, potlucks, or an easy weeknight dinner, they disappear from the tray in minutes. You can assemble them quickly, bake them in one pan, and serve them straight from the oven with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
These sliders are wonderfully flexible: use leftover holiday turkey or deli slices, swap in your favorite cheese, and adjust the glaze to be sweeter or more garlicky. They’re ideal for feeding a crowd because you build the whole tray at once, then slice and serve. Pair them with a crisp salad, chips, or a simple soup for a complete meal. They travel well for parties and make a fun option for lunchboxes or casual weekend gatherings.
Ingredients
A few simple ingredients come together to make these sliders rich, melty, and full of flavor. You can easily customize the cheese or adjust the buttery glaze to your taste.
- Soft slider buns or Hawaiian rolls – 12 connected rolls
- Sliced turkey (deli or leftover) – about 250–300 g (8–10 oz)
- Sliced cheese (Swiss, cheddar, provolone, or combo) – 12 slices
- Mayonnaise – 3 tablespoons
- Dijon mustard – 2 tablespoons
- Unsalted butter, melted – 5 tablespoons (70 g)
- Worcestershire sauce – 1 tablespoon
- Garlic powder – ½ teaspoon
- Onion powder – ½ teaspoon
- Poppy seeds – 1 teaspoon (optional but classic)
- Dried parsley or Italian seasoning – ½ teaspoon (optional)
- Fine salt – ¼ teaspoon (or to taste)
- Black pepper – ¼ teaspoon
Servings
This recipe makes 12 sliders. That’s enough to serve 4 people as a main course (3 sliders each) or 6–8 people as a snack or party appetizer, especially if you add sides like salad, chips, or veggies.
How to Make It
Prepare the rolls and pan.
Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F. Line a baking dish or small sheet pan with parchment or lightly grease it. Without separating the rolls, slice the entire slab horizontally into a top and bottom layer. Place the bottom half in the prepared pan.
Mix the sauce and spread.
In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the cut side of the bottom layer of rolls. This adds flavor and keeps everything moist and creamy.
Layer the turkey and cheese.
Arrange the sliced turkey evenly over the mayo-mustard layer, covering all edges. Place the cheese slices over the turkey in a single layer, overlapping slightly if needed, so every bite gets gooey cheese. Set the top layer of rolls back on to form a complete slider slab.
Make the buttery glaze.
In another small bowl, combine the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, poppy seeds, dried parsley (if using), salt, and black pepper. Whisk until everything is well mixed and fragrant.
Brush and rest.
Slowly pour or brush the buttery glaze over the tops of the rolls, making sure each roll is coated and some glaze drips down the sides. Let the sliders sit for about 5–10 minutes so the butter mixture can soak into the bread.
Bake and serve.
Cover the pan loosely with foil and bake for 12–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Remove the foil and bake another 5 minutes until the tops are golden and slightly crisp. Let cool briefly, then slice along the roll lines and serve warm.
Pro Tip
For extra flavor and crisp edges, prepare the sliders ahead, refrigerate for up to 4 hours, then bake straight from the fridge, adding a couple of extra minutes.
Turkey + Cheese Sliders
Notes
Assemble the sliders earlier in the day, refrigerate, then glaze and bake before serving for stress-free entertaining and perfectly fresh, hot sandwiches.
FAQs
Q1. Can I make these Turkey + Cheese Sliders ahead of time?
A1. Yes. Assemble the sliders, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 4–6 hours. Brush with the butter glaze just before baking, then bake until hot and melty.
Q2. How do I reheat leftover sliders?
A2. Place leftovers in a baking dish, cover with foil, and reheat at 160°C / 325°F for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. Avoid the microwave if possible to keep the bread from getting soggy.
Q3. Can I use leftover roast turkey instead of deli slices?
A3. Absolutely. Thinly slice or shred leftover roast turkey and layer it evenly. It adds great flavor and is a perfect way to use holiday leftovers.
Q4. What cheeses work best in these sliders?
A4. Swiss, cheddar, provolone, or mozzarella all melt well and taste great. You can also combine two cheeses for extra flavor and creaminess.
Q5. Are these sliders freezer-friendly?
A5. They’re best fresh, but you can freeze baked, cooled sliders tightly wrapped for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven, covered, until hot and the cheese is melted again.
Q6. How can I make these a bit lighter?
A6. Use whole wheat slider rolls, reduced-fat cheese, light mayonnaise, and a bit less butter in the glaze. They’ll still be delicious but slightly lighter overall.
