Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, fluffy slider bun, loaded with savory turkey, crispy bacon, rich melted cheese, and a zesty kick of chipotle mayonnaise. These easy-to-make baked turkey sliders are more than just a meal; they’re a handheld celebration, perfect for any gathering!
There’s something inherently comforting and satisfying about a classic turkey sandwich. The harmonious blend of tender meat, creamy cheese, and fresh bread, elevated by the perfect spread, is a timeless favorite. While traditional turkey sandwiches hold a special place in our hearts, these baked turkey sliders take that familiar comfort and transform it into an exciting, easy-to-share appetizer or light meal.
Throughout the holiday season, we often find ourselves with an abundance of turkey leftovers. While a Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich is always a hit, my absolute favorite way to repurpose turkey is by creating Thanksgiving leftovers sliders. You can even enhance the flavor with a touch of cranberry sauce or relish, transforming it into a delicious, toasted turkey panini with brie and cranberry or a rich gooey gobbler sandwich.
But these particular turkey sliders truly shine when football season kicks into full gear, or when you’re simply looking for an effortless yet impressive party food. Small, individual baked turkey sandwiches on sweet Hawaiian rolls, generously slathered with a smoky chipotle mayonnaise and overflowing with melted cheese, are simply irresistible. They vanish from the platter in record time!
Your guests will undoubtedly rave about these turkey and cheese sliders, whether you serve them as part of your game day spread or as a convenient and satisfying weeknight dinner. They are guaranteed to be gobbled up almost immediately!
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Essential Ingredients for Your Turkey Sliders
Crafting the perfect baked turkey slider begins with a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture that make these sliders so incredibly delicious.
- Slider Buns: While we absolutely adore the slightly sweet and incredibly soft texture of Hawaiian sweet rolls, feel free to use your preferred slider buns. Mini brioche buns or even small dinner rolls can work wonderfully.
- Chipotle Mayonnaise: This is where a significant part of the magic happens! The chipotle mayonnaise infuses a smoky, spicy depth that elevates the entire sandwich. You can use store-bought for convenience or whip up your own by blending mayo with a touch of adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers. Adjust the spice level to your liking!
- Sliced Turkey: For ease, good quality deli turkey is perfect. Opt for a thinly sliced variety like smoked turkey, honey turkey, or even oven-roasted turkey breast for varied flavor profiles. If you have leftover cooked turkey from a holiday meal, that works beautifully too!
- Shredded or Sliced Cheese: Cheddar cheese offers a classic, sharp flavor and melts beautifully. However, don’t hesitate to experiment! American cheese provides ultimate creaminess, Swiss cheese adds a nutty note, provolone cheese offers a mild, slightly tangy taste, gouda delivers a rich, buttery flavor, and Havarti cheese melts like a dream with a subtle tang. Choose a cheese that melts well for that irresistible gooey factor.
- Bacon: Everything truly is better with bacon! Its crispy texture and salty, smoky flavor are a fantastic counterpoint to the tender turkey and sweet rolls. You can use regular pork bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled, or opt for turkey bacon for a leaner alternative. Ensure it’s cooked and crumbled before adding it to the sliders.
- Flavorful Butter Mixture: This buttery glaze brushed over the tops of the rolls is key to their golden, savory finish.
- Salted Butter: Provides richness and helps crisp the tops of the buns.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy, slightly pungent kick that complements the savory ingredients.
- Sesame Seeds: Offers a subtle nutty flavor and a pleasing visual touch. Poppy seeds can be substituted if you prefer.
- Dried Minced Onion: Infuses an aromatic, savory onion flavor without the moisture of fresh onions.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A secret weapon for umami depth, adding a complex, savory, and slightly tangy note.
Craving something with beef instead of turkey? Be sure to try our incredibly delicious Roast Beef Sliders with Brown Sugar Bacon!
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfectly Baked Turkey Sliders
Creating these delightful turkey sliders is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a mouthwatering result every time:
Step 1 – Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures your sliders bake evenly and quickly, achieving that perfect melty cheese and golden-brown bun.
Step 2 – Prepare the Rolls: Carefully separate the top and bottom halves of your slider rolls. Arrange the bottom halves in a greased 11″ x 7″ casserole dish or baking dish. Greasing the dish prevents sticking and helps with easy serving.
Step 3 – Add the Chipotle Mayo: Generously spread the chipotle mayonnaise evenly over the bottom buns. This layer not only adds incredible flavor but also helps keep the turkey moist.
Step 4 – Layer the Fillings: Place the sliced turkey evenly over the mayonnaise. Then, sprinkle the crispy bacon bits over the turkey. Finally, arrange the cheddar cheese slices (or your chosen cheese) over the turkey and bacon. Ensure an even distribution for flavor in every bite. Once the fillings are in place, carefully position the top buns over your stacked sandwiches.
Step 5 – Prepare the Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the melted salted butter, Dijon mustard, sesame seeds, dried minced onions, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until all ingredients are well incorporated. This mixture is crucial for the sliders’ signature savory, golden top.
Step 6 – Brush the Rolls: Using a pastry brush, evenly spread the butter mixture over the tops of the buns. Be sure to coat each bun thoroughly, as this creates a delicious, slightly crispy crust.
Step 7 – Cover and Initial Bake: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Covering helps the sliders steam, ensuring the cheese melts beautifully and the buns become soft and warm.
Step 8 – Uncover and Final Bake: After 10 minutes, remove the foil. Continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and the tops of the buns are golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to prevent over-browning.
Step 9 – Serve Hot: Remove from the oven and let them cool for a minute or two before slicing and serving. These sliders are best enjoyed warm, allowing the flavors to meld perfectly and the cheese to remain wonderfully gooey.
These turkey sliders require a total baking time of approximately 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll start by baking them covered with foil for 10 minutes. This creates a steamy environment that helps the cheese melt perfectly and keeps the buns soft. After 10 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the tops of the rolls are golden and lightly toasted. This timing does not include any pre-cooking of bacon, which should be done separately beforehand.
For our turkey sliders, we consistently opt for original Hawaiian sweet rolls. Their distinct sweetness and incredibly soft, fluffy texture make them an ideal choice, complementing the savory fillings beautifully. However, the world of slider buns is vast! You can certainly use any slider buns you prefer. Many brands offer excellent options, such as mini brioche buns, which lend a rich, buttery flavor, or even soft dinner rolls that can be cut into individual slider sizes. We also particularly like Sara Lee slider buns; while they lack the sweetness of Hawaiian rolls, they are exceptionally soft and fluffy, making for a wonderfully tender sandwich experience. The key is to choose a bun that is soft enough to absorb the flavors and butter mixture without becoming tough or crumbly during baking.
Turkey sliders are incredibly versatile and pair well with a wide variety of sides. For classic comfort, you can’t go wrong with serving homemade coleslaw, a creamy mustard potato salad, crispy french fries, or even a healthier option like sweet potato fries. To complement the flavors of the sliders, consider lighter sides such as a fresh garden salad, crunchy pickle spears, or a refreshing fruit salad. While these turkey sliders come with a delicious chipotle mayo already integrated, you might also offer a selection of other sauces and toppings on the side. We highly recommend trying a tangy honey Dijon dressing, a zesty Southwest dressing, cool ranch dressing, or even a simple side of extra chipotle mayo for those who love an extra kick. Fresh toppings like sliced tomatoes, crisp lettuce, or dill pickles can also add a refreshing crunch.
Can You Make Sliders Ahead of Time?
For the absolute best results, these turkey sliders are most delicious when enjoyed fresh out of the oven, with the cheese still wonderfully melted and the buns perfectly warm and soft. While you can assemble them up to 30 minutes before your party guests arrive and then bake them right before serving, we generally don’t recommend making them the day before and reheating. Reheating can sometimes lead to soggy buns or dried-out turkey, which isn’t ideal for that perfect slider experience.
However, some components can certainly be prepared in advance to streamline your cooking process! You can cook the bacon up to a week ahead of time. Once cooked and crumbled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. The rest of the assembly is quick and easy, allowing you to throw everything together and pop it in the oven just before your party starts. This ensures your guests can savor the sliders at their peak flavor and texture!
Looking for More Easy Slider Recipes?
Sliders are incredibly versatile and always a crowd-pleaser! If you enjoyed these turkey sliders, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic slider recipes that are perfect for any occasion:
- Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
- Roast Beef Sliders with Brown Sugar Bacon
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders
- Baked BBQ Chicken Sliders
- BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
- Chili Dog Sliders
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
- Chicken Cheesesteak Sliders
- Discover Even More Irresistible Slider Recipes!
12
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
Baked Turkey Sliders
Kat Jeter & Melinda Machado
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 Slider buns
- 2 tablespoons Chipotle Mayonnaise
- 10 ounces Sliced turkey
- 3 ounces Shredded cheddar cheese
- 10 slices Cooked bacon, chopped
- 4 tablespoons Salted butter
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons Dried minced onion
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
-
Separate the tops and bottoms of your rolls and place the bottom halves in a greased 11″ x 7″ casserole dish.
-
Spread chipotle mayonnaise evenly over the bottom buns.
-
Layer the sliced turkey over the mayonnaise, then sprinkle bacon bits over the turkey.
-
Place the cheddar cheese slices over the turkey and bacon layers.
-
Carefully place the top buns on the sandwiches to complete the sliders.
-
In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, Dijon mustard, sesame seeds, dried minced onions, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined.
-
Brush the butter mixture generously over the tops of the buns.
-
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the buns are golden brown.
-
Serve hot and enjoy immediately!
Nutrition
Appetizer
American