Looking for a holiday-worthy twist on classic sliders? These Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders combine sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in every bite. With tender turkey, citrus-spiked cranberry sauce, melty cheese, and herbed butter on fluffy rolls, it’s the ultimate leftover reinvention.
And if you’re a fan of creative citrus dishes, don’t miss this Sweet & Savory Roasted Orange Chicken, another vibrant way to cook with orange juice.
Why You’ll Love These Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders
These aren’t your ordinary turkey sandwiches. Here’s why they’re a hit every time:
- Sweet and tart cranberry orange sauce made with real Florida Orange Juice
- Delicious use for leftover turkey or deli meat
- Buttery garlic herb topping that makes the buns irresistibly golden
- Quick to assemble and easy to bake for a crowd
- Great for holidays, parties, or casual weeknight dinners
For a similar slider-style recipe, check out these Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders, a great alternative when you’re craving heat over holiday flavors.
Ingredients Needed For Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders
For the Cranberry Orange Sauce
- 1 cup Florida Orange Juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- Optional: small bundle of fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs, tied together
For the Sliders
- 12 sweet Hawaiian rolls
- 7 oz deli or leftover turkey, thickly sliced
- 4 oz Swiss cheese (about 6 slices)
- ¾ cup cranberry orange sauce
For the Garlic Dijon Herb Butter
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp chopped rosemary
- ¼ tsp thyme leaves
- ½ tsp chopped parsley
How to Make Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders
1. Make the Cranberry Orange Sauce
- In a saucepan, combine:
- Orange juice, zest, sugar, and optional herb bundle
- Cook over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until sugar dissolves.
- Add cranberries and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened and most cranberries burst.
- Remove herb bundle. Cool completely.
Want to make this sauce from scratch another time? Check out this detailed cranberry sauce recipe for inspiration.
2. Prep the Herb Butter
- Combine melted butter with:
- Garlic, Dijon, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and herbs
- Whisk well and set aside
3. Assemble the Sliders
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Slice Hawaiian rolls horizontally (keep halves intact)
- Place bottom half on a baking sheet
These Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders start with a fluffy base, we recommend using King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls for their perfect touch of sweetness and pillowy texture.
Layering:
- Brush bottom with half the herb butter
- Spread cranberry orange sauce evenly
- Layer with sliced turkey
- Add Swiss cheese slices
- Add top half of rolls
- Brush tops with remaining herb butter
4. Bake to Perfection
- Cover with foil and bake 15–20 minutes
- Uncover and bake 5–10 more minutes until:
- Cheese is melty
- Tops are golden and crisp
- Let rest 2–3 minutes
- Slice and serve
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Can I make them ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the sliders (uncooked), cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
Reheating tip:
If baking from cold, add 5 minutes to the covered baking time.
Storage:
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days
- Reheat in the oven or toaster oven to keep them crisp
- Avoid microwaving – it softens the buns too much
Serving Suggestions & Variations
What to Serve With These Sliders
- Sweet potato fries or chips
- Citrus arugula salad
- Cranberry spritzers or spiced apple cider
Recipe Variations
- Cheese swaps: Brie, cheddar, gouda
- Protein swaps: rotisserie chicken
- Bun alternatives: Brioche rolls, slider pretzel buns
Nutritional Overview (Per Slider)
- Calories: ~300
- Protein: 9g
- Fat: 10g (5g saturated)
- Carbs: 45g
- Sugar: 22g
- Vitamin C: High (from Florida Orange Juice)
(Values approximate; based on 12 servings)
FAQs About Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders
Can I use canned cranberry sauce?
Yes, but homemade with Florida OJ adds a citrusy depth you won’t get from a can.
Which turkey works best – deli or leftover?
Both work great. Leftover roast turkey has more texture, while deli meat offers convenience.
How do I keep the sliders from getting soggy?
Brush the rolls with butter before layering the sauce to create a moisture barrier.
Can I make these vegetarian?
Yes – sub turkey with sliced mushrooms or a vegetarian turkey alternative.
What cheese works well with cranberry and turkey?
Swiss is classic, but brie or smoked gouda adds an upscale twist.
Can I freeze the sliders?
It’s not recommended, as freezing affects the texture of the sauce and bread.
Final Thoughts
These Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders bring together everything we love about the holidays, warmth, flavor, and comfort. The addition of Florida Orange Juice transforms a classic leftover meal into a citrus-kissed showstopper you’ll want to make year-round.
So next time you’re looking at a fridge full of turkey or planning a party spread, give this recipe a go. Your guests (or your belly) will thank you.
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Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders – Sweet, Savory & Perfect for Holidays
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
Description
These sweet and savory Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders are layered with citrus-spiked cranberry sauce, juicy turkey, melty Swiss cheese, and topped with garlic herb butter. Perfect for using holiday leftovers or serving as party appetizers.
Ingredients
For the Cranberry Orange Sauce
1 cup Florida Orange Juice
1 tbsp orange zest
¾ cup granulated sugar
3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
3–4 sprigs each fresh rosemary and thyme, tied in a bundle (optional)
For the Herb Butter
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp kosher salt
⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp finely chopped rosemary
¼ tsp fresh thyme leaves
½ tsp chopped fresh parsley
For the Sliders
1 package (12 count) sweet Hawaiian dinner rolls
7 oz sliced deli turkey or leftover roast turkey
¾ cup cranberry orange sauce (from above)
4 oz Swiss cheese (about 6 slices)
Additional parsley for garnish
Instructions
Make the cranberry orange sauce by combining orange juice, zest, sugar, and optional herb bundle in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until sugar dissolves, about 3–5 minutes. Add cranberries and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, until cranberries burst and sauce thickens. Remove herbs and let sauce cool.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix melted butter with garlic, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and parsley to create the herb butter.
Slice rolls horizontally in one piece and place the bottom half on a baking sheet. Brush with half the herb butter. Spread cranberry sauce evenly over the rolls. Layer turkey slices and top with Swiss cheese. Add top half of rolls and brush with remaining herb butter.
Cover with foil and bake for 15–20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5–10 minutes until cheese is melted and tops are golden brown.
Remove from oven, cool slightly, then cut into individual sliders. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
The cranberry orange sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated.
You can substitute brie or cheddar for Swiss cheese.
Assemble sliders up to 4 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer or Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 352mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 27mg
Keywords: Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders, holiday sliders, leftover turkey recipe, cranberry orange sauce, party appetizer