Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders Recipe

Introduction

Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders combine the bright, citrusy flavors of cranberry orange sauce with savory turkey and melted Swiss cheese. This festive and easy-to-make slider recipe is perfect for holiday gatherings or any casual get-together.

Ingredients

• Cranberry Orange Sauce:
• 1 cup Florida Orange Juice
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 small bundle fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs, optional (3-4 sprigs each, tied together with kitchen twine)
• 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• Sliders:
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 package (12 count) sweet dinner rolls
• 3/4 cup cranberry orange sauce
• 7 ounces thick-sliced deli turkey or leftover holiday turkey
• 4 ounces (about 6 slices) Swiss cheese
• Additional fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: For the cranberry orange sauce, combine orange juice, orange zest, granulated sugar, and the herb bundle in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves, about 3-5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Stir in the cranberries and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened and most cranberries burst, about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. Step 3: Remove the herb bundle and discard. Let the sauce cool completely; it will thicken further as it cools.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare garlic Dijon herb butter by whisking melted butter with garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and parsley.
5. Step 5: Slice the dinner rolls horizontally with a serrated knife, keeping the halves intact. Place bottom halves on a rimmed baking sheet and brush evenly with half the herb butter.
6. Step 6: Spread cranberry orange sauce over the buttered bottom rolls. Layer turkey evenly over the sauce, covering all 12 slider sections.
7. Step 7: Top turkey with Swiss cheese slices, cutting to fit if needed. Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese.
8. Step 8: Brush tops of the rolls with remaining herb butter. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes.
9. Step 9: Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes until tops are golden and cheese is melted.
10. Step 10: Let cool 2-3 minutes, then cut along roll perforations. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use leftover turkey from your holiday meal to save time and add flavor.
• Substitute Swiss cheese with provolone or mozzarella for a different twist.
• For extra sweetness, stir a tablespoon of honey into the cranberry orange sauce before simmering.
• If fresh herbs aren’t available, 1/4 teaspoon each of dried rosemary and thyme can be used instead.

Storage

Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 325°F wrapped in foil until warmed through to keep the rolls soft and the cheese melted.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the cranberry orange sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated. Bring it to room temperature before spreading on the rolls.

Can I use frozen cranberries for the sauce?

Absolutely. Just rinse them briefly and use them directly from frozen; the cooking time remains the same.

Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 120 reviews

Florida OJ Cranberry Turkey Sliders are a delicious holiday-inspired appetizer or snack featuring sweet dinner rolls filled with turkey, Swiss cheese, and a vibrant cranberry orange sauce infused with fresh herbs. These sliders are brushed with a flavorful garlic Dijon herb butter and baked to golden perfection, combining sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in every bite.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 sliders 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cranberry Orange Sauce

• 1 cup Florida Orange Juice
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 small bundle fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs (3–4 sprigs each, tied together with kitchen twine), optional
• 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

Sliders

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 package (12 count) sweet dinner rolls (Hawaiian rolls)
• 3/4 cup cranberry orange sauce
• 7 ounces thick-sliced deli turkey or leftover holiday turkey
• 4 ounces (about 6 slices) Swiss cheese
• Additional fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Make the Cranberry Orange Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine Florida orange juice, orange zest, granulated sugar, and the herb bundle over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the cranberries and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer until the sauce thickens and most cranberries burst, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Remove and discard the herb bundle, then let the sauce cool completely. It will thicken further as it cools.
2. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get ready for baking the sliders.
3. Prepare Garlic Dijon Herb Butter: In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, chopped fresh rosemary, thyme leaves, and parsley until well combined.
4. Slice the Rolls: Using a serrated knife, carefully slice the package of Hawaiian rolls horizontally so the bottom halves remain connected and the top halves remain one piece as well. Place the bottom half of the rolls on a rimmed baking sheet.
5. Assemble the Sliders – Bottom Layer: Brush about half of the garlic Dijon herb butter evenly over the bottom half of the rolls with a pastry brush. Next, spread the cooled cranberry orange sauce evenly over the buttered bottom rolls. Layer sliced thick turkey evenly over the sauce to cover all 12 slider sections, then layer the Swiss cheese slices on top, cutting and overlapping if necessary to fit across all the buns.
6. Assemble the Sliders – Top Layer: Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese layer. Brush the tops generously with the remaining garlic Dijon herb butter.
7. Bake the Sliders: Cover the assembled sliders tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
8. Serve: Remove sliders from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes. Cut along the roll perforations into individual sliders and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

• For best flavor, use fresh cranberries when in season; frozen cranberries work well too.
• The herb bundle in the sauce is optional but adds a subtle savory note.
• Leftover holiday turkey can be substituted for deli turkey for a festive touch.
• If you prefer a spicier slider, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the garlic butter mixture.
• Make the cranberry orange sauce ahead of time and refrigerate; bring to room temperature before assembling sliders.
• Use a sharp serrated knife for easier slicing of the rolls without squishing them.

Keywords: holiday sliders, cranberry orange sauce, turkey sliders, appetizer, sweet rolls, baked sliders