These Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders combine tender, slow-cooked turkey with a tangy and sweet cranberry BBQ sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese and a flavorful spiced butter glaze on slider rolls. Perfect for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a fun main course.
Total Time:6 hours 15 minutes
Yield:12 sliders
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
2-3 pound boneless turkey breast
1 cup bbq sauce
1 cup cranberry sauce
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
12 count slider rolls
6 slices cheddar cheese
Topping
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
Prepare the Turkey: Place the turkey breast in your slow cooker, ensuring it sits flat at the bottom.
Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, cranberry sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper until well combined. Set aside ½ cup of this mixture for later use.
Cook the Turkey: Pour the remaining sauce over the turkey in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours until the turkey shreds easily with a fork.
Shred the Turkey: Remove the turkey breast from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded turkey to the slow cooker to soak up any remaining sauce.
Prepare Sliders for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice the slider rolls in half horizontally. Arrange the cheddar cheese slices evenly over the bottom halves of the rolls, then pile the shredded turkey on top of the cheese. Spoon the reserved sauce evenly over the turkey, then place the top halves of the rolls back on.
Make the Butter Topping: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic salt, onion powder, black pepper, and dried parsley. Mix well until fully incorporated.
Apply Topping and Bake: Pour the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the assembled slider rolls. Place the sliders on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the sliders warm for a delicious, festive meal or appetizer.
Notes
For juicier turkey, baste with some cooking juices from the slow cooker before shredding.
If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mix.
Hawaiian rolls add a sweet flavor contrast, but any soft slider rolls can be used.
Prepare the sliders ahead and refrigerate before baking for easy entertaining.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven for best texture.
