Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders Recipe
These Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders are a perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors, featuring tender slow-cooked turkey breast coated in a rich cranberry BBQ sauce. Topped with melted cheddar and a buttery, spiced roll crust, these sliders make a delicious and easy meal ideal for gatherings or cozy family dinners.
- Author: lucas
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours (slow cooker)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Slow Cooker, Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Turkey and Sauce
- 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
Slider Assembly
- 12 slider rolls
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
Butter 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
- Prepare the turkey: Add the boneless turkey breast directly into the slow cooker, ensuring it fits comfortably for even cooking.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, cranberry sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Reserve some sauce: Scoop out about half a cup of the prepared sauce and set it aside for later use on the sliders.
- Cook the turkey: Pour the remaining sauce over the turkey in the slow cooker. Seal with the lid and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the turkey becomes fall-apart tender.
- Shred the turkey: Once cooked, shred the turkey directly in the slow cooker using forks, or transfer it to a cutting board to shred more easily.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the sliders.
- Prepare the slider rolls: Slice the slider rolls horizontally, placing the bottom halves into a baking dish in a single layer.
- Assemble the sliders: Lay cheddar cheese slices over the bottom halves of the rolls, then pile on the juicy shredded turkey evenly.
- Add reserved sauce: Drizzle the reserved cranberry BBQ sauce over the shredded turkey to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Top with rolls: Place the top halves of the slider rolls over the turkey and cheese layers, pressing down gently to secure.
- Make butter topping: In a small bowl, mix melted unsalted butter with smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic salt, onion powder, black pepper, and dried parsley until fully combined.
- Brush butter topping: Generously pour and brush the butter mixture over the tops of all the slider rolls, making sure to cover all nooks and crevices.
- Bake sliders: Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheddar cheese has melted thoroughly.
- Serve warm: Remove from the oven and serve the sliders warm. Enjoy watching these flavorful, tender sandwiches disappear quickly.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the sauce for a tangy kick.
- Slider rolls can be substituted with Hawaiian rolls or small brioche buns for a sweeter bread option.
- Leftover sliders can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
- For a smoky flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of liquid smoke to the BBQ sauce mix.
- Make sure to shred the turkey while it’s warm for easier shredding and better sauce absorption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Crockpot turkey sliders, cranberry BBQ sauce, slow cooker turkey, slider recipe, Thanksgiving leftover ideas, easy party food