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Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders Recipe

Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders Recipe

4.9 from 12 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

Turkey and Sauce

  • 23 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

Instructions

  1. Prepare the turkey: Add the boneless turkey breast directly into the slow cooker, ensuring it fits comfortably for even cooking.
  2. 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.
  3. Reserve some sauce: Scoop out about half a cup of the prepared sauce and set it aside for later use on the sliders.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the sliders.
  7. Prepare the slider rolls: Slice the slider rolls horizontally, placing the bottom halves into a baking dish in a single layer.
  8. Assemble the sliders: Lay cheddar cheese slices over the bottom halves of the rolls, then pile on the juicy shredded turkey evenly.
  9. Add reserved sauce: Drizzle the reserved cranberry BBQ sauce over the shredded turkey to enhance flavor and moisture.
  10. Top with rolls: Place the top halves of the slider rolls over the turkey and cheese layers, pressing down gently to secure.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. Bake sliders: Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheddar cheese has melted thoroughly.
  14. 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

Keywords: Crockpot turkey sliders, cranberry BBQ sauce, slow cooker turkey, slider recipe, Thanksgiving leftover ideas, easy party food