Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders Recipe
These Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders combine tender, slow-cooked turkey breast with a tangy and sweet cranberry BBQ sauce. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and a flavorful spiced butter glaze, these sliders are perfect for gatherings, game days, or a comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
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 Ingredients
- 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 Slow Cooker: Place the boneless turkey breast in your slow cooker, ensuring it lays flat.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, cranberry sauce, Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, onion powder, garlic salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Set aside ½ cup of this sauce 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 when tested with forks.
- Shred the Turkey: Remove the turkey from the slow cooker and shred it thoroughly using two forks. Return the shredded turkey to the slow cooker with the remaining sauce for flavor retention.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice each slider roll horizontally into halves, keeping the tops and bottoms intact.
- Assemble the Sliders: Arrange the cheddar cheese slices evenly on the bottom halves of the rolls. Layer the shredded turkey evenly over the cheese, then spoon the reserved cranberry BBQ sauce over the turkey. Place the top halves of the rolls back on.
- Prepare and Apply Topping: In a small bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter with smoked paprika, packed brown sugar, garlic salt, onion powder, ground black pepper, and dried parsley. Pour this butter mixture evenly over the tops of the assembled slider buns.
- Bake the Sliders: Place the assembled sliders on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the tops of the rolls are golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the sliders warm, perfect for gatherings or as a delicious hearty snack.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
- Swap cheddar cheese with pepper jack or Swiss for different flavor profiles.
- Use Hawaiian rolls or your preferred slider buns for soft, slightly sweet bread.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce it by simmering on the stovetop before adding it to the slow cooker.
