I grew up on simple, buttery sliders — small sandwiches that somehow feel celebratory and homey at the same time. These turkey and cheese sliders use soft Hawaiian-style or dinner rolls, layers of thinly sliced deli turkey and melty cheese, and a garlicky, mustardy butter that crisps the tops just right. They come together in about half an hour and feed a crowd, making them perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or game-day spreads. For a quick refresher on proportions and a printable version, you can check this turkey and cheese sliders recipe.
Why you’ll love this dish
These sliders hit a lot of home-run reasons people search for them: they’re fast, budget-friendly, and flexible. The soft rolls cradle moist turkey and cheese, while the butter-mustard glaze adds flavor and color without much effort. They’re also easy to scale up — multiply the ingredients for a party or halve them for a small family dinner.
“Ran out of time before the family game night — these were on the table in 25 minutes and disappeared in 15. Comfort food that looks like effort.” — diner review
Perfect occasions:
- Weeknight dinners when you want minimal prep and big satisfaction.
- Brunches and potlucks where you need finger food that travels well.
- Holiday leftovers turned into something new and crowd-pleasing.
Step-by-step overview
This recipe is straightforward: you slice rolls, layer deli turkey and cheese, brush with a seasoned melted-butter mixture, bake covered to melt the cheese, then uncover briefly to brown the tops. No individual assembly of 12 sandwiches is required — you build them in a 9×13 baking dish and slice after baking, which saves time and cleanup.
Timing summary:
- Prep: 8–10 minutes (mostly slicing and whisking the glaze)
- Bake: 20–30 minutes total (covered, then uncovered)
- Rest and slice: 2–3 minutes
What you’ll need
- 12 slider rolls (Hawaiian rolls or soft dinner rolls) — split horizontally
- 1 lb sliced turkey, deli-style (roasted or smoked turkey)
- 1 lb sliced cheese (Swiss, cheddar, provolone, or a mix)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Notes and substitutions:
- Rolls: Hawaiian rolls add sweetness; plain dinner rolls let the savory flavors shine. For low-carb, use portobello mushroom caps or halved low-carb rolls.
- Turkey: Rotisserie or smoked turkey both work — choose based on how smoky you want the sliders.
- Cheese: Swiss melts beautifully and gives a classic flavor; cheddar adds tang; provolone is mild. A mix of cheeses creates depth.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning — the butter mixture should be assertive because some flavor is lost while baking.
- Slice the slider rolls horizontally and place the bottom halves snugly in a 9×13 baking dish so they touch — that helps keep them soft and makes slicing easier after baking.
- Layer the sliced turkey evenly over the bottom halves so every slider gets meat. Overlap slightly but keep a single even layer for even heating.
- Top the turkey with the sliced cheese, overlapping as needed to cover the meat.
- Place the top halves of the rolls over the cheese.
- Brush the butter-mustard mixture generously over the tops of the rolls — don’t be shy; this is what forms the golden, flavorful crust.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 15–20 minutes. The foil steams the sandwiches, melting the cheese.
- Remove the foil and bake an additional 5–10 minutes until the tops are golden and slightly crisp. Keep an eye to avoid over-browning.
- Let the sliders rest for 2–3 minutes, then slice into 12 squares and serve warm.
Pro tip: Use a serrated knife or kitchen shears for clean cuts without squashing the rolls.
Best ways to enjoy it
Serve these sliders warm, straight from the pan. They’re ideal with crunchy sides and acidic contrasts:
- Pickles, coleslaw, or a simple green salad for brightness.
- Homemade potato chips or oven fries for a casual meal.
- A bowl of tomato soup for dipping on colder days.
If you want a pork alternative that’s just as crowd-pleasing, try the ham and cheese sliders variation for a slightly sweeter, saltier profile.
Plating idea: Arrange on a wooden board, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve with small bowls of mustard, mayonnaise, or a spicy aioli for dipping.
Storage and reheating tips
Refrigeration:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrap the baking dish tightly with foil/plastic wrap.
- Keep refrigerated for up to 3–4 days.
Freezing:
- Assemble and bake as directed, then cool completely. Wrap tightly in plastic and aluminum foil or place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 2 months.
- To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes, or bake from frozen at 375°F for 20–30 minutes covered, then uncover to crisp the top.
Reheating (fresh):
- For 1–2 servings, microwave for 30–45 seconds covered with a damp paper towel to keep rolls soft. For better texture, reheat in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes (covered), then 2–3 minutes uncovered to re-crisp the top.
Food safety: Keep the sliders out of the danger zone (40–140°F) for as little time as possible. Refrigerate within 2 hours of serving.
Pro chef tips
- Even heating: Use thinly sliced deli turkey and cheese so everything heats through quickly and evenly.
- Butter mixture: Warm the melted butter slightly before whisking to help mustard and powders dissolve and disperse.
- No soggy bottom: If your rolls are very soft, toast the bottom halves lightly under a broiler for 1 minute before assembling.
- Make-ahead shortcut: Assemble the sliders in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Brush with the butter mix right before baking.
- Crispy top without drying: Keep the bake covered most of the time to retain moisture, then uncover briefly to get that golden finish.
- Sharp knife: Slice with a serrated knife and use long, gentle sawing motions to keep the sliders intact.
Flavor swaps
- BBQ turkey sliders: Replace Dijon with 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce; add caramelized onions.
- Pesto & provolone: Swap mustard for a thin layer of basil pesto and use provolone for an Italian twist.
- Spicy pepper jack: Use pepper jack cheese and add a thin spread of chipotle mayo on the top buns.
- Vegetarian: Replace turkey with thick slices of grilled portobello mushrooms or roasted vegetables and use a slice of Halloumi or a melty plant-based cheese.
- Breakfast sliders: Add a layer of cooked bacon or sausage crumbles and top with a fried egg after baking.
Common questions
Q: How long does this take from start to finish?
A: Plan for about 30–35 minutes total: 8–10 minutes to prep and 20–25 minutes to bake and rest.
Q: Can I use pre-sliced cheese and deli turkey from the grocery store?
A: Yes — thin, pre-sliced deli turkey and cheese are ideal. They melt and heat quickly, keeping assembly simple.
Q: Can I make these ahead for a party?
A: Assemble the sliders in the dish, cover, and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Brush with the butter mixture and bake just before serving for the best texture. Fully baked and chilled sliders can be reheated as described in the storage section.
Q: My rolls get soggy. How do I prevent that?
A: Lightly toasting the bottom halves before assembling helps. Also, avoid over-brushing the insides with wet ingredients and don’t over-bake; cover the dish to trap steam that melts cheese but keeps the roll interior soft.
Q: Are these freezer-friendly?
A: Yes — bake fully, cool, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven for best results.
If you want help adapting this for dietary needs or scaling quantities, tell me how many people you’re feeding and any restrictions, and I’ll give exact adjustments.
Print
Turkey and Cheese Sliders
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Gluten-Free option available
Description
Delicious turkey and cheese sliders made with soft rolls and a flavorful butter glaze, perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 12 slider rolls (Hawaiian rolls or soft dinner rolls), split horizontally
- 1 lb sliced turkey, deli-style (roasted or smoked turkey)
- 1 lb sliced cheese (Swiss, cheddar, provolone, or a mix)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth.
- Slice the slider rolls horizontally and place the bottom halves snugly in a 9×13 baking dish.
- Layer the sliced turkey evenly over the bottom halves.
- Top the turkey with the sliced cheese, overlapping as needed.
- Place the top halves of the rolls over the cheese.
- Brush the butter-mustard mixture generously over the tops of the rolls.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 15–20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake an additional 5–10 minutes until the tops are golden and slightly crisp.
- Let the sliders rest for 2–3 minutes, then slice into 12 squares and serve warm.
Notes
For low-carb alternatives, use portobello mushroom caps. Feel free to mix and match cheeses based on preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American