Introduction

Remember those cozy holiday gatherings, the ones filled with laughter, warmth, and of course, delicious food? This recipe brings all those feelings back, but with a super-simple twist that’s perfect for any occasion, not just the holidays! Imagine a dish that’s practically hands-off, bursting with sweet and tangy flavors, and will have everyone asking for the recipe. That’s exactly what these Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders are. They’re so easy to whip up, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them before!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast Prep, Slow Cooker Magic: Most of the work is done by your slow cooker, leaving you free to enjoy your day!
Effortlessly Easy: Seriously, if you can stir, you can make these sliders. No fancy techniques required!
Perfect for Gifting (or Sharing!): Make a big batch and share it with neighbors, friends, or bring it to a potluck. It’s always a hit!
A Crowd-Pleasing Superstar: From game days to birthday parties, these sliders are guaranteed to disappear in a flash.

Ingredients

Let’s gather our goodies! The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You likely have many of these pantry staples already:

2-3 pound boneless turkey breast: This is our star! Make sure it fits nicely in your slow cooker.
1 cup BBQ sauce: Your favorite kind works best – choose one with a flavor profile you love.
1 cup cranberry sauce: This is where the magic happens! Whether it’s homemade or from a can, it adds that unique tart-sweetness.
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard: Just a touch to add a little zing and depth.
2 tablespoons brown sugar: To caramelize and deepen those sweet notes.
1 teaspoon onion powder: For a subtle oniony kick.
1 teaspoon garlic salt: Because garlic is always a good idea!
1 teaspoon smoked paprika: This gives a lovely smoky depth without any actual smoking!
½ teaspoon black pepper: Just to round out the flavors.
12 slider rolls: The perfect little vehicles for our delicious turkey!
6 slices cheddar cheese: Because cheese makes everything better, right?

For the Topping:

½ cup unsalted butter, melted: This is the secret to those golden, toasty buns.
1 teaspoon smoked paprika: More of that wonderful smoky flavor!
1 teaspoon packed brown sugar: For a touch of sweetness and caramelization.
½ teaspoon garlic salt: Don’t skip this! It adds so much flavor to the buns.
½ teaspoon onion powder: To echo the flavors in the turkey.
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper: A little pinch of spice.
1 teaspoon dried parsley: For a pop of color and a hint of herby freshness.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the “easy” really shines.

Step 1: Turkey Time! Pop that boneless turkey breast right into your slow cooker. It’s that simple to start.
Step 2: Sauce Symphony. In a bowl, let’s whisk together our sauce ingredients. Combine the BBQ sauce, cranberry sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Give it a good stir until it’s all beautifully blended.
Step 3: Bathe the Bird. Pour this delightful sauce mixture all over the turkey breast in the slow cooker. Make sure it’s nicely coated!
Step 4: Let the Slow Cooker Do the Work. Now, cover your slow cooker and let it work its magic. Cook on the LOW setting for 4-6 hours, or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the turkey is super tender and cooked through. I usually give it a poke with a fork to check!
Step 5: Shred and Coat. Once the turkey is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Shred it using two forks. Then, return the shredded turkey back into the slow cooker with that amazing sauce and stir to coat every single shred. Oh, the aroma!
Step 6: Topping Prep. While the turkey is doing its thing, let’s get the topping ready. In a small bowl, melt your butter, then whisk in the smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic salt, onion powder, black pepper, and dried parsley. This is going to make your slider buns taste like they came from a gourmet bakery!
Step 7: Roll Prep. Now, split your slider rolls in half. You want them ready to get that delicious topping brushed on.
Step 8: Butter Up Those Buns! Generously brush the cut sides of both the top and bottom halves of your slider rolls with that amazing butter mixture. Place them on a baking sheet, cut-side up, and pop them under the broiler or in a toaster oven. Watch them closely – you want them to be perfectly golden brown and toasty, not burnt!
Step 9: Assemble Your Masterpieces! It’s time for the grand finale. Spoon a generous amount of that luscious shredded turkey onto the bottom half of each toasted roll. Top each one with a slice of cheddar cheese, and then place the toasted top half of the roll on top.

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is super forgiving and open to your personal flair! Here are a few ideas:

For the Cranberry Sauce: If you’re not a fan of the jellied kind, whole berry cranberry sauce works wonderfully too, offering a bit more texture.
For the BBQ Sauce: Feel free to experiment! A smoky, spicy, or sweet BBQ sauce will all give a slightly different, delicious result.
Add Some Heat: If you like a little kick, stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce into the sauce mixture.
Veggie Boost: For some added color and flavor, you could sauté some finely diced onions and bell peppers before adding them to the slow cooker with the turkey.
Different Cheese: Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or even a sharp white cheddar would be fantastic swaps for the cheddar cheese.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks can make these sliders even more spectacular:

Don’t Overcook the Turkey: While slow cookers are forgiving, you want the turkey to be tender but not mushy. Check it for doneness towards the end of the cooking time.
Shredding Made Easy: Sometimes, the turkey can be a little tricky to shred. If it feels firm, let it sit for about 10 minutes after removing it from the slow cooker before shredding. The residual heat will make it much easier!
Toasting is Key: Those toasted buns are essential! They provide a lovely textural contrast and prevent the sliders from getting soggy. Keep a close eye on them under the broiler!
Prep Ahead: You can cook and shred the turkey mixture a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the slow cooker on the warm setting before assembling the sliders. The butter topping can also be made ahead and stored in the fridge, just bring it to room temperature and re-melt if needed.

How to Store It

Leftovers? Lucky you! Store any leftover shredded turkey mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It reheats beautifully. The toasted slider buns are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have extra, you can store them in a sealed bag at room temperature for a day, though they might lose a little of their crispness.

FAQs

Can I make these without a slow cooker?

Absolutely! You can braise the turkey breast in a pot on the stovetop or bake it in the oven at around 325°F (160°C) until tender, then shred and mix with the sauce. Cooking time will vary.

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs would work wonderfully in place of turkey! Adjust cooking time as needed.

Can these be made ahead of time?

The turkey mixture can be made a day in advance and reheated. However, for the best texture, it’s ideal to toast the buns and assemble the sliders just before serving.

Are these spicy?

These sliders have a sweet and tangy profile from the cranberry and BBQ sauce. They aren’t inherently spicy, but you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the sauce mixture if you prefer a little heat.

Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

Easy and delicious Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders, perfect for any occasion with a sweet and tangy flavor profile.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 4

Servings 12 sliders

Equipment

Slow Cooker
bowl For mixing sauce
Forks For shredding turkey
Cutting board
Small bowl For butter topping
Baking Sheet
Broiler or toaster oven

Ingredients

Turkey and Sauce

2.5 pound boneless turkey breast Ensure it fits in your slow cooker
1 cup BBQ sauce Your favorite kind
1 cup cranberry sauce Homemade or canned
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Assembly

12 slider rolls
6 slices cheddar cheese

Butter Topping

0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
0.5 teaspoon garlic salt
0.5 teaspoon onion powder
0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried parsley

Instructions

Place the boneless turkey breast into your slow cooker.
2.5 pound boneless turkey breast
In a separate bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, cranberry sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper until well combined.
2.5 pound boneless turkey breast
Pour the sauce mixture over the turkey breast in the slow cooker, ensuring it is evenly coated.
2.5 pound boneless turkey breast
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, or until the turkey is tender and cooked through.
Carefully remove the cooked turkey from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Shred the turkey using two forks. Return the shredded turkey to the slow cooker with the sauce and stir to coat.
While the turkey is cooking, prepare the butter topping. In a small bowl, melt the butter. Whisk in the smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic salt, onion powder, black pepper, and dried parsley.
2.5 pound boneless turkey breast
Split the slider rolls in half horizontally.
2.5 pound boneless turkey breast
Generously brush the cut sides of both the top and bottom halves of the slider rolls with the butter mixture. Place the rolls on a baking sheet, cut-side up, and toast under the broiler or in a toaster oven until golden brown and toasted. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
2.5 pound boneless turkey breast
Assemble the sliders by spooning a generous amount of the shredded turkey mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted roll. Top with a slice of cheddar cheese, and then place the toasted top half of the roll on top.
2.5 pound boneless turkey breast

Notes

The turkey mixture can be made a day in advance. Toast the buns and assemble just before serving for best results. Leftover turkey mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.