Fall is the perfect time to gather friends and family for a cozy, flavorful feast. These Smoky Maple BBQ Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce are the ultimate crowd-pleasing dish, blending the bold taste of barbecue with the festive sweetness of cranberries. Get ready to sink your teeth into these juicy, flavor-packed mini burgers that are sure to become a new holiday tradition.
Why You’ll Love This Smoky Maple BBQ Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce
These Turkey Sliders are the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky, making them an instant classic. The tender, ground turkey patties are infused with a maple-BBQ marinade for maximum flavor, then topped with a tangy-sweet cranberry sauce that adds a pop of color and a burst of festive flair. Serve them on soft, pillowy buns for the ultimate holiday-inspired handheld treat. Cozy, comforting, and oh-so-craveable, these sliders are guaranteed to delight your taste buds and bring everyone together around the table.
Ingredients
The key ingredients in these Smoky Maple BBQ Turkey Sliders include ground turkey, maple syrup, barbecue sauce, cranberries, and a few simple seasonings. You’ll also need slider buns to serve them on. This recipe keeps things simple and straightforward, allowing the flavors to shine.
- 2 lbs – Ground turkey
- 1/4 cup – Maple syrup
- 1/2 cup – Barbecue sauce
- 1 tsp – Garlic powder
- 1 tsp – Onion powder
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground turkey: Ground chicken or lean ground beef (for a different protein)
- Cranberry sauce: Homemade or store-bought (for convenience)
How to Make Smoky Maple BBQ Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce
Start by mixing up the maple-BBQ marinade. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, maple syrup, barbecue sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Gently mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed. Form the mixture into 12 small, equal-sized patties.
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by mixing up the maple-BBQ marinade. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, maple syrup, barbecue sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Gently mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed. Form the mixture into 12 small, equal-sized patties.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Cook the turkey patties for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they’re cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. During the last minute of cooking, toast the slider buns on the grill to get them nice and golden.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
To assemble the sliders, place a turkey patty on the bottom bun and top with a generous spoonful of cranberry sauce. Add the top bun and serve immediately, while the patties are hot and the cranberry sauce is perfectly gooey.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Smoky Flavor: Grill the turkey patties over charcoal or add a few drops of liquid smoke to the marinade.
- Festive Toppings: Top the sliders with shredded cheddar cheese, crispy fried onions, or a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley.
- Make-Ahead: Assemble the sliders and keep them warm in a low oven until ready to serve.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the turkey patty mixture for extra heat.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Crisp, fresh salads or a side of roasted vegetables.
Storage: Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat the sliders in the oven or microwave before serving.
Make-Ahead: You can form the turkey patties and prepare the cranberry sauce up to 2 days in advance.
Nutrition Information
These Smoky Maple BBQ Turkey Sliders are a healthier and more flavorful alternative to traditional sliders. Each slider contains approximately 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, 18 grams of carbohydrates, and 16 grams of protein, making them a satisfying and nutritious option for your holiday gathering.
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Protein: 16 g
- Carbs: 18 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the patties ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can form the turkey patties and prepare the cranberry sauce up to 2 days in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble and grill the sliders.
Can I bake the patties instead of grilling?
Yes, you can definitely bake the turkey patties if you don’t have access to a grill. Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake the patties for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re cooked through.
Can I use frozen cranberries for the sauce?
Definitely! Fresh or frozen cranberries will both work great for the cranberry sauce. If using frozen, simply cook them a bit longer until they’ve softened and released their juices.
How can I make these sliders spicier?
For a little extra kick, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the turkey patty mixture. You can also serve the sliders with a drizzle of hot sauce or a sprinkle of your favorite spicy seasoning blend.
Can I use leftover turkey for these sliders?
Absolutely! If you have any leftover roasted turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas, you can shred or chop it and use it in place of the ground turkey. The smoky, maple-BBQ flavors will be just as delicious.
Try These Next
- Smoky Maple Bbq Pork Sliders With Tangy Slaw
- Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Sliders With Cranberry Sauce
- Savory Turkey And Cranberry Sliders With Herb Sauce
Smoky Maple BBQ Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: 🔥 BBQ, Grilling & Smokehouse
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Smoky Maple BBQ Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce are the perfect blend of sweet and savory. Perfect for a summer BBQ or game day!
Ingredients
– 1 lb ground turkey
– 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
– 1/4 cup maple syrup
– 1 tsp smoked paprika
– 1/2 tsp garlic powder
– 1/2 tsp onion powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 12 slider buns
– 1 cup cranberry sauce
– Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. 1. In a bowl, combine ground turkey, BBQ sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. 2. Form the mixture into 12 small patties.
3. 3. Preheat the grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates.
4. 4. Grill the patties for about 5-6 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.
5. 5. Toast the slider buns on the grill for 1-2 minutes.
6. 6. Assemble the sliders by placing a turkey patty on each bun and adding a spoonful of cranberry sauce on top.
7. 7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
For added flavor, marinate the turkey mixture in the fridge for 30 minutes before grilling. You can also use store-bought BBQ sauce or make your own!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Turkey, BBQ, Sliders, Cranberry