Hawaiian Turkey and Cheese Sliders
Sweet Hawaiian rolls piled with smoked turkey and melty Swiss, a magical garlic mayo, and a finger-licking poppy-seed butter topping — a 20-minute crowd-pleaser.
By Hanan · Salt & Hearth
Published July 30, 2026
🍳 Tested in my kitchen
Prep
10 min
Cook
10 min
Total
20 min
Serves
12
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These Hawaiian Turkey and Cheese Sliders take the classic party favorite and make it even better with smoked turkey, melty Swiss, and a magical garlic mayo that sets them apart from every other slider. Piled onto sweet, soft Hawaiian rolls and brushed with a poppy-seed butter sauce, they bake up golden and irresistible in just 20 minutes.
They're the ultimate crowd-pleaser — perfect for game day, potlucks, or a fuss-free family dinner. Make a tray and watch them disappear.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Ready in just 20 minutes, start to finish
- A magical garlic mayo that sets them apart from ordinary sliders
- Smoked turkey and Swiss on sweet, soft Hawaiian rolls
- That finger-licking poppy-seed butter topping
- Feeds a crowd with almost no effort — perfect for parties
Ingredients
For the sliders
- 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls (1 connected slab)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 slices deli smoked turkey (about 3/4 lb)
- 12 slices Swiss cheese
For the butter sauce
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Hawaiian sweet rolls:
- Sweet and pillowy, they balance the savory turkey and cheese perfectly — and they come in a connected slab that's ideal for assembling and slicing sliders.
- Smoked turkey:
- Deli-sliced smoked turkey adds a rich, savory depth. Use leftover roast turkey if you have it — just slice it thin.
- Swiss cheese:
- Its mild tang melts beautifully and pairs classically with turkey. Provolone, Havarti, or gouda are great swaps.
- Magical mayo:
- Mayonnaise stirred with garlic powder, salt, and pepper — a simple garlic aioli that packs a flavorful punch and keeps the sliders moist. Miracle Whip or plain Greek yogurt work too.
- Poppy-seed butter sauce:
- Melted butter with poppy seeds, Dijon, onion powder, and Worcestershire is the finger-licking-good topping that makes these unforgettable. Don't skip it.
- Butter:
- Brush it all over the tops so every roll turns glossy and golden. Salted or unsalted both work.
Method
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- 2
Without separating the rolls, use a serrated knife to slice the whole slab in half horizontally into a top and bottom. Place the bottom half cut-side up in the dish.
- 3
Make the magical mayo: stir together the mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then spread it evenly over the bottom rolls.
- 4
Layer the smoked turkey over the mayo, then top with the Swiss cheese.
- 5
Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese.
- 6
Make the butter sauce: whisk together the melted butter, poppy seeds, Dijon, onion powder, and Worcestershire. Brush it generously over the tops.
- 7
Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes, then uncover and bake 2 to 3 minutes more, until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden.
- 8
Slice into individual sliders and serve warm.
Tips
- Slice the whole slab of rolls at once with a serrated knife so every slider gets an even top and bottom.
- Brush on every bit of the butter sauce — the poppy seeds, Dijon, and Worcestershire are what make these finger-licking good.
- Bake covered with foil first so the tops don't burn before the cheese melts, then uncover for that golden, glossy finish.
Variations to try
- Add sliced dill pickles over the turkey before adding the top rolls for a tangy crunch.
- Layer caramelized onions under the cheese for a sweet-and-savory boost.
- Add a layer of crispy cooked bacon above the turkey.
- Lay strips of roasted red peppers on the cheese for a hint of smokiness and color.
Storage & make-ahead
Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, wrap them in aluminum foil and warm in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also assemble them up to a day ahead, cover and refrigerate, then brush with the butter sauce and bake just before serving.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I make these sliders ahead of time?
- Yes. Assemble them up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Brush on the butter sauce and bake right before serving so the rolls stay soft and the tops turn golden.
- What cheese goes best with turkey?
- Swiss is the classic pairing, but provolone, Havarti, or gouda all melt beautifully. Use whatever you have — mixing cheeses from a leftover charcuterie board works great.
- Can I use different rolls?
- Hawaiian sweet rolls give the best sweet-savory balance, but any slab of soft dinner rolls will work.
- How do I store and reheat leftovers?
- Keep them airtight in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat wrapped in foil at 350°F for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
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