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a small everyday baking pan containing exactly twelve golden Hawaiian-roll turkey sliders in three complete rows of four with no empty slots, two front rolls slightly separated but still present to reveal finely chopped roast turkey, soft cooked red-onion pieces and melted orange cheddar, with no cranberry sauce, Swiss cheese, apple or garnish
Andre Lewis

Turkey Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

Chopped roast turkey and soft red onions make these Hawaiian-roll sliders a warm cheddar sandwich rather than another cranberry-and-Swiss tray. Cook the onions until they lose their sharp bite, then warm the turkey with a little broth before it goes between the rolls. That gives the sweet bread a shorter bake and helps the filling heat evenly across the whole slab. Spread the chopped meat level instead of leaving one tall patch in the center, where the rolls would have to keep baking while the middle catches up. Let the tray rest briefly before cutting so the melted cheddar holds the smaller turkey pieces inside each slider.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients
  

  • 12 connected Hawaiian sweet rolls about 12 oz
  • 12 oz leftover roast turkey skin removed and finely chopped
  • 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 2 tbsp low-sodium turkey broth
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 6 oz sharp cheddar grated
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

Method
 

  1. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook red onion for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring often, until soft and golden at the edges.
  2. Add chopped turkey, broth and Worcestershire, cover and warm gently for 5 to 8 minutes until the meat reaches 165°F. Uncover to evaporate excess loose liquid.
  3. Heat the oven to 350°F. Split the connected rolls horizontally and place the bottom slab in a lined 9-by-13-inch pan. Add half the cheddar, spread warm turkey-onion filling evenly over it and add remaining cheddar and roll tops.
  4. Melt remaining butter and mix with garlic powder and pepper. Brush over the tops, cover loosely with foil and bake for 10 minutes.
  5. Uncover and bake for 5 to 8 minutes until the tops are golden, cheese melts and the center remains at least 165°F. Rest for 3 minutes and cut into 12 sliders, serving 2 per person.