Sage Turkey Sliders with Apple Carrot Slaw & Cranberry Mayo
Elevate turkey to a whole new level with these super tasty, quick, and easy Sage Turkey Sliders. Topped with crunchy Apple Slaw and Cranberry Mayo, they’re the perfect healthy small Sammy for making burger nights and game days more fun!
A delicious spin-off recipe of the Classic Rachel Sandwich (sometimes called turkey Reubens)
Bursting with flavor and unbelievably good, these Sage Turkey Sliders with Apple Carrot Slaw & Cranberry Mayo are a fresh, flavor-packed twist on the Classic Rachel Sandwich (sometimes called turkey Reubens). The sliders bring together everything you want in one irresistible bite: savory, herb-infused turkey, crisp and colorful slaw, and a creamy-tart cranberry spread that adds just the right amount of brightness. They’re cozy enough for fall gatherings, yet light and vibrant enough to serve any time you’re craving something satisfying without feeling heavy.
What makes these compact little sandwiches (sliders) especially appealing is the balance of textures and flavors. The turkey patties are seasoned with aromatic sage for warm, earthy depth, while the apple-carrot slaw adds crunch, sweetness, and a refreshing bite. Tying it all together is the cranberry mayo, which delivers a smooth, tangy finish that complements the turkey beautifully. Served on soft slider buns, these little sandwiches are as crowd-pleasing as they are easy to assemble.
Perfect for game day spreads, holiday parties, casual dinners, or even meal prep, these sliders offer a festive upgrade to the usual burger routine. They feel a little special without requiring complicated steps, making them an ideal recipe when you want something impressive but approachable. Whether you’re feeding a group or simply making dinner more exciting, these sage turkey sliders are a delicious way to bring seasonal flavors to the table.
An Updated Rachel Sandwich for A Year When Nothing is Ordinary
Over the years, we’ve made many Rachel sandwiches following “normal” holidays with tons of turkey leftovers. Filling slices of rye bread with roast turkey, coleslaw or sauerkraut, tangy Russian dressing, and Swiss cheese, then grilling it all until the cheese melts and the bread turns golden brown. But the holidays this year (2020) have changed like everything else, so despite the same-old that we’ve done in the past, we’re exploring new ideas and recipes for making many of our favorite holiday foods and our pared-down celebrations memorable by switching things up a bit.
For one of those holiday-ish meals, these Sage Turkey Sliders piqued my interest — they’re just the right size sandwich for smaller appetites, and they’re equally fantastic as a fun-to-eat appetizer for scoring BIG on the home front when celebrating touchdowns! Instead of making a classic roast turkey Rachel sandwich this week, I got the chance to mix things up with these Sage Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Mayo recipe. But rather than following the suggested recipe exactly, I’m changing it slightly to make it with a little more influence from the traditional Rachel sandwich.
Reuben or Rachel?
The Reuben is a classic grilled sandwich made on rye bread with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing. Its counterpart, the Rachel, is one of its popular variations. Instead of the usual corned beef and sauerkraut, it’s typically made with turkey or Pastrami and coleslaw—both sandwiches come with Swiss cheese on rye bread.
About These Sage Turkey Sliders
Following cues from the classic Rachel sandwich, this version replaces the lettuce you may have seen in other recipes for assembling the sliders with a crunchy apple-carrot slaw.
I’ve also enhanced the slider bun’s taste by replicating some of the rye bread flavors, brushing them with a buttery sauce seasoned with caraway seeds, onion, garlic, and other seasonings before warming. For the final touch, creamy Swiss cheese adds another layer of flavor that pairs wonderfully with the cranberry mayo.
How to Make Sage Turkey Sliders
The No-Mayo Crunchy Apple Carrot Slaw
For timing’s sake, you will want to make the crunchy Apple Slaw first so that the ingredients have a chance to blend while you’re making everything else. To make it, simply add all the slaw ingredients into a medium-sized bowl and stir to combine. Then refrigerate until needed. It’s just that simple. This slaw adds a fresh, crisp, sweet-and-sour flavor to the sliders, so it’s worth the extra effort to include it on this yummy slider sandwich.
To make the Slider Patties
Next comes the Sage Turkey Slider Patties.
Combine the ground turkey, salt, pepper, garlic (SPG) seasoning, and sage in a large bowl. Shape the turkey mixture into small patties, making them slightly larger in diameter than the bottom bun you are using. If you’re not sliding the formed patties straight into the skillet, I’ve found that placing them on wax paper squares makes it much easier to lift them off the plate when you’re ready to cook them.
To cook, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey slider patties and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through to an internal temperature of 165° (74°C). When cooking is done, turn off the heat and top each patty with a slice of Swiss cheese so it starts to melt.
Slider Buns
Finding gluten-free slider buns can be difficult, so I opted to use gluten-free ciabatta buns instead. The ciabatta buns are soft and pillowy, not quite as large as a hamburger bun.
To recreate some taste of rye bread, you will create a buttery sauce to make the buns extra flavorful, golden, and crisp. Use a small bowl to combine the melted butter, caraway seeds, gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, granulated toasted onion, garlic herb blend, and salt, pepper, and garlic (SPG) seasoning. Stir to combine.
Using a serrated knife, slice across the center of each bun to get one top and one bottom piece. Separate the buns’ top and bottom halves, then place them on a baking sheet with the tops and bottoms facing up. Next, brush each piece on the outside with the buttery sauce, then warm at 325° (163°C) for about 5 minutes.
Easy-Peasy Cranberry Mayo
Meanwhile, as the slider patties are cooking (you will probably want to flip them over about now), and the buns are heating, now is a perfect time to whip up the Cranberry Mayo sauce to dress the sliders.
To make it, you’re going to use real mayonnaise because any other salad dressing would be way too sweet. You will use equal parts of mayonnaise and Spiced Cranberry Jam.
About ¼ cup of each should be enough for this recipe, but it’s also great to spread on other sandwiches and meats too! So if you decide to make a little more, that’s okay; it will stay fresh-tasting for about a week when kept covered in the refrigerator to use with other foods.
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Kitchen Notes
There you have it! A tasty, gluten-free turkey slider that is irresistibly delicious! Whether you’re making appetizers to celebrate touchdowns with a crowd or looking to satisfy a burger craving with a healthier version that doesn’t sacrifice flavor, these Sage Turkey Sliders fit the bill.
Footnote(s)
Please find the links below for the ingredients and other resources used to make this recipe.*
Salt Pepper Garlic (SPG) Seasoning
Spiced Cranberry Jam, or Cranberry Horseradish Sauce, is usually available seasonally and can be found at most grocery stores.
My two favorite resources for ordering dried sage are Savory Spice Shop and The Spice House, both of which offer excellent seasonings and spices and great customer service.
*We may earn an affiliate commission when you make a purchase through the recommended links.
Craving More Sandwich Ideas?
Here are more crowd-pleasing sandwiches you’re sure to love!
L♥VE this recipe? Have you created your own over-the-top delicious version? Have a question? Please let everyone know in the comments below! 😉 It’s super helpful for other readers and me.
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Sandwiches, Savory Pies, & More
Capturing the essence of cozy seasonal cooking with a fresh, modern twist!
Sage Turkey Sliders with Apple Carrot Slaw and Cranberry Mayo offer a fresh, flavor-packed twist on the Classic Rachel Sandwich (sometimes called turkey Reubens). You’ll love their perfect balance of comfort, freshness, and seasonal flavor in one bite-sized dish. The savory turkey patties, fragrant with sage and warm spices, pair beautifully with the crisp sweetness of the slaw and the tangy creaminess of the cranberry mayo, creating a slider that feels both hearty and bright.
This recipe is ideal for holiday gatherings, casual dinners, game-day spreads, or anytime you want a meal that feels special without being complicated. It brings together familiar ingredients in a creative way, delivering a satisfying combination of textures and flavors that appeal to a wide range of tastes. Easy to serve, simple to customize, and full of festive charm, these sliders are sure to become a repeat favorite. Whether enjoyed as an appetizer or a main dish, they capture the essence of cozy seasonal cooking with a fresh, modern twist.
As always, I’m grateful you’re here and that The “Sweet Spot” has a place in your kitchen, in the meals that you prepare, and in the moments gathered around your table. Enjoy!
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