Name: Santa Fe Turkey Sliders Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon yellow curry powder; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 12 count package Hawaiian rolls; 1 pound deli sliced turkey; 8 ounces shredded pepper jack cheese; 1 (7 ounce can) diced green chiles, drained; 1/2 cup melted butter; 1 tablespoon poppy seeds; 1 tablespoon dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 11 reviews

If you’re in the mood for a quick, flavorful crowd-pleaser, I’ve got just the thing for you: this Santa Fe Turkey Sliders Recipe. It’s like a fiesta in every bite—layered with spicy mayo, melty pepper jack cheese, and those irresistible diced green chiles all nestled on soft Hawaiian rolls. I promise, whether it’s game day, a potluck, or a casual dinner, these sliders make everything just a little more fun and a whole lot tastier. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step to make these sliders perfectly every time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Flavor Harmony: The smoky, spicy mayo combined with creamy pepper jack cheese and tangy green chiles creates a layered, bold taste that everyone loves.
Effortless Assembly: Using pre-sliced deli turkey and packaged rolls keeps things quick and simple without sacrificing flavor.
Perfect Party Food: These sliders hold together well, making them ideal for entertaining or casual family meals.
Versatile Butter Sauce: The savory butter sauce with poppy seeds and mustard adds a beautiful glossy finish and a subtle depth of flavor that ties it all together.

Santa Fe Turkey Sliders, Santa Fe Turkey Sliders recipe, spicy turkey sliders, Hawaiian roll sliders, easy party sliders - The image shows a clear glass baking dish filled with twelve golden brown sandwich rolls arranged in three rows of four. Each roll has a slightly crispy top with visible poppy seeds sprinkled over them, giving a textured look. The edges of the rolls touch each other, and a melted, creamy layer is seen bubbling around the sides beneath the rolls. In the background, there are some green fresh peppers resting on a white marbled surface. A black spatula is placed beside the dish. The photo is taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Santa Fe Turkey Sliders Recipe is designed for both speed and flavor. Each ingredient has a purpose—whether it’s building texture, bringing heat, or adding moisture—and they all balance each other perfectly. Plus, most of these items are easy to find, making grocery shopping a breeze!

Santa Fe Turkey Sliders, Santa Fe Turkey Sliders recipe, spicy turkey sliders, Hawaiian roll sliders, easy party sliders - Flat lay of sliced Hawaiian rolls, deli sliced turkey, shredded pepper jack cheese, diced green chiles, mayonnaise mixed with paprika and curry powder, melted butter with poppy seeds, dijon mustard, and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Mayonnaise: Provides a creamy base for the spicy mayo that adds richness and moisture.
Paprika & Yellow Curry Powder: These spices add warmth and subtle complexity to the mayo blend.
Cayenne Pepper: Packs a gentle kick—but don’t worry, it’s balanced so it won’t overwhelm.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the heat.
Hawaiian Rolls: Soft, slightly sweet rolls that soften when baked and hold the ingredients together nicely.
Deli Sliced Turkey: Lean protein that’s quick to assemble and pairs well with the spicy, cheesy layers.
Pepper Jack Cheese: Provides creamy heat and melts beautifully, sealing in all those flavors.
Diced Green Chiles: Adds a fresh, mildly spicy tang that’s signature to the Santa Fe flavor.
Melted Butter: Used in the butter sauce, it keeps the buns soft and adds richness.
Poppy Seeds: Adds a little crunch and visual appeal to the buttery topping.
Dijon Mustard: Gives a subtle tang that cuts through the richness, brightening the flavor.
Onion Powder: Hands down, my go-to seasoning for depth without the fuss of fresh onions.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and a bit of savory complexity that ties the sauce together.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love about this Santa Fe Turkey Sliders Recipe is how adaptable it is. Depending on your mood or what’s in your pantry, you can tweak it to make it your own. Don’t hesitate to swap ingredients or adjust the spice levels.

Vegetarian Variation: I once swapped turkey for black bean patties and layered with grilled veggies—it was surprisingly satisfying and great for meatless nights.
Adjusting Heat Levels: If you like it milder, reduce the cayenne in the mayo or skip the green chiles entirely; for more zip, add a few dashes of hot sauce inside the sliders.
Cheese Swap: Monterey Jack or even a mild cheddar works if pepper jack feels a bit too spicy for your crowd.
Roll Substitutions: Hawaiian rolls are perfect here, but slider buns or soft dinner rolls can also work if you prefer.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Santa Fe Turkey Sliders Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Spicy Mayo and Get Oven Ready

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (that’s 175°C for my metric friends). Lightly grease your baking pan—either a 9×13 or 8×11 inch works great for these sliders. Then, in a small bowl, stir together the mayo, paprika, curry powder, cayenne, and salt. This spicy mayo is where the magic begins, so make sure it’s well combined. I like to taste it at this point—if it needs a little more kick, add a pinch more cayenne, but be careful not to overpower the whole sandwich.

Step 2: Slice the Rolls and Layer Your Sliders

Keep your Hawaiian rolls together in a slab (don’t separate individual rolls yet). Slice the entire package horizontally, so you get a top slab and a bottom slab. Lay the bottom slab into your greased pan—this way, you’re prepping a whole tray of sliders at once, which is so much easier than assembling one by one.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Layers

Spread the spicy mayo evenly over the bottom slab—this keeps the bottom buns moist and flavorful. Then sprinkle half of the shredded pepper jack cheese over the mayo. Next, layer the deli turkey so it covers the cheese nicely. Top the turkey with the diced green chiles—make sure to drain them well so your sliders don’t get soggy—then finish with the remaining cheese before placing the top slab of rolls on.

Step 4: Mix and Apply the Butter Sauce

Whisk melted butter with poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Pour or brush this mixture generously over the top of the assembled sliders. This buttery layer keeps the rolls soft, adds flavor, and creates that gorgeous golden finish when baked.

Step 5: Bake and Enjoy

Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil so the buns don’t dry out, then bake for about 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through. Slice into individual sliders and serve immediately while they’re gooey and warm. I like to have napkins handy because these are delightfully messy in the best way!

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Pro Tips for Making Santa Fe Turkey Sliders Recipe

Drain the Chiles Well: Excess moisture can make your sliders soggy, so I drain the green chiles thoroughly and pat dry before assembling.
Don’t Skip the Butter Sauce: It keeps the buns soft and adds a depth of flavor that you’ll miss if you just bake the sliders plain.
Assemble the Sliders in One Slab: This shortcut saves you time and makes baking much easier—plus, it holds the sliders together perfectly.
Cover with Foil While Baking: This prevents over-browning and keeps everything nice and moist.

How to Serve Santa Fe Turkey Sliders Recipe

Santa Fe Turkey Sliders, Santa Fe Turkey Sliders recipe, spicy turkey sliders, Hawaiian roll sliders, easy party sliders - The image shows a close-up of a freshly baked pastry with a golden-brown crust sprinkled with black poppy seeds. The pastry is filled with creamy layers of white cheese mixed with small chunks of pale green vegetables, and beneath that, there is a layer of shredded orange filling that looks soft and moist. The pastry pieces are stacked slightly on top of each other, with the focus on the front piece showing the textures clearly. The background has a white marbled texture, with hints of blurred elements to keep attention on the pastry. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping these sliders with a handful of fresh cilantro or a few slices of avocado to cool down the heat. For a bit of crunch, thinly sliced red onions or pickled jalapeños add a nice bite. Sometimes I keep it simple and just offer a few lime wedges on the side—those zesty pops of citrus make all the flavors sing.

Side Dishes

For me, nothing pairs better with these sliders than a light side like a crisp corn salad or roasted sweet potato fries. If you want to go classic, tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole are a crowd-pleaser that keeps with the Santa Fe vibe. Coleslaw or a simple garden salad also complement the rich, spicy flavors nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to pull apart the sliders a bit after baking and arrange them on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra spicy mayo and chips scattered around. You could also serve them with toothpicks in each slider for easy grabbing, or even layer them up buffet style with a little sign that says “Santa Fe Turkey Sliders – Eat Up!” It’s always a hit when the presentation is fun and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover sliders store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap to keep the rolls from drying out. When I grab one for a quick lunch, it still feels fresh and tastes wonderful.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these sliders successfully by assembling the whole tray, then wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and foil before popping them in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven until warmed through and the cheese’s melted. It’s a huge time saver for busy weeks.

Reheating

To keep that toasted softness, I reheat leftover sliders in a 350°F oven covered loosely with foil for about 10-12 minutes. It revives the cheese melt and brings back the buttery goodness without drying out the bread.

FAQs

Can I make the Santa Fe Turkey Sliders Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the sliders a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Just add the butter sauce on top right before baking for the best results. This way, you cut down last-minute prep on busy days.
What if I don’t like spicy food?

No worries! You can reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and swap pepper jack cheese for a milder cheese like mozzarella or Monterey Jack. The sliders will still be delicious and flavorful without the heat.
Can I use other types of meat in this recipe?

Yes! While deli turkey works best for convenience and flavor, sliced chicken breast, ham, or even roast beef could be tasty alternatives. Just keep in mind how those flavors might change the overall profile of the sliders.
How do I prevent the sliders from getting soggy?

Drain the diced green chiles very well and pat dry if needed before adding them to your slider layers. Also, spreading the mayo and baking the sliders covered with foil helps keep everything moist but not soggy.
Can I make these sliders gluten-free?

Definitely! Use your favorite gluten-free slider rolls or buns and double-check the labels on your processed ingredients like Worcestershire sauce to ensure they’re gluten-free. The rest of the recipe is naturally gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Santa Fe Turkey Sliders Recipe became a staple in my kitchen because it’s quick, packed with flavor, and perfect for any occasion—from casual hangouts to unexpected guests showing up. There’s something so comforting about those spicy, cheesy layers hugging tender turkey on soft, buttery rolls. If you try this recipe, I bet you’ll find yourself making it again and again—just like I have! So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and get ready to impress your family or friends with these little bundles of deliciousness.