Turkey Cranberry Crescent Roll Sandwiches

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These easy turkey cranberry crescent sandwiches feature melted Swiss, homemade cranberry sauce, and a buttery sesame seed crust. Perfect for leftovers!

If you've ever found yourself staring into the refrigerator, wondering what to do with leftover turkey, I've got a delicious idea for you! These Turkey Cranberry Crescent Sandwiches are made with buttery crescent rolls, tender turkey, melted Swiss cheese, and a homemade orange cranberry sauce. A sprinkle of sesame seeds on top gives them that classic sandwich look.

And let me tell you something: This might just be my new favorite sandwich!

How These Sandwiches Came to Be

I'm usually the baker, not the cook. That's one reason you'll find so many sweet treats over on my baking site, Out of the Box Baking.

But every now and then, I wander into savory territory.

And technically, these sandwiches are baked, so I figure I'm still operating within my area of expertise!

The whole thing started when I watched a reel of a woman making Reuben sandwiches with refrigerated crescent rolls. She pressed one layer of dough into a baking dish, added the traditional Reuben fillings, topped everything with another layer of crescent dough, and baked it.

Now, I don't particularly care for Reuben sandwiches, but the method intrigued me.

And then I remembered what I had in my refrigerator.

Turkey. Swiss cheese. Two cans of crescent rolls.

And fresh cranberries!

I'd recently stocked up on fresh cranberries, and I was already having a wonderful time experimenting with different ways to use them.

What if I turned that Reuben sandwich idea into something completely different? Something with turkey, Swiss cheese, and a homemade cranberry sauce?

I could almost taste it before I started.

Turkey and Cranberry. . .a Match Made in Thanksgiving Heaven!

As I worked on the sandwiches, I started texting back and forth with my daughter Randi about the recipe and whether it might be a good fit for Backyard Texas Grill.

After all, this site is all about delicious food, and these sandwiches were shaping up to be something special.

Randi reminded me of the site's popular Hawaiian roll sandwiches with turkey, gouda, and hot pepper cranberry jelly. It's delicious, but this recipe is different in so many ways.

Instead of Hawaiian rolls, I was using refrigerated crescent dough. And instead of prepared cranberry jelly, I was making a simple sauce with fresh cranberries and a little orange zest.

As the sandwiches came together, I kept thinking about how pretty they were going to look sliced into individual portions.

And when I pulled them from the oven, I knew we had something worth sharing.

The crust was beautifully golden. The sesame seeds made the tops look like little sandwiches. And once I cut into them, I could see those gorgeous layers of turkey, melted Swiss, and bright red cranberry sauce.

I let them cool a bit before tasting one.

Oh. My. Goodness.

The crescent bread was soft and luscious, with crisp edges. The Swiss cheese had melted beautifully into the turkey, and the cranberry sauce had just the right amount of tartness.

That little teaspoon of orange zest? Perfect.

I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of this combination before.

Ingredients You'll Need

You won't need anything complicated to make these sandwiches.

For the Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce

• 1 bag (12 ounces) fresh cranberries
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest

This makes more cranberry sauce than you'll need for one batch of sandwiches. I used approximately half of the finished sauce.

For the Crescent Roll Sandwiches

• 2 cans (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls
• Sliced turkey, approximately ¾–1 pound (estimated amount)
• Swiss cheese, approximately 6–8 slices (estimated amount)
• Approximately half a batch of homemade orange cranberry sauce
• 1–2 tablespoons melted butter (estimated amount)
• 1–2 teaspoons sesame seeds (estimated amount)

A note about the ingredients: The cranberry sauce measurements are exact, but the turkey, cheese, butter, and sesame seed quantities are estimates based on how I assembled the sandwiches. You can adjust the filling to suit your taste.

How to Make Turkey Cranberry Crescent Roll Sandwiches

Step 1: Make the Orange Cranberry Sauce

Place the fresh cranberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin popping and softening. This should take approximately 5–8 minutes, depending on your stove.

Stir in the orange zest.

Continue stirring until the mixture is thick and saucy, then remove it from the heat.

Allow the cranberry sauce to cool before assembling the sandwiches.

You'll only need about half the batch for this recipe, so save the rest for another use.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

Open the first can of crescent rolls and arrange the dough across the bottom of the dish.

Press the seams together to form one continuous rectangle.

Step 3: Prebake the Bottom Crust

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 9 minutes.

This is an important step!

Prebaking helps the bottom crust develop enough structure to support the filling, particularly since cranberry sauce adds moisture.

Remove the dish from the oven.

Step 4: Add the Turkey and Swiss

Arrange the sliced turkey evenly over the prebaked crescent crust.

Next, add a layer of Swiss cheese.

You want enough cheese to create that lovely melted layer without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Step 5: Add the Cranberry Sauce

Spread approximately half of your prepared orange cranberry sauce over the Swiss cheese.

Try to distribute it evenly so every sandwich gets some of that delicious sweet-tart flavor.

Don't add too much sauce. You want the cranberry flavor to shine without making the sandwiches soggy.

Step 6: Add the Top Crust

Open the second can of crescent rolls.

Carefully arrange the dough over the filling, pressing the seams together to create a top crust.

Brush the top with melted butter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

I originally considered Parmesan cheese for the topping, but decided sesame seeds would make the finished sandwiches look more like traditional deli sandwiches.

I'm so glad I made that choice!

Step 7: Bake Until Golden

Return the dish to the 375°F oven.

Bake for 22 minutes, or until the top crust is golden brown and the crescent dough is fully baked.

I checked mine at 20 minutes, but the crust needed another two minutes to reach the color I wanted.

Your oven may vary slightly, so watch the top toward the end.

Step 8: Cool, Slice, and Enjoy

Remove the sandwiches from the oven and allow them to cool for approximately 10 minutes, or until they're comfortable to handle.

Slice into squares or rectangles and serve warm.

The resting time helps the filling settle and makes the sandwiches easier to cut.

What Do These Sandwiches Taste Like?

Imagine a buttery, flaky crescent roll wrapped around tender turkey and melted Swiss cheese.

Now add a layer of homemade cranberry sauce that's sweet enough to balance the savory filling but tart enough to keep every bite interesting.

The orange zest gives the cranberries a subtle brightness without overpowering them.

And the butter and sesame seeds on top add the perfect finishing touch.

The center of the bread is soft and luscious, while the edges have a wonderful crispness.

I served mine warm, after allowing them to cool a little, and they were absolutely delicious.

Tips for the Best Crescent Roll Sandwiches

Don't skip the prebake. Those nine minutes help prevent the bottom crust from becoming soggy.

Let the cranberry sauce cool. Hot sauce could soften the dough before the sandwiches even go into the oven.

Don't overload the filling. A little restraint helps the sandwiches hold together when sliced.

Use a thick cranberry sauce. You don't want extra liquid soaking into the crust.

Watch the top crust. The butter helps it brown beautifully, but every oven is different.

Give the sandwiches a few minutes to rest. They're easier to slice once the filling has settled.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

These sandwiches are delicious served warm. I haven't tested them cold, but they may also be enjoyable straight from the refrigerator.

Refrigerating

Allow the sandwiches to cool, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly, within two hours of baking.

For best quality, enjoy refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days.

Freezing

I plan to freeze my sandwiches individually so I can pull out one whenever I want a quick lunch.

My method is to place each cooled sandwich in its own freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, and then place all the individual bags inside one larger freezer bag.

For best quality, use within 2–3 months.

The freezing method is planned, but I haven't tested the finished texture after thawing yet.

Reheating in the Air Fryer

The air fryer seems like a promising way to bring back those crispy crescent edges.

For a refrigerated sandwich, try 325°F for approximately 3–5 minutes, checking the center.

For a frozen sandwich, try 300°F for approximately 8–12 minutes, adding time as needed.

These are suggested starting points, not tested reheating times. Always make sure the filling is heated through to 165°F.

You can also thaw a frozen sandwich overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned cranberry sauce instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Jellied cranberry sauce or whole-berry cranberry sauce can be substituted. Just use a moderate amount so the sandwiches don't become soggy.

Can I use leftover Thanksgiving turkey?

Yes! This is one of the reasons I love this recipe for the holidays. Thinly sliced or shredded roasted turkey would be wonderful.

Do I need to prebake the bottom crescent crust?

I recommend it. I prebaked mine for nine minutes at 375°F, and the bottom crust held together beautifully.

Can I use crescent dough sheets instead of regular crescent rolls?

Yes. Crescent dough sheets would make assembly even easier because you wouldn't have to press the perforated seams together.

What cheese goes best with turkey and cranberry?

Swiss is my favorite for this recipe. Its mild, nutty flavor complements the turkey and sweet-tart cranberry sauce without overpowering them.

Can I make these sandwiches ahead of time?

You can prepare the cranberry sauce ahead and refrigerate it. For the best texture, I recommend assembling and baking the sandwiches when you're ready to serve them.

Can I freeze the sandwiches?

You can freeze the fully baked sandwiches individually. I recommend using them within 2–3 months for best quality. I haven't tested how the crescent crust holds up after freezing and reheating, so results may vary.

Can I serve these as appetizers?

Definitely! Simply cut the finished bake into smaller squares. They would make a lovely addition to a holiday appetizer spread.

More Cranberry Recipes to Try

If you love the combination of sweet and savory flavors, be sure to check out some of our other cranberry favorites here on Backyard Texas Grill.

Our Ham and Turkey Sliders with Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly are a natural companion to these crescent sandwiches, especially if you enjoy a little heat with your holiday flavors.

For another savory appetizer, try Smoked Cream Cheese with Bacon and Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly.

And if you're planning a holiday meal, don't miss our Cranberry Skillet Cornbread (Christmas Cornbread) or Orange Cranberry Skillet Cake.

Cranberries aren't just for Thanksgiving dinner. They bring a wonderful brightness to barbecue, appetizers, baked goods, and so much more.

Final Thoughts

Every once in a while, a recipe comes along that makes me wonder why I didn't think of it sooner.

That's exactly how I feel about these Turkey Cranberry Crescent Roll Sandwiches. What started as a way to use up some turkey and Swiss cheese turned into one of my favorite kitchen experiments.

I love the combination of the buttery crescent bread, the melted cheese, and that homemade orange cranberry sauce. And those sesame seeds on top? They're the perfect finishing touch.

I'm so glad I stumbled across that Reuben sandwich reel, even though I had no intention of making Reubens!

Sometimes the best recipes come from taking an idea and making it your own.

And sometimes, even the baker gets to come up with a pretty terrific sandwich.

If you give these a try, I'd love to hear what you think. And if you come up with your own variation, be sure to share it!

Happy baking—or should I say, happy sandwich making!

Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

About the Baker

I'm Janice, the baker behind Out of the Box Baking, where I usually spend my days whipping up cakes, cookies, pies, and all sorts of sweet treats. But every now and then, I venture into savory territory! These Turkey Cranberry Crescent Roll Sandwiches were right up my alley because, after all, they're baked! I love finding creative ways to use simple ingredients, and this recipe proves that a baker can make a pretty terrific sandwich, too!