Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- – 1 bone-in turkey breast 8 lbs
- – 1 bottle jalapeño butter injection e.g., Tony’s
- – Hot sauce as a binder
- – All-purpose rub store-bought or homemade
- – Apple wood chunks for smoking
- – 1 stick melted butter
- – 12 strips thick-cut bacon
- – Parchment paper
- – 12 King’s Hawaiian Original Rolls halved and toasted
- – 12 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- – 2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing
Ingredients for Spicy Ranch
- – 1 cup mayonnaise
- – ½ cup buttermilk
- – 2 tablespoons milk adjust for desired consistency
- – 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- – 1 teaspoon onion powder
- – ¾ teaspoon salt
- – ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- – ½ teaspoon dried dill
- – ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- – ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust for heat preference
- – ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper optional
Instructions
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Thaw the turkey breast for 12 to 14 hours on the counter, then place it in the fridge for one full day.
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Remove the skin to allow the seasonings to soak in better.
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Inject the turkey with jalapeño butter to add moisture and flavor.
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Coat the turkey with hot sauce to act as a binder, then season it generously with all-purpose rub, making sure to cover all sides.
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Preheat your smoker to 250°F and add apple wood chunks.
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Place the turkey breast on the smoker and cook until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
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Remove the turkey and wrap it tightly in foil with 1 stick of melted butter to keep it moist and flavorful.
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Return it to the smoker and continue cooking until the internal temperature hits 160°F.
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Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes to lock in the juices, then slice it into thick pieces.
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Preheat the oven to 400°F.
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay out the strips of thick-cut bacon in a single layer.
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Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy.
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Remove it from the oven and wrap it in foil to keep warm until you’re ready to assemble the sliders.
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Toast the King’s Hawaiian rolls in the oven or on a skillet until they are golden.
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On the bottom half of each roll, place a slice of sharp cheddar cheese, followed by a few slices of smoked turkey.
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Drizzle a generous amount of homemade ranch over the turkey.
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Add another slice of cheddar cheese and a strip of crispy bacon.
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Place the top half of the roll on top and brush the tops of the buns with melted butter.
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Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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Arrange the sliders on a baking sheet.
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Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the buns are golden.
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Remove from the oven and serve immediately with extra ranch on the side if desired.
