Name: Turkey Cranberry Sausage Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 500 g turkey mince; 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves; 1 tsp sea salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; ½ tsp garlic powder; 375 g ready rolled puff pastry (1 pack); 130 g cranberry sauce; 1 tbsp milk; Spray oil for baking trays

If you’re looking for a festive snack or a light meal that’s bursting with flavor, look no further than this Turkey Cranberry Sausage Rolls Recipe. I absolutely love how the juicy turkey pairs perfectly with the tart-sweet cranberry sauce, all wrapped up in crispy puff pastry. Whether you’re entertaining guests or just craving something cozy, these sausage rolls are always a crowd-pleaser and surprisingly easy to whip up!

🤍

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor-packed combo: The turkey’s mildness balances beautifully with the sweet tang of cranberry sauce.
Simple prep: Minimal ingredients and easy assembly make this great for busy days.
Great for any occasion: These rolls work as party nibbles, lunches, or even a comforting snack.
Crowd favorite: My family goes crazy for these, and I bet yours will, too!

The image shows golden brown pastry pockets with a shiny, slightly crispy outer layer, each folded and sealed neatly to hold a filling. The filling is visible where the pastry is open, showing a mix of light brown meat and bright red pieces of fruit or sauce inside. The pastries are stacked on a wooden board, which rests on a dark red cloth. The background features blurred green pine branches and a white marbled surface, adding a fresh holiday feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients for this Turkey Cranberry Sausage Rolls Recipe come together to create a perfect harmony of taste and texture—from the savory turkey seasoned just right, to the flaky puff pastry that bakes up golden. When shopping, grab fresh herbs if you can, and don’t skimp on quality pastry because it makes a noticeable difference!

Turkey mince: Fresh turkey mince with good fat content keeps the sausage rolls juicy.
Fresh thyme leaves: Adds a subtle herbal note that complements the turkey beautifully.
Sea salt: Essential for highlighting all the flavors.
Black pepper: Adds just enough gentle heat and spice.
Garlic powder: Gives a warm, savory undertone without overpowering the other ingredients.
Ready rolled puff pastry: Choose a good quality brand for the best flaky texture.
Cranberry sauce: Provides the perfect sweet and tart contrast to the meat.
Milk: This is for brushing the pastry to get that lovely golden finish.
Spray oil: Keeps your baking trays non-stick without the mess.

📝

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.

Variations

I love encouraging a little creativity in the kitchen, so this Turkey Cranberry Sausage Rolls Recipe invites personalization. Depending on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences, there are a few simple swaps or additions that can make these even more special.

Go spicy: Adding a pinch of chili flakes to the turkey mix kicked mine up a notch and gave a lovely warmth that my family adored.
Vegetarian twist: Swap the turkey for crumbled plant-based mince and use a vegan puff pastry—still just as delicious.
Herb variations: Tried rosemary or sage instead of thyme? Both gave the rolls a fresh, earthy depth.
Make mini rolls: Perfect for parties, just cut smaller strips and adjust baking time slightly.

How to Make Turkey Cranberry Sausage Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Season the turkey mince

Start by placing your turkey mince in a large mixing bowl. Add the fresh thyme leaves, sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Now, here’s a trick I discovered: mixing by hand gives you the best control and ensures the seasoning is evenly spread. Just make sure your hands are clean and mix until everything feels evenly incorporated.

Step 2: Prepare the puff pastry and cranberry sauce

Unroll the ready puff pastry and cut it in half lengthwise using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Then, spread half of the cranberry sauce down the middle of each strip. The sauce serves as a sweet and tangy bed for your turkey, so spread it generously but avoid flooding the edges to keep your rolls from leaking.

Step 3: Shape and roll the sausage rolls

Next, form the seasoned turkey mince into long, thin sausage shapes that fit neatly on top of the cranberry sauce. Brush one of the long edges of each pastry strip with milk—this acts like glue to seal the roll, so don’t skip it! Roll the pastry tightly over the turkey, tucking the edge underneath so the seal is on the bottom. This keeps everything snug and helps avoid bursting during baking.

Step 4: Cut, prepare, and bake

Cut each long roll into smaller sausage roll-sized pieces—mine usually make about 16. Spray your baking trays with a little oil to stop sticking, line them up with the rolls, and brush each one with milk to get that gorgeous golden finish. Using scissors, snip roughly three cuts into the top of each roll. This allows steam to escape and prevents sogginess inside. Bake at 190°C fan (or 210°C non-fan) for 20 minutes until beautifully puffed and golden.

Tip: As soon as they come out of the oven, transfer the sausage rolls to a wire rack to cool slightly; this keeps the bottoms from getting soggy.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Turkey Cranberry Sausage Rolls Recipe

Mix with clean hands: It helps you feel the texture and ensures even seasoning without overworking the meat.
Don’t overfill the pastry: Too much cranberry or turkey can cause the rolls to burst—less is more for neat results.
Make those vent cuts: Snipping the tops stops the pastry from puffing irregularly and keeps the inside juicy.
Cool on wire racks: This prevents sogginess on the bottom and keeps your rolls crisp.

How to Serve Turkey Cranberry Sausage Rolls Recipe

The image shows six small golden brown pastries arranged on a wooden board, each with a slightly flaky and shiny crust. The pastries are cut in half, revealing a filling made of light brown meat mixed with red bits that look like smaller pieces or sauce. The crust on top has a few small lines pressed in, adding texture. Behind the pastries, there is a small white bowl filled with a bright red chunky sauce. The scene is decorated with some green pine branches and a pinecone, placed on a white marbled surface with a burgundy cloth underneath the board. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I really like adding a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thyme on top right before serving—it adds a pop of color and fresh flavor. Sometimes I dust the tops with a little flaky sea salt to contrast the sweetness of the cranberry, which my guests always appreciate.

Side Dishes

These sausage rolls pair wonderfully with simple sides like a crisp green salad, or for a heartier spread, some roasted root vegetables or baked sweet potato wedges work beautifully. If you want to stay with the festive vibe, a creamy brie dip on the side is always a hit.

Creative Ways to Present

When I host holiday gatherings, I like arranging these sausage rolls on a wooden board alongside bowls of extra cranberry sauce and mustard for dipping. It’s both inviting and stylish. You could also serve them on mini skewers with a fresh herb sprig to make fancy finger food that’s perfect for parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sausage Rolls keep really well stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I always find that letting them come to room temperature before reheating helps maintain the best texture.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead of time, freezing works like a charm. After shaping but before baking, pop the rolls on a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. This is a game changer for holiday prep!

Reheating

I reheat mine in the oven at 180°C for about 10 minutes or until hot and crisp again. Microwaving makes them soggy, so I try to avoid it. The oven method really revives that golden puff pastry like they just came out fresh.

FAQs

Can I make these Turkey Cranberry Sausage Rolls Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the sausage rolls and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Alternatively, prepare them and freeze them unbaked; this makes holiday prep so much easier. Just bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Can I substitute turkey mince for another meat?

Yes, you can swap turkey mince with chicken, pork, or even beef mince. Keep in mind that turkey is leaner, so other meats with higher fat content might change the texture slightly but will still be delicious.
What type of cranberry sauce works best?

I recommend using a classic cranberry sauce rather than a jellied one; the texture gives a nice contrast inside the pastry. Homemade or store-bought both work well—just use your favorite!
Can I make these sausage rolls gluten-free?

Definitely! Use gluten-free puff pastry and double-check all your ingredients for gluten content. The recipe remains the same and tastes just as good.
How do I keep my puff pastry from getting soggy?

Make sure to vent the tops with cuts and bake immediately after assembling. Also, cooling on a wire rack after baking helps keep the pastry crisp by allowing air circulation underneath.

Final Thoughts

This Turkey Cranberry Sausage Rolls Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites for holiday entertaining and casual snacking alike. The combination of savory turkey and that zingy cranberry sauce wrapped in buttery puff pastry really hits the spot every time. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I do, and prepare for the compliments—you’ll be asked for this recipe over and over again. Trust me, it’s worth every delicious bite!