Turkey Cranberry Sausage Rolls

Are you a turkey dinner fanatic like me? Good! Because these Turkey Sausage Rolls basically deliver the flavor of turkey dinner in a sausage roll format which feels kinda perfect in every way IMHO. The more opportunities to enjoy that turkey cranberry combo, the merrier.

I’ve been dreaming up these Turkey Sausage Rolls for ages before finally nailing down a recipe to share. I think we’ve got one here that has just the right balance of seasoned turkey, sweet and tangy cranberry, and flaky puff pastry. If you want to take it to the next level, feel free to dip them in more cranberry sauce, or even gravy. 😳

Why You'll Love These Turkey Sausage Rolls

These turkey sausage rolls combine the savory flavor of seasoned turkey sausage with the sweet tang of cranberry sauce, all wrapped in flaky, golden puff pastry. They're:

• Quick and easy: You’ve got the option to use all store-bought ingredients. That means less prep time, less cleanup, and more quality time with your loved ones (and digesting on the couch.)
• Make-ahead friendly: You can assemble these sausage rolls in advance and freeze them until you're ready to bake. Just remember to take them out of the freezer an hour or so before you want to bake them.
• Perfect for parties: Hand-held and easy to eat in 2-3 bites. (Napkins definitely required).
• Festive flavors: The combination of turkey, cranberry, and cozy herbs delivers that turkey dinner flavor we crave around the holiday season.

Ingredients for Turkey Sausage Rolls

You'll need just a few simple ingredients to make these delicious turkey sausage rolls:

• Turkey sausage: You can make your own sausage really easily (recipe below), or use store-bought turkey or chicken sausage for a shortcut.
• Cranberry sauce: Whole berry or jellied cranberry sauce both work great. You can buy it pre-made or make your own. It won’t really affect the sausage rolls either way.
• Puff pastry: I highly recommend buying frozen puff pastry instead of making your own (unless you’re in the mood for a big project). Tenderflake is the most common brand available where I live, so I use that.
• Egg: To brush the sausage rolls and make them glossy. TIP: You don’t really need the whole egg for this.

Ingredients for Homemade Turkey Sausage (optional)

• Ground turkey: For the juiciest turkey sausage, use ground turkey thighs. Breast meat will definitely work too, but your sausage rolls won’t be quite as juicy.
• Butter: Adding a bit of butter to the mix helps replace the fat that’s present in sausage meat. It’ll make the sausage rolls much more delicious.
• Salt: Just enough to season the turkey and play off the sweetness of the cranberry sauce.
• Poultry seasoning: The blend of herbs in poultry seasoning is so nostalgic for me, and it makes the turkey taste reminiscent of stuffing, which is my favorite item on the holiday table. You can swap
• Garlic powder: Just a dash to amp up the flavor of the sausage rolls.

How to Make Turkey Sausage Rolls

Making these turkey sausage rolls is simple, but there are a few important details to remember. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry

Make sure your puff pastry is fully defrosted but still chilled so it’s easy to work with. Depending on which brand of puff pastry you use, it may already be rolled out. If so, you’re looking for a rectangle that’s approximately 10 inches by 6 inches. If your dough comes in a square block, (like Tenderflake), roll it out to size and place it on your counter with the long side facing towards you.

Step 2: Add the Cranberry Sauce

Slather the cranberry sauce over the puff pastry, leaving about half an inch margin at the top and bottom edges (along the long side). This margin will help the pastry seal properly when you roll it up.

Step 3: Add the Sausage

Form the sausage meat into a log about 2 inches in diameter. If using store-bought sausage, you’ll need to squeeze it out of its casing first. Lay down the sausage log lengthwise in the middle of the puff pastry rectangle, on top of the cranberry sauce. Try to distribute the sausage evenly for consistent rolls.

Step 4: Roll It Up

Starting from the edge closest to you, carefully close the puff pastry around the sausage log, making sure it seals well at the seam, leaving the ends open. This is less of a rolling motion and more of a gathering and pinching motion. Pretend you’re sealing a giant sausage-shaped dumpling. The margin you left will help it stick together.

Step 5: Wrap and Freeze for Easier Slicing

Wrap the log in a piece of parchment paper, using the paper to tighten up the log as best as possible. Place the rolled log in the freezer for 30-60 minutes. This firms up the roll and makes it much easier to slice into clean, even pieces. You can freeze the sausage roll for longer, like overnight or a few days in advance. If you’re going that route, wrap the log tightly in saran wrap or throw it into a bag to seal it. When ready to bake, allow the log to defrost for an hour on the counter so it’s not impossible to slice through.

Step 6: Slice and Arrange

Remove from the freezer and brush the entire log with beaten egg. Slice the roll into 6 even pieces, about 2 inches wide. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little bit of space between each roll.

Step 7: Bake

Bake at 450°F for 25 minutes or until the rolls are deeply golden brown and cooked through. If you're unsure whether the sausage is fully cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 175°F.

Make-Ahead Tips

One of the best things about these turkey sausage rolls is that they're perfect for making ahead:

• After slicing the rolls, you can freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag
• When ready to bake, arrange frozen rolls on a baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and bake (you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time)
• You can prepare the entire rolled log and freeze it, then slice and bake from frozen when needed

Serving Suggestions

These turkey sausage rolls are delicious on their own, but they're kinda next level when served with something saucy on the side. A few options:

• Warm gravy: Turkey or chicken gravy is the perfect dipping sauce
• Extra cranberry sauce: For those who love that sweet-tart flavor
• Honey mustard: Adds a nice tangy kick

Customization Ideas

• Swap out the cranberry: Don't love cranberry? No problem. You can use any jam or jelly you like, or if you aren't the sweet + savory type, use Dijon mustard instead!
• Swap out the sausage: If you can't find turkey sausage, you can use chicken, pork, beef, or any other sausage you like.
• Different sizes: You can make these sausage rolls any size you want. For mini sausage rolls, make a skinnier log with the sausage, roll the puff pastry a bit thinner, and cut the pastry to a width that will wrap tightly around the sausage. Just make sure you cut the sausage rolls wide enough that they don't fall over on the baking sheet. The sausage rolls pictured below are a bit smaller. I cut the puff pastry in two and wrapped two smaller sausage logs.

Great for the Holiday Season, or Any Season!

While these turkey sausage rolls are perfect for the holidays, don't let that limit you. These flavor bombs are a welcome addition to any brunch table, or as a creative dinner option with mashed potatoes and gravy. Plus: they pack up really nicely for weekday lunches, and are great when served cold too. The turkey-cranberry combo might remind you of the holidays, but there's no rule saying you can't enjoy them year-round!

Frequently Asked Questions

I hope you love these turkey sausage rolls as much as I do! Let me know if you make them!