Savory Turkey and Cranberry Crescent Ring Recipe

Introduction

This savory turkey and cranberry crescent ring is a delightful twist on holiday leftovers. Combining tender turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and creamy cheese wrapped in buttery crescent dough, it makes an impressive appetizer or a comforting main dish that’s easy to assemble and share.

Ingredients

• 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls (triangle-shaped)
• 2 cups cooked turkey, chopped or shredded
• 1 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, Swiss, provolone, or mild cheddar)
• ½ cup cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup mayonnaise (optional)
• ½ cup chopped celery (optional)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Allow it to reach the full temperature for even baking and crisping of the crescent dough.
2. Step 2: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the turkey and cranberry sauce, folding gently to coat the meat evenly.
4. Step 4: Add shredded cheese and softened cream cheese to the bowl. Mix in mayonnaise and chopped celery if using. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs, then stir until the filling is creamy and well blended.
5. Step 5: Open the crescent rolls and separate the dough into triangles. Arrange the triangles in a circle on the prepared baking sheet with the wide ends toward the center, overlapping slightly to form a continuous ring. The pointed ends should face outward.
6. Step 6: Spoon the turkey and cranberry filling evenly over the wide ends of the dough, leaving 1–2 inches from the outer edges to prevent spills.
7. Step 7: Fold each pointed end of the dough up and over the filling, tucking the tips under the center of the ring to seal it like a wreath.
8. Step 8: Brush the top of the dough with beaten egg to achieve a golden, glossy finish while baking.
9. Step 9: Bake the crescent ring for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. If it browns too quickly, tent with foil halfway through baking.
10. Step 10: Let the ring cool for about 5 minutes before slicing into wedges. Serve warm with extra cranberry sauce or gravy, if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use shredded turkey for a softer filling texture or chopped turkey for more bite.
• Whole berry cranberry sauce adds texture, while jellied sauce offers smooth sweetness—choose based on your preference.
• Try different cheeses like provolone or mild cheddar for varied flavor profiles.
• Skip mayonnaise for a lighter filling or add chopped nuts like pecans for extra crunch.
• Fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme enhance aroma and holiday flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
• If you only have crescent sheet dough, you can still shape the ring but triangles make the process easier.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10–15 minutes to maintain crispness. Avoid microwaving to keep the crescent dough flaky and golden.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this crescent ring ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the ring and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before placing it in the oven to ensure even cooking.

Can I use leftover turkey from a roast or rotisserie chicken instead?

Absolutely! Leftover turkey or even rotisserie chicken works well in this recipe, providing flexibility and reducing waste.

Savory Turkey and Cranberry Crescent Ring Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 63 reviews

• Author: Marina
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

This Savory Turkey and Cranberry Crescent Ring is a festive, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for holiday gatherings or comforting dinners. Flaky crescent dough encases a creamy, flavorful filling of shredded turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, melted cheese, and seasonings, baked into a beautiful wreath shape that’s as eye-catching as it is delicious.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crescent Dough

• 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls (regular triangle-shaped dough recommended)

Turkey Filling

• 2 cups cooked turkey, chopped or shredded
• 1 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, Swiss, provolone, or mild cheddar)
• ½ cup cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup mayonnaise (optional)
• ½ cup chopped celery (optional)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For Finishing

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even baking and a crispy crescent dough.
2. Prepare Your Baking Surface: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup. Alternatively, lightly grease the sheet.
3. Make the Turkey-Cranberry Filling: In a large bowl, combine the chopped or shredded turkey with cranberry sauce, mixing gently to coat. Add shredded cheese, softened cream cheese (soften in microwave for 10 seconds if needed), and optional mayonnaise and celery. Sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs if using. Mix thoroughly until creamy and evenly blended, moist but not runny.
4. Prepare the Crescent Ring Base: Open both cans of crescent rolls and separate into individual triangles. Arrange them on the parchment paper in a circle, placing wide ends toward the center and overlapping slightly to form a continuous ring. The pointed ends should extend outward like sun rays. Press overlapping edges gently to seal.
5. Add the Filling to the Ring: Spoon the turkey-cranberry mixture evenly over the wide ends of the dough, keeping filling 1–2 inches from outer edges to prevent spilling.
6. Fold and Seal the Crescent Ring: Lift each pointed dough end and fold it over the filling, tucking the tips underneath the ring center to secure. Work around the ring until all filling is covered, forming a wreath shape.
7. Brush with Egg Wash: Lightly brush the top of the dough with beaten egg using a pastry brush to achieve a glossy, golden-brown finish when baked.
8. Bake the Ring: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until dough is fully cooked and deep golden. Tent loosely with foil halfway through if browning occurs too quickly.
9. Cool and Serve: Let the ring cool for about 5 minutes. Slice into wedges like pizza and serve warm, optionally with extra cranberry sauce or gravy on the side.

Notes

• You can use either shredded or chopped turkey depending on your texture preference—shredded yields a softer bite while chopped gives more texture.
• Whole berry cranberry sauce adds texture, whereas jellied cranberry sauce offers a smoother sweetness.
• Mayonnaise and celery are optional but add extra creaminess and crunch respectively.
• If cream cheese is hard to mix, warm it briefly in the microwave until softened.
• Adjust herbs and seasoning to your taste for personalized flavor.
• If the ring browns too fast during baking, loosely cover with foil to prevent burning.
• Serve with extra cranberry sauce or gravy as a delicious accompaniment.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: turkey crescent ring, cranberry crescent ring, savory holiday ring, turkey cranberry crescent recipe, crescent dough ring, turkey appetizer, holiday appetizer