Transform your holiday leftovers into the most anticipated meal of the week with this ultimate Leftover Turkey Sandwich recipe. Forget sad, dry sandwiches. We’re creating a masterpiece of flavors and textures that will have you wishing for leftovers all year round. This isn’t just a way to use up turkey; it’s an event in itself.
We’ve all been there: staring into a fridge packed with Thanksgiving or Christmas remnants. This recipe is the perfect solution. It’s quick, easy, and endlessly customizable to make the most of what you have.
Why This Is The Best Leftover Turkey Sandwich
What sets this recipe apart? It’s all about the strategic combination of classic ingredients to create the perfect bite, every time. We focus on balancing the rich, savory turkey with sweet, tangy, and creamy elements. Plus, we have the secret to keeping the bread perfectly toasted and never soggy.
This isn’t just a sandwich; it’s a gourmet experience built from the comfort of your favorite holiday foods. It’s the perfect quick lunch or easy dinner after a big celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of a leftover turkey sandwich is its flexibility. Here are the core components for the ultimate build, but feel free to swap based on what’s in your fridge.
- Turkey: About 1/4 pound of leftover turkey, sliced. A mix of white and dark meat is ideal for the best flavor and moisture.
- Bread: 2 thick slices of a sturdy bread like sourdough, rye, or a hearty whole wheat.
- Cranberry Sauce: 2 tablespoons of whole berry cranberry sauce. The texture of the whole berries adds a wonderful pop.
- Stuffing: 1/4 cup of leftover stuffing, warmed slightly.
- Cheese: 2 slices of provolone, Swiss, or white cheddar cheese.
- Mayonnaise: 2 tablespoons of good quality mayonnaise.
- Lettuce: A few leaves of crisp romaine or butter lettuce for a fresh crunch.
- Butter: 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, softened, for toasting the bread.
How to Make the Ultimate Leftover Turkey Sandwich (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to construct a sandwich that’s perfectly layered and packed with flavor. The key is in the assembly!
- Toast the Bread: Spread the softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place them butter-side-down in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Toast for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
- Melt the Cheese: Place the cheese slices on the unbuttered side of one slice of bread in the skillet. Let it melt slightly while the other side toasts.
- Warm the Turkey & Stuffing: If you prefer a warm sandwich, gently heat the turkey and stuffing in the microwave or in the skillet for a minute before assembling.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Remove the bread from the skillet. On the slice without cheese, spread the mayonnaise. On the cheesy slice, spread the cranberry sauce.
- Layer the Fillings: Layer the warm turkey onto the mayonnaise-covered slice. Top with the warm stuffing and the crisp lettuce.
- Combine and Serve: Carefully place the cranberry and cheese-covered slice on top. Press down gently, slice diagonally, and serve immediately for the best experience.
Tips for Sandwich Success
A few simple tricks can elevate your leftover turkey sandwich from good to unforgettable.
Choosing the Right Bread
The foundation of any great sandwich is the bread. Avoid standard, flimsy white bread which will get soggy. Opt for something with structure like sourdough, ciabatta, or a thick-cut multigrain. The goal is a bread that can hold up to all the delicious fillings.
The Secret to a Moist Sandwich
Leftover turkey can sometimes be dry. The key to a moist sandwich is the spread! A generous layer of mayonnaise adds fat and flavor. If your turkey is particularly dry, you can toss it with a tiny bit of gravy before adding it to the sandwich.
Perfecting the Layers
The order matters. Always place wet ingredients like cranberry sauce next to a barrier like melted cheese or a thick layer of turkey, not directly against the bread. Place crisp ingredients like lettuce in the middle, away from warm elements, to keep them from wilting.
Creative Variations for Your Turkey Sandwich
While the classic combination is hard to beat, don’t be afraid to get creative. This is your sandwich, after all!
Add Some Crunch
For extra texture, consider adding a layer of crispy fried onions, a sprinkle of chopped pecans, or even some leftover sweet and salty puffcorn for a surprising twist.
Cheese Pairings
Provolone and Swiss are excellent melting cheeses that complement turkey well. For a sharper flavor, try aged white cheddar or Gruyère. For a creamy, tangy option, a spread of herbed goat cheese or some crumbled blue cheese is fantastic. Looking for a party appetizer idea? Try these delicious cranberry brie bites.
Spreads and Sauces
Swap out the mayonnaise for a spicy aioli, a smear of Dijon mustard, or a pesto spread. A drizzle of balsamic glaze can also add a wonderful, complex sweetness that pairs perfectly with the turkey and cranberry.
What to Serve with Your Sandwich
This leftover turkey sandwich is a meal in itself, but it also pairs wonderfully with classic sides. Serve it with a cup of tomato soup, a simple side salad, potato chips, or a tangy pickle spear to complete the meal.
Storing Your Leftover Turkey Sandwich
This sandwich is best enjoyed fresh, as the toasted bread will lose its crispness over time. If you need to make it ahead, assemble it without the toasted bread and wet spreads. Pack the toasted bread and spreads separately and assemble just before eating to prevent sogginess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use thick, sturdy bread and toast it well. Create barriers between wet ingredients and the bread. For example, place lettuce between the turkey and tomato, and spread condiments like cranberry sauce next to melted cheese, not directly on the bread.
A pre-assembled turkey sandwich is best eaten within a few hours. If you need to store it longer, it’s best to pack the ingredients separately and assemble it just before eating. The individual ingredients (turkey, cranberry sauce) will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
You can use a variety of spreads! Try a spicy aioli, pesto, hummus, Dijon mustard, or a smear of herbed cream cheese. A drizzle of balsamic glaze also adds a wonderful sweet and tangy flavor.
Provolone, Swiss, and white cheddar are excellent choices as they melt well and have a mild flavor that complements turkey. For a sharper taste, try Gruyère, or for a tangy kick, use goat cheese.
The Perfect Leftover Recipe
Leftover Turkey Sandwich (The Ultimate Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Spread softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place butter-side-down in a skillet over medium heat and toast for 2-3 minutes until golden.
- Place the cheese slices on the unbuttered side of one bread slice in the skillet to melt while toasting.
- Gently warm the turkey and stuffing if desired.
- Remove bread from skillet. Spread mayonnaise on the non-cheese slice and cranberry sauce on the cheese slice.
- Layer the turkey, stuffing, and lettuce onto the sandwich.
- Combine the two halves, press gently, slice diagonally, and serve immediately.
Notes
Make sure your bread is thick and sturdy to prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy.
Share Your Creation!
There you have it – a leftover turkey sandwich that’s worthy of its own celebration. It’s the best way to honor your holiday leftovers and create another memorable meal. We hope you love this recipe as much as we do. If you make it, share your masterpiece and tag us on Pinterest!
