Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
Preparing a whole turkey for Thanksgiving dinner is a great tradition. But it also means that you'll probably have lots of leftovers when dinner is over. If you're looking for a delicious way to use that leftover meat, you're going to love this turkey cranberry sandwich recipe! Combine your sliced turkey with cranberry sauce, mustard, and provolone cheese to create a sweet and savory lunch everyone in the family will love.
What Do I Need to Make a Turkey Cranberry Sandwich?
This delicious sandwich has all the flavors of a Thanksgiving dinner! But the best part is how simple it is to make. Combine your Thanksgiving leftovers with a few other easy ingredients to whip up this delicious lunch idea. To make your own cranberry turkey sandwiches, you'll need:
- Thick sliced bread
- Dijon mustard
- Provolone cheese
- Sliced turkey
- Whole cranberry sauce
- Butter
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How Do I Make a Turkey Cranberry Sandwich?
These quick and easy sandwiches are the perfect way to use up your leftovers! And they're so simple to make - just follow these three easy steps:
Step One: Build the Sandwiches
Start building your sandwiches by spreading the Dijon mustard over one slice of bread. Top the mustard with two slices of provolone cheese, then add four ounces of turkey. Spoon one tablespoon of cranberry sauce over the turkey, then top the sauce with another slice of provolone cheese. Top the sandwich with a final slice of bread.
Step Two: Butter the Sandwiches
Heat a large skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. As the skillet is warming up, spread one side of the sandwich with butter. Place the butter side of the sandwich on the warm skillet and carefully spread butter on the other slice of bread.
Step Three: Toast the Bread
Cook the sandwich until the bread is golden brown, around two minutes. Then, flip the sandwich to toast the other side. As that side is cooking, create a tent with a piece of aluminum foil and place it over the top of the sandwich to help melt the cheese. When both sides of the sandwich are brown, remove it from the skillet and serve immediately.
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What Condiments are Good on a Turkey Sandwich?
Thanks to its neutral flavor, turkey is a great option for building a delicious sandwich. And that means there are a variety of condiments you can choose from when you make a sandwich using leftover Thanksgiving turkey. In addition to Dijon mustard, you could also top your sandwich with:
- Leftover gravy
- Yellow mustard
- Brown mustard
- Honey mustard
- Mayonnaise
- BBQ sauce
- Hot sauce
- Relish
- Ranch dressing
- Salsa
- Vinaigrette
- Greek yogurt
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh herbs
What Cheese Goes with a Turkey Sandwich?
When you're building the best turkey sandwich, it can be difficult to know what type of cheese to use. I love the combination of turkey, provolone, and cranberry sauce in this easy recipe. But there are a variety of other delicious cheese options you can choose from to add to your own sandwich recipe. Try mixing and matching these cheeses to create your own leftover turkey sandwich recipe:
- Brie
- Cream cheese
- Gouda
- Mozzarella
- Colby jack
- Cheddar jack
- Monterey jack
- Cheddar
- Havarti
- Swiss
- Muenster
How Long is Leftover Turkey Good For?
If you're planning to use your Thanksgiving leftovers to make these yummy sandwiches, you will need to use your turkey within three to four days. The meat will stay good for that length of time if it's stored properly. Make sure to place your turkey in an airtight container or zip-top bag and store it in the refrigerator.
Turkey can also be stored in the freezer. Place the turkey in a freezer-safe bag or container and it will stay good for up to three months. When you're ready to use your turkey, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before making your sandwiches.
How Do You Keep a Grilled Sandwich from Getting Soggy?
There's nothing worse than biting into a soggy sandwich! To keep your turkey sandwich from getting soggy before you have a chance to eat it, follow these simple tips:
- Use thick cut bread. The thicker the bread, the less likely the melted cheese and steam from the meat will cause the bread to become soggy.
- Toast the bread first. If you don't have thick-sliced bread at home, place your traditional bread in the toaster for a couple of minutes before building your sandwich. The toaster will help solidify the edges of the bread, helping it stay sturdy as it cooks in the pan.
- Use slightly stale bread. Another option for helping keep your sandwich from getting soggy is to use slightly stale bread. Since stale bread is often harder than fresh bread, the lack of moisture will keep it from becoming soft as it cooks.
- Press down on the sandwich in the pan. Lightly press the sandwich after placing in the pan to help flatten the exterior of the bread against the pan.
Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
Ingredients
- 8 pieces thick-sliced bread
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 12 slices provolone cheese
- 12 to 16 ounces sliced turkey
- ⅓ cup whole cranberry sauce
- 6 tablespoons butter room temperature
Instructions
- Over medium heat, heat a large skillet.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sandwiches by spreading one slice of each sandwich with dijon mustard.
- Top the mustard with two slices of provolone cheese and about 4 ounces of turkey.
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon cranberry sauce over the turkey and top with another slice of provolone and a final slice of bread.
- Spread one side of each sandwich with a generous helping of butter.
- Place the sandwiches with the butter side down onto the skillet. Carefully top the sandwich with butter. Cook until golden brown on the first side, about 2 minutes, and flip to brown the other side.
- Tent the sandwiches with aluminum foil or cover with a metal bowl so the sandwiches will warm all the way through.
- When both sides are browned, remove the sandwiches from the skillet and serve warm.
