Turkey Melt

Perfect for if you have leftover turkey, this turkey melt with cheese, spinach, tomato, and bacon is a hearty sandwich that you can whip up in no time. It’s the ultimate hot sandwich that makes a simple yet delicious lunch or dinner!

Buttery, crispy sourdough with a filling full of turkey, bacon, tomato, spinach, and cheese, this is a protein-packed combo that takes a classic turkey sandwich to the next level.

 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s perfect as a post-holiday lunch. It comes together easily with leftover turkey! It’s a fun way to use up turkey without having to eat the same thing over and over.
• Sandwiches are such an easy meal to make and this crispy turkey melt recipe really elevates a plain turkey sandwich without a ton of work.
• Between the tender turkey meat and the crispy bacon, this sandwich is packed with protein, keeping you full until your next meal!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• sourdough — I like using sourdough bread as I love the tangy flavor and chewy texture. If you prefer a different sandwich bread, go for it! I also love using ciabatta like I do for my pesto turkey sandwich.
• butter — use salted or unsalted butter to coat your bread so it gets deliciously golden brown when it goes on the skillet.
• Dijon mustard — I love the tangy, bold flavor of dijon mustard in my turkey sandwiches! Feel free to swap this for your favorite sandwich spread.
• cheese — I used sliced havarti cheese but feel free to use your favorite cheese! It’s also great with provolone, cheddar, and jack!
• turkey — this sandwich is a great way to use up leftover turkey. I usually have too much left after Thanksgiving or Christmas and this is a great way to use it without having to eat just turkey for another few days! I also use it when I have leftover dutch oven turkey breasts or instant pot turkey breast.
• spinach — a handful of spinach is a great way to add a bit of greens to your day. This is also great with shredded romaine lettuce.
• tomato — a juicy and sweet addition to the middle of the sandwich!
• bacon — I usually have some bacon in the freezer so I like to make oven baked bacon to have on hand for the week. I love the crispy aspect of it in my sandwich.

How to Make Turkey Melts

• Place 4 slices of sourdough bread on a cutting board and butter one side of each slice.
• Flip the bread over and spread the dijon mustard over the 4 slices.

• Place 2 half slices of cheese on each slice of sourdough bread.
• Divide the turkey into 4 portions and place 2 portions on 2 of the 4 slices of bread. 

• Divide the bacon, spinach, and tomato in half and place each half on 2 of the 4 slices of bread. 
• Top off the filling with the rest of the turkey.

• Close the sandwiches.
• Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook until bottom bread is toasted for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side, placing something heavy on top or press down with a spatula for another 3 to 4 minutes. 

Recipe Tips and Notes

• The order of this sandwich is: bread, cheese, turkey, bacon, spinach, tomato, turkey, cheese, bread. Feel free to add an extra layer of cheese in the middle or move around the filling order.
• You can use burger press to press down your sandwich but I just use a sheet pan with some heavy cups on top to weigh it down. You can also use another heavy bottom skillet and place it on top of the sandwich as it toasts.
• Be patient with the sandwiches on the skillet. Toasting them on medium-low for 3 to 4 minutes will yield beautifully golden brown crispy bread. If you crank it up too high, you might end up with burnt bread.
• Alfalfa sprouts, turkey bacon, red onions, honey mustard, avocado, and bell peppers are a great swap for the fillings.
• No need to add butter or oil to your skillet. The buttered side of the bread will be enough to crisp up the sandwiches.

Make Ahead Tips

• Meal prep:  tightly wrap the sandwiches in plastic wrap, press and seal, or beeswax wrap, and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: you can enjoy this sandwich warm or cold. I usually pop it into the air fryer to heat up the sandwich from the fridge but H just eats it cold at work.

Serving Suggestions

This turkey melt is hearty and satisfying in its own, but sometimes I just want a side with it! Here are some of my favorites:

• High Protein Tomato Soup
• Purple Cabbage Slaw
• Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes
• Chips
• Soy Sesame Raw Carrot Salad
• Pineapple Pico De Gallo
• Onion Fritters

More Easy Sandwich Recipes

• Chicken Pesto Sandwich
• Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
• Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich
• Crispy Chicken Sandwich

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