I’m a huge fan of turkey sandwiches. I like them with lots of mayo, good bread and a cheese with lots of flavor.
The day after Thanksgiving I’m the first one making a big sandwich with the leftover turkey and cranberry sauce. That’s really the perfect way to use Thanksgiving leftovers.
But here at Mortadella Head I try to come up with ways to turn American favorites into Italian recipes.
It’s made with a really nice deli style turkey. The same kind you usually get on a turkey sub.
There are so many different kinds of cheese to choose from when you make a delicious turkey sandwich.
I tried a few different types of cheese and I think I came up with the perfect sandwich.
The guy who maintains our deli slicer told me it was the best turkey sandwich he’s ever had. And he’s been in a lot of delis over the years.
It’s simple enough to make for an easy lunch, but it’s also good enough to serve to a crowd of friends and family.
What Goes Good with a Turkey Sandwich: 25 Delicious Topping and Side Dish Ideas
A turkey sandwich is a classic lunchtime favorite. With its combination of protein-packed sliced turkey, cheese, lettuce, and condiments, it makes for a hearty and satisfying meal. However, some might find the standard turkey, cheese and lettuce sandwich a bit boring after a while. That’s where toppings and side dishes come in!
There are so many ways to jazz up a basic turkey sandwich to make it anything but boring. From flavorful condiments and toppings to delicious side dishes, there are endless options for customizing your turkey sandwich experience. Read on for 25 ideas to take your turkey sandwich from bland to grand!
Topping Ideas to Elevate Your Turkey Sandwich
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AvocadoCreamy, smooth avocado adds a wonderful richness and healthy fats to any sandwich Sliced or mashed avocado is a great addition to a turkey sandwich. The flavors pair wonderfully together.
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Bacon
What doesn’t taste better with bacon? A few strips of crispy bacon add smoky, salty, crunchy goodness to your sandwich. Fry it up nice and crispy before adding it. -
Banana Peppers
Spice up your sandwich with the tangy kick of pickled banana peppers. Their flavor pairs perfectly with turkey. Slice or chop them up before adding to your sandwich. -
Caramelized Onions
Sliced onions slowly cooked until sweet and jammy make for an amazing sandwich topping. Their deep, sweet flavor is the perfect complement to turkey. -
Cranberry Sauce
Take your sandwich up a notch by spreading on some tangy cranberry sauce, just like you’d find on a Thanksgiving turkey dinner. The sweetness pairs wonderfully with the turkey. -
Cucumber
Cool, crisp cucumber slices add a refreshing crunch and lightness to your sandwich. A nice contrast from the richer turkey and cheese. -
Feta Cheese
Crumbled feta adds a nice salty, tangy punch of flavor. The briny taste pairs well with smoked or roasted turkey. -
Green Apple
Thinly sliced green apple provides a sweet crunch to perk up your sandwich. The juicy fruit flavors balance the savory turkey beautifully. -
Jalapeños
If you like things spicy, sliced or diced jalapeños bring the heat. They add a nice kick to mild turkey, and their flavors pair well together. -
Pesto
A smear of pesto mayo elevates your turkey sandwich to new heights of flavor. The basil, garlic, pine nuts and Parmesan add so much richness and depth of flavor. -
Pickles
From sweet bread and butter pickles to tangy dill, any type of pickled cucumber slices add a nice vinegar tartness and crunch to contrast the turkey. -
Roasted Red Peppers
The sweet smokiness of roasted red peppers is delicious in any sandwich. The soft texture and flavor make a wonderful turkey sandwich topper. -
Sliced Almonds
Toasted sliced almonds add fantastic crunch as well as nutty flavor to balance the turkey. Sprinkle them on top to finish your sandwich. -
Spinach
Fresh spinach adds color as well as key nutrients, and its slightly peppery taste pairs well with turkey in sandwiches. -
Sprouts
Whether alfalfa, radish, broccoli or other, sprouts lend a wonderful crunch and earthiness. Their crisp texture and flavor are great in turkey sandwiches. -
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Intense sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet, chewy element that pairs wonderfully with turkey breast. Chop before adding to your sandwich.
Condiment Ideas to Kick Up Your Turkey Sandwich
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Balsamic Glaze/Vinaigrette
Drizzle on some thick, syrupy balsamic glaze or whipped balsamic vinaigrette to add tangy sweetness and moisture to your turkey sandwich. -
Basil Pesto Mayo
Mixing basil pesto into the mayo kicks the flavor up enormously compared to plain mayo. The basil, garlic and Parmesan are sensational with turkey. -
Honey Mustard
Honey mustard has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy that complements turkey wonderfully. The honey adds sweetness to balance the savory turkey. -
Horseradish Aioli/Sauce
Prepared horseradish folded into mayo gives a creamy, spicy kick. Or a dollop of horseradish sauce adds a nice heat and vinegar tang. -
Hummus
Tahini-based hummus makes an amazing spread in place of traditional mayo or mustard, adding creaminess and nutty sesame flavor. -
Oil and Vinegar
Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil and balsamic or red wine vinegar as a lighter sandwich dressing than mayo. Let flavors meld before adding turkey. -
Salsa
A spoonful of tomatillo or red salsa adds fabulous fresh flavor as well as texture and moisture. Salsa and turkey are fabulous companions. -
Sriracha Mayo
For those who like spice, mixing sriracha sauce into mayo gives a nice heat kick. Start with a little and add more to taste. -
Tzatziki
Garlic-infused cucumber yogurt tzatziki sauce makes an amazingly refreshing, flavorful spread or dip for your turkey sandwich.
Side Dish Ideas to Pair with Your Turkey Sandwich
A delicious side dish can really make your turkey sandwich meal complete. Here are 12 tasty sides to serve alongside your dressed up sandwiches:
- Coleslaw – Broccoli salad – Pasta salad – Potato salad – Fruit salad – Veggie sticks with hummus – Crispy baked potato wedges – Tomato basil bisque – Minestrone soup – Lentil soup – Greek yogurt with fruit and granola – Kettle chips
The possibilities are endless when it comes to amazing toppings and creative condiments to give your basic turkey sandwich a deliciously flavorful makeover. With all these suggestions, you’ll look forward to turkey sandwich lunches instead of getting bored by the same old standard sandwich. Get creative with combinations of these mix-ins and spreads to invent your own signature turkey sandwich. Leftover turkey has never been so exciting! Round out your turkey sandwich lunch with a refreshing side like a salad, soup or chips.
Can this turkey and cheese sandwich be served hot?
Yes. When I made it, I ate it at room temperature. If you like hot turkey and cheese, here are a couple ways to do it.
It’s a great way to improve on a traditional grilled cheese and turkey sandwich.
Make a turkey melt in a large skillet or frying pan. Add some real butter to the pan and put it on medium heat. Put the sandwich in the pan for a couple minutes on each side.
You’ll know it’s done when the cheese melts and the bread is a nice golden brown.
You can also put the sandwich in the oven and make a melty cheese and turkey sandwich.
If you have a panini press you can use it to make a hot turkey sandwich. Put it in the press until you can see the melted cheese oozing out the side of the bread.
What are the best cheeses for grilled cheese and turkey sandwiches?
Like I said before I like provolone, American and cheddar cheese for room temperature sandwiches. These cheeses also melt really nice.
If you want to try some other cheeses try Swiss cheese, Colby Jack or Monterey Jack. They are really good for melting.
The Ultimate Turkey Club Sandwich | Perfect for a Quick and Delicious Lunch!
FAQ
What is the best condiment on a turkey sandwich?
What other meat goes with turkey?