When it comes to holiday food and drink, Starbucks is one of the biggest names in the business. No other coffee chain gets people as excited about its seasonal cups and festive favorites.
This year, Starbucks in the UK has launched a concoction inspired by one of the most famous TV sandwiches of our time: Ross “Moist-Maker” Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich from “Friends.”
The hot sourdough sandwich is filled with pulled ham hock and turkey, butternut squash, red cabbage, and cheddar cheese, plus the all-important slice of gravy-soaked bread in the middle.
With England currently in lockdown, residents are only able to get the sandwich to take out, but as someone who previously made the Moist-Maker using the official “Friends” recipe, I knew I had to give it a try. Advertisement
Despite the layer of gravy-soaked bread and turkey, the sandwich didnt actually bear much resemblance to the Moist-Maker, which is made with turkey, lettuce, stuffing, mayo, and cranberry sauce.
But that aside, the Starbucks sandwich was absolutely delicious in its own right, tastier than it looked, and definitely moist (sorry).
“The One with the Gravy Layer Sandwich,” as Starbucks has named it, costs £4.59 ($6.05) and is available in the UK until January 4, 2021. Advertisement
The holidays are fast approaching, which means tasty seasonal food and drink options are popping up everywhere. One of my personal favorite holiday menu items is the Starbucks Cranberry Turkey Sandwich. This savory sandwich is only available for a limited time, so I try to enjoy it as much as possible while it’s here!
In this article I’ll tell you all about the Starbucks Cranberry Turkey Sandwich – what makes it so delicious its nutritional information, how to order it, and even tips for making your own version at home. I’m also a big fan of the cranberry flavor paired with turkey, so I was excited when Starbucks added this seasonal sandwich to their menu. Keep reading to learn why it should become your new go-to lunch item this holiday season!
An Overview of the Starbucks Cranberry Turkey Sandwich
The Starbucks Cranberry Turkey Sandwich features sliced roasted turkey breast layered with cranberry sauce, Swiss cheese, and spinach on toasted wheat bread. The combination of flavors is what really makes this sandwich stand out:
- The roasted turkey is savory and tender
- Tangy cranberry sauce provides tart sweetness
- Melted Swiss cheese adds richness
- Spinach gives freshness and texture
- Toasted wheat bread provides a crunchy yet sturdy base
This sandwich really covers all the flavor bases. The cranberries pair surprisingly well with the turkey and cheese too. Overall, it’s a delicious and satisfying lunch option.
Nutritional Information
One of the things that initially drew me to the Starbucks Cranberry Turkey Sandwich was the nutrition information. For a hearty sandwich, it’s relatively low in calories and fat while still providing protein. Here are the nutrition facts for a standard Cranberry Turkey Sandwich:
- Calories: 440
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Protein: 29g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 920mg
The sandwich provides a solid hit of protein from the turkey breast which will help you stay full and energized. It’s also a good source of fiber from the wheat bread and spinach. For a midday meal on-the-go you could certainly do worse from a nutritional perspective.
How to Order the Starbucks Cranberry Turkey Sandwich
Ordering the Starbucks Cranberry Turkey Sandwich is simple since it’s a standard menu item during the holidays. Just visit any Starbucks location and order one up! Here are a few tips for customizing your sandwich order:
- Specify if you want it warmed up or not. I like getting it warmed because it makes the cheese extra melty.
- Ask for extra cranberry sauce if you really like its sweet, tart flavor.
- Substitute spinach for lettuce if you prefer.
- Opt for multigrain bread instead of wheat if you want more seeds and grains.
- Add avocado spread for a creaminess and healthy fats.
- Skip the cheese if you’re dairy-free.
The great thing about ordering sandwiches at Starbucks is you can really customize it to your preferences. Take advantage of this to get the perfect cranberry turkey sandwich every time!
How to Make Your Own Cranberry Turkey Sandwich
While it’s convenient to grab the Cranberry Turkey Sandwich at Starbucks during the holidays, you can also easily recreate it at home. Making your own allows you to source higher quality ingredients and play around with the flavors even more.
Here’s a simple homemade Cranberry Turkey Sandwich recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 slices whole wheat bread
- 3-4 oz sliced turkey breast
- 2 Tbsp whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1-2 slices Swiss cheese
- Handful of baby spinach
- 1 tsp olive oil or butter (for cooking)
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add both slices of bread and cook until lightly toasted on both sides.
- Assemble the sandwiches by layering turkey, cranberry sauce, Swiss cheese, and baby spinach between the toasted bread slices.
- Cook assembled sandwiches in the skillet for 2-3 minutes per side, until the cheese melts and the bread is golden brown.
- Slice in half and enjoy your homemade Cranberry Turkey Sandwich!
Making it at home allows you to use better bread, turkey, and cheese while controlling the portion sizes. I recommend sourcing cranberry sauce from your local farmer’s market too. Feel free to get creative with additional toppings like avocado, roasted red peppers, pesto, or herb mayo.
Why the Cranberry Turkey Sandwich Should Become Your Go-To
The Starbucks Cranberry Turkey Sandwich has become a seasonal favorite of mine, and it should definitely be on your radar too. Here’s a quick recap of why it’s so delicious and nutritious:
- Perfect flavor combination of savory turkey, tart cranberries, melty cheese, and fresh spinach
- Great source of protein and fiber to keep you full and satisfied
- Relatively low in calories and fat for a hearty sandwich
- Limited availability makes it a special seasonal treat
- Easy to customize to your taste preferences when ordering
- Simple to recreate at home with higher quality ingredients
Truth be told, the gravy-soaked layer wasn’t actually discernible, but the overall sandwich was far from dry, so I think the Moist-Maker did its job. As you’d hope for a £59 ($6.05) sandwich.
The sandwich has a top layer of pulled ham hock and turkey, a bottom layer of smoky butternut squash, red cabbage, and cheddar cheese, and the all-important slice of sourdough soaked in turkey and cranberry gravy in the middle.
Trying Starbucks Holiday Turkey & Stuffing Sandwich; and Holiday Treats! 2020 Menu!
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