If you’re looking for a new quick meal idea, my Turkey Pesto Sandwich is hearty, healthy, delicious, and it takes just 15 minutes to make. Featuring buttery toasted sourdough, brightly herby pesto, juicy turkey breast, melty mozzarella cheese, and a handful of fresh spinach, this simple sandwich recipe is the best thing to happen to lunch since sliced bread!
Since my hubby is a firefighter and I work from home, we often get to eat lunch together. It’s such a treat — and a great way to have a little date night in the middle of the day! And while we’re usually eating whatever I’m photographing that day, this turkey pesto sandwich recipe is one we turn to again and again.
You can’t beat something so delicious that takes just 6 ingredients and 15 minutes to whip up! When paired with my crispy sweet potato wedges and homemade matcha boba tea, it’s a gee-dang feast. And the best part? This giant pesto turkey sandwich is built to be shared, so we can sit down to a hot sandwich at the same time without dirtying another pan.
So, next time you’re looking to breathe some new life into your meal plan, make a batch of my easy almond pesto, buy (or make!) some low-sodium turkey deli meat, and grab a few slices of bread. The whole family is sure to love these turkey pesto paninis, and you’ll love how quick and easy they are to make! [feast_advanced_jump_to]
A turkey pesto sandwich is a delicious and easy lunch or dinner option that will quickly become a favorite. With flavorful pesto, savory turkey, melty cheese, and fresh veggies, these sandwiches are packed with taste. In this article, I’ll share my foolproof turkey pesto sandwich recipe, as well as tips for customizing it and making it your own.
An Irresistible Flavor Combination
There are so many reasons to love the turkey pesto sandwich. The combination of ingredients is simply irresistible:
-
Savory sliced turkey breast provides protein and substance.
-
Basil pesto adds a pop of herbaceous garlicky flavor.
-
Sliced tomatoes contribute freshness and moisture
-
Leafy greens like spinach give color and nutrition.
-
Melty provolone cheese ties everything together.
With quality ingredients like these, you can’t go wrong. Even picky eaters will devour this sandwich. The flavors and textures perfectly complement each other in each satisfying bite.
Benefits of Making Your Own
Rather than picking up a pre-made pesto turkey sandwich from the grocery store deli, I highly recommend making your own from scratch. Here are some of the benefits:
-
It’s customizable – Make it exactly how you like with your favorite ingredients.
-
You can use high quality ingredients – Deli meats and cheeses often have preservatives and additives.
-
It’s affordable – Buying the ingredients separately costs less than a pre-made sandwich.
-
You control the portions – Get the perfect meat-to-cheese-to-veggie ratio in each bite.
-
It’s super quick and easy to make – Assembly takes just 10 minutes start to finish!
With my easy recipe below, you’ll be enjoying gourmet pesto turkey sandwiches for lunch in no time.
Pesto Turkey Sandwich Ingredients
The ingredient list for these sandwiches is short and simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
Bread: Crusty artisan sourdough or ciabatta work best.
Pesto: Use store-bought or homemade. Basil or arugula pesto are excellent choices.
Turkey: Opt for premium sliced deli turkey breast for the best flavor.
Cheese: Provolone, mozzarella, and fontina are perfect melty options.
Veggies: Roma tomatoes, spinach leaves, roasted red peppers all taste great.
Butter: Adds flavor as it browns and crisps the bread when grilled.
With quality ingredients like these, it’s easy to build an incredible sandwich. Don’t be afraid to get creative and swap in your favorite add-ins!
Step-By-Step Turkey Pesto Sandwich Recipe
Now let’s get to the fun part – actually making these amazing sandwiches! Just follow these simple steps:
1. Prep the bread: Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. Spread pesto on the other side of one slice.
2. Layer turkey and cheese: Top the pesto with turkey slices, then provolone cheese slices.
3. Add veggies: Top with tomato slices, spinach leaves, or other veggies of choice.
4. Complete the sandwich: Spread pesto on second bread slice and place pesto-side down on top.
5. Grill the sandwich: Place in a preheated pan, buttered side down. Grill 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
6. Slice and serve: Let cool one minute before slicing in half and serving your crunchy, gooey turkey pesto sandwich!
It really doesn’t get much easier than that. In less than 10 minutes, you can have a gourmet sandwich ready to enjoy.
Cooking Tips for the Best Pesto Turkey Sandwiches
Follow these helpful tips for pesto turkey sandwich success:
-
Use a high-quality sourdough or ciabatta bread that can stand up to the fillings.
-
Don’t skimp on the pesto – spread a generous amount on both slices of bread.
-
Layer thin turkey slices evenly for the optimal meat-to-cheese ratio.
-
Grill slowly over medium heat to melt the cheese without burning the bread.
-
Try both store-bought and homemade pesto to find your favorite.
-
Add spinach leaves for color contrast and nutrition.
-
Slice tomatoes thinly so they don’t make the bread soggy.
With practice, you’ll perfect your personal pesto turkey sandwich preferences in no time!
Customize Your Turkey Pesto Sandwich
One of the best parts of making your own sandwiches is customizing with your favorite flavors. Get creative with these add-in ideas:
-
Swap in different cheeses like havarti, cheddar, or brie.
-
Add avocado slices, bacon, or caramelized onions.
-
Use alternate pestos like arugula, sun-dried tomato, or olive.
-
Top with pickled vegetables, roasted peppers, or artichoke hearts.
-
Spread hummus, tapenade, or olive salad instead of pesto.
-
Use different breads like ciabatta, baguettes, focaccia or wraps.
The possibilities are endless! Change up the ingredients to create your perfect pesto turkey sandwich masterpiece.
Leftover Pesto Turkey Sandwich Storage
Leftover pesto turkey sandwiches will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. Here are some storage tips:
-
Allow sandwiches to cool completely before storing.
-
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents the bread from drying out.
-
For longer shelf life, store veggie toppings like tomatoes and spinach separately.
-
Reheat wrapped sandwiches in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.
-
Microwave 20-30 seconds to reheat but results in soggier bread.
With proper storage, you can enjoy your sandwiches again later in the week with nearly freshly-made taste and texture.
More Delicious Pesto Sandwich Recipes
While the classic turkey version is a definite crowd-pleaser, don’t be afraid to branch out with more pesto sandwich recipes:
-
Pesto chicken sandwiches – Grilled or roasted chicken breast paired with pesto is amazing.
-
Pesto and fresh mozzarella – Keep it simple with just pesto, tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil.
-
Pesto veggie sandwiches – Load up pesto, tomatoes, avocado, cucumbers, and sprouts for a hearty veggie sandwich.
-
Pesto breakfast sandwiches – Wake up to pesto, egg, bacon, and cheese on an English muffin.
Pesto truly elevates any sandwich, so try it on all your sandwich favorites! Your taste buds will thank you.
Make This Crave-Worthy Turkey Pesto Sandwich Now
Pair your turkey pesto sandwich with a fresh side salad or soup for an easy, delicious, well-balanced meal anytime. I know this flavor-packed sandwich will earn a permanent spot in your lunch rotation once you give it a try.
Frequency of Entities:
Turkey: 21
Pesto: 20
Sandwich: 18
Bread: 10
Cheese: 8
Slice: 7
Tomato: 6
Spinach: 4
Grill: 4
Vegetable: 3
Leftover: 3
Fridge: 2
Custom: 2
Gourmet: 2
Why You’ll Love This Pesto Sandwich Recipe
- Simple & Speedy – 15 minutes of prep time, 6 ingredients, and 1 pan are all it takes to whip up this stellar meal.
- Rich But Balanced – While the stretchy mozzarella and buttered bread make these turkey pesto sandwiches taste like an indulgence, the lean, protein-packed turkey and leafy green goodness of spinach help to make it pretty virtuous.
- Totally Customizable – You’re the head honcho of your own deli counter, so zhuzh this pesto turkey sandwich recipe to fit your preferences. Crave a slice of tomato? Add it! Prefer provolone to mozz? That sounds yummy! However you want to tweak it, this turkey and pesto combo is sure to please.
You only need a handful of ingredients to make a turkey pesto sandwich Starbucks would envy. Here’s what to grab:
- Sourdough Bread – I love using crusty sourdough bread for this turkey pesto sandwich because it adds a nice tanginess, but doesn’t completely overpower the other flavors the way a multi-grain bread would. Make sure to buy high-quality sourdough bread or make your own.
- Unsalted Butter – If possible, opt for natural, organic, grass-fed, unsalted butter. It’s much healthier than overly processed butter.
- Pesto – Basil pesto adds a lot of flavor to this sandwich, but I find that store-bought pesto usually tastes really salty and is overly processed. If you feel the same way, you can make your own homemade pesto instead!
- Shredded Mozzarella – This mild, melty cheese adds so much flavor to the sandwich without overpowering the pesto flavor or making it too salty. Don’t skip the cheese!
- Sliced Turkey – 3 ounces of turkey goes a long way in this recipe! Make sure to buy a high-quality, minimally processed sliced turkey breast (or use up your leftover turkey breast from Thanksgiving) for the tastiest, healthiest results.
- Baby Spinach – Adding a big ol’ handful of tender leafy greens means you can knock out a full serving of veggies while you’re eating this juiced-up grilled cheese sandwich.
As with all sandwiches, this turkey pesto number is completely customizable. Here are some ingredient subs to try:
- Sourdough Bread – Feel free to swap in the type of bread of your choice, ciabatta rolls would be really good!
- Unsalted Butter – If dairy is off the table, try swiping the outside of the bread with a thin layer of mayo. It browns the crust beautifully!
- Basil Pesto – For a fun, colorful twist, try swapping in red pesto made from sun-dried tomatoes instead.
- Shredded Mozzarella – I’ve also made this yummy turkey sandwich with a couple of slices of provolone cheese. The flavor is more pronounced and the cheese pull isn’t *quite* as Instagrammable, but it’s very good.
- Sliced Turkey – Feel free to swap in leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken instead. Although this recipe calls for deli turkey, you can also use leftover Thanksgiving turkey!
- Baby Spinach – For a pepperier take, swap in baby arugula.
What is a turkey pesto sandwich?
Just what it sounds like: a delectable, crave-worthy combo of thinly sliced turkey breast and pesto between two slices of tangy sourdough. But because I’m an over-achiever and I love the Starbucks turkey pesto panini, I’ve also added shredded mozzarella cheese and fresh baby spinach plus a thin swipe of butter, then griddled it to golden-brown melty perfection.
Pesto Turkey Sandwich Recipe
FAQ
What is good on a pesto sandwich?
Is a pesto sandwich healthy?
What is the best condiment on a turkey sandwich?
What is the pesto sandwich at Starbucks?
How do you make a Turkey pesto sandwich?
Toast it up in a pan until the cheese melts and the bread gets perfectly golden brown and crispy. Turkey pesto sandwiches are a simple yet mouthwatering blend of flavors that’ll have you adding this to your weekly menu rotation right away. We love these as a great lunch or easy dinner on a busy night.
How do you make pesto sandwich?
Heat a large griddle or skillet over low-medium heat and add the butter or coconut oil to the pan to allow it to melt. Place the two slices of bread, side by side on a cutting board or plate. Spread half of the mayonnaise onto each piece of bread followed by half of the pesto onto each slice of bread.
How do you make a sandwich with pesto & mayonnaise?
Place the two slices of bread, side by side on a cutting board or plate. Spread half of the mayonnaise onto each piece of bread followed by half of the pesto onto each slice of bread. Onto one piece of bread, add the sliced cheese, chopped sun dried tomatoes and sliced turkey. Then top with the other piece of bread.
How do you make a turkey sandwich with provolone cheese?
Heat a pan over medium heat. Place bread butter side down. Add provolone cheese, sliced turkey, and sun dried tomatoes on one slice of bread. Let the bread toast and the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes. Add tomato slices and greens to the turkey and top with other slice of bread. Slice in half and serve.