What Comes on a Turkey Club Sandwich? A Classic Combination of Ingredients

The turkey club sandwich is a delicious and satisfying lunchtime favorite enjoyed by many, But what exactly comes on this classic triple-decker sandwich? Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients that make up this iconic sandwich

A Base of Bread

The foundation of a turkey club sandwich is bread – typically white bread. White bread provides a neutral base that won’t compete with the other ingredients. It also has a soft texture that allows for easier eating compared to denser whole wheat breads.

For structurally sound sandwiches, lighter white breads like Pullman loaf or sandwich-style breads work better than fluffy options. The bread should be toasted which gives it more structure and flavor.

Slather on the Mayo

A turkey club just isn’t complete without a schmear of mayonnaise on the bread Mayo provides creaminess and moisture that brings the sandwich together Regular mayo is most common, but flavored options like chipotle mayo can add a twist.

When assembling the sandwich, mayo should be spread on one side of each slice of toasted bread Use just enough to flavor the bread without saturating it.

Crunchy, Crisp Bacon

What’s a club sandwich without bacon? The salty, smoky, crispy pork bacon is a must for texture contrast. Center-cut bacon cooks up with the perfect balance of meaty lean and fat.

Baking the bacon on a sheet pan makes it flat and extra crisp. Leaving a bit of waviness in the bacon helps prevent a dense sandwich.

Sliced Turkey Breast

Turkey breast is the classic choice of poultry for this sandwich. It should be good quality deli turkey, thinly sliced for ease of eating. Using leftovers from a roasted bird also works well.

Thin slices make the turkey easier to bite through when layered in the triple-decker sandwich. Folding and layering the turkey so it doesn’t spill out is key.

Fresh Lettuce Crunch

Crisp, cool lettuce provides freshness and texture contrast to the other ingredients. Green leaf or romaine are typical choices that work well. Iceberg lettuce can also provide nice crunch.

Don’t skimp on the lettuce – it plays an important role in adding moisture and texture when biting into the sandwich.

Juicy Tomato Slices

Sliced tomato is a given for a turkey club. When tomatoes are in season, choose ripe, juicy specimens. Out of season, grape or cherry tomatoes can provide pops of sweetness too.

The tomatoes don’t have to be perfectly sliced, but should be thick enough to add texture without making the sandwich sloppy.

Cheese is a Nice Extra

While not all turkey clubs contain cheese, many versions do. Cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack or Monterey jack are commonly used. The cheese adds creaminess and another layer of flavor.

If including cheese, add a slice along with the turkey layer. This helps the cheese melt a bit between the hot turkey.

Extras and Substitutions

While the above ingredients make up a classic turkey club, there are endless ways to customize it by adding extras or swapping out key ingredients:

• Avocado slices for creaminess
• Crisp bacon substituted with deli ham
• Sliced roasted chicken instead of turkey
• Pickles for tanginess
• Mustard or chipotle mayo for a kick
• Peppery arugula instead of lettuce

The possibilities are endless when reimagining this iconic triple-decker sandwich. Part of the fun is taking the basic framework and tailoring it to your preferences.

Assembly is Key

Constructing a turkey club is almost as important as the ingredients themselves. Proper layering and stacking keeps the filling contained. Here is one method:

• Toast bread, spread mayo on one side of each slice
• Layer lettuce, tomato, cheese, turkey, bacon on bottom slice
• Add middle bread slice on top, mayo-side down
• Repeat lettuce, tomato, turkey, bacon layer
• Finish with top bread slice, mayo-side down
• Secure with toothpicks and slice or eat open-faced

When assembled with care, all of the components work in perfect harmony. The result is a crunchy, creamy, meaty, and satisfying lunchtime treat.

A Timeless and Customizable Sandwich

The turkey club has remained a popular sandwich for good reason – people just love the combination of cool lettuce, juicy tomato, smoky bacon, tender turkey, and creamy mayo. While the classic version will never go out of style, part of the fun is making the sandwich your own with fresh ingredients and creative additions.

Hopefully this gives you a good overview of what generally comes on a turkey club, from the essential ingredients to possible customizations. Whatever version you prefer, savor each crunchy, juicy, salty, sweet bite of this forever enjoyable triple-decker sandwich.