Savor the flavors of the holidays all year round with this irresistible turkey cranberry sandwich!
Layers of tender, oven-roasted turkey breast are nestled between slices of hearty, whole-grain bread and slathered with tangy, homemade cranberry sauce.
It’s all nestled between buttery, toasted bread, and it’s so easy to make!
Add creamy brie, fresh greens, and herbs, and you’re all set.
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
Perfect for Leftovers: Have Thanksgiving (or Christmas) leftovers you don’t want to throw out? Turn them into this quick and easy sandwich instead. Even the kids will love it.
Gourmet Touch: Adding brie cheese and fresh herbs elevates this sandwich to a gourmet level. It’s suitable for both casual lunches and more sophisticated gatherings.
Flavor Explosion: The key ingredients in this sandwich create a wonderful mix of flavors.
Classic Comfort: The grilled, buttery bread encasing the warm, gooey filling evokes feelings of comfort and nostalgia.
Ingredients
- Hearty Bread: For this recipe, I like sourdough or multigrain bread. Whatever you choose, ensure it’s sturdy enough to hold everything.
- Sliced Leftover Turkey Breast: Tender and filled with protein, turkey is the star of the show. Pile it high for the ultimate sandwich experience.
- Cranberry Sauce: A burst of tangy sweetness perfectly complements the savory turkey. Homemade cranberry sauce works best, but you can use canned in a pinch.
- Softened Butter: For spreading on the outside of the bread. It gives it a perfectly crispy, golden-brown finish.
- Mayo: It adds richness and helps the sandwich ingredients stick together.
- Brie Cheese: For the ultimate indulgence. It’s decadent, melty, and oh, so gooey.
- Arugula or Green Leaf Lettuce: They provide a pop of color and a light, peppery flavor.
- Salt & Pepper: The dynamic duo for seasoning.
- Chopped Fresh Sage or Chives: Though optional, these herbs really round out the “Thanksgiving dinner” flavor. Sprinkle them on for a fancy finishing touch.
How to Make a Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
There’s more to making this turkey cranberry sandwich than just slapping turkey on bread. But it’s so easy!
1. Prepare the bread. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of butter on one side of each piece of bread. Then, spread a tablespoon of mayo on the other side of one slice and 2 tablespoons of cranberry sauce on the other slice.
2. Add turkey. Place the turkey on top of the cranberry sauce. Season with salt and pepper and add brie.
3. Add greens. Top the cheese with your choice of greens and add the herbs (if using).
4. Close the sandwich. Place the other bread slice mayo-side-down on top. Spread another 1/2 tablespoon of butter on the outside of the top slice.
5. Grill. Place the sandwich butter-side-down in a skillet. Heat it over medium-low heat and butter the top with the remaining butter. Cover the skillet and grill for 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown.
6. Flip. Flip the sandwich and grill it for another 3 to 4 minutes until the second side is golden brown.
7. Serve. Remove the sandwich from the skillet and slice it diagonally. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
If you really want to kick your sandwich up to the next level, try some of these tips and variations:
- The thicker, the better. This sandwich contains several hearty ingredients, so you need thick, sturdy bread to hold everything. Try sourdough, multigrain, or a crusty artisan loaf.
- Add a pop of color. Mix some finely chopped red onion into your cranberry sauce. It gives it extra zing and texture.
- Amp up the mayo. Add herbs and spices like rosemary, garlic powder, chives, etc., to boost the flavor.
- Add stuffing and gravy. The stuffing will provide an extra taste of Thanksgiving, and the gravy will add moisture and an extra depth of savory flavor.
- Have fun with add-ins. Try crispy bacon, sautéed apples or pears, pickled onions, or jalapeños. Customize your sandwich to suit your tastes.
Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
1
servings5
minutes8
minutes1070
kcalRepurpose Thanksgiving leftovers into this turkey cranberry sandwich! With creamy brie and fresh herbs, the flavor can’t be topped!
Ingredients
2 slices hearty bread like sourdough or multigrain
2 tablespoons softened butter
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 cup cranberry sauce
1/2 pound sliced leftover turkey breast
2 ounces brie cheese, sliced
handful arugula or green leaf lettuce
salt and black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or chives (optional)
Instructions
- Spread one side of each bread slice with 1/2 tablespoon of the softened butter. On the other side of one slice, spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise. On the other slice, spread 2 tablespoons of cranberry sauce.
- Layer the turkey slices on the cranberry sauce side. Season the turkey with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Add the brie cheese slices on top of the turkey.
- Top the brie with a handful of arugula or lettuce. Sprinkle on the chopped sage or chives if using.
- Close the sandwich with the other slice of bread, mayonnaise side down. Spread the remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter on the outside of the top bread slice.
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Place the sandwich in the skillet, buttered side down. Butter the other side of the sandwich with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter.
- Cover the skillet and grill for 4 to 5 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. Flip carefully and continue grilling covered for 3 to 4 more minutes until the cheese is melted and the second side is golden brown.
- Remove from heat, slice in half diagonally, and serve immediately. Enjoy!
