This turkey bacon panini will change your sandwich game forever! With guacamole, cheese, tomato, and greens, it’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
It’s crispy, creamy, smoky, fresh, and, above all, satisfying.
There’s crispy bacon, juicy turkey, creamy guac, and gooey smoked Gruyere. And it’s all nestled between two slices of crispy, golden sourdough.
Make it for a quick lunch, weekend brunch, or a satisfying snack. Either way, it certainly won’t disappoint.
Why You’ll Love This Turkey and Bacon Panini
Quick Preparation: The prep time for this recipe is minimal. Then, the total cooking time is only a few minutes on a panini press or skillet. It’s quick, simple, and satisfying.
Versatile Ingredients: This recipe is great as is, but it’s merely a guide. You can easily tweak the ingredients to suit your specific tastes. (Or to use up any overflow of ingredients in your pantry.)
Delicious Taste: The blend of guacamole, savory turkey, crispy bacon, and melted smoked Gruyère is fantastic. They create a mouthwatering taste that will leave you craving more.
Ingredients
- Deli Turkey Breast: Tender and thinly sliced, turkey breast adds a savory flavor and lean protein to the sandwich.
- Cooked Bacon: It’s crisp, smoky, and delicious. I mean, come on, guys. It’s BACON! What’s not to love?
- Sourdough Bread: Though other breads will work, I like sourdough best. It’s chewy, slightly tangy, and sturdy enough to hold all the ingredients.
- Butter: Let it soften, then spread it over the bread for a golden, crispy exterior when grilled.
- Guacamole: You can use store-bought or homemade guacamole. It adds a zesty smoothness that complements everything else nicely.
- Smoked Gruyere: One of my favorite types of cheese. Gruyere melts perfectly and offers a smoky, nutty flavor.
- Ripe Tomato: For a juicy, fresh burst of acidity and moisture.
- Baby Arugula or Spinach Leaves: Pick whichever greens you like the best. They have a tender texture and a nice, earthy flavor.
- Salt & Pepper: For seasoning.
How to Make a Turkey and Bacon Panini
There are only five simple steps to this recipe:
1. Preheat. Preheat a panini press or skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the spreads. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of butter on one side of each slice of bread. Then spread a tablespoon of guac on the other side of each slice.
3. Add the fillings. Top the guacamole with turkey, bacon, cheese, tomatoes, and greens. Season with salt and pepper, then close the sandwich.
4. Grill. Place two sandwiches at a time on the panini press or in the skillet. (If using a skillet, press the sandwiches down with another heavy skillet.) Grill for 3 to 4 minutes until the bread is crispy.
5. Serve. Remove the sandwiches from the press or pan. Cut them in half diagonally, then serve and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Turkey and Bacon Panini
Here are a few tips to help you with this already simple recipe:
- The sturdier, the better. I like sourdough best. If that’s not your thing, be sure to use something equally thick and sturdy.
- Set the butter out early. It doesn’t need to be melted, but it should be soft. You don’t want it to tear the bread when you spread it across the sandwich.
- Amp up the flavor. Guacamole is perfect. However, you could also use green goddess dressing, chipotle mayo, or sun-dried tomato mayo.
- Keep things even. Don’t add too much of any one thing. Keep things even so that there is a good balance of flavor in every bite.
- Toss in some herbs Dried basil, garlic, rosemary, etc., all work well with this sandwich.
- Try tasty add-ins. Consider adding fig jam, cranberry sauce, or different cheese varieties.
Turkey and Bacon Panini
4
servings15
minutes15
minutes820
kcalThis turkey and bacon panini will be your new go-to lunch! With deli turkey, crispy bacon, smoky Gruyere, tomatoes, and guacamole, it’s tough to resist.
Ingredients
8 slices sourdough bread
4 tablespoons butter, softened
8 tablespoons guacamole
12 ounces deli turkey breast, thinly sliced
8 slices bacon, cooked until crisp
4 slices smoked Gruyère cheese
1 ripe tomato, sliced
1 cup baby arugula or spinach leaves
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a panini press or skillet over medium heat.
- Spread 1/2 tablespoon of butter on one side of each slice of bread. Flip the bread slices over and spread 1 tablespoon of guacamole on the other side of each slice.
- On the guacamole side of four bread slices, layer 3 ounces turkey, 2 slices bacon, 1 slice cheese, 2-3 tomato slices, and 1/4 cup arugula. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Top with the remaining bread slices, guacamole side down and buttered side up.
- Place two sandwiches at a time on the panini press or in the skillet. If using a skillet, press the sandwiches down with a heavy pan. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Remove the sandwiches from the heat, cut in half diagonally, and serve immediately. Repeat with the remaining two sandwiches. Enjoy!
Notes
- Smoked Gruyère adds a nice depth of flavor. However, you can substitute smoked cheddar, provolone, or mozzarella.
- Peppery arugula or spinach leaves add freshness. They also balance the richness of the other ingredients.
