Like daylight savings time and quarter-life crises, post-Thanksgiving turkey is inexplicable but unavoidable. With all the best bits (golden skin, neatly carved slices) already plundered, that cold container of leftover scraps looks like the backs of my hands in winter—dry, leathery, picked at. So what are we gonna do with it?
I’ve done the “make a big pot of stock” thing. Which, great, but no one warns you of the disturbingly wet, squelchy mulch left behind or the hunt for thirteen-hundred containers to house all this stock. It’s a pass for me. I’ve also repurposed my leftover turkey into soft congee with frozen corn, pasta with mushrooms and cream, slippery glass noodles with tons of chili crisp. Each extremely delicious but through it all, it’s a turkey sandwich that I come back to every year.
Maybe you’re thinking, I don’t need you to tell me about a turkey sandwich; I can make one standing in front of the fridge. This one is different, I promise. My leftover turkey melt is modeled after an old-fashioned diner-style tuna melt. It’s more than a cobbled-together concoction of slippery meat and congealed cranberry sauce. It’s warm, melty, toasted, gooey—a hot mess in the best possible way. The sort of thing that for once makes you hope, even pray, for leftovers. Your reward for yet another Thanksgiving under your belt, more delightful than the main event, like that bite of chocolate at the bottom of your ice cream cone.
The Thanksgiving turkey is undoubtedly the star of the big feast. But once the dinner is over transform those tasty leftovers into crave-worthy sandwiches. A stellar turkey sandwich lets the flavors of the holiday shine in a handheld package. From classics to creative new takes here are 12 of the best Thanksgiving turkey sandwich recipes to make with your leftovers.
Traditional Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwiches
These straightforward turkey sandwiches embrace the classic flavors of the holiday in easy, delicious form:
Classic Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich
This sandwich piles tender turkey, savory gravy, cranberry sauce, and creamy mashed potatoes between slices of sourdough bread A touch of garlic aioli adds a tangy creaminess Toasting the bread adds crunch. It’s Thanksgiving on a bun!
Open-Faced Turkey and Stuffing Sandwich
Omit the top slice of bread for an open-faced sandwich showcasing all the best leftovers. Turkey tangy cranberry sauce, savory gravy and seasoned stuffing make the ultimate flavor and texture combo.
Turkey and Swiss Melt
For a simpler sandwich, combine sliced turkey, Swiss cheese, lettuce, and tomato between bread. Melt the cheese in a hot skillet or grill press to create a gooey, toasty flavor bomb.
Turkey Club
A BLT becomes even better with leftover turkey. Crisp bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo pair beautifully with the roasted turkey in a triple-decker club sandwich.
Creative Leftover Turkey Sandwich Recipes
Put a twist on the traditional leftover turkey sandwich with these creative recipes:
Thanksgiving Slider Buns
Transform leftovers into easy slider sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls. They make a fun, bite-sized way to enjoy second helpings.
Chipotle Turkey Panini
Spice up your turkey with a chipotle mayo spread. Then grill it to melty perfection in a crunchy panini press.
Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese
Combine leftover turkey and cranberry sauce in an amazing grilled cheese sandwich. Oozing cheesy goodness takes it over the top.
Thanksgiving Crunchwrap
All the flavors of Thanksgiving stuffed in a convenient handheld Crunchwrap! Crispy tostada meets cheesy quesadilla with turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and veggies inside.
Turkey Caesar Wrap
Turn leftover turkey into an easy Caesar salad wrap. Turkey stands in for grilled chicken in the classic combo of romaine, Parmesan, and creamy dressing.
Turkey Hash Sandwich
Reimagine leftover turkey as a rich, savory hash for breakfast. Add eggs, cheese, and avocado to create a protein-packed morning sandwich.
Turkey Sandwiches from Scratch
You don’t need leftovers to enjoy delicious turkey sandwiches. Here are flavorful recipes made from scratch any time:
Cranberry Turkey Melt
Combining cranberry sauce and Havarti cheese amps up flavor in this amazing turkey melt. Grilled on rustic bread, it’s a gooey, tangy treat.
Turkey Pesto Panini
Nutty pesto instantly upgrades basic turkey. With melty fresh mozzarella and crunchy kale on ciabatta, this panini really satisfies.
Avocado Turkey BLT
Creamy avocado and crispy bacon complement the turkey in this fresh, healthier take on the BLT. Toasted whole wheat bread makes it even better.
Thanksgiving Meatball Sub
Ground turkey becomes super moist meatballs with stuffing mixed right in! Simmered in gravy, they’re heaped onto a sub roll for an over-the-top sandwich.
Thai Turkey Burgers
Flavored with Thai red curry paste, these turkey burgers have a tasty kick. Topped with crunchy slaw on a bun, they satisfy any burger craving.
After you enjoy the big Thanksgiving dinner, recreate the ultimate flavors in sandwich form. From simple classics to innovative creations, turkey sandwiches let you savor the holiday well beyond the main meal. Made from leftovers or fresh ingredients, these 12 turkey sandwich recipes will be your new go-to meals before and after Thanksgiving.
Shred your turkey instead of dicing it
Shred the turkey by hand instead of chopping it with a knife. Aim for smallish pieces and don’t worry about consistency. Irregular strands absorb the mayo more readily and won’t slip and slide out of your sandwich. I’ve made this also with rotisserie chicken with smashing success.
This is not the time for crusty, seedy bread
Many sandwiches later, I’ve found sliced white sourdough holds up best. Regular, bagged sandwich bread gets soggy under the weight of the filling. Anything seedy or crusty doesn’t have the right amount of squish and will cut the roof of your mouth when you go to take a bite.
Ree Drummond’s Leftover Thanksgiving Panini | The Pioneer Woman | Food Network
FAQ
What condiments go on a turkey sandwich?
Add mayo, mustard, worcestershire sauce, deli dressing, salt & pepper to a bowl. Whisk together and chill until assembling sandwiches. Serve with turkey, tomato, and arugula on s soft bun. Enjoy!
What do you put in a Thanksgiving sandwich?
- slices bacon. ⅓
- cup leftover or store-bought cranberry sauce. …
- Tbsp. whole grain mustard. …
- Tbsp. Dijon mustard. …
- slices bread (such as sourdough or Pullman), toasted. …
- Tbsp. mayonnaise, divided. …
- oz. sliced leftover roast turkey or thick-cut deli roast turkey breast.
- head of green or red leaf lettuce, leaves separated.
How to make a good turkey sandwich?
- Spread each slice of bread with mayonnaise.
- Put turkey, tomato and cheese on one slice of bread and top with the remaining slice.
- Spread outsides of sandwiches with the softened butter.
- On a hot griddle, grill sandwiches for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
What cheese goes best on a turkey sandwich?
You can’t go wrong with the classic cheddar cheese for this sandwich. It’s tasty, it melts easily, and it pairs well with turkey. Gouda is another great choice.May 18, 2020
How do you make a Thanksgiving turkey sandwich?
A: To make a Thanksgiving turkey sandwich, you can follow these steps: 1. Toast two pieces of bread. 2. Spread mayonnaise on one slice of bread. 3. Layer the turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy on the mayonnaise-covered slice of bread. 4. Top with the second slice of bread.
How do you make a turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce?
Step 1 In a small bowl, mix together mayo and mustard. Spread one side of two pieces of bread with Dijonnaise mixture. This is your base for both sandwiches. Step 2 Top each of the two slices of bread with 1 cup of turkey, ¼ cup of mashed potatoes, 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce, ¼ cup of stuffing, and then 2 tablespoons of gravy and spinach.
What’s in a turkey sandwich?
You are going to love this Ultimate Turkey Sandwich, stuffed with brie cheese, turkey slices, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, then slathered with rich turkey gravy. Inspired by the sea of leftover a typical family has after the biggest eating holiday of the year, this hearty turkey sandwich packs it all in for a stunner of a meal.
Can you make a turkey sandwich on whole wheat?
A homemade cheese spread with fresh herbs turns a sandwich of roast turkey on whole wheat into something special. Get the recipe from Delish. So simple and so delicious. Get the recipe from Delish. These turkey sandwich recipes are super easy to make and are the best way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers.
What to do with leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwich?
That’s right, our leftover thanksgiving turkey sandwich includes a slice of gravy soaked bread in the center. It takes the sandwich to the next level! Our sandwich is simple, but incredibly delicious and satisfying! Spread a small amount of mayonnaise onto two slices of bread. Dip the remaining slice of bread in gravy and set aside.
How long do you cook a turkey sandwich at 425?
Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Mix 1 cup shredded carrots with 2 green onions, sliced, and spoon onto turkey. Add roll tops. Makes 4 sandwiches. Trish (she/her) is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things food, from cooking trends and delicious recipes to top-tested kitchen products and grocery finds.