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.
A turkey melt is a delicious grilled sandwich that takes the classic grilled cheese up a notch by adding savory sliced turkey and other ingredients. This combo of hot, melted cheese and turkey is pure comfort food, perfect for a quick lunch or casual dinner. But what exactly is a turkey melt? Let’s take a closer look at how it’s made, popular ingredient combinations, and why it’s so satisfying.
The Basics – Turkey and Cheese Between Bread
At its core a turkey melt starts with the framework of a grilled cheese sandwich – slices of bread fried in butter and filled with melted cheese. From there sliced deli turkey is added as the star filling. The cheese provides the base of rich, creamy flavor while the turkey lends a fresh, meaty protein element.
Other ingredients are also commonly added such as tomatoes, bacon avocado pesto or roasted red peppers. But the two essential components are turkey and melted cheese nestled between slices of bread toasted to a crisp, golden brown.
Common Ingredients in Turkey Melts
While creativity is encouraged when making a turkey melt, most recipes call for some classic ingredients:
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Bread – Sourdough and wheat breads are especially popular choices, but white bread also works well. The key is finding a bread that can get nicely toasted.
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Butter – For frying the bread to achieve the iconic crispy, golden exterior of a grilled cheese.
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Cheese – Cheddar, provolone, Swiss and Monterey Jack are commonly used for their excellent meltability.
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Turkey – Sliced deli turkey, either smoked or roasted, provides the sandwich’s savory meatiness.
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Extras – Tomatoes, bacon, peppers, onions, etc add more flavor and texture.
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Condiments – Mayo, mustard, hot sauce, etc. to spread on the interior bread slices.
Why Turkey Melts Are So Satisfying
There are several reasons why turkey melts make such a winning sandwich choice:
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Combo of flavors – The turkey and cheese perfectly complement each other. The cheese is rich, gooey and creamy while the turkey has a fresh, savory meatiness.
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Satisfying – Turkey melts fill you up without weighing you down. You get protein from the turkey and calcium from the cheese.
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Quick – Assembly takes just 5-10 minutes. Turkey melts come together faster than most hot sandwiches.
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Comforting – Hot, melty cheese between crisp, buttery bread – it’s downright cozy comfort food.
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Versatile – Ingredients like tomatoes, bacon, avocados and pesto can be added to customize the flavors.
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Budget-friendly – Deli turkey and cheese are very affordable ingredients, keeping costs down.
How to Make a Turkey Melt Sandwich
Making a turkey melt at home is easy. Here are the basic steps:
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Butter the bread – Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. The butter will brown the bread as it cooks.
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Layer cheese and turkey – Place one slice of cheese on a bread slice, top with turkey slices. Add any additional fillings like tomato or bacon now too.
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Top with more cheese – Finish with a second slice of cheese to enclose all the fillings.
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Close sandwich – Top with the second buttered bread slice, buttered side facing out. Gently press together.
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Cook in skillet – Fry over medium heat until both sides are golden brown and cheese melts, 2-4 minutes per side.
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Slice in half – Allow to cool briefly before cutting in half to serve.
And that’s all there is to it! For extra flavor, consider spreading condiments like mustard or pesto mayo on the interior bread slices.
Delicious Turkey Melt Combinations
One of the best qualities of a turkey melt is how customizable it is by switching up ingredients:
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BLT Melt – Add crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato.
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Southwest Melt – Use pepper jack cheese and add roasted green chiles.
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Pesto Melt – Spread pesto mayo on the bread for fresh herb flavor.
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Caprese Melt – Include fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil.
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Avocado Melt – Add slices of creamy avocado for contrast.
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Greek Melt – Use feta cheese and add olives and red onion.
Tips for Making the Best Turkey Melts
Follow these handy tips and you’ll be a turkey melt pro in no time:
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Use boneless turkey slices for even cooking and meltability.
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Choose a bread that can stand up to melted cheese like sourdough or wheat.
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Spread mayo or mustard on bread slices before grilling for extra moisture and tang.
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Add sliced tomatoes, onions or other veggies near the end so they don’t overcook.
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Use a press to flatten sandwiches as they cook for better bread to filling contact.
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Let cooked melts rest 1-2 minutes before slicing for neater cuts.
Simple Variations
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Instead of deli meat, use leftover roasted turkey.
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For a kick, add sliced jalapeños or hot sauce.
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Swap the cheese with havarti, gouda, asiago or other melty cheese.
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For an Italian twist, use ciabatta bread and sun-dried tomatoes.
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Serve with soup or a salad for a more complete meal.
Turkey Melts Make an Easy, Satisfying Lunch
With its crispy buttery bread, melted cheese, and savory turkey, the turkey melt sandwich is quick and tasty any time of day. It comes together fast with simple ingredients straight from the fridge and pantry. Feel free to get creative with add-ins to customize it to your tastes. Turkey melts are sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings!
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.
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.
The Best Turkey Melt (and a secret ingredient)
FAQ
What is on a turkey melt?
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TurkeySliced turkey breast -
CheeseMeltable cheese like cheddar, Swiss, or provolone
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BreadToasted sourdough bread or other baked bread
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CondimentsMayonnaise, green chiles, or other condiments
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Other fillingsVegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, or onions
What makes a sandwich a melt?
- Melts are made by grilling the sandwich on the stovetop or heating it in the oven until the cheese melts and the bread is toasted.
- To encourage even browning and help the cheese melt, you can press down on the sandwich while cooking.
What is the difference between a melt and a grilled cheese?
What is the difference between a melt and a grilled cheese sandwich? A melt is a broad category of food encompassing any heated sandwich made with melted cheese, whereas a grilled cheese is a specific type of sandwich most frequently made with cheese, bread, and butter, but it may include other elements as well.
Are turkey melts good?
If you like a good grilled cheese then you will LOVE a turkey melt! It’s sort of a gourmet grilled cheese, stuffed full of tasty ingredients, then grilled until hot and toasty. Not only is this sandwich super quick and easy to make, it’s also fully customizable.
How do you make a Turkey melt?
This easy turkey melt recipe is just as simple to make as a classic grilled cheese. First, cook the bacon until crispy. This can be done in a frying pan over medium heat, or you can use your preferred method for cooking bacon. Next, warm the turkey meat.
How do you make a Turkey melt sandwich?
This turkey melt sandwich is piled with tender turkey slices and crisp bacon between two pieces of gooey melted cheese. Mix together the mayo, red wine vinegar, and black pepper in a small bowl, and set aside. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Flip as needed, then remove and set aside.
Is Turkey melt good with prepackaged cheese?
The flavors will be so much better, but so will the texture. Fresh cheese just melts so well. Your turkey melt will be good with prepackaged cheese, but it’ll be incredible with fresh cheese. If you loved this recipe as much as we did, don’t forget to leave us a review below. ★ Follow Easy Healthy Recipes on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, too!
How do you cook a deli turkey?
Warm the turkey by placing the deli turkey on a plate and microwaving it for 30 seconds. Butter one side of all the slices of the sourdough bread. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place one bread in the skillet (butter side down). Top with 2 slices of the cheese, half of the turkey, 3 strips of bacon and sliced tomatoes.
What cheese should I use for a Turkey melt sandwich?
For a traditional and delectable melt, we advise using cheddar, Swiss, or provolone. But if you want to give it your own special spin, get inventive with additional cheeses like mozzarella, gouda, or pepper jack. 3. Can I make the Turkey Melt Sandwich ahead of time?
How do you cook a fried turkey?
1. WHISK the mayo, Dijon mustard, and honey until smooth. Adjust the seasoning to taste and refrigerate until ready to use. 2. COOK the bacon crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Wipe the skillet clean and reduce the heat to medium-low. 3. WARM the turkey by microwaving for 20-30 seconds, just until heated through. 4.