This smoked turkey sandwich with avocado and pesto is an easy way to turn a basic deli lunch into something genuinely crave-worthy. Layered with creamy avocado and herby pesto on ciabatta bread, it's fresh, flavorful, and ready in 20 minutes.
If you're looking for more delicious sandwich recipes, try my roasted eggplant sandwich, pepper and egg sandwich, prosciutto panini, smashed chickpea sandwich, potato and egg sandwich, fried eggplant sandwich, or tuna and smoked salmon sandwich.
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Quick Look: Smoked Turkey Sandwich with Avocado and Pesto
⏱️ Prep Time: 20 minutes
🍳 Cook Time: 0 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 20 minutes
👥 Servings: 2
📊 Calories: ~585 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
🔥 Cook Method: No cook
👩🍳 Main Ingredients: Smoked turkey, avocado, pesto
⭐ Difficulty: Easy-make pesto and assemble sandwich
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Why You'll Love This Smoked Turkey Sandwich with Avocado and Pesto
Minimal ingredients, but full flavor: This recipe uses few ingredients, but each one pulls its weight for a crazy-good sandwich.
Flavor balance: The smoky turkey + creamy avocado + herby pesto that brightens everything with fresh, garlicky notes.
A cut above: Slightly elevated ingredients add a gourmet twist to the classic turkey sandwich.
Elsewhere on this site, I've mentioned my fondness for a place I used to frequent for lunch when I lived in NYC, which inspired some of the recipes on this blog.
This blue cheese salad is one example, and this smoked turkey sandwich with avocado and pesto is another.
Turkey is delicious, but it doesn't shine without the right ingredients. The smoked version delivers more flavor, and combining it with avocado, pesto, and juicy tomatoes takes a humble turkey sandwich to the next level. Make this one!
For more turkey-based recipes, try my crisp salad with smoked turkey and cheddar, Butterball turkey breast recipe, Thanksgiving turkey melt sandwich, or turkey orzo soup.
Jump to:
- Quick Look: Smoked Turkey Sandwich with Avocado and Pesto
- Why You'll Love This Smoked Turkey Sandwich with Avocado and Pesto
- Key Ingredients
- Variations & Substitutions
- How to Make This Smoked Turkey Sandwich with Avocado and Pesto
- Pro Tips
- Smoked Turkey Sandwich with Avocado and Pesto FAQs
- Related Recipes
- Smoked Turkey Sandwich with Avocado and Pesto
Key Ingredients
See the recipe card for full ingredient and quantity information.
- Smoked Turkey: The savory flavor of smoked turkey pairs well with the herby pesto and mild avocado. Try this salad with smoked turkey and cheddar!
- Avocado: Adds a creamy texture that's hard to rival.
- Walnut Pesto: This is a nice alternative to the more traditional pine nut-made pesto. And homemade is always best!
Variations & Substitutions
➢Use roast turkey if you don't have smoked turkey.
➢Add sliced cheese, like Swiss or provolone, for even more flavor and creaminess.
➢Add some extra greens like baby arugula or spinach.
➢Spread spicy mustard on the bread along with the pesto for more kick.
➢Use sourdough, Portuguese, or multigrain bread instead of ciabatta. You could also turn it into a wrap or use lettuce wraps for a low-carb version.
➢Lightly toast the bread for some crispiness.
➢Toast the walnuts for more flavor.
➢Use a garlic clove instead of garlic powder for the basil pesto.
➢Use Parmesan instead of Pecorino for the basil, but it won't be as flavorful. You can also use Parmigiano Reggiano.
➢Use store-bought basil instead of making it fresh.
How to Make This Smoked Turkey Sandwich with Avocado and Pesto
Step 1: Combine the basil, walnuts, garlic powder, Pecorino Romano, salt, pepper, and olive oil in a food processor.
Step 2: Pulse the ingredients together until the desired consistency. Add more olive oil if the pesto looks dry.
Step 3: Spread some of the pesto on the bottom slice of the ciabatta.
Step 4: Layer sliced avocado on top of the pesto.
Step 5: Layer 3-4 slices of turkey on top of the avocado.
Step 6: Top the turkey with 2-3 slices of tomato, then spread more pesto on the underside of the top slice of bread.
Pro Tips
➢Prep all ingredients first: Prep all ingredients, including measurements, to make assembling the sandwiches easier.
➢Use thinly sliced turkey: This provides better texture.
➢Sharpen that knife: Make sure it's sharp so it slices the tomatoes evenly and helps them hold their shape.
Smoked Turkey Sandwich with Avocado and Pesto FAQs
Yes, but I recommend making them no earlier than 1 hour before you plan on serving them. This will prevent the bread from becoming soggy from the pesto and tomatoes, and the avocado from browning.
Layer the avocado first, followed by the pesto, tomatoes, turkey, and then the remaining pesto. Tucking some of the pesto and the tomatoes between the avocado and turkey will help keep the bread from softening too much.
For the Pesto:
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container, preferably glass, for up to 7 days.
Freezer: Freeze the pesto for up to 3 months and defrost it in the refrigerator. You can freeze whole or divide among ice cube trays for individual portions.
For the Sandwich:
Refrigerator: Store in sandwich paper or aluminum foil for up to 1 day. Remove the avocado and add fresh slices when eating any leftovers, since the avocado will likely turn brown as it sits.
Related Recipes
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Smoked Turkey Sandwich with Avocado and Pesto
Ingredients
For the Walnut Basil Pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil
- ⅓ cup walnuts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (Note 1)
- ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Pinch of ground black pepper
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
For the Sandwich
- 2 ciabatta rolls (Note 2)
- 1 avocado peeled and sliced (Note 3)
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Pinch of ground black pepper
- 6-8 slices of smoked turkey
- 1 large vine-ripened tomato sliced thinly
- 4-6 tablespoons walnut basil pesto (see above)
Instructions
- Make the walnut pesto by combining all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Pulse everything together until it reaches desired consistency. Add more olive oil if the pesto looks a bit dry; taste and adjust for seasoning.
- Slice open the ciabatta rolls. On the bottom of one roll, spoon 2-3 tablespoons of pesto and spread. Layer up to half the avocado on top, finishing with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place 3-4 slices of smoked turkey on top of the avocado, followed by 2-3 tomato slices. Spread another 2-3 tablespoons of pesto inside the top half of the roll. Place it on the sandwich and press down gently, then cut in half. Repeat this process for the second ciabatta roll. Enjoy!
Notes
- I don't recommend preparing these sandwiches more than 1 hour before planning on serving them. You don't want the pesto and tomatoes to make the bread soggy.
Nutrition
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Such a delicious sandwich! Pesto is an underrated sandwich spread, and it's SO good here.