Thanksgiving Turkey Melt Sandwich
If you’re thinking of reheating those Thanksgiving leftovers, make this dang tasty Thanksgiving turkey melt sandwich instead. Stuffing holiday scraps between crispy bread and beneath melted provolone is one way to get over the post-holiday slump.
Recipe Mood: Thanksgiving Redux
Indulgence Level: High
Effort Level: Easy
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When I was a kid, the biggest bummer for me after Thanksgiving was the ritual of reheating all those leftovers to eat again. Without the holiday magic behind it, it just felt . . . flat.
But then I got older and realized I could actually repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers. What a novel idea. Turkey soup? Of course! Cheesy turkey quesadillas? Yes, why not! And I could also make this delicious Thanksgiving turkey melt sandwich? You betcha.
I get it. You’re still just piling all those leftovers between two slices of bread. But with the bread hot and crispy and with melted provolone cheese, it feels . . . different. And it tastes delicious. And those leftovers suddenly don’t look so sad anymore.
In fact, I now make this sandwich every year on the day after Thanksgiving, and I think I look forward to it more than the Thanksgiving meal itself!
Key Ingredients
- Thanksgiving Leftovers: You’ll need the essentials like turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
- Sturdy Bread: You’ll need bread with body so it holds up to the generous filling. This is a Thanksgiving-style sandwich, after all!
- Provolone Cheese: Provolone adds punch and an Italian flair to this sandwich.
See the recipe card below for more information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make This Recipe
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Pro Tips
Ensure the pan is hot right after assembling the sandwich: You don’t want to prepare the sandwich and then wait for the pan to heat up. Cook it immediately so the bread crisps right away.
Enjoy it immediately: This sandwich doesn’t really travel well. It’s best eaten on the spot!
Variations & Substitutions
-Replace the provolone with another Italian cheese like mozzarella or fontina. You can also use virtually any other cheese you like or have on hand (e.g., Swiss, Gruyere, Gouda, Muenster).
-You can add leftover turkey gravy if you’d like, but go easy on it because it could make the sandwich soggy. I would add it on top of the cranberry sauce, per the recipe card.
-Lighten up the sandwich by adding some sliced tomato, arugula, or basil pesto.
-Use sourdough bread for a different flavor profile.
Recipe FAQs
Don’t pile on too many ingredients (especially high-moisture ones like gravy and cranberry sauce). Also, place the cranberry sauce (and gravy if using) between the turkey and stuffing, so it doesn’t come into direct contact with the bread. Lastly, cook the sandwich immediately after assembling it, and cook until golden brown for optimal crispiness.
For this generously filled sandwich, use thickly sliced bread. A boule or similarly shaped loaf is good. You can also use Ciabatta rolls or a Ciabatta loaf cut to the appropriate size.
If you’re using a panini maker, it will adjust the heat for you, but if you’re using a grill pan or skillet, focus on two things: ensuring the bread is generously coated in oil or butter, and keeping the heat high enough to crisp the bread and melt the cheese, but not so high that the bread burns.
Storage
Refrigerator: Wrap leftovers in aluminum foil and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days (preferably only 1).
Freezer: Do not freeze this sandwich.
Reheat: Reheat the same way you initially cooked the sandwich, until hot and crispy (though it won’t be as crispy as when made fresh). Don’t microwave it.
More Sandwich Recipes
- Best Italian fried eggplant sandwich
- Roasted eggplant sandwich
- White pizza panini
- Smoked turkey sandwich with avocado and pesto
If you love this recipe, please take a moment to review it below. You could also tag me on Instagram (@forcarbssake) with a picture of your finished dish!
Thanksgiving Turkey Melt Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices sturdy bread sliced thickly
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or softened/melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¾ cup shredded turkey (Note 1)
- 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
- ½ cup stuffing
- 2 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Heat a grill pan, skillet, or panini press to medium-high heat.
- Brush the outside of the bread slices with the oil or butter, and spread the mustard on the inside of the top slice.
- Layer the non-oiled side of the bottom slice with the leftover ingredients: turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing (in that order). Place the provolone on the inside of the top slice and put the sandwich together.
- Place the sandwich on the hot grill pan, skillet, or panini press, and gently press it together to help it become cohesive. Place a heavy pan on top of the sandwich if not using a panini maker. After one side turns golden brown, flip the sandwich over to cook the other side. Remove when the outside is crisp, the inside is hot, and the cheese is melted.
This is one hearty sandwich, and it’s hard to mess it up.