We all adore Thanksgiving, but what we cherish even more are the remnants. This ultimate Turkey Melt blends smoky bacon, succulent turkey, crisp veggies, and tangy ranch on sourdough for a sandwich you’ll adore.
If you are fond of a delicious turkey sandwich, then you need to taste this Turkey Panini or this Turkey Croissant Sandwich.
Recipe Details
I adore using this recipe for an outstanding Turkey Melt after Thanksgiving. It is the ideal method to utilize leftovers and it’s so fantastic, no one ever gets bored of it. And you can serve it year round with deli meat if you haven’t got any holiday turkey handy.
- TASTE: Smoky, savory, sweet, and fresh flavors are everywhere in this melt. The mild cheese and tangy ranch work well with the fresh veggies and tasty meats.
- TEXTURE: From crunchy veggies to juicy tomatoes, to tender turkey, this melt has so many complementary textures. Every bite is delightful!
- TIME: It only takes 13 minutes to make.
- EASE: This is a really straightforward recipe to follow. You can effortlessly make this melt with what’s in your fridge for a lunch you’ll never forget.
Ingredient Notes
- Bread– I used sourdough bread for the tangy flavor, but you can use any type you like.
- Ranch dressing- Rich and tangy, this ingredient keeps the sandwich moist.
- Turkey breast– Use remnants from your Thanksgiving bird, or cold cuts from the deli are fine, too.
- Bacon- Any cut is fine, but it’s best when cooked until crispy.
- Havarti cheese– This cheese melts beautifully, but you can use your favorite.
- Vegetables- Cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, avocado, and spring salad mix all add succulent, crunchy textures and flavor to this Turkey Melt.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Swap another bread- White, wheat, Focaccia Bread, Rustic Bread, or Buttery Brioche Bread all work for this turkey sandwich.
- Include another sauce- Test this recipe with red wine vinegar and oil, barbecue sauce, mustard, or cranberry sauce.
- Exchange a different cheese- Make this melt with mozzarella cheese, Monterey jack cheese, provolone cheese, or cheddar cheese.
- Add some potato chips- Adding these salty, crunchy chips to the Turkey Melt will give it great texture that you’ll love.
How to Make a Turkey Melt
- Spread ranch on the bread. Spread the ranch onto 1 side of all the sourdough bread slices.
- Layer the meat, cheese, cucumber, and onion. Then commence assembling the sandwich by adding the turkey breast, bacon, Havarti cheese, cucumber, and red onion to the bread slice.
- Add the remainder of the ingredients. Add the tomatoes, avocado, and spring salad mix. Then top it with the other bread slice, ranch side down.
- Cook the melt. In a skillet with hot olive oil, cook the turkey melt on both sides until the bread is golden brown. Serve.
Pro Tip: If you’ve got one, you can also make this turkey sandwich in a panini press. It gets extra crunchy that way.
Recipe Tips
- Use excellent ranch- You want great flavor from your ranch, so either use a good brand or make your own homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing.
- Cut the veggies thin- You’ll want to keep the vegetables sliced thin or this melt can easily become too thick to eat!
- Melt it- While you can eat this cold, melting it gives the cheese time to become gooey and also gives the bread a delicious crunch.
FAQs
A melt is a sandwich that has simply been cooked, either on a stovetop or in a panini press to melt the cheese and give it a crisp outer bread layer.
Mozzarella, brie, gouda, Havarti, Monterey jack, pepper jack, American, or cheddar are all good examples of melting cheeses that are great on turkey melts.
Serving Suggestions
This Turkey Melt is so versatile, you can pair it with anything. Enjoy it with sides, salads, fries, or other Thanksgiving leftover remixes.
- Thanksgiving leftover dishes: Serve this alongside other Thanksgiving leftover dishes, like Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie, Turkey Paninis, Turkey Gravy, or Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes.
- Salads: Delight in this Turkey Melt with a Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, Spinach Salad, Cabbage Cucumber Salad, or Broccoli Cranberry Salad.
- Fries: Match this sandwich with some Crispy Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, The BEST Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, or Air Fryer Potato Wedges.
- Sides: Accompany this melt with some Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Super Creamy Mashed Potatoes, or Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
Prepare This Dish in Advance
Prepare in advance: You can slice and ready the vegetables and cook the bacon and turkey ahead of time. Then simply assemble the sandwich and cook it to melt the cheese.
Preservation: Store this Turkey Melt wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in a panini press to retain its crispiness.
Freeze: While you can freeze the meat and even the bread, the vegetables and ranch will not endure well in the freezer. This sandwich is best assembled fresh.
More Delectable Sandwiches!
Complete Recipe Instructions
Apply the ranch dressing on one side of all 4 pieces of sourdough bread.
On two slices place the turkey breast, bacon, Havarti cheese, cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, avocado, and spring salad mix. Then position the other two bread slices on top with ranch side facing downwards.
Warm olive oil in a skillet on medium heat and cook the sandwich on both sides until the bread is golden brown.
- Utilize good ranch- Aim for amazing flavor from your ranch, so either use a good brand or prepare your own homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing.
- Slice the veggies thinly- You should keep the vegetables thinly sliced or this melt can become too thick to eat easily!
- Melt it down- While this can be savored cold, melting it gives the cheese time to become gooey and also provides the bread with a delightful crunch.
Calories: 1045kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 61g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 1764mg | Potassium: 1010mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1220IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 424mg | Iron: 6mg
