Gobbler Sandwich (Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich)
This Gobbler Sandwich is the best Thanksgiving turkey sandwich with cranberry jalapeno salsa. Use leftover turkey or make it with deli turkey!
This sandwich has the holiday flavors you love and is an excellent way to be resourceful with that leftover holiday turkey! With a hearty scoop of cranberry jalapeño salsa and cheddar cheese, it’s a warm and gooey sandwich that pairs perfectly with your favorite fall and winter soups.
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It takes just a few minutes to build this turkey panini and you’ll likely have most of these ingredients already on hand. Oven roasted deli turkey also works super well when you find myself craving this sandwich outside of the holiday season!
If you’re looking for more turkey sandwich recipes, these turkey sliders will be a guaranteed hit at your next get-together or are perfect for a light dinner! Another hit would be Sante Fe Turkey Sandwiches! Layered with avocado, chipotle mayonnaise, and Colby Jack cheese, they’re a boost of fresh flavors!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Convenience: After the big Thanksgiving meal, having leftover turkey in the refrigerator provides a convenient and quick meal option. Creating this sandwich is easy and requires minimal preparation, making it an ideal choice for busy days following the holiday.
- Flavorful Ingredients: Thanksgiving turkey, especially if it’s well-seasoned and cooked to perfection, offers the perfect savory balance of flavors with cheddar cheese, cranberries and dijon!
- Customization: This leftover turkey sandwich is highly customizable. You can choose your favorite type of bread, add condiments, pickles, vegetables, and cheeses according to your taste preferences.
- Comfort Food: The familiar flavors and ingredients in this Thanksgiving sandwich provide a sense of comfort and warmth. It also bring joy knowing food isn’t being wasted. You can also make this year-round with deli turkey!
Ingredients in Gobbler Sandwich
- Whole Grain or Rosemary Bread: The foundation of the sandwich, holding all the ingredients together. It provides a substantial, chewy texture and helps balance the flavors of the fillings.
- Salted Butter: Creates a golden, crispy crust and adds a rich, buttery flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese Slices: Adds a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture to the sandwich. It also enhances the overall flavor profile pairing perfectly with the turkey!
- Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess.
- Leftover Thanksgiving or Deli Turkey: The star of the sandwich! Adds a hefty dose of protein and flavor. Depending on how the turkey is prepared (roasted, smoked, grilled, deli turkey etc.), it can offer varying textures.
- Holiday Salsa (see recipe): Provides a sweet heat and slightly tart element to the sandwich, balancing the savory flavors. It also adds a burst of brightness and a pop of color!
- Honey Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy kick.
Tools You’ll Need
How to Make a Turkey Thanksgiving Sandwich
- Heat a panini press, skillet, or grill pan on medium-high heat. Butter 1 side of both bread slices.
- Lay 1 bread sliced, buttered side down on the griddle or skillet. Build the sandwich by adding 1 cheese slice and an even layer of mayonnaise and turkey.
- Add a scoop of Holiday Salsa, followed by honey dijon mustard and the second cheese slice. Top with the second bread slice, buttered side up.
- Toast the sandwich on both sides by pressing in the panini press or flipping every 2-3 minutes, for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and sandwich is heated through.
Tips and Substitutions
- Instead of sandwich bread, consider using croissants, ciabatta, focaccia, or pretzel buns for a unique twist. Gluten-free or whole grain options are excellent for those with dietary restrictions.
- If you prefer a different protein, consider using roasted chicken, sliced ham, or even a vegetarian option like marinated tofu or grilled portobello mushrooms.
- Slice the turkey thinly to ensure it’s tender and easy to bite through. Mix white and dark meat for a balanced flavor profile.
- Experiment with different sauces and spreads. In addition to/instead of traditional mayo, honey dijon, and cranberry sauce, you can also try pesto, a flavored aioli, or honey mustard. Spread condiments evenly on both slices of bread to ensure every bite is flavorful.
- Consider using arugula, spinach, or thinly sliced apples or pears for a refreshing crunch.
- Besides the classic cheddar, experiment with different cheeses like Swiss, brie, gouda, goat cheese, or blue cheese.
- Consider adding extras like crispy bacon, avocado slices, caramelized onions, or roasted red peppers to elevate the flavors and textures.
- For a unique twist, place a scoop of leftover stuffing inside the sandwich for added texture and Thanksgiving flavor.
What to Serve with Leftover Turkey Sandwich
Like most savory sandwiches, the side dish options for this gobbler are endless. You could simply have it with chips, or you could have it with a delicious soup like Loaded Vegetable Soup or Dolly Parton’s Stampede Soup. Salads are another excellent accompaniment! Holiday Broccoli Salad or my Winter Salad both pair perfectly with this sandwich! Top of the meal with this adorable and festive Turkey Veggie Tray!
Storage
The more moisture a sandwich has, the more likely the bread is to become soggy over time. In this situation, the cranberry salsa, dijon and mayo contribute quite a bit of moisture.
This sandwich is at its peak quality when it is freshly made. If. you have leftover sandwich, once it’s completely cooled, it can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to 2 days.
While you can technically freeze a panini press sandwich, it’s not recommended. Freezing and thawing can significantly impact the texture of the bread, making it mushy when reheated. If you must freeze the sandwich, wrap it tightly in several layers of plastic wrap to minimize freezer burn and consume it as soon as possible after thawing.
FAQs
The turkey gobbler is made of leftover thanksgiving or deli turkey, cheddar cheese, honey dijon mustard, mayonnaise, cranberry salsa or sauce and is sandwiched between grain-rich buttered bread slices.
The gobbler sandwich originated in our restaurant many years ago. It was the number one selling sandwich we served during the holidays.
The gobbler sandwich can be eaten cold. However, when heated, it fuses all of the ingredients and their flavors together. The cheese melts and melds with the other ingredients and the toasted exterior adds a crispy satisfying crunch!
Yes! It’s best to ensure your outside of the bread butter and inside spreads are spread evenly across the slices. On each slice of cheese needs to lay 1 slice of cheese. Between the cheese will be the turkey and holiday salsa.
Yes! As the sandwich is pressed in the panini press or grilled in a skillet or grill pan, the cheese will slowly melt and marry all of the ingredients. It’s important not to have the heat turned up too high to ensure the bread doesn’t burn while the cheese needs time to melt.
If you don’t have a panini press, you can achieve a similar effect by grilling the sandwich on a stovetop grill pan or a regular non-stick skillet. Apply gentle pressure with a spatula to mimic the pressing effect.
Try these other Holiday Recipes
- Cajun Alfredo Pasta
- Pizza Wreath
- Baked Brie with Fig Jam
- Breakfast Strata Recipe
- Honey Glazed Brussels Sprouts
- Broccoli and Cranberry Salad
Gobbler Sandwich (Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich)
Ingredients
- 2 slices whole grain or rosemary grain bread
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 2 ounces cheddar cheese slices
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 4 ounces oven gold turkey breast
- 3 tablespoons Holiday Salsa see recipe
- 1 tablespoon honey dijon mustard
Instructions
- Heat a panini press or skillet on medium-high heat.
- Butter 1 side of both bread slices.
- Lay 1 bread sliced, buttered side down on the griddle or skillet. Build the sandwich by adding 1 cheese slice and an even layer of mayonnaise and turkey.
- Add a scoop of Holiday Salsa, followed by honey dijon mustard and the second cheese slice. Top with the second bread slice, buttered side up.
- Toast the sandwich on both sides by pressing in the panini press or flipping every 2-3 minutes, for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and sandwich is heated through.
Video
Notes
Tips and Substitutions
- Instead of sandwich bread, consider using croissants, ciabatta, focaccia, or pretzel buns for a unique twist. Gluten-free or whole grain options are excellent for those with dietary restrictions.
- If you prefer a different protein, consider using roasted chicken, sliced ham, or even a vegetarian option like marinated tofu or grilled portobello mushrooms.
- Slice the turkey thinly to ensure it’s tender and easy to bite through. Mix white and dark meat for a balanced flavor profile.
- Experiment with different sauces and spreads. In addition to/instead of traditional mayo, honey dijon, and cranberry sauce, you can also try pesto, a flavored aioli, or honey mustard. Spread condiments evenly on both slices of bread to ensure every bite is flavorful.
- Consider using arugula, spinach, or thinly sliced apples or pears for a refreshing crunch.
- Besides the classic cheddar, experiment with different cheeses like Swiss, brie, gouda, goat cheese, or blue cheese.
- Consider adding extras like crispy bacon, avocado slices, caramelized onions, or roasted red peppers to elevate the flavors and textures.
- For a unique twist, place a scoop of leftover stuffing inside the sandwich for added texture and Thanksgiving flavor.
Nutrition
About Laura
Taught by some of the best, cooking and entertaining has always been my favorite hobby. Food is my love language! The conception of Dinner in 321 came from my family talks that sharing our dinners would help others learn new skills, tasty recipes, and make cooking fun! Read more…
