In this Turkey Cranberry Sandwich recipe turkey and cranberry sauce are nestled between two slices of buttery bread that have been grilled to perfection, all held together by melted cheddar cheese. This Thanksgiving sandwich is the perfect way to use up leftover turkey!
This turkey cranberry sandwich was inspired by my husband's favorite sandwich from a restaurant in our hometown. I've been making it ever since we got married (over 13 years ago), especially after Thanksgiving as a way to use up leftover turkey!
In this Turkey Cranberry Sandwich recipe, turkey and cranberry sauce are nestled between two slices of buttery bread that have been grilled to perfection, all held together by melted cheddar cheese. A seriously delicious meal for any time of the day.
Turkey Cranberry Sandwich: Ingredients
Here are some notes about the ingredients in this Thanksgiving turkey sandwich recipe, as well as possible substitutions.
- Bread. I recommend a hearty bread that holds up well to being buttered and grilled. I used a brioche white bread in this post, but have used homemade honey wheat bread, homemade burger buns or even these leftover dinner rolls after Thanksgiving to make this turkey sandwich! Choose gluten-free bread if you need a gluten-free sandwich.
- Cheddar Cheese. Technically you can use any cheese you'd like: Swiss, gouda, provolone, Colby jack, etc. the possibilities are endless. However a sharp cheddar cheese is my favorite.
- Cranberry sauce. I recommend using this homemade cranberry sauce - because it is the best you'll ever eat and so easy to make. However, canned or jarred cranberry sauce works well too!
- Salted Butter. Unsalted butter can be used in place of salted, but I don't really recommend it because the salty, buttery grilled outside is part of what makes this turkey cranberry sandwich so great. Make sure it's at room temperature for easy spreading.
- Leftover Turkey. I recommend using leftovers from our Roast Turkey Recipe - because it's the best. However you can use any turkey, including whatever you can find at your local deli counter.
How to make a Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
Making a hot Turkey Sandwich that doesn't fall apart is an art, an art that I have mastered. So let's walk through the process step-by-step, and don't forget to watch the video!
Put the cheese on the bread
Place a slice of cheese on each piece of bread. This is the "glue" of this turkey sandwich recipe. The cheese melts from both sides and holds everything together beautifully.
Add cranberry sauce & turkey
Next, on one piece of bread, spread cranberry sauce on top of the slice of cheese, then arrange ¼ lb. of turkey on top of the cranberry sauce. Be sure to use thin slices and cover the bread area.
Put it together & add butter
Next, place the other piece of cheese, then the other slice of bread on top of the half with turkey & cranberry sauce. Butter the outside of one of the pieces of bread.
Grill
Place the Thanksgiving turkey sandwich onto a large non-stick skillet, buttered side down – leaving room for the second sandwich as well. Spread butter on the outside of the other slice of bread (that should now be facing up).
Turn the heat on to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid. Both the lid and the low temperature are important to heat the ingredients and melt the cheese. Cook on medium-low for 4-5 minutes, or until the bottom slice of bread is golden-brown.
Flip the cranberry turkey sandwich over, turn heat to low and continue cooking an additional 4-5 minutes until the second side is golden-brown and the cheese is melted.
Serve
Serve this leftover turkey sandwich immediately, warm with a side salad, or some of your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers (like mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, Brussel sprout salad, butternut squash soup, etc).
Store
The cranberry turkey sandwich stores really well. If you have any leftover sandwich pieces simply let them cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat
Reheat in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat to re-crisp the outside of the bread. You can also warm leftovers in the microwave but it will lose some of the outer crispiness.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! If you are making sandwiches for a lot of people you can absolutely double this recipe.
I personally think homemade cranberry sauce is the best, or try this healthy cranberry sauce.
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Turkey Cranberry Sandwich Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup cranberry sauce
- 2 TBS salted butter softened
- ½ lb. leftover roasted turkey
Instructions
- Place 1 slice of cheese on one slice of bread.
- Spread 2 TBS cranberry sauce on top of the slice of cheese, then arrange ¼ lb. of turkey on top of the cranberry sauce.
- Put another slice of cheese on top of the turkey, followed by a second slice of bread.
- Use ½ TBS butter to butter the outside of the top piece of bread. Place the sandwich onto a large non-stick skillet, buttered side down – leaving room for the second sandwich as well.
- Spread ½ TBS butter on the outside of the other slice of bread.
- Repeat with remaining ingredients to make a second sandwich.
- Turn the heat on to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid. This is important to heat the ingredients and melt the cheese. Cook on medium-low for 4-5 minutes, or until the bottom slice of bread is golden-brown.
- Flip sandwich over, turn heat to low and continue cooking an additional 4-5 minutes until the second side is golden-brown and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from pan and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Store
The turkey cranberry sandwich stores really well. Let leftovers cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.Reheat
Reheat in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat to re-crisp the outside of the bread. You can also warm leftovers in the microwave but it will lose some of the outer crispiness.Ingredient notes/substitutions
- Bread. I recommend a hearty bread that holds up well to being buttered and grilled. I used a brioche white bread in this post, but have used homemade honey wheat bread, or even these leftover dinner rolls after Thanksgiving to make this turkey sandwich! Choose gluten-free bread if you need a gluten-free sandwich.
- Cheddar Cheese. Technically you can use any cheese you'd like: Swiss, gouda, provolone, Colby jack, etc. the possibilities are endless. However a sharp cheddar cheese is my favorite.
- Cranberry sauce. I recommend using this homemade cranberry sauce - however, canned or jarred cranberry sauce works well too!
- Salted Butter. Unsalted butter can be used in place of salted, but I don't really recommend it because the salty, buttery grilled outside is part of what makes this turkey cranberry sandwich so great. Make sure it's at room temperature for easy spreading.
- Leftover Turkey. I recommend using leftovers from our Roast Turkey Recipe - because it's the best. You can use any turkey, including whatever you can find at your local deli counter.
Nutrition
More delicious recipes
- To make the best turkey, use our Roast Turkey Recipe (and don't forget the Turkey Gravy too).
- Use homemade cranberry sauce (or this healthy cranberry sauce) for the absolute best turkey cranberry sandwich.
- These are the best mashed potatoes you will ever eat, ever.
- Sausage stuffing is a must-have around here on Thanksgiving.
- You can easily substitute leftover turkey in this Chicken Pot Pie recipe!
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Elizabeth Diane
We use this recipe every year to polish off the remaining turkey. I always have the ingredients on hand and using her recipe for cranberry sauce makes all the difference! In her cranberry sauce recipe she gives you the option of mashing the berries or even blending them. We mash ours and it gives the perfect texture to then add the leftovers to this recipe and the sandwich holds up so well! We deviated a little this year and added a small dollop of homemade gravy for an extra flavor punch. Love this recipe and it’s versatility!
Laura
I am certain my family would love the addition of gravy! What a great idea!