This turkey and dressing sandwich is a Newfoundland classic and is such an easy recipe to use leftover turkey. It combines yummy ingredients (like turkey, Newfoundland dressing and cranberry sauce) and has the most amazing sweet and savoury combination. Simple and delicious, this turkey sandwich is a must try for lunch.
Whenever we have a big turkey dinner, we always have to have a turkey and dressing sandwich with the leftovers. Always. It’s too good not to.
I don’t often cook a whole roasted turkey at home. Nope, I leave that to my parents. As much as hubby and I love to cook, there is nothing like my mother’s turkey dinner. Hands down, it’s the best.
Whenever mom makes turkey dinner (usually Christmas and Thanksgiving), she always makes enough food for everyone to take home leftovers. No complaints from me! By the way, just curious, are you like me, already thinking about the next meal before the one you are eating is finished? Story of my life, ha ha!!
Unlike a hot turkey sandwich, this turkey and dressing sandwich is served cold. It’s a lunchtime favourite and such a treat.
This simple cold turkey sandwich can also be found all over Newfoundland, in restaurants and gas station convenience stores — and for good reason, it’s so darn yummy!
Fan of turkey sandwiches? Check out this cheesy turkey cranberry sandwich.
Turkey and Dressing Sandwich Ingredients
- Mayonnaise: I prefer to use a full-fat variety, but you can use whatever variety you prefer.
- Sandwich bread: The bread of choice here is simple, basic white sandwich bread (preferably an old-fashioned loaf of Newfoundland white bread if you can get it or want to make it). I’ve sometimes seen it served on whole wheat bread but not very often.
- Cranberry sauce: Simple canned cranberry sauce is classic. Sometimes you find these turkey and dressing sandwiches without cranberry sauce, and just with turkey and dressing (especially if it’s store-bought). But I absolutely adore the cranberry sauce on there. It complements the savoury flavour of the turkey and dressing quite well.
- Newfoundland dressing: Newfoundland dressing is one of the key elements to this sandwich. The herb in it, savoury, is what gives it (and this sandwich), it’s iconic taste. I wouldn’t recommend substituting with another type of dressing or stuffing.
- Cooked turkey breast: I prefer to use white meat, but you can use dark meat or a combination of the two.
How To Make It
Here is an overview of how to make this turkey dressing sandwich (full details are in the recipe card below):
- Spread mayonnaise over one side of each slice of bread.
- Over one of the slices, spread cranberry sauce over the mayonnaise and top with dressing.
- Layer on the cooked turkey.
- Place the other slice of bread over top to form the sandwich. Easy!
What To Serve With It
I can’t resist serving this turkey and dressing sandwich with some crunchy cheese puffs and a fizzy drink, like soda or carbonated water. Side note: I use those cheese puffs on a fried bologna sandwich, and if you haven’t tried it already, you should because it’s delicious.
While I don’t drink soda very often, this is the kind of sandwich I love to have a glass with. I think nostalgia plays a role here. It’s something I used to enjoy as a kid and still do. My brother once said to me “Nostalgia clouds your judgement.” I get it, in some cases this may be true but not for this turkey sandwich. Oh no, not at all.
If you want to go with something else, of course it pairs lovely with a nice bowl of soup, a salad or homemade baked fries and gravy.
Tips
- The bread for a turkey and dressing sandwich is pretty much never toasted. If you want to toast your bread, though, go for it.
- Don’t be cheap with the mayonnaise. I like a nice layer of mayo on there. It adds flavour, plus it helps to keep the bread from getting soggy from the cranberry sauce.
- You can add more dressing or turkey if you really want to pile your sandwich high.
More Newfoundland Favourites To Try
If you make this turkey and dressing sandwich, be sure to leave a comment below!
Turkey and Dressing Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1.5 tablespoons mayonnaise, approximately (you want enough to generously cover your slices of bread)
- 2 slices white sandwich bread, or whole wheat sandwich bread
- 1.5 tablespoons cranberry sauce
- 6 tablespoons Newfoundland dressing, approximately
- 3 ounces cooked sliced turkey breast
Instructions
- Spread mayonnaise over one side of each slice of bread. Over one of the slices, spread cranberry sauce over the mayonnaise. Top with dressing, then layer on the cooked turkey. Place the other slice of bread over top to form the sandwich. Cut in half, if you like. Enjoy!
Notes
- The bread for a turkey and dressing sandwich is pretty much never toasted. If you want to toast your bread, though, go for it.
- Don’t be cheap with the mayonnaise. I like a nice layer of mayo on there. It adds flavour, plus it helps to keep the bread from getting soggy from the cranberry sauce.
- You can add more dressing or turkey if you really want to pile your sandwich high.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Michelle
I’m definitely craving a good turkey sandwich, but this one takes it to a new level with the homemade Newfoundland dressing.
Dawn | Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, Michelle! Yes, the dressing adds so much flavour.
David @ Spiced
I do think leftovers are the best part about holiday meals! I purposefully buy a larger turkey than we need every year…just for leftovers. This sandwich sounds absolutely fantastic, too. I’m a sucker for a good sandwich, and this one needs to find it’s way to my plate ASAP!
Dawn | Girl Heart Food
Aren’t they delicious?! Thank you very much, David. I hope you love the recipe!