Have leftover turkey? This turkey cranberry sandwich is your answer! This grilled cheese sandwich combines lots of turkey, tart cranberry sauce, creamy goat cheese and melty mozzarella for one comforting bite!
Hi friends!
Today I’m bringing you a fabulous turkey sandwich recipe using leftover turkey.
Full disclosure here … I can’t take full credit for this turkey cranberry sandwich. Nope. The idea came from my lovely sister-in-law.
I told her about my ham & brie sandwich before I shared it here on Girl Heart Food; she then told me about an awesome turkey cranberry sandwich she had in a coffee shop. I knew I had to try it out. And, yes, most of the conversations I have with people revolve around food.
Who doesn’t love a good grilled cheese sandwich recipe? And, a good leftover turkey sandwich? What a marriage of the two!
This one really stands out. Even though the mozzarella is tremendously good, the star for me cheese-wise is the goat cheese. It adds such a delicious flavour to this grilled cheese sandwich.
Turkey has got to be at the tip top of my fave proteins and I love having leftovers whenever we roast one.
Sometimes the recipes using leftover turkey are better than the original. I mean, turkey pasta, turkey panini, turkey soup, cold turkey with Dijon mustard (so good) and turkey sandwiches, like this epic turkey cranberry sandwich.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce
You can certainly use canned cranberry sauce in this turkey cranberry sandwich.
You know that wobbly, jelly can-o-goodness?
It slurps out in one big blob. Yeah, that. Some people love that stuff, others not so much.
I happen to enjoy it (yes, certain old school classics will always hold a place in my heart), but this time I made an easy cranberry sauce that literally took minutes to make. How did I make it?
- Place 2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries in a heavy bottomed pot on medium heat
- Add 1 cup of water or orange juice (or a combo of both)
- Then, add ¼ cup or more (depending on how sweet you like it). Note: I don’t like things too sweet so you may want to add more. You do you!
- Stir, bring to a low simmer, and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes until mixture has thickened (stir every couple of minutes so it doesn’t burn/stick). You can have this as ‘clumpy’ or as smooth as you like. I like to leave a little texture in mine.
- The cranberry sauce will thicken further as it cools in the fridge
- Easy, right?
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Tips for Making this Grilled Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
If you want your mozzarella a little more ‘melty’ you can place the sandwich in the oven after grilling for a few minutes on 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Want more or less of an ingredient? Go for it!
Use whatever bread is your fave. For this sandwich, I used sourdough.
Speaking of bread, the size of the slices you choose will impact how much mayo and butter you use. I had some decent-sized slices of bread and what I used for this recipe was just right.
More Easy Sandwich Recipes
- Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Caramelized Onion & Pear Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Mortadella Sandwich
- Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Classic Egg Salad Sandwich
Hope you love this turkey cranberry sandwich as much as we do!
How do you like to enjoy leftover turkey? Do tell!
If you make this turkey cranberry sandwich, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
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Turkey Cranberry Sandwich (cheesy and delicious!)
Ingredients
- 4 slices sourdough sandwich bread (or your favourite bread)
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 2 ounces goat cheese
- 3 tablespoons cranberry sauce
- pinch black pepper
- handful baby spinach (optional)
- 5 ounces cooked turkey , cut into bite-sized pieces or shredded
- 3 ounces fresh mozzarella , cut into thin slices
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Spread mayo evenly on 4 slices of bread.
- On top of 2 of the slices, top mayo with goat cheese. Spread cranberry sauce and sprinkle with black pepper.
- Top cranberry sauce with a few leaves of baby spinach.
- Top spinach with cooked turkey and then mozzarella. Then, top with other slice of bread to form your sandwiches.
- Butter exterior of bread slices.
- Heat a griddle pan or non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Add sandwiches and cook about 3 to 4 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy on the outside and the cheese is nice and melted inside. Enjoy!
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
I can’t wait to have leftover turkey so I can make this delicious sandwich, Dawn! So good!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Alexandra! Hope you love it 🙂
Sarah
I just made these! (With Brie not mozzarella) and it was so good!! 😍 loved it!!
Girl Heart Food
Yay!!! So happy to hear that, Sarah 🙂 Thanks so much for trying!
Denise from Urb'n'Spice
I would skip the turkey dinner and go right to this sandwich, Dawn! It looks amazing. The ingredient list for this beautiful sandwich is wonderful – I cannot wait to make it! Thanks so much for sharing. Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Haha – sounds like a plan to me, Denise! Happy Thanksgiving to you too 🙂
georgie
alllll the good things in one sandwich! leftover sandwiches are one of my favourite parts of the holiday season! is that wrong ha ha?
Girl Heart Food
Nope! Same here! Love those leftovers 😉
Melissa
I can’t wait for turkey leftovers to make this! I like the cranberry sauce out of the can, but I think this would be so good with the fresh made kind! We always end up with multiple types of cranberry leftovers after Thanksgiving, so I will be making this often!
Girl Heart Food
Yay! Thanks Melissa! It is really yummy, if I do say so 😉
Haylie Abele
Dawn, your sandwiches are always SO amazing!! This is the perfect transition into Fall cozy vibes! Can’t wait to give it a try! <3
Girl Heart Food
Awww- thanks Haylie! Hope you love it 🙂 XO
Shashi at SavorySpin
Haha – Dawn, food always comes up in my conversations too – it is the universal binder -right?
BTW, you are quickly becoming the sandwich queen in my eyes! This is so darn pretty – so love those pops of red! Almost too pretty to eat – almost!
David @ Spiced
Most of my conversations with other people revolve around food, too, Dawn! It’s ok. 🙂 I don’t know how I missed this post, but I’m glad I saw it now…because it’s going on the Thanksgiving leftover menu this year. I love that cranberry sauce, and the flavors of this sandwich sound like they go together so well! I’m thinking this would be great to munch on while enjoying the long Thanksgiving weekend. (Although I can’t believe we’re talking about Thanksgiving already…where does the time go!?)
Girl Heart Food
Happy to hear it ;)I think this sandwich would be great any time, if you ask me! Thanks so much, David!
Neha
Love love love turkey with crannies and this sandwich sounds super delish Dawn!! I can not wait for November to arrive now! 😉
Girl Heart Food
Me toooooo! Thanks Neha! Luckily, in Canada we have less than 2 weeks so turkey time again real soon 🙂
Kendra
This is one of my favorite taste combinations to put on a sandwich (turkey and cranberry) and I always forget about it until I see it again! I love the idea of adding mozzarella cheese also!
Thank you for the wonderful inspiration! I love your blog!
Kendra
Girl Heart Food
Such a delicious combination, isn’t it? Thank you so much for the kind comment, Kendra…that means a lot 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
Turkey and cranberry is one of my favourite sandwiches, especially this time of year! (Hello, Thanksgiving is in a week!!) I love that you added mozzarella! Looks so cheesy and filling! Hope you’re having a great week Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
Mine too! Love some dressing on them too! Thanks Leanne! Hope you are too 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
Oh boy! This is my kind of sammy! I’m not certain I will be able to wait until Thanksgiving for leftovers to make this grilled cheese. I might need to find a way to make it much sooner!
Girl Heart Food
I can’t blame ya there – it’s quite yummy! Thank you Kathy 🙂
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
My goodness, this is awesome! I still remember that blueberry sandwich, and now you shared this outrageous deliciousness. You’re so cruel to us, Dawn! 🙂 Indeed, it’s a great idea, and I was going to use the similar idea in a different way after Thanksgiving. Hopefully there would be enough turkey leftovers.
Girl Heart Food
Haha! I try not to be 😉 Thank you Ben…maybe you’ll have to put on a larger one just for the leftovers – always a good idea 🙂
Mimi
Wow! This post really makes me wish it was November. But I need to be patient. Such a beautiful sandwich. Great bread, and I love the two cheeses as well!
Girl Heart Food
I know what you mean! Our thanksgiving in Canada is less than two weeks away so almost turkey time for us. Thanks Mimi 🙂
Laura
Dawn – this is awesome, one of my all-time favorites and you’ve elevated it to gorgeous! I think I need to go buy a turkey! Thanks for the inspiration, pinning!
Girl Heart Food
Awww- thanks Laura! Hope you get a chance to try this one out soon 🙂
Milena
Very timely, for I know that we will be facing heaps of leftover turkey breast very soon! And of course love all the cheese and that cranberry tangy goodness. May make an entire platter of mini turkey grilled cheeses and have a party for Black Friday haters, lol! Of those people we know many, all good beer loving people:) Pinned!
Girl Heart Food
That’s what I was hoping for 😉 !!Love that idea…much rather stay inside with food, drinks and chillax rather than face those malls. I can’t even, lol. Thanks Milena 🙂
Kelly | Foodtasia
This looks so good! I’m so craving turkey and cranberry sauce now!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kelly! Right 😉 ?!
[email protected]
I’m with Jennifer… the turkey sandwich (later Thanksgiving night, while watching Elf) is my favorite part of the day! hahaha! You have nailed it with this beauty! Have a great day, my friend!! XOXO
Girl Heart Food
Ooooooh- love Elf!! Thank you Annie…you too! XOXO
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
Two kinds of cheese PLUS all the fillings? This is epic, Dawn! I feel like people should serve this for Thanksgiving instead of the whole turkey–the sandwich is much more exciting :). Have a great week, girlie!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Turkey sandwiches are my favourite part of Thanksgiving, so I can’t wait! Will be using some for this delicious sandwich 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Mine too! Thanks Jennifer! Hope you love it 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
You’re bringin’ it with the grilled cheese sandwiches lately Dawn! And this one will be perfect when we’ve got all the leftover turkey at Tgiving too! Thanks to your sister in law for her input on this one! I’ll be trying this delicious combo for sure!
Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Thanks Mary Ann! Yes, thinking about all that turkey that we will all soon be enjoying! Hope you love this one 🙂