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 and 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 soup, cold turkey with Dijon mustard (so good) and turkey sandwiches, like this epic turkey cranberry sandwich.
The 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).
If you want to make to make homemade cranberry sauce, feel free to do so! Either way, this turkey cranberry sandwich will still be delicious!
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 (at 325 degrees Fahrenheit) after grilling for a few minutes.
- Want more or less of an ingredient? Go for it!
- Use whatever bread is your favourite. For this sandwich, I used sourdough.
- The size of the slices you choose will impact how much mayonnaise 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
- Mortadella Sandwich
- Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Classic Egg Salad Sandwich
How do you like to enjoy leftover turkey? Do tell!
If you make this turkey cranberry sandwich, be sure to leave a comment below!
Cheesy Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 slices sourdough sandwich bread, or your favourite sandwich bread
- 2 ounces goat cheese
- 3 tablespoons cranberry sauce
- pinch freshly ground black pepper
- handful baby spinach, about 1 cup (optional)
- 5 ounces cooked turkey, cut into bite-sized pieces or shredded
- 3 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into thin slices (or ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese)
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Spread mayonnaise evenly over one side of all 4 slices of bread.
- On top of 2 of the slices, top mayonnaise with goat cheese. Spread cranberry sauce over goat cheese and sprinkle with black pepper.
- Top cranberry sauce with a few leaves of baby spinach (if using).
- Top spinach with cooked turkey, then mozzarella. Top with remaining slices of bread (the mayonnaise side on the inside) to form the two sandwiches.
- Butter the exterior of each sandwich (all four bread slices).
- Heat a cast-iron griddle pan (or regular cast-ion pan) over medium-low to medium heat.
- Place sandwiches in the pan. Cook the sandwiches on one side for about 3 to 4 minutes. Carefully flip the sandwiches to the other side and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes or until they're golden brown and crispy on the outside and the cheese is nice and melted inside. Serve and enjoy!
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!
Shashi at SavorySpin says
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 says
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 says
Happy to hear it ;)I think this sandwich would be great any time, if you ask me! Thanks so much, David!
Neha says
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 says
Me toooooo! Thanks Neha! Luckily, in Canada we have less than 2 weeks so turkey time again real soon 🙂
Kendra says
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 says
Such a delicious combination, isn’t it? Thank you so much for the kind comment, Kendra…that means a lot 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
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 says
Mine too! Love some dressing on them too! Thanks Leanne! Hope you are too 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
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 says
I can’t blame ya there – it’s quite yummy! Thank you Kathy 🙂
Ben|Havocinthekitchen says
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 says
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 says
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 says
I know what you mean! Our thanksgiving in Canada is less than two weeks away so almost turkey time for us. Thanks Mimi 🙂
Laura says
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 says
Thanks Laura! Hope you get a chance to try this one out soon 🙂
Milena says
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 says
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 says
This looks so good! I’m so craving turkey and cranberry sauce now!
Girl Heart Food says
Thank you Kelly! Right?!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
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 says
Ooooooh- love Elf!! Thank you Annie…you too! XOXO
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
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 says
Turkey sandwiches are my favourite part of Thanksgiving, so I can’t wait! Will be using some for this delicious sandwich 🙂
Girl Heart Food says
Mine too! Thanks Jennifer! Hope you love it 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
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 says
Woo hoo! Thanks Mary Ann! Yes, thinking about all that turkey that we will all soon be enjoying! Hope you love this one 🙂