Turkey Panini (with crispy prosciutto & strawberries)

Juicy strawberries, lean turkey, crispy prosciutto, avocado and a homemade basil mayo takes this turkey panini sandwich over the top! Makes for a delicious dinner or hearty lunch

This panini sandwich recipe is a sponsored post with California Strawberries but, as always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that make Girl Heart Food possible and for helping me continue to do what I love – cook, eat and share delicious recipes with you guys! #Snackon8

Hey friends!

Today I’m sharing a delicious turkey sandwich with you guys…and not just any turkey sandwich – a grilled turkey panini that’s loaded with so many yummy ingredients that your taste buds will do a happy dance!

If you follow along Girl Heart Food, you know how much I love savoury and sweet combinations, so this sandwich just hits the spot.

What is a Panini Sandwich?

A panini sandwich is essentially a sandwich made with a hearty bread, filled with your fave toppings and grilled until golden brown and delicious.

Ingredients for Turkey Panini

• California Strawberries (of course)
• Cooked turkey
• Prosciutto
• Avocado
• A nice crusty bread
• Olive oil
• Basil mayo (basil, mayo, lemon and a little salt & pepper)

Why California Strawberries are Awesome!

Even though we live in Newfoundland, an island (and most of our food supply must be shipped in from elsewhere), California Strawberries are always readily available at our local grocery – thank goodness for that 😉

California Strawberries are in season right now so they’re so juicy, fresh and just straight up yummy…even more of an excuse to enjoy some.

We always have strawberries on hand in our home because both hubby and I just love them. We enjoy strawberries all sorts of ways, from sweet to savoury and in snacks, appetizers or substantial meals. Some of our faves are-

• Of course, strawberries are delicious all on their own – nature’s candy, I love to say! They are so convenient to have as part of a grab and go snack when you’re rushing out the door (ummmm…that is me 99% of the time)
• With Greek yogurt for an easy breakfast or mid-afternoon snack
• In a post-workout smoothie with some protein
• To make some fancy cocktails
• Strawberries make the most amazing jam
• Topped on crostini (perfect for the upcoming holiday season, may I add)
• In salsas (delicious with chicken or fish)
• This turkey panini recipe (of course 😉 )

Benefits of California Strawberries

Aside from their versatility and obvious deliciousness, just 8 strawberries (one serving) has only 50 calories and is a great source of fibre and Vitamin C. And guess what? Strawberries have more Vitamin C than an orange! Is your mind blown too? How cool is that?

How to Make a Panini Sandwich

So, after all this talk of delicious sandwiches and juicy California Strawberries, let’s get to assembling this bad boy!

• Carefully slice your buns in half
• Brush top and bottom of each bun with olive oil (helps with grilling)
• Spread basil mayo on insides of each bun
• Top with cooked turkey

• Next goes crispy prosciutto
• Avocado goes next
• Now, pile on those sweet, juicy California Strawberries
• Top with Swiss cheese

• Place the top bun on each turkey sandwich and grill until nice-n-crispy! Enjoy!

How to Make Basil Mayo

Grab about 10 or 12 fresh basil leaves and throw them in a mini processor, along with mayo, fresh lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper.

If you don’t have a mini food processor, no worries! Simply chop the basil finely and whisk with the other ingredients until combined.

Tip: Not into basil or don’t have on hand? Substitute with baby arugula or cilantro.

Best Bread for a Panini Sandwich

You can get a bread specifically for panini sandwiches called, of course, ‘panini bread’ or you could make your own panini bread (from King Arthur Flour).

You can also use another variety, something hearty, like ciabatta, focaccia or a baguette. Those stand up well to grilling and don’t smush down like a softer bread would.

For this panini sandwich, I used ciabatta. I love the crusty exterior…yet, the inside has lots of holes and is kinda light.

Can I Make a Panini Without A Panini Press?

Of course!

If you don’t have a panini press at home, don’t worry about going out to purchase just to make this sandwich. You have options!

Cast Iron Pan/Grill Press

Place turkey panini in a cast iron pan on medium low heat and place a cast iron grill press on top to gently press down until golden brown.

Cast Iron Pan/Smaller Cast Iron Pan

Place turkey panini in a cast iron pan on medium low heat and place a smaller cast iron pan on top to gently press down until golden brown.

Griddle Pan

You can use a cast iron griddle pan which will give you those griddle marks. Just place the panini sandwich in the pan on medium low heat and cook on both sides until golden brown.

Non-Stick Pan or Stainless Steel Pan

If you don’t have a panini press, cast iron pan or griddle pan, you could simply use a non-stick pan or stainless steel pan and cook the sandwich on both sides until golden brown

Toaster

If you are totally without any of the above, you could just toast the bread and assemble the sandwich. It won’t exactly be a ‘panini sandwich’ but will still have all those delicious flavours!

More Tips and Variations

When grilling your sandwich, don’t have the heat too high that you burn your bread. It’s better to have a medium-ish heat than a higher heat.

The prosciutto was crisped here. I find that it’s easier to enjoy in a sandwich that way. However, if you’d rather leave it as is, that’s a-ok too!

Speaking of prosciutto, another delicious option is speck (which is a smoked prosciutto). Alternatively, try crispy bacon.

Swiss cheese was used. Other delicious options are provolone or cheddar.

If you like, you could scoop out some of the interior of the bread buns. This does two things – (1) it reduces some of the carbs and (2) it allows you to have a little ‘valley’ to stuff those toppings in.

More Sandwich Recipes You May Enjoy

• Mortadella Sandwich – This Italian deli sandwich has plenty of mortadella, roasted red pepper, hot peppers, cheese and onion. So hearty and so tasty!
• Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese – Turkey, cranberry sauce and two types of cheese makes this one epic grilled cheese sandwich.
• Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich – With chicken, curry and diced apple, this flavourful sandwich makes for one yummy lunch.

Hope you love this turkey panini sandwich with strawberries as much as we do!

Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon,

Dawn

Make this turkey sandwich? That’s awesome! Love it if you left a comment below. Many thanks!

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5 from 11 votes

Turkey Panini (with crispy prosciutto and strawberries)

Juicy California Strawberries, lean turkey, crispy prosciutto, avocado and a homemade basil mayo takes this turkey panini sandwich over the top! Makes for a delicious dinner or hearty lunch

Course Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword leftover turkey idea, panini recipe, panini sandwich, sandwich

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Servings 2 sandwiches

Author Dawn – Girl Heart Food

Ingredients

Turkey Panini

• 2 (6-inch) ciabatta buns (or a similar style of bread)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 6 ounces cooked turkey , sliced or chopped
• 4 slices prosciutto
• 1 avocado , peeled, pitted and sliced
• 8 to 10 California Strawberries , rinsed and sliced (stem removed)
• 72 grams Swiss cheese (four 18 gram slices)
• pinch black pepper

Basil Mayo

• 1/3 cup light mayo
• 10 to 12 fresh basil leaves (about 11 grams)
• pinch salt
• pinch black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Turkey Panini

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place prosciutto on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake until just crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Carefully remove from oven.
• Brush outsides of each bun with olive oil.
• Smear basil mayo on 4 slices of bread.
• Top two of those basil mayo slices with turkey, prosciutto, avocado, sliced California Strawberries and Swiss cheese.
• Cover with remaining two slices of basil mayo bread.
• Heat a panini press to medium heat (or use a cast iron pan with a weighted press) on medium low – medium heat.
• If using a panini press, cook for about 5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on the outside. If using a pan, add sandwiches and place weight on top (options in body of post above). Cook about 4 to 5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Enjoy!

Basil Mayo

• Combine all ingredients in a mini food processor and blend until smooth.

Notes

 

• When grilling your sandwich, don’t have the heat too high that you burn your bread. It’s better to have a medium-ish heat than a higher heat.
• The prosciutto was crisped here. I find that it’s easier to enjoy in a sandwich that way. However, if you’d rather leave it as is, that’s a-ok too!
• Speaking of prosciutto, another delicious option is speck (which is a smoked prosciutto). Alternatively, try crispy bacon.
• Swiss cheese was used. Other delicious options are provolone or cheddar.
• If you like, you could scoop out some of the interior of the bread buns. This does two things – (1) it reduces some of the carbs and (2) it allows you to have a little ‘valley’ to stuff those toppings in.

 

Tried this recipe? That’s awesome!Mention @dawn.girlheartfood or tag #girlheartfood