Give those holiday leftovers new life with this simple, satisfying turkey sandwich. Layers of leftover turkey, creamy mayo, crisp lettuce, tomato, cheddar, and a bit of cranberry sauce are tucked between toasted bread for the perfect sweet and savory bite.

close up of a pile of Turkey Sandwich slices

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Holly’s Recipe Highlights

  • Flavor: Savory turkey, tangy cranberry, and creamy mayo come together for the ultimate leftover lunch.
  • Prep Note: The easiest way to enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers with no cooking at all. Everything’s prepped and ready to layer.
  • Swaps: No leftover turkey? Use pre-sliced deli turkey and your favorite cheese for a quick shortcut.
bread , mayonnaise , cranberry sauce , turkey , tomato , lettuce and cheese with labels to make Turkey Sandwich

What You’ll Need:

  • Bread: My family loves sturdy breads like hearty grain bread, ciabatta, rye, or sourdough. Wrap all the ingredients in crisp romaine lettuce for a lighter option.
  • Turkey: Use sliced deli turkey or leftover sliced turkey breast. Add other deli meats like ham, chicken, or cotto salami for variety, or crispy bacon for some extra flavor.
  • Cheese: Choose your cheese; cheddar will give it an extra bite, while mozzarella and provolone will add a milder flavor to the sandwich.
  • Vegetables: Add crunch with lettuce, tomatoes, or cucumbers. For extra creaminess, try sliced avocado.
  • Condiments: Mix mayo with pesto for a flavorful aioli, add a chipotle aioli for a smoky kick, or use honey mustard for a sweet and tangy twist.
  • Variations: Layer in leftover stuffing or drizzle on some gravy to turn it into a hearty, indulgent meal.
leftover Turkey Sandwich with cranberry sauce

More Turkey Sandwich Ideas

  • Hot Open Face: Top slices of turkey on bread, crumble on some dressing, and smother in gravy, like this hot turkey sandwich.
  • Turkey Reuben Panini: If you have a panini press, pile turkey, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut on buttered rye bread slices, and cook to a golden, crispy crunch. Grilling in a skillet will work too. Serve this one with Thousand Island dressing on the side.
  • Turkey Salad: Make an easy turkey salad recipe and fill croissants or toasted English muffins!

Holly’s Tips for the Best Sandwich

  • Toast the bread, and pat the lettuce and tomatoes dry before layering to keep the sandwich from getting soggy.
  • Warm leftover turkey slightly for a cozy, melty version.
  • Wrap tightly in parchment paper for lunchboxes or picnics.
  • For meal prep, store ingredients separately for up to 3 days, and assemble just before serving.
hot Turkey Sandwich on a cutting board cut into pieces

Storage and Leftovers

Wrap leftover sandwiches tightly and refrigerate up to 1 day for the best texture. Freezing leftovers is not recommended once assembled, but you can freeze leftover turkey for up to 4 months!

Perfect Post Holiday Recipes

Did you enjoy this Turkey Sandwich? Leave us a rating and comment below!

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
a turkey sandwich on a board
5 from 15 votes

Turkey Sandwich

Servings 2 sandwiches
This is an easy way to turn Thanksgiving leftovers into the best turkey sandwich!
Servings 2 sandwiches
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
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Equipment

Ingredients  

  • 4 slices wheat bread
  • 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 ounces cheddar cheese sliced, provolone or mozzarella
  • 1 medium tomato sliced
  • 4 leaves lettuce
  • 6-8 slices deli sliced turkey or 4 slices leftover turkey
  • ¼ cup cranberry sauce

Instructions 

  • Lightly toast the bread.
  • Spread mayonnaise on 2 of the slices of toasted bread.
  • Top with cheese, turkey, lettuce, and tomatoes. Season with salt & pepper if desired.
  • Spread remaining slices of bread with cranberry sauce and top sandwich.
  • Cut in half and serve.

Notes

Top with lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, pickles, or any of your favorite sandwich toppings! 
Sandwiches will keep for 1 day in the refrigerator. 
5 from 15 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 383 | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 659mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 284IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Lunch, Sandwich, Turkey
Cuisine American
Turkey Sandwich with cranberry sauce with a title
plate of Turkey Sandwich slices with a title
close up of Turkey Sandwich with writing
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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
See more posts by Holly

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5 from 15 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Giving the information with clear details, such as the recipes and explanations. I really learnt a lots about the turkey sandwich. Thank you Holly!!!

  2. I used your recipe for Roast Turkey Breast for these sandwiches and your other Turkey sandwiches. Yummy5 stars