4.84 from 6 votes

The Best Turkey Sandwich in 10 minutes!

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Check out this turkey sandwich recipe that’s ready in 10 minutes! It’s the perfect option for a quick lunch during the week.
Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
£1.10
Makes: 5
Lunch, Snack
British

Budget-friendly, tasty and ready in a snap, this turkey sandwich is a fun twist for lunch. Served hot, you won’t be able to resist the melty cheese and crisp crust in this turkey sandwich recipe.

Side view of huge turkey sandwich, with thick layers of tomato, lettuce, turkey and cheese piled on top of each on a wooden chopping board.

Why you should make this turkey melt recipe

I’ve kept the ingredients simple, so they’re easy to find at the store. I’ve kept the condiments to a minimum, which also helps keep the budget relatively low for this deli sandwich. You’ll find that even with an extra helping of turkey, this homemade deli turkey sandwich still falls well under £2 per serving.

I consider this the best turkey sandwich recipe, as it’s also easy to prep extra for lunches during the week. Simply prep the veggies to the side, and leave the extra sandwiches off the heat until you’re ready for lunch. Then, you’ll have an even quicker protein-packed meal at the ready.

Other toastie recipes you should try; Halloumi and Avocado Sourdough Toast, Slow Roasted Cherry Tomato Ricotta Toast and Pizza Toast

Ingredients

Ingredients to make turkey sandwich, sliced white bread, turkey slices, lettuce, tomato and cheddar cheese slices.

Turkey Slices
I love including sliced turkey on deli sandwiches, as it’s a lean meat and has lots of protein. You can also grab roasted turkey or use leftover turkey from a previous meal. Chicken will work well, ham is also a good substitute although my favorite choice is still turkey!

Beef Tomato
Any tomato will do for your turkey sandwich. I prefer beef tomatoes, as they’re sturdy and juicy when you add them to a turkey sandwich (cheese-filled). 

Iceberg Lettuce
It’s cheap, refreshing and delicious. Romaine lettuce is another excellent option if you’re wondering what to put on a turkey sandwich as an alternative to iceberg.

Bread
Thick sliced wholemeal or white bread works well for this recipe. If you can splurge on an artisan loaf, you can create even tastier deli sandwiches.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to make the best turkey sandwich

Preheat your grill to 200°C

  1. Lightly toast your bread (around 2-3 minutes) until it takes on a golden hue (Image 1).
  2. Slice the beef tomatoes (Image 2).
2 Step by step photos :  the first with a tomato cut in slices on a chopping board with a large knife and a toaster with 2 slices on bread toasting.

3. Place one of the pieces of bread onto a baking tray and add ½ tbsp of mayonnaise onto the bread. Layer the turkey, followed by the cheese (Image 3).

4. Place under the grill for 7 minutes, or until melted (Image 4).

2 Step by step photos:  the first with cheese slices and turkey on a slice of bread on a stainless steel baking tray and the second after grilling.

5. Next, add a generous layer of lettuce onto the melted cheese, then a few rounds of the beef tomato. Season with salt and pepper (Image 5).

6. Top with the other piece of toast (with ½ tbsp mayo layered onto it). Dig in! (Image 6).

2 Step by step photos: the first with tomato slices with lettuce on the turkey and bread slice on a chopping board and second photo with toasted bread on top of sandwich.

Tips and Tricks for best results

  • Use thick sliced, whole grain bread to add texture to the sandwich.
  • Toast the bread first to get that crunchy toastie, before adding the filling the sandwich with the layers.
  • Use cheddar cheese for flavour, although grated mozzarella will give you that cheese pull and makes a great alternative.
  • Add different toppings, roasted peppers, olives, red onion slices and if you like a bit of heat some jalapenos. 

Other recipes to try if you love turkey! Gochujang Turkey Noodles and Korean Spiced Turkey Mince, Rice and Baked Kale⁠

Adaptations

Vegan:
You’ll want to use a plant-based or vegan deli meat alternative like the vegetarian variation. Swap out the cheese for a non-dairy choice and use vegenaise as a replacement for the mayo.

What else can I add?
If your budget allows, you can also include additional types of meat. For example, roasted chicken is a great way to boost the protein in your turkey sandwich.

You can also add more condiments, such as mustard, to craft a more flavourful turkey melt. More veggies are always welcome, even unexpected options such as strips of bell peppers.

Make this meal more substantial, try one of my Autumn Warming Soups.

Substitutes
You can substitute each ingredient in this turkey sandwich to better fit your tastes. For example, the turkey and cheddar can be swapped with the deli meat and cheese that you enjoy. Avocados, pickles, cucumbers and onions are all great alternatives to beef, tomato and iceberg lettuce.

You can make the sandwich lower in carbs by turning it into a wrap with a low-carb tortilla or extra lettuce. As far as deli turkey recipes go, this sandwich is very customizable.

Side view of huge turkey, tomato and lettuce sandwich with thick slices of bread and a blue background.

Other sandwich recipes you can try after this one: Easy Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Cheese Toastie with Grilled Veg and Banh Mi Inspired Sandwiches

FAQs

I don’t have a grill; what can I use instead?

You can use an air fryer to craft a turkey sandwich. However, if you’re creating sandwiches for others simultaneously, you’ll likely need to heat the sandwiches one at a time. So it will take longer to prep your meal. You can also melt the cheese by preheating your oven to 220°C FAN. 

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! This is one of the easiest turkey sandwich ideas to turn into a vegetarian dish. Swap out the turkey for a non-meat alternative, and enjoy. Tempeh or grilled tofu could be a delicious swap. 

Can I reheat a turkey sandwich?

Yes, you can reheat your sandwich. However, you will want to remove the lettuce (if possible) before reheating, as it will get soggy. Wrap the sandwich in aluminium foil and heat it in the oven or toaster oven to help crisp up the exterior. Before serving, add a fresh piece of lettuce. 

If you tried this Turkey Sandwich recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x

The Best Turkey Sandwich in 10 minutes!

Print
4.84 from 6 votes
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
£1.10
Lunch, Snack
British
Servings: 5
Check out this turkey sandwich recipe that’s ready in 10 minutes! It’s the perfect option for a quick lunch during the week.

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf thick sliced bread white or wholemeal (£0.70)
  • 200 g (10 slices) turkey (£2.40)
  • 150 g extra mature cheddar slices (£1.25)
  • 1 beef tomato, sliced into thin rounds (£0.60)
  • 1 head of iceberg lettuce (£0.55)

Cupboard Essentials

  • 5 tbsp mayonnaise

Method

Note: If you have slightly more room in your budget, opt for double the amount of turkey and some sort of nice seeded/wholemeal bread. If not though, the £5 lunches for 5 edition is still so good.

    Preheat your grill to 200°C

    • Lightly toast your bread (around 2-3 minutes) until it takes on a golden hue.
    • Place one of the pieces of bread onto a baking tray and add ½ tbsp of mayonnaise onto the bread. Layer the turkey, followed by the cheese and place under the grill for 7 minutes, or until melted.
    • Next, add a generous layer of lettuce onto the melted cheese, then a few rounds of the beef tomato. Season with salt and pepper and then top with the other piece of toast (with ½ tbsp mayo layered onto it). Dig in!

    Notes

    • Use thick-sliced, preferably whole grain bread for texture.
    • Toast the bread before adding layers of filling.
    • Add cheddar cheese or grated mozzarella for flavour and consider other toppings like roasted peppers, olives, red onion slices and Jalapeños for extra flavour.
     

    Nutrition

    Servings: 5 servings
    Fat: 24g
    Calories: 519kcal
    Carbohydrates: 51g
    Protein: 25g
    4.84 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    Thank you so much for trying my recipe! I hope you loved it. I’d be so grateful if you could leave a comment/rating - it makes my day hearing your feedback!

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