Turkey Club Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Roasted turkey, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and melted cheese pressed between golden buttery sourdough bread.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 4 slices cooked turkey breast
02 - 4 slices cooked bacon

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 leaves romaine lettuce, washed and dried
04 - 1 medium tomato, sliced

→ Dairy

05 - 4 slices cheddar or Swiss cheese
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

→ Bread

07 - 4 slices sourdough bread

→ Condiments

08 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, optional
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, optional

# Directions:

01 - Preheat a skillet or panini press over medium heat.
02 - Butter one side of each slice of sourdough bread.
03 - On the unbuttered side of two slices, spread mayonnaise and Dijon mustard if using.
04 - Layer in order: cheese, turkey, bacon, tomato slices, lettuce, and another slice of cheese. Top with the remaining bread, buttered side facing out.
05 - Place the sandwiches in the skillet or press. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or 4 to 5 minutes total in a press, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
06 - Remove from heat, let rest for 1 minute, then slice and serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It turns deli leftovers into something you'd actually crave on purpose.
  • The buttery crunch against melted cheese and crispy bacon is unbeatable.
  • You can have it on the table in the time it takes to scroll through takeout menus.
  • It feels indulgent but uses ingredients you probably already have.
02 -
  • Don't skip drying the lettuce and tomato, excess moisture will make the bread soggy and ruin the texture.
  • Medium heat is your friend, too high and the bread burns before the cheese melts.
  • Softened butter is easier to spread and gives a more even crust than melting it in the pan.
03 -
  • Press down gently with your spatula while grilling to help everything meld together without squishing out the fillings.
  • If you don't have a panini press, use a second heavy skillet on top of the sandwich to weigh it down while it cooks.
  • Make extra bacon ahead of time and keep it in the fridge, it makes throwing this together even faster.
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