Turkey Apple Cheddar Sandwich on Rye

Why This is the Best Recipe

• Easy Leftover Turkey Recipe: If you've got leftover Thanksgiving turkey, this is an awesome sandwich that is a welcome change of pace from the holiday flavors.
• Sweet and Savory: The mix of sweet apples and savory cheese with tangy mustard hits all the right notes!
• Quick Skillet Dinner: This easy 10-minute recipe comes together quickly so you can get back to enjoying your evening.
• Easy to Scale: I've written the recipe for a single sandwich but you can quickly and easily scale it up to feed a crowd as needed.

Ingredients

This delicious turkey sandwich only needs a few ingredients:

• Turkey: I used sliced deli turkey to make it for lunch but this is an amazing leftover turkey recipe for after Thanksgiving, too.
• Rye Bread: I used my homemade bread machine rye bread which made for an extra-hearty sandwich. You can use whichever rye bread you love.
• Cheddar Cheese: Pre-sliced cheddar works best but when I made this I only had a brick of cheddar cheese on hand. While it tasted amazing, it does not melt nearly as nicely as the pre-sliced cheddar does.
• Fresh Apple: I suggest either a honeycrisp or a Granny Smith.
• Dijon Mustard
• Maple Syrup
• Butter

Slice the Rye Bread

I used a homemade loaf of bread machine rye bread. I baked it the day before and let it cool completely before storing in a bread bag on the counter overnight.

It is easiest to neatly slice the loaf once it has cooled.

Prep the Fillings

Core the apple and slice it as thinly as you can. I also had to slice our brick of white cheddar cheese -- I encourage you to buy pre-sliced, it will melt so much better.

Then mix the Dijon mustard and maple syrup in a small prep bowl. If you like heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper here!

To assemble the sandwich, lay the rye bread open and spread one half with the maple mustard.

Top both sides with slices of cheese. Then layer in the turkey and apple and close the sandwich.

Butter just the top side of the sandwich with softened butter.

Cooking Instructions

Place a small skillet over medium-high heat. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in the skillet and then place the sandwich with the unbuttered side facing down.

I like to wiggle the sandwich around a bit in the melted butter to completely coat the bottom side.

Cook for 3 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown and then flip the sandwich over and griddle the other side.

Cook until golden brown on both sides and the cheese has melted.

NOTE: This is a very thick sandwich, especially if you use homemade rye bread. The apples and turkey at the center will remain cool and crispy and the outside will be hot and griddled. My husband loved the combination of textures.

However, if you prefer your grilled sandwiches to be thoroughly hot, reduce the temperature of the skillet to medium-low and loosely tent the skillet with aluminum foil. Be sure to allow for a small vent so the sandwich doesn't steam.

This will slow down the cooking and allow the center to catch up to the outside of the sandwich as it cooks. You will need more time to finish griddling the sandwich but it will be hot all the way through.

Family Style Sandwiches

If you need to make more than one sandwich at a time, you can easily scale the ingredients up and use an electric griddle to cook more than one.

Alternatively, preheat your oven to 350°F and butter both sides of the sandwiches. Place them on large sheet pans and bake them in your oven for 10 - 15 minutes.

You'll want to flip them about half way through cooking so they brown evenly.

Variations

• You can use a variety of breads for this recipe instead of the rye. I recommend my sourdough white bread or even a store bought croissant.
• You can substitute deli chicken, deli ham, or even a shredded rotisserie chicken for the turkey.
• Consider adding baby spinach or arugula to the layer with the apples.
• Swap brie or havarti for the cheddar for a creamier melt.
• Add a layer of caramelized onions for a buttery twist.
• Swap honey mustard for the maple mustard or use a store bought apple butter.
• Use cranberry mayo instead of the mustard. This is a great idea for after Thanksgiving!

Serving Suggestions

I served my simple grilled turkey sandwich with the leftover slices of apple for a quick and easy lunch. It would be perfect paired with a handful of potato chips, sweet potato chips, or a light green salad.

For a heartier dinner, you could pair it with a pan of baked sweet potato fries or a cozy bowl of soup. I recommend something simple like my tomato bisque or this Irish potato soup.

A tray of raw veggies and dill dip is always an easy side dish for sandwiches, too.

Irish Potato Soup

French Onion Soup {Freezer-Friendly}

Tomato Bisque Soup

Easy Dill Dip for Veggie Trays

More Sandwich Recipes

Looking for more delicious sandwich recipes? Here are a few of my favorites:

Easy Coronation Chicken Sandwiches for Tea Parties

French Dip Sandwiches {Crock Pot or Dutch Oven}

Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes

Slowcooker Hot Honey Chicken