Hot Turkey Sandwich Recipe

You would think that after Thanksgiving Day, everyone would be done with turkey. But, to be honest, what I always look forward to are the holiday leftovers. My hot turkey sandwich recipe is one that my family often looks forward to having me make the day after.

For this hot turkey sandwich recipe with gravy, I used leftover turkey. But you can also grab deli turkey from the grocery store and make it anytime. It comes together with a few slices of bread, mayonnaise, and gravy. All of these you probably already have from your Thanksgiving dinner! And have I got a few tips on how to make the best hot turkey sandwich and keep it moist. After all, “dry” just isn’t the best word to describe a sandwich.

For starters, we don’t only rely on spreads to add flavor to sandwiches — you can also use them to add and seal in moisture. Mayonnaise is great, but you can also use pestos, BBQ sauces, butter, cream cheese, and mustard. They also double as a barrier to stave off sogginess. Toasting the bread is a clever trick, too.

Do NOT add wet ingredients like pickles, tomatoes, and cucumbers right away! Simply add them to the sandwich when you’re ready to eat to prevent sogginess. Lettuce lends moisture, crunch, and a fresh taste to your sandwich. It is, however, prone to wilting when left for extended periods, making your bread soggy. So, you also might want to add it later.

Although the recipe calls for any kind of bread, I would advise against using soft, fluffy bread. As a rule of thumb, the moister the filling, the drier and denser the bread should be, like bagels and sourdoughs. For the final touch and the star ingredients of the sandwich: turkey and gravy. Simply heat the leftover gravy. You can also try melting some butter and sauteing onions before adding the gravy. Add the sliced cooked turkey and heat until the meat is completely coated and heated through.

Hot turkey sandwiches work well as an easy lunch or dinner option. It is traditionally served with mashed potatoes, but you can also try a variety of other side dishes like steamed vegetables or green salads. Add cheese to your sandwich for that satisfying cheese pull, and extra stuffing like bacon and sausage to make it more filling. Really, the possibilities are endless with this classic sandwich! Arrange everything on a plate, and voila! Personally, serving your hot turkey sandwich open-faced is the best way to have this Thanksgiving leftover.