Real talk: Thanksgiving gets all the spotlight, but the days after deserve some love too. Leftovers can be fantastic, and these Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Sandwiches turn extra turkey and sides into an unbelievably tasty meal.
We spend so much time prepping the mains, sides, and desserts that it feels wrong to let them go to waste. Most of us head home with at least one container of leftovers — so why not transform them into a sandwich that fuels whatever comes next, whether that’s Black Friday shopping, holiday decorating, or a relaxed day at home?
THE ULTIMATE COMFORT FOOD TURKEY SANDWICHES
These Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Sandwiches are comfort food at its finest — arguably better than the original plate. Warm turkey in gravy, melty cheese, crispy bacon, crisp honeycrisp apple slices, pepita pesto, and a bright greens mix all tucked between two toasty sourdough slices. It’s a flavor-packed upgrade to your leftovers that’s quick and satisfying.
THE LEFTOVER TURKEY SANDWICHES OF YOUR DREAMS
These sandwiches are full of protein, healthy fats, and plenty of flavor — a perfect lunch or easy dinner during the busy post-holiday stretch. They take about 25 minutes to make, which is ideal when you want something hands-off but delicious.
Think of this as a template rather than a strict recipe. Swap pesto for cranberry sauce, add roasted vegetables, or tuck in mashed potatoes or stuffing — make it your own. Below you’ll find the basic ingredients and method to get you started.
Stock up before the big day so you can assemble these easily afterward. Enjoy the season and the leftovers!
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:
For the greens:
- Baby arugula
- Small red onion, thinly sliced
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Dried oregano
For the bread:
- Sourdough bread (or your preferred loaf)
- Ghee
For the turkey:
- Shredded leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken
- Turkey gravy
- Freshly cracked black pepper
To assemble:
- Pepita pesto
- Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
- Goat cheddar cheese slices (or your favorite melting cheese)
- Cooked bacon slices
HOW TO MAKE THESE THANKSGIVING LEFTOVER TURKEY SANDWICHES
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Make the greens
In a medium bowl, combine arugula, thinly sliced red onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, a pinch of kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried oregano. Toss and set aside.
Prep the bread
Place sourdough slices on a baking sheet. Spread about 1 tablespoon of ghee on each side of each slice. Bake on the middle rack for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden but still slightly soft.
Warm the turkey
In a skillet over medium-low heat, combine shredded turkey with a splash of gravy and a bit of cracked black pepper. Warm until heated through, about 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
To assemble
Spread about 1 tablespoon of pepita pesto on each toasted slice. On one slice of each sandwich, layer half the apple slices, two bacon slices, and one slice of cheese. On the opposite slice, place half the warmed turkey and top with the other cheese slice. Repeat for the second sandwich.
Place the assembled sandwiches on the sheet on the upper rack and broil on high for 1–3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly — watch closely to avoid burning. Remove from the oven.
On the turkey side of each sandwich, pile half the greens mixture, top with the other slice, press gently, and slice diagonally. Serve immediately.
RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS & QUESTIONS
Get creative — stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or cranberry sauce all make great additions. Use this sandwich as a flexible starting point and tailor it to the leftovers you have on hand. Share your favorite combos in the comments.
HOW LONG IS LEFTOVER TURKEY GOOD FOR?
For best quality and safety, use cooked turkey within 3–4 days. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. These sandwiches are a tasty way to enjoy your leftovers while they’re still fresh.
WHAT IS THE BEST BREAD FOR LEFTOVER TURKEY SANDWICHES?
Sourdough is my top pick because it holds up well to the hearty fillings and toasting, but use whatever you prefer — including gluten-free bread or even a wrap if you like.
LOOKING FOR MORE YUMMY COMFORT FOOD SANDWICHES? TRY THESE:
Avocado Turkey Pesto Paninis
Roasted Tomato Basil Soup & Grilled Cheese
Grilled Honey Chipotle Chicken & Avo Melts
Toasty Baguette Steak Sandwiches with Chimichurri
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich for a Crowd
Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Sandwiches
Ingredients
For the Greens:
- 1 cup baby arugula
- ¼ small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
For the Bread:
- 4 thick slices sourdough bread
- 4 tablespoons ghee, room temperature
For the Turkey:
- 1 heaping cup shredded leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken
- ⅓ cup turkey gravy
- Freshly cracked black pepper
To Assemble:
- ¼ cup pepita pesto
- ½ cup very thinly sliced honeycrisp apples
- 4 slices goat cheddar cheese (or other melting cheese)
- 4 slices cooked bacon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
For the Greens:
- Combine arugula, onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and oregano in a bowl. Toss and set aside.
For the Bread:
- Place sourdough on a baking sheet and spread 1 tablespoon ghee on each side of each slice.
- Bake on the middle rack for about 10 minutes, flipping once, until golden but slightly soft.
For the Turkey:
- Warm the shredded turkey with turkey gravy and pepper in a skillet over medium-low until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
To Assemble:
- Spread 1 tablespoon pepita pesto on each toasted slice.
- On one slice of each sandwich, layer half the apple slices, two bacon slices, and one slice of cheese.
- On the other slice, add half the turkey mixture and top with the remaining cheese slice. Repeat for the second sandwich.
- Broil on the upper rack for 1–3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Add half the greens to the turkey side of each sandwich, top with the other slice, press gently, and slice diagonally. Serve hot.