Chef Tom takes a little inspiration from the hit 1990s sitcom Friends and cooks up a leftover turkey sandwich so good that you’ll want to make a turkey dedicated to it. Transform post-feast leftovers into something extraordinary with the Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich layers of juicy turkey, melty cheese, cranberry tang, and buttery bread come together for nostalgia and flavor in every bite.
WHAT YOU'LL LOVE
- Comfort food comfort: Thanksgiving flavors reimagined between buttery-grilled bread
- Contrast of textures: crispy bread, creamy cheese, hearty turkey, bright cranberry sauce
- Simple upgrade: minimal prep, maximum flavor from holiday staples
- Flexible variations: make it your own with herbs, sauces, or mustard glazes
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich
Tom Jackson
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Entree
Cuisine
American
Servings
4
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Calories
762
This gourmet upgrade involves quick pan-toasting or grilling, turning ordinary ingredients into a stacked, satisfying sandwich that’s simple to make yet indulgent to eat—perfect for leftovers done right.
Ingredients
- 1 Italian bread boule
-
Leftover Turkey, dark and white meat
-
Savory Sausage Stuffing
- Mayonnaise
- Soft Brie Cheese
- Turkey Gravy (recipe below)
- Cranberry-Orange Relish (recipe below)
- Unsalted Butter, as needed
- 4 oz sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
- 6 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cinnamon stick
- segments of 1 orange
- 1 tbsp orange liquor
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup AP flour
-
2 cups turkey stock and turkey pan drippings
- black pepper and salt, as needed
For the Cranberry-Orange Relish:
For the Turkey Gravy:
Directions
To make the Cranberry-Orange Relish, combine the sugar, orange juice and water in a Lodge 8” cast iron skillet. Bring to a boil. Add the cranberries and cinnamon stick and simmer until the berries begin to burst and break down, about 5-10 minutes. Add the orange liquor, zest, segments and vinegar. Simmer another 2-5 minutes, until mixture is thickened. Remove from the heat. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick. Transfer to a bowl and chill.
To make the gravy, melt the butter in the Lodge 8” cast iron skillet, over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly until lightly toasted and fragrant. Slowly whisk in the turkey stock/drippings. Season with black pepper and salt, as needed.
Preheat your Yoder Smokers YS640 pellet grill to 350°F, set up for direct and indirect grilling, with a Yoder Smokers Cast Iron Griddle in place on the firebox side of the grill.
- Assemble the sandwich. You’ll need 3 slices of bread. Spread the first slice with mayonnaise. Top with a layer of savory sausage stuffing. Top that with warmed leftover dark meat. Take the second slice of bread and dunk it in the gravy. Place the gravy soaked slice of bread over the dark meat. Top the moist maker with warmed leftover white turkey meat. Then, the cranberry-orange relish, and finally the last slice of bread, spread with creamy brie cheese.
Place a couple of tablespoons of butter on the hot Yoder Smokers Cast Iron Griddle to melt. Toast the sandwich on both sides until browned.
Recipe Note
Recipe FAQ
Can I use deli-sliced turkey instead of leftovers?
Yes very thin slices heat quickly, but thicker leftover meat adds juicier texture and better flavor to the sandwich.
Do I need to warm the cranberry-orange relish before assembling?
Not necessary, but warming it slightly gives added depth and helps the brie melt a bit faster once the sandwich hits the griddle.
Can I toast this in the oven instead of on a griddle?
Yes place the assembled sandwiches on a sheet tray and bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes per side.
Why dunk the middle slice of bread in gravy instead of just spreading it on top?
Soaking that "moist maker" slice fully in gravy (a nod to the Friends episode this sandwich is based on) keeps the center of the sandwich rich and moist, rather than leaving the gravy as a thin layer that dries out during toasting.
Can I cook these indoors?
We rate these as a 5 out of 5. Perfect for indoor or outdoor cooking.
Recipe Highlights
Gravy-soaked center slice: Keeps the middle of the sandwich moist through toasting.
Two proteins, two layers: Dark meat and white meat get their own layer rather than being mixed together.
Fresh cranberry-orange relish: Built with orange segments, zest, and liqueur for more depth than a canned sauce.
Griddle-melted brie: Finishing on the hot griddle melts the cheese into the top layer as the bread toasts.
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Nutrition
Nutrition
- Nutrition Serving Size
- 21.52 oz
- per serving
- Calories
- 762
- Carbs
- 109 grams
- Protein
- 47 grams
- Fat
- 14 grams
- Sodium
- 1449 milligrams
