Turkey Club Sandwich

I live in the mid-Atlantic region, where you can’t travel very far without passing a diner. As a kid, I always felt a little thrill when I entered a diner and came face-to-face with a glorious rotating display of sky-high cakes and pies. And don’t get me started on the menus! Those shiny, chrome-fronted restaurants have it all, whether you’re in the mood for a classic diner breakfast, a light cup of soup or a burger and milkshake.

Even with so much variety, my go-to diner order is always the same: a roasted turkey platter or a meaty, triple-decker turkey club sandwich. Whether you argue that a turkey club is just a BLT with turkey or a turkey sandwich with bacon, we can agree that it’s iconic and delicious. It’s also easy to make at home.

This turkey club sandwich recipe is all about classic flavors and textures. Tender turkey, crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato are stacked on toasted bread generously slathered with mayo. We use just two slices of bread to make the sandwich easier to handle, and have a few must-know tips to help you build a balanced turkey club perfect for picnic lunches and casual dinners.

Turkey Club Sandwich Ingredients

• Bread: This recipe calls for toasted whole wheat bread, but you can swap in a hearty white, rye or pumpernickel. Avoid crusty loaves and thick-cut sandwich bread, which can make the sandwich tough to chew and throw off the bread-to-filling ratio. The same goes for soft, pillowy loaves; they aren’t sturdy enough to support the fillings. If you want to recreate a deli-style club sandwich, add a third slice of bread.
• Mayonnaise: See which mayo brands our Test Kitchen can’t live without, or elevate your club sandwich with homemade mayonnaise—you won’t believe how fast it comes together!
• Sliced turkey: Deli-sliced and thinly sliced roasted turkey work equally well here. When the holidays roll around, a turkey club sandwich is the perfect way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey. If you have a rotisserie chicken on hand, substitute it for the turkey to build an epic sandwich.
• Bacon: Whether you bake or fry bacon, drain it on paper towels to keep excess grease out of your sandwich. Thick-sliced applewood smoked bacon adds rich, savory flavor and just the right amount of chewiness in each bite. You can swap in regular bacon if you prefer it thin and crispy.
• Lettuce and tomato: Use a crisp type of lettuce for crunch, like romaine, iceberg or butter lettuce. After cutting the tomato, sprinkle the slices with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor; it makes a big difference in the finished product.

Directions

Step 1: Spread mayo on the bread

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Toast the four slices of bread. Then, spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice.

Editor’s Tip: Toasting makes the bread sturdier so it won’t fall apart under the weight of the turkey and toppings. To make toast without a toaster, heat the bread in the oven or on the stovetop until they’re perfectly crisp and golden.

Step 2: Layer the turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato

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Arrange the deli turkey on two of the bread slices. Top with the cooked bacon strips, lettuce and tomato slices.

Editor’s Tip: If the bacon is bigger than the bread, break the strips in half to fit.

Step 3: Top with the remaining piece of bread

Place the remaining two slices of toasted bread on top to make two sandwiches. Serve immediately.

Editor’s Tip: For a restaurant-style presentation, stick colorful cellophane-wrapped sandwich picks in each corner of the sandwiches and cut them into halves or quarters with a sharp chef’s knife.

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

Turkey Club Sandwich Variations

• Upgrade the sandwich spread: Layer in bold flavor by replacing the plain mayo with a garlicky aioli or a zesty pesto sauce.
• Mix up the toppings: Add roasted red peppers for a hint of sweetness, pickle chips for a salty, briny kick, or sliced avocado for a creamy texture and rich flavor that pairs well with the crunchy toast.
• Add cheese: What’s a sandwich without cheese? A slice or two of Swiss, Havarti, cheddar or pepper jack would all be delicious additions to this turkey club.
• Lighten it up: Swap turkey bacon for regular bacon and use your favorite mustard instead of mayonnaise to cut fat and calories without sacrificing flavor. Watching carbs? Try a low-carb bread, or wrap turkey, bacon, tomato and mayo in crisp romaine leaves.
• Make it meatier: Pair sliced deli ham with the turkey and bacon for extra smoky, salty depth. Stacking multiple types of lunch meat turns your sandwich into a sky-high deli-style club that’s packed with flavor.

How to Store Turkey Club Sandwiches

If you have sandwich leftovers, you can wrap them tightly in foil or place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. The bread and veggies will quickly turn soggy, so you’ll want to return to that leftover sandwich within a few hours and store it for no longer than 24 hours.

Can you make turkey club sandwiches ahead of time?

Turkey club sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh when the toasted bread is still warm and the lettuce is crisp, but you can prepare them in advance with a few tweaks. To prevent a soggy sandwich, toast your bread until it’s extra crispy and store the lettuce and tomato separately to add just before serving.

For the best texture, I recommend making a turkey club sandwich no more than a few hours in advance. That should give you enough time to enjoy them on a picnic or as a packed lunch.

Turkey Club Sandwich Tips

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What does a turkey club sandwich have on it?

A traditional turkey club sandwich features three slices of toasted bread slathered with mayonnaise and layered with deli turkey or roasted turkey, strips of cooked bacon, crisp romaine or iceberg lettuce, and juicy tomato slices. This turkey club sandwich recipe skips the triple-decker stack, and instead sandwiches all the classic club flavors and textures between just two slices of bread.

How do you prevent a turkey club sandwich from getting soggy?

The best way to prevent a soggy turkey club is to start with toasted bread and enjoy the sandwich immediately. If you won’t be serving the sandwich right away, I recommend layering the turkey directly on the bread and spreading the mayonnaise between the turkey and bacon. That way the mayo isn’t in direct contact with the bread. Add the lettuce and tomatoes just before serving the sandwich.

What can you serve with a turkey club sandwich?

A turkey club sandwich wouldn’t be complete without a handful of crunchy potato chips and a salty pickle spear on the side. Oven-baked fries, fruit salad, creamy coleslaw and potato salad are other classic sandwich sides. For a lighter lunch option, go halfsies by serving half a turkey club with a warm cup of vegetable soup.