A club sandwich is a delicious deli classic, and it is so easy to make yourself at home. So I am sharing my super easy club sandwich recipe with y’all.
This classic club sandwich recipe is really very simple to make too. And during summer, you can totally pass this off as dinner. ♀️
The turkey club sandwich is a lunchtime favorite for good reason. Perfectly stacked between bread slices, the combination of ingredients is simply delicious. But what exactly makes up this iconic triple-decker sandwich? Let’s take a closer look at the key components that come on a classic turkey club.
The Bread Foundation
The base of any great sandwich starts with the bread. For a turkey club, white bread is traditionally used. White bread provides a neutral background that won’t overpower the other flavors. It also has a softer texture that’s easier to bite into than denser whole wheat breads.
Popular choices are Pullman loaf, sandwich bread, or sourdough. The bread should be lightly toasted which gives it more structure and flavor for stacking the ingredients.
Schmear on the Mayo
No turkey club is complete without the creamy influence of mayonnaise. Mayo adds moisture and binds the sandwich together, while providing a tangy, rich flavor. Regular mayo is most common, but flavored varieties like chipotle mayo can add a twist.
When assembling the sandwich, mayo should be spread lightly on one side of each bread slice. Just use enough to provide flavor without saturating the bread.
Crispy, Smoky Bacon
Salty, smoky bacon is perhaps the most craveable ingredient in a turkey club. The crispy pork bacon provides the perfect salty crunch to contrast the other fillings. Center-cut bacon offers the ideal balance of meaty lean and fat when cooked up crisp.
Baking bacon in the oven allows it to cook flat for sandwiches, Leaving a bit of waviness adds structute so the bacon doesn’t compact down
Sliced Turkey Breast
Turkey breast meat is the classic choice for turkey clubs, providing a mild, tender base for the other flavors. High quality sliced deli turkey works great. Leftover roasted turkey also shines when sliced thin.
Thin slices make the turkey easier to bite through when layered in the triple-decker stack. Folding and layering the turkey neatly keeps it in place.
Fresh Lettuce Crunch
Cool, crisp lettuce adds freshness and texture when you bite into a turkey club. Popular choices are green leaf, romaine, or iceberg for their crunch. Don’t skimp on the lettuce, as it provides an important moisture and texture component.
Juicy Tomato Slices
Fresh tomato slices are a given on a turkey club. Ripe in-season tomatoes offer the best flavor. When tomatoes are out of season, cherry or grape tomatoes can provide sweetness too.
The tomatoes should be sliced thick enough to provide texture without making the sandwich messy. If using juicy beefsteak tomatoes, consider blotting them first.
Cheese is a Nice Addition
While not all turkey clubs contain cheese, many versions do for extra creaminess and flavor. Typical cheese choices are cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack or Monterey jack.
If including cheese, add a slice along with the turkey layer so it melts slightly between the hot meat.
Extras and Customizations
While those ingredients make up the foundation, there are endless ways to customize a turkey club:
- Avocado slices for creaminess
- Deli ham or roast beef instead of bacon
- Sliced chicken or other meats instead of turkey
- Pickles for tang and crunch
- Spicy mustard or chipotle mayo for kick
- Peppery arugula instead of lettuce
- Provolone, brie or other cheese choices
Assembly Perfection
Constructing a turkey club properly ensures all the fillings stay neatly in place. Here is one method:
- Lightly toast bread and spread mayo on one side of each slice
- Layer lettuce, tomato, cheese and turkey on bottom slice
- Add middle bread, mayo-side down
- Repeat lettuce, tomato, turkey, bacon on middle
- Finish with top bread, mayo-side down
- Secure with toothpicks and slice diagonally
When assembled correctly, all the textures and flavors come together in perfect harmony. Just be sure to use high quality ingredients for the best results.
A Satisfying Sandwich
There’s a reason the turkey club remains an iconic sandwich. The combination of cool lettuce, juicy tomato, crispy bacon, smoky turkey breast, and rich mayo is simply delicious when properly stacked between toasted bread. Though the classic version never goes out of style, part of the fun is making the sandwich your own with creative additions and ingredient swaps.
So next time you’re craving a turkey club, use this guide to construct the perfect triple-decker sandwich. Paying attention to the details results in a truly satisfying lunchtime treat you can feel good about.
What is a club sandwich?
A club sandwich, also called a clubhouse sandwich, is a popular sandwich of toasted bread, sliced cooked turkey, ham or fried bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. A signature feature of a club sandwich is using three pieces of bread – with one slice used as a separator in the middle. It is one of the most iconic sandwiches out there.
It is an American classic, often served in delis, country clubs and other restaurants, often accompanied with potato chips or potato salad.
How to make a club sandwich
The first step is to start of with the most tasty ingredients you can find. I am totally a Trader Joe’s girl over here. So most of my ingredients came from there.
To make this traditional club sandwich recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- bread slices of choice – whole grain bread, white bread, etc.
- Mayonaise (I recommend Duke’s, Hellmann’s or Trader Joe’s)
- crisp lettuce
- tomato slices
- salt and black pepper to taste (on the tomatoes)
- sliced deli ham
- sliced deli turkey
- cooked bacon
- Colby jack cheese slice (or cheese of choice – cheddar and Swiss work great too)
Pro tip: I use the Trader Joe’s pre-cooked bacon too (not pictured). I did give it a minute in the toaster oven to crisp up. Pretty much every grocery store has their version of this short-cut. Air fryer bacon is another favorite.
Some people add extra things to their club, such as thin sliced red onion. Feel free to add your favorite toppings to make it your own. I am sticking with the traditional club sandwich for this easy recipe.
Here is how to make the best club sandwich! You will need three slices of bread. I toast the bread and then let it cool for a couple minutes. Why? If you build your sandwich on piping hot toast, it will wilt your lettuce.
I guess toasting technically counts as cooking. But! I have also made this not toasted, and it is still delicious!
Okay, then spread mayo on the cooled toast and start assembling your club sandwich. After mayo, start with lettuce and tomato, and always salt and pepper the tomatoes.
Put one of the slices of bread, mayo side down, on top. Then spread a little mayo on the other side, and begin stacking your layers of meat and cheese.
Place the last piece of bread, mayo side down, on the top. And then cut into triangles with a well-sharpened knife, using toothpicks to hold everything into place.
I didn’t have any of the fancy toothpicks, so I just used plain ones. ♀️ Use the fancy ones if you wish!
Then! To up your club sandwich’s visual game, simple turn everything on its side so that all the pretty layers show.
Glory be! Time to eat up! I hope y’all enjoy this simple recipe. And let me know in the comments if you try it, or if you want to see more easy recipes like this one.
How to Make a Classic Club Sandwich | My Take on a Turkey Club!
FAQ
What is a turkey club?
: a sandwich of three slices of bread with two layers of meat (such as turkey) and lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
Are turkey clubs good for you?
Packed with protein from the turkey and healthy fats from the bacon, it offers a satisfying crunch and burst of flavor. While it can be indulgent, you can easily make it lighter by opting for whole grain bread and plenty of veggies.
What’s the difference between a turkey BLT and a turkey club?
a BLT relies mostly on the flavor of fresh tomato + bacon. if tomato and bacon is just there to accent the flavor of turkey, its not a BLT. half of a club sandwich is a BLT but you dont call it a BLT – its a club sandwich because you changed the recipe and added turkey/chicken and extra bread.
What makes a club sandwich?
What makes a club sandwich? This classic sandwich is comprised of 3 types of meat (ham, turkey, and bacon), lettuce, tomato, and cheddar, all layered between 3 slices of toasted bread. While the stacking may seem tedious, trust us—it’s what makes this sandwich absolutely packed with flavor.
How do you make a turkey club sandwich?
Sub ham, roast beef, or chicken for the turkey. Use multiple types of meat in one sandwich. Turkey and ham is a popular combo. Use a tortilla instead of bread for a turkey club wrap. Swap the bread for a lettuce wrap for a low-carb sandwich. Add mustard to your sandwich. Put cheddar or Swiss cheese on your club. Add avocado for an extra veggie.
How many calories are in a turkey club sandwich?
This turkey club sandwich has 351 calories. Sub ham, roast beef, or chicken for the turkey. Use multiple types of meat in one sandwich. Turkey and ham is a popular combo. Use a tortilla instead of bread for a turkey club wrap. Swap the bread for a lettuce wrap for a low-carb sandwich.
What to serve with a turkey club?
Turkey clubs are great with just some chips and a pickle, but you could also serve it with your favorite side. Here are some options: potato salad, egg salad, tomato salad, corn, tomato, and avocado salad, fruit salad, and tomato soup. Crispy bacon is the best part of a club. Bacon makes everything better, amiright?
Is there a wrong way to make a turkey club?
Yes, there’s a wrong way to make a turkey club. We’re here to help you avoid the pitfalls. Some sandwiches are the ideal lazy weekend option: Bread, protein, and condiments slapped together, maybe a couple of vegetables for good measure. Quick and easy. Lunch. And then there’s the turkey club.
How long does it take to cook a turkey club sandwich?
Put the bacon on a foil- lined baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, flipping over after 10 minutes. Let bacon sit on paper towels for a few minutes to drain the grease. What is a turkey club sandwich? A turkey club is a classic sandwich with six ingredients: turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and bread.