If turkey is your go-to sandwich builder for making a healthy school lunch, I get you! I love it because so many things go with it and lunch is never boring!
Learn how to make your next turkey sandwich epic with these 65 add-ons and condiments for unlimited combinations.
Start with your choice of turkey and bread, and fill it with these delicious options for an amazing turkey sandwich:
The humble turkey sandwich is a lunchbox staple, but it’s easy to get bored of the same old sliced turkey, cheese, lettuce, and mayo combo day after day. However, with a little creativity, you can take the basic turkey sandwich from bland to bold and make it something you actually look forward to eating again.
In this article, we’ll explore 25 delicious ingredients to mix up your standard turkey sandwich and turn it into something crave-worthy. Whether you like it hot, cold crunchy, creamy or spicy, there are plenty of options to customize your turkey sandwich so you never get sick of it again. Let’s dive in!
The Turkey Sandwich Base
First, let’s start with some foundational turkey sandwich ingredients:
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Bread – Sourdough, whole wheat, rye, rolls, croissants. Pick your favorite.
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Turkey – Sliced deli turkey works best. Get it shaved thin.
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Cheese – Cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, provolone Cheese adds creaminess
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Lettuce – Crisp romaine, butter lettuce, or spinach gives you texture.
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Condiments – Mayo, mustard, cranberry sauce, ranch. Spread lightly.
Mix It Up: 25 Creative Toppings
Now let’s go through 25 ways to jazz up your basic turkey sandwich:
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Avocado – Creamy avocado slices or mashed avocado for a smoothness.
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Bacon – Crispy, salty bacon is a perfect turkey companion.
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Pesto – Herby basil or sun-dried tomato pesto kicks up the flavor.
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Hummus – For a lighter sandwich, hummus replaces mayo nicely.
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Guacamole – Ready-made or homemade guacamole adds cool creaminess.
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Salsa – For a spicy twist, top with your favorite salsa.
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Sauerkraut – Tangy, probiotic sauerkraut provides crunch.
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Spinach – Fresh baby spinach gives you nutrients without taste overwhelm.
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Sprouts – Alfalfa or bean sprouts deliver texture and earthiness.
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Cucumber – Cool, crisp cucumber slices taste refreshing.
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Bell peppers – Colorful roasted red, yellow, or orange peppers for subtle sweetness.
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Pickles – Dill pickles, bread & butter pickles, etc. give briny tang.
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Red onion – Pungent but not overpowering, sliced red onion packs a bite.
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Mushrooms – Savory, meaty sautéed mushrooms lend umami richness.
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Egg – For extra protein, a sliced boiled egg hits the spot.
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Olive or sun-dried tomato tapenade – Bold tapenades made from olives or sun-dried tomatoes.
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Cranberry sauce – Sweet, tart cranberry sauce for seasonal flavor.
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Coleslaw – Tangy cabbage coleslaw provides crunch.
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Pepperoncini – Pickled and spicy pepperoncini peppers.
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Pepper jack – For kick, swap mild cheese for spicy pepper jack.
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Hot sauce – Dash on sriracha or your favorite hot sauce.
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Jalapeño – Spice it up with sliced or diced jalapeños.
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Apple – Sweet apple slices perfectly complement the turkey.
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Brie – Smooth, creamy brie paired with turkey is divine.
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Pear – Like apple, ripe pears pair wonderfully with turkey.
Turkey Sandwich Building Tips
Now let’s go over some tips to build the perfect stuffed turkey sandwich:
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Use flavorful breads like bakery sourdough instead of plain sandwich bread.
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Layer wetter ingredients like tomato closer to the center so bread doesn’t get soggy.
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Spread condiments evenly on each slice for flavor in every bite instead of globs.
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Season with salt, pepper, herbs, and spices generously.
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Combine multiple textures like crunchy and creamy.
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Add extra rich ingredients like cheese or other deli meats for more heft.
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Don’t overstuff – balance fillings so its not a messy mountain.
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Chill completed sandwiches to allow flavors to meld, about 10-30 minutes.
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Cut in half for easier, neater eating.
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Get creative with combinations! The ideas are endless.
Elevate Your Tired Turkey Sandwich
With the topping options and tips in this article, you have everything you need to reinvent the boring turkey sandwich into something mouthwatering.
Try out new ingredient combinations until you create your ultimate sandwich masterpiece. A little creativity goes a long way in transforming this lunchtime classic into a sandwich you actually crave again.
So next time you make a turkey sandwich, skip the plain combo and amp it up with some of these delicious mix-ins instead. Your tastebuds will thank you!
Entity Frequency Analysis
Turkey: 14
Sandwich: 16
Bread: 5
Cheese: 4
Lettuce: 3
Toppings: 7
Ingredients: 6
Condiments: 3
Flavor: 3
Texture: 3
Creamy: 3
Crunchy: 2
Spicy: 2
Seasonings: 2
Best Cheese for a Turkey Sandwich
- American: melty, traditional cheese and turkey sandwiches are a classic for a reason.
- Mozzarella: creamy, sweet flavor that tastes delicious with hearty sliced turkey.
- Provolone: salty with a sweet finish for epic sandwiches.
- Pepperjack: creamy cheese with peppers will add a little peppery flavor to a turkey sandwich.
- Swiss: full of buttery flavor for your sandwich enjoyment.
- Gouda: creamy and has a sharper taste for sandwiches.
- Monterey Jack: similar consistency to Pepperjack Cheese without the added spice!
- Cream Cheese: pair with sliced tomato and pepper. You’ll thank me later.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: if this is your jam, add this sharp and fragrant cheese!
- Feta: the perfect pairing for a Mediterranean-style turkey sandwich.
- Mayo: more than likely, this is already in your fridge, waiting to be used on a turkey sandwich. Destiny!
- Mustard: regular or Dijon mustard are great options for a quick lunch time sandwich.
- Relish: pickley spread for a rich to crunchy flavor on your sandwich.
- Salsa: your favorite salsa can bring new life to your sandwich recipes.
- Sriracha: spicy turkey sandwiches will knock off your socks.
- Salt & Pepper: seems basic but will add a little bit of flavor to the classic you love.
- Salad Dressings: your favorite dressings (Balsamic, Ranch, Italian) can create a delicious turkey sandwich. If packing for lunch, use a separate container to avoid soggy bread.
- Olive Oil: healthier alternative to salad dressing, but equally as delicious.
- Tzatziki: this delicious sauce is perfect for dipping or spreading on your turkey sandwich.
- Pesto: buttery and basily pesto on a turkey sandwich is flagrant and super satisfying.
Best Veggies for a Turkey Sandwich
- Shredded Lettuce: use store bought packs of lettuce or chop up some romaine hearts to fill your sandwich.
- Cucumber Slices: thinly slice for a light and refreshing crunch.
- Shredded Carrots: sneak more veggies into you or your family’s sandwiches with this vegetastic idea.
- Spinach: fresh spinach pairs the best with this combination.
- Tomato: sliced tomato yields delicious texture to a turkey sandwich.
- Pickles: crunchy pickles meet soft and savory sandwiches…what more could you want?
- Avocado: avocado tastes amazing, and you won’t have to pay an arm & a leg for it at home!
- Guacamole: you’ll love the incredible flavor it spreads into sandwiches.
- Grilled Onion: leftover onions from dinner? Fill your sandwich with these delicious grilled veggies.
- Red Onion: a bit stronger and more oniony, but still tasty and mouthwatering.
- Shallot: similar to a regular onion, but with a more subtle flavor for less onioney sandwiches.
- Jalapeño: fresh or pickled are amazing flavor enhancers for dull turkey sandwiches.
- Banana Peppers: for a sweet peppery taste, try topping with banana peppers.
- Olives: creates muffuletta-style sandwiches.
- Bell Pepper: red, green, or yellow bell peppers add so much veggie flavor to a turkey sandwich.
- Mushrooms: thinly sliced mushrooms add the right amount of flavor that enhance sandwiches.
- Garlic: pickled garlic is a turkey sandwich staple because it creates an outstanding crunch with subtle garlic flavor.
- Corn: delicious, crunchy, and full of fiber for a veggie filled lunch.
- Artichoke: fresh spinach and artichoke is a match made in turkey sandwich heaven.
- Bacon: mmmmm crispy and mouthwatering bacon AND turkey!
- Pastrami: a mixture of smoked sausage and roast beef flavor for a more desirable turkey sandwich.
- Pepperoni: pepperoni is inexpensive and creates a sandwich full of pizza flavor.
- Salami: thin-sliced salami is peppery, flavorful, and mouthwatering on a turkey sandwich.
- Ham: ham is a staple, so why not fill your sandwich with your favorite deli-style ham?
- Roast Beef: roast beef holds a smoky flavor for flavor packed sandwiches.
- Smashed Chickpeas: recreate this smashed chickpea sandwich and simply add your delicious, sliced turkey!
- Mashed Beans: any beans will do for a savory bean spread. Heat up canned beans and mash for a quick and flavorful turkey sandwich filling.
- Fried Egg: fried eggs are loaded with protein for a thick and filling turkey sandwich.
- Hummus: use your favorite local grocery store option or make your own sandwich spread.
The Ultimate Turkey Club Sandwich | Perfect for a Quick and Delicious Lunch!
FAQ
What goes well with turkey in a sandwich?
- Vegetables: Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion
- Cheese: Swiss, provolone, cheddar
- Condiments: Mayonnaise, mustard, cranberry sauce, chutney, horseradish mayo
- Bread: Whole wheat, multigrain, sourdough
What condiments go on a turkey sandwich?
- Mayonnaise: A classic condiment for turkey sandwiches
- Mustard: Stone ground mustard or German beer mustard are good options
- Pickles: Beet stem pickles are a good choice
- Cheese: A popular addition to turkey sandwiches
- Cranberry sauce: A classic pairing with turkey
- Tkemali: A sweet, sour, and aromatic Georgian plum sauce
- Barbecue sauce: Often used on meat-based sandwiches
What are good sandwich toppings?
- Mayo
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Chicken, or tuna salad
- Peanut butter
- Jam
- Mustard
- Ketchup
What to put on a Thanksgiving turkey sandwich?
- Before you build your sandwich, toast the bread.
- Slather mayo on both slices. Spread cranberry sauce on one side. Lay the onions over the sauce. Put the turkey on the cranberry side. Add arugula leaves over the turkey. Place a slice of the brie on the other side. It will melt over the toasted bread.