Turkey and Cranberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This Turkey and Cranberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich is the perfect way to use those Thanksgiving leftovers. Melty cheese, turkey, and cranberry sauce plus a little Dijon to spice things up, this sandwich will be great for lunches.

This post has been updated with more information for the reader – November 2023.

What is your favorite meal to prepare with all of those yummy leftover Thanksgiving foods? Ours is this delicious Turkey and Cranberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich. It’s a great way to use up the leftover roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and homemade bread.

In addition to this sandwich, we also like to chop up the turkey, heat it with leftover gravy; and serve it over toasted bread for an open-faced hot turkey sandwich. Add leftover stuffing as well. None of the Thanksgiving dinner that is left ever goes to waste with us.

But there’s just something about a grilled cheese sandwich that brings me back to my childhood. While we didn’t make this turkey cranberry sandwich, we did often have a classic grilled cheese sandwich with this soup. I think it’s the combination of classic flavors that make the memories and Thanksgiving leftovers were the best. To be honest, it’s the best kind of sandwich to make when you need to clean out the fridge or use up leftovers that are just buying their time even when it’s not a holiday!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Uses leftover turkey and cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving.
• A delicious twist on the classic sandwich.
• It’s easy to make!

Turkey and Cranberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This sandwich has so many possibilities but I love the classic way to make it, though we’ve each added our favorite extras from the leftovers to use. Now, don’t get me wrong, my favorite way to enjoy grilled cheese is still the classic way with just cheese and a bowl of tomato soup. But this turkey cranberry grilled cheese with the Dijon mustard is a close second.

I used a skillet to make this tasty sandwich but feel free to use a griddle or a panini press. My Hubby would suggest buying an extra can of cranberry sauce or freezing some homemade cranberry sauce to make this sandwich any time of the year. Deli turkey lunch meat works well with this sandwich, too.

If you have picky eaters, as I do, and they snub the idea of cranberry sauce on anything, give this toasted Santa Fe Turkey Sandwich a try using your leftover turkey. I made them for the picky eaters and they loved the chipotle mayonnaise that I used.

What to Serve with this Grilled Cheese, Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich

Serve this delicious Turkey and Cranberry Grilled Cheese with a bowl of soup, or reheat leftover garlic mashed potatoes, cheesy green bean casserole, or this sweet potato casserole. It’s perfect even with a handful of chips.

What kind of Cheese Goes Good with Cranberries?

Really, any kind of cheese will go well but provolone, brie, or even cheddar works very well. I’ve used gouda before with amazing taste results.

What kind of Cheese Goes with Turkey Sandwiches?

Great options for cheese on a turkey sandwich are provolone, gouda, mozzarella, Colby jack, Monterey jack, and cheddar. You must also ensure the cheese you’re using will melt if you’re grilling the sandwich.

Ingredients

• thick-sliced bread
• Dijon mustard
• provolone cheese
• sliced turkey (leftover turkey is great to use)
• whole berry cranberry sauce
• butter

Steps to Make Turkey and Cranberry Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Step 1

Gather all of your ingredients together so that you can assemble the sandwiches easily. Over medium heat, heat a large skillet or griddle.

Step 2

This recipe will make four sandwiches. Spread Dijon mustard on 4 slices of bread.

Step 3

Then top with two slices of provolone cheese and a few slices of turkey. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of cranberry sauce over the turkey and top with another slice of provolone and a final slice of bread. Remember, you can use slices of cheese that you have. No need to make a trip to the store.

Step 4

Spread one side of each slice of bread with a generous helping of butter. Place the sandwiches with the butter side down onto the skillet. Carefully top the sandwich with butter. Cook until golden brown on the first side, about 2 minutes, and flip to brown on the other side, about 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts and both sides are browned. Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and serve warm.

Great tip to use if you can’t fit all four sandwiches in the skillet: Preheat the oven to 250. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a baking rack inside. Place the already grilled sandwiches on the rack and set in the oven to keep warm.

Tips, Tricks, and FAQs

• I find it best to bring the ingredients to room temperature before grilling the sandwiches. This way the turkey and cranberry sauce will heat through while the bread is toasting.
• Homemade or canned cranberry sauce works well.
• Any thick bread is great to use, we like to use my homemade Rosemary bread.
• If you prefer not to use Dijon, any mustard will be great on this sandwich.
• Change up the cheese to use your favorite.
• No leftover turkey? Use deli turkey meat.
• This sandwich is also great with leftover ham, too.

Need more recipes using leftovers from turkey? Check out these 18 leftover turkey recipes!

Printable Recipe Card for Turkey and Cranberry Grilled Cheese

Looking for More Ideas to Use Leftovers?

I’m joining the Sunday Funday bloggers to share other “Clean Out the Fridge/Leftovers” recipes! A huge thanks to Sneha’s Recipe for hosting this event.

• Leftover Pork Roast Ragu from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Maple Sausage, Sliced Fennel, & Gouda Quiche from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Overnight Dinner Roll French Toast Bake from Amy’s Cooking Adventures
• Keto Pork & Chicken Mexican Lasagna from Sneha’s Recipe

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Enjoy!