Smoked Turkey Grilled Cheese (Printer-friendly)

Smoked turkey, sharp cheddar, and cranberry spread melted together on golden toasted bread. Ready in 18 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sandwich

01 - 4 slices hearty sandwich bread, sourdough or whole wheat
02 - 4 oz smoked turkey breast, thinly sliced
03 - 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, sliced or shredded

→ Cranberry Spread

04 - 3 tablespoons cranberry sauce, whole berry or jellied
05 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

→ For Grilling

06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine cranberry sauce and Dijon mustard in a small bowl, stirring until well blended
02 - Lay out bread slices and spread a thin layer of butter on one side of each slice. Position buttered sides facing down
03 - Spread cranberry mixture evenly on two bread slices on their unbuttered sides
04 - Layer smoked turkey and cheddar cheese on top of the cranberry spread
05 - Top each sandwich with remaining bread slices, buttered sides facing outward
06 - Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat until evenly warmed
07 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted
08 - Remove from heat, let rest for 1 minute, then slice diagonally and serve warm

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It turns holiday leftovers into something you'll crave year round without any fuss.
  • The cranberry mustard spread adds a bright tang that makes every bite more interesting than a plain grilled cheese.
  • Everything melts together in under ten minutes, so it's perfect when you're hungry and don't want to wait.
02 -
  • Don't skip softening the butter or you'll tear the bread trying to spread it, which ruins the whole setup.
  • Medium heat is non negotiable, high heat will char the outside and leave the cheese cold and unmelted in the center.
  • Press gently with the spatula while cooking to help everything meld, but don't smash it flat or you'll squeeze out all the filling.
03 -
  • Let the butter come to room temperature before you start so it spreads easily and evenly across the bread.
  • Use a heavy skillet if you have one, it holds heat better and gives you a more consistent golden crust.
  • If you're making more than two sandwiches, keep the finished ones warm in a low oven while you cook the rest.
Go Back