Smoked Turkey Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Smoked turkey, sharp cheddar, and tangy cranberry spread melted between golden toasted bread. Easy and delicious.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sandwich

01 - 4 slices hearty sandwich bread, sourdough or whole wheat
02 - 4 ounces smoked turkey breast, thinly sliced
03 - 4 ounces 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 Steps:

01 - Combine cranberry sauce and Dijon mustard in a small bowl, mixing until evenly blended.
02 - Lay out all bread slices and spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each slice. Place buttered sides down.
03 - Spread the cranberry mixture evenly on two bread slices on their unbuttered sides.
04 - Layer smoked turkey and sharp cheddar cheese on top of the cranberry spread on both slices.
05 - Top each filled slice with a remaining bread slice, ensuring the buttered side faces outward.
06 - Heat 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 with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese is completely melted.
08 - Remove from heat and let rest for 1 minute before slicing diagonally. Serve warm.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It takes less than twenty minutes but tastes like you planned it all week.
  • The cranberry and mustard spread cuts through the richness in a way that makes every bite interesting.
  • You probably already have most of these ingredients after Thanksgiving or any deli run.
  • It reheats beautifully in a skillet, so leftovers never feel like leftovers.
02 -
  • Medium heat is your friend here, high heat will burn the bread before the cheese melts and you'll end up with a sad, unmelted center.
  • Softened butter spreads cleanly and evenly, cold butter tears the bread and leaves gaps that won't crisp properly.
  • Let the sandwich rest for a full minute after cooking or the first bite will send hot cheese sliding everywhere.
03 -
  • Press the sandwich gently with your spatula while it cooks, this helps the cheese melt faster and creates better contact with the pan for even browning.
  • If the cranberry sauce is very thick, thin it with a tiny splash of water or orange juice before mixing it with the mustard.
  • Toast the bread lightly before assembling if you want extra crunch and insurance against sogginess.
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