Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Beef: When the weather cools down and the craving for warm, hearty meals kicks in, there’s nothing quite like a perfectly toasted sandwich to satisfy your hunger.
Enter the Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Beef—a mouthwatering combination of flavors and textures that will elevate your sandwich game to new heights. With layers of tender turkey, creamy cheddar cheese, fresh spinach, juicy tomatoes, and crispy beef bacon, all nestled between slices of golden, buttery sourdough bread, this sandwich is a must-try. Whether you enjoy it on its own or paired with a steaming bowl of soup, this turkey melt is guaranteed to become your go-to comfort food.
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Melt
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend lunch.
- Balanced Flavors: The combination of savory turkey, smoky beef bacon, tangy honey mustard, and creamy cheddar creates a harmonious flavor profile that’s irresistible.
- Customizable: You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your dietary preferences by using dairy-free cheese or swapping out ingredients.
- Perfectly Toasted: The buttery, crispy sourdough bread adds the perfect crunch to every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this delicious sandwich, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 4 slices sourdough bread (or any thick, crusty bread of your choice)
- 2 tablespoons honey mustard
- 2 slices white cheddar cheese (freshly sliced for the best flavor)
- 4 slices deli turkey
- Thin tomato slices (from 1 medium red tomato)
- ½ cup fresh baby spinach
- 4 strips cooked beef bacon
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
Equipment
- Plate or cutting board
- Butter knife
- Large skillet
- Spatula
How to Make a Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Beef
Step 1: Assemble the Sandwiches
- Lay out the 4 slices of sourdough bread on a flat surface such as a cutting board or plate.
- Divide the honey mustard into four portions (½ tablespoon per slice) and spread evenly across one side of each slice of bread.
- Cut the cheddar cheese slices in half to create 4 smaller slices. Place one piece of cheese on each slice of bread, covering the honey mustard.
- Divide the deli turkey into two portions (2 slices per sandwich) and layer them on top of the cheese on two of the bread slices.
- Add thin tomato slices and ¼ cup of fresh baby spinach per sandwich on top of the turkey.
- Place 2 strips of cooked beef bacon on each of the remaining cheese-topped bread slices.
- Close the sandwiches by placing the bacon-topped halves face down onto the turkey-topped halves. Each sandwich should have the following layers:
- Sourdough bread
- Honey mustard
- Cheddar cheese
- Deli turkey
- Tomato slices
- Baby spinach
- Beef bacon
- Cheddar cheese
- Honey mustard
- Sourdough bread
Step 2: Toast the Sandwiches
- Divide the softened butter into four portions (½ tablespoon per slice) and spread it evenly on the outside of each slice of bread. This will help achieve a golden, crispy crust.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once warm, carefully place the assembled sandwiches into the skillet.
- Toast one side of each sandwich for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Carefully flip the sandwiches over using a spatula and toast the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is heated through.
- Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and transfer them to serving plates. Serve warm with your favorite sides!
Pro Tips for the Best Turkey Melt
- Use Freshly Sliced Cheese: For optimal flavor and texture, buy a block of white cheddar and slice it yourself or get freshly sliced cheese from your grocery store’s deli counter. Prepackaged slices just don’t compare!
- Customize Your Ingredients: Swap out beef bacon for regular bacon or turkey bacon if preferred. You can also use whole-grain or gluten-free bread if sourdough isn’t your thing.
- Make It Dairy-Free: Substitute dairy-free cheddar cheese and butter to create a lactose-free version of this sandwich without compromising on taste or texture.
FAQs About Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Beef
Q: Can I make this sandwich ahead of time?
A: While it’s best enjoyed fresh and warm, you can assemble the sandwiches ahead of time (without toasting them) and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to eat, simply toast them in a skillet as instructed.
Q: Can I use a different type of bread?
A: Absolutely! While sourdough adds a delicious tangy flavor and sturdy texture, you can use any thick, crusty bread such as ciabatta, multigrain, or French bread.
Q: What sides pair well with this turkey melt?
A: This sandwich pairs beautifully with a variety of sides! Try serving it with a warm bowl of tomato soup, a side salad, sweet potato fries, or even a handful of potato chips for a satisfying meal.
Q: Can I add more vegetables?
A: Of course! Feel free to add other veggies like caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, or avocado slices for an extra boost of flavor and nutrition.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: If you have leftover sandwiches, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in a skillet over low heat to restore their crispiness before serving.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 604 kcal
- Protein: 23g
- Fat: 30g (Saturated Fat: 15g)
- Carbohydrates: 60g (Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Net Carbs: 57g)
- Cholesterol: 79mg
- Sodium: 1276mg
- Potassium: 307mg
- Vitamin C: 10mg
- Calcium: 278mg
- Iron: 4mg
Final Thoughts
The Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Beef is everything you could want in a sandwich—warm, cheesy, savory, and satisfying. It’s quick enough for a weekday lunch but special enough to impress guests at a casual gathering. With its perfectly balanced flavors and customizable ingredients, this sandwich is sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire. So why wait? Grab your skillet and give this delicious turkey melt a try today!
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Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Beef Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Sandwich, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: High-Protein
Description
The perfect sandwich for cooler weather, this incredible turkey melt is toasty, melty, and mouth-wateringly delicious. Enjoy it alone or alongside a warm bowl of soup!
Ingredients
4 slices sourdough or thick, crusty bread of choice 2 tablespoons honey mustard 2 slices white cheddar cheese 4 slices deli turkey Thin tomato slices from 1 medium red tomato ½ cup fresh baby spinach 4 strips cooked beef bacon 2 tablespoons butter, softened
Instructions
To Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Place 4 slices sourdough on a cutting board, plate, or other flat surface.
- Divide 2 tablespoons honey mustard into four ½-tablespoon portions. Spread ½ tablespoon honey mustard evenly across the top side of each slice of sourdough.
- Divide 2 slices white cheddar cheese in half, creating 4 slices of cheese total. Place one “slice” of cheese on each piece of bread, covering honey mustard.
- Divide 4 slices deli turkey into 2 slices of turkey per sandwich. Place turkey slices on top of 2 slices of cheese-topped bread.
- Divide ½ cup fresh baby spinach into ¼ cup spinach per sandwich. Layer preferred number of thin tomato slices and ¼ cup baby spinach on top of each layer of turkey.
- Divide 4 strips cooked beef bacon into 2 slices of beef bacon per sandwich and place each portion of beef bacon on the remaining slices of cheese-topped bread.
- Close sandwiches, placing sandwich halves with beef bacon face-down on top of sandwich halves with turkey. Each sandwich should consist of the following layers:
1 slice sourdough
¼ tablespoon honey mustard
1 half-slice cheese
2 slices deli turkey
Thin tomato slices
¼ cup baby spinach
2 strips beef bacon
1 half-slice cheese
½ tablespoon honey mustard
1 slice sourdough.
To Warm the Sandwich:
- Divide 2 tablespoons butter into four ½-tablespoon portions. Spread ½ tablespoon butter on the outside of each slice of bread (4 sides total).
- Place a large skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. When the pan is warm, carefully place assembled sandwiches flat in the skillet.
- Toast the bottom slice of bread for 3 to 4 minutes, then carefully flip the sandwich over. Toast the now-bottom slice of bread for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the sandwich is warmed through.
- Transfer sandwiches to serving plates. Serve warm with desired sides.
Notes
I highly recommend buying a block of cheddar cheese and slicing it yourself, or purchasing freshly sliced cheese from the deli counter of your grocery store, as opposed to prepackaged cheese slices. There’s a huge difference in taste and texture!
Make it Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free cheese and dairy-free butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 475 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
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