A Turkey Avocado Sandwich is the ultimate turkey leftover hack. You won’t be able to get enough of this easy, delectable sandwich!
It seems so cliche, to use turkey leftovers in a sandwich. But, this isn’t just any turkey avocado sandwich. Think slices of thinly sliced turkey leftovers, with crisp smoky bacon, creamy avocado slices, tomatoes and lettuce stacked high on toasted slices of bread with a luscious cilantro lime aioli.
This scrumptious turkey avocado sandwich is loaded with flavors and textures as satisfying and comforting as your original turkey dinner! Just like my famous Thanksgiving Casserole, made from turkey leftovers, you’ll want to make it again and again.
If you like turkey club sandwiches, you’re gonna flip for my quick and easy Turkey Avocado Sandwiches. They’re filling and delicious, checking off all the boxes for a spectacular leftover turkey lunch.
The Ingredients
- Bread, toasted (We prefer whole grain breads, but use your favorite.)
- Butter (Just a Tablespoon for the bottom of the skillet when warming the turkey)
- Leftover Turkey (or deli turkey)
- Avocado, sliced
- Tomato, sliced
- Thick Cut Bacon, fried and drained
- Lettuce
- Monterey Jack Cheese, grated
- Cilantro Lime Aioli (or mayo or favorite sandwich spread)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Creating the Best Avocado Turkey Sandwich
Tips for creating the best turkey sandwich with avocado and bacon:
Slice the turkey thinly for the Turkey Avocado Sandwich. As you can see from my photos, I tried it both ways. I learned that I preferred the texture when I sliced the turkey thinner.
Not only was the texture improved, but somehow the turkey flavor and aroma became more distinct. Use the same amount of turkey. Simply slice it thinner, which exposes more surface area and deepens flavor and aroma.
Use thick cut bacon. It doesn’t crumble as easily, is meatier and more flavorful. The perfect addition to a turkey sandwich.
Toasting the bread and also warming the turkey in a skillet with grated cheese on top takes this delicious turkey avocado sandwich next level.
You can definitely make a delicious cold sandwich. But, serving it warm makes it a comforting and satisfying meal.
Grating the cheese and melting it on top of the warmed turkey provides even distribution. Freshly grated cheese melts better.
Regardless of the sandwich spread you use on your turkey avocado sandwich, be sure to generously spread it as close to the edges of the bread as you can. The edges of your turkey sandwich need to be as flavorful as the center and definitely not dry.
Ratio of bread to filling is important. The thicker the slices of bread, the more filling you will want to pile on.
When building your avocado sandwich with turkey, keep in mind that the best sandwiches shouldn’t leave you feeling like they’re all bread.
And conversely, you don’t want so much filling that it is falling out or you can’t get your mouth around the sandwich comfortably.
Even distribution of the ingredients is also important. You should be able to get some of everything in every single bite of that delicious turkey sandwich.
Always use a little salt and pepper. The veggies are unseasoned unless you take the time to do it.
Individual ingredients become more flavorful when properly enhanced with seasoning. You’ll never regret giving the avocado and tomato a light sprinkle in your avocado turkey sandwich.
FAQs
If you prefer not to eat pork bacon you can always try substituting turkey bacon or a vegan bacon product. You could also go full-on club sandwich and use ham. Pastrami or panchetta might be good substitutions, too.
The other option is to simply leave off the bacon. Though, you may want to add a little additional salt to your turkey avocado sandwich, if you do.
Sure. I have included the recipe for a delish Cilantro Lime Aioli in the notes section of the recipe card. But, you could use plain mayo, if you prefer.
Other common sandwich toppings like horseradish, stone ground mustard, chipotle mayo, Japanese mayo (kewpie mayo) or even barbecue sauce could all be delicious options, too.
Defer to your personal preferences when building your ideal avocado turkey sandwich.
Originally, aioli was a simple emulsification of garlic and olive oil. Over time, it evolved to be an emulsification on mayonnaise and garlic. Today, it is common to refer to any flavored mayonnaise as an aioli.
What to Serve with Turkey Avocado Sandwiches
Sides for Turkey Avocado Sandwiches can be a simple as chips. But, salads and side dishes leftover from your turkey dinner are also great pairings.
Think Cranberry Apple Salad, Loaded Baked Potato Salad or Broccoli Cauliflower Salad.
You also won’t be sad to serve delicious avocado sandwiches with turkey and bacon next to Sweet Potato Casserole, Slow Cooker Creamed Corn or a gorgeous Kale, Apple and Butternut Salad.
How to Make a Turkey Avocado Sandwich
- Cook and drain the bacon.
- Toast each slice of bread.
- While bread is toasting warm turkey in a skillet, 60 seconds per side. When you flip the turkey to warm the other side, sprinkle the grated cheese over the top and add a lid to the skillet for that last 60 seconds. That will melt the cheese beautifully for your avocado turkey sandwich.
- Spread aioli over all four slices of the toasted bread.
- Place lettuce and then a layer of avocado on two of the bread slices.
- Top avocado with the warm turkey and melted cheese.
- Add the bacon.
- Make the sliced tomato be the top layer of your Turkey Avocado Sandwich.
- Cover with the final two slices of prepped toasted bread.
The Recipe
Print
Turkey Avocado Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Aioli
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Turkey leftovers transform into a deliciously satisfying meal when you make Turkey Avocado Sandwiches. The only cooking is the bacon. These are large, generous avocado turkey sandwiches and 1/2 is usually more than enough per serving. Especially if serving with sides.
Ingredients
- 4 slices whole grain bread, toasted (use your favorite bread)
- 1/3 pound leftover turkey slices (or sliced turkey from the deli)
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 avocado
- 4 strips thick cut bacon, cooked and drained
- 4 thin slices of tomato
- 2 leaves of lettuce (We like leaf lettuce or butter lettuce.)
- Cilantro Lime Aioli (or mayo or your favorite sandwich spread)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in the oven at 400° F for about 20 minutes or until crisp.
- Stir together the Cilantro Lime Aioli (recipe in notes) while the bacon cooks. If you’re just using mayo, skip to the next step.
- Grate the Monterey Jack Cheese, slice the avocado and slice the tomato into thin slices.
- When the bacon is 5 minutes from being done, toast each slice of bread.
- Melt the butter in a skillet and then add the leftover turkey slices. You are just warming them through and getting a little color on them. It will probably only take about 60 to 90 seconds per side. When the turkey has browned on the bottom, flip it over.
- Sprinkle grated Monterey Jack cheese over the browned turkey slices. Shut off the heat and cover the skillet with a lid.
- Remove the bacon from the oven and drain on paper towels.
- Remove toast from toaster and spread all 4 slices with Cilantro Lime aioli or mayonnaise.
- On two slices of toast, add one leaf of lettuce and 1/2 of the avocado slices.
- Place turkey with melted cheese over the avocado. You can use salt and pepper, here.
- Next add 2 slices of bacon broken in half, two thin slices of tomato and more black pepper, to taste.
- Top with the other slices of toasted bread you prepared.
Notes
Cilantro Lime Aioli Recipe
In a small bowl, blend the following ingredients to create a creamy sandwich spread or dip.
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Sandwich, Main Dish
- Method: Oven & Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
About Glenda
I believe cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated and that YOU can do it. My simple recipes, tutorials, and cooking tips will help you get weeknight dinners on the table with less stress. Forget takeout or the drive-thru. Let me show you how to make homemade easy. Read more...
This aioli is spectacular – I’m going to put it on everything! Thank you for the delicious idea.
You’re so very welcome, Genevieve! I’m happy you are loving it.
The avocado takes this sandwich to the next level! So easy to make but it’s definitely going in the regular rotation!
Liz, I completely agree. The creaminess of the avocado and that yummy aioli are a perfect balance for all the other textures in the sandwich.
So delicious! This was great for our leftover turkey, made a lovely packed lunch!
Donna, that’s great news! I’m glad the recipe is serving you well.
Made this for a work-from-home lunch and just loved it. The aioli was what made it for me – it really cuts the richness nicely. Great recipe!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that, Gen! Thanks for letting me know!
The sauce on this sammich was to die for! It added soooo much flavor and I just loved the cheese melted on top! SO good!
Thank you, Jennifer! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Turkey sandwiches are my favorite part of big meals but I had never made them with lime aioli before and now I want them ALL THE TIME lol
Shelby, me too! Thanks for stopping by to let me know you’d tried it. So happy you like the recipe!
This just looks so delicious on the plate. I couldn’t wait to take a bite! I used Chicken instead of turkey.
It is definitely a very eye-appealing sandwich. And I’ll bet the chicken was delicious in there, Roxie!
This is delicious. I substituted bacon with vegan bacon and it was perfect.
Shilpa, that’s a great idea! I’m so glad you’re making the recipe your own!
This looks so delicious! Love how amazing this is!
Thank you, Cami! It is absolutely scrumptious.
This was so good! Everyone loved it. Thanks so much.
Wendy, I’m so glad to hear the recipe was popular at your house, too!
I love how well the turkey, bacon and avocado all come together to make such a satisfying sandwich! We made it with thin sliced deli turkey, but I can definitely see this coming in handy when you’re trying to think of what to do with holiday leftovers.
Dana, so glad you loved the recipe and made it your own. And yes, it will definitely be popular over the holidays!