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Turkey Avocado Sandwich Recipe, Leftovers Made New

A Turkey Avocado Sandwich is the ultimate turkey leftover hack. You won’t be able to get enough of this easy, delectable sandwich!

Turkey Avocado Sandwiches - one whole sandwich stacked with another half on top and one half in front
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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

Turkey Avacado Sandwich 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
2 whole Turkey Avocado Sandwiches stacked one on top of the other

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.

leftover turkey warmed in a cast iron skillet with Monterey Jack cheese melted on top

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.

Turkey Avocado Sandwiches - one whole sandwich stacked with another half on top and one half in front

FAQs

What can I substitute for the bacon?

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.

Can I use a different spread?

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.

What is Aioli?

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

  1. Cook and drain the bacon.
  2. Toast each slice of bread.
  3. 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.
  4. Spread aioli over all four slices of the toasted bread.
  5. Place lettuce and then a layer of avocado on two of the bread slices.
  6. Top avocado with the warm turkey and melted cheese.
  7. Add the bacon.
  8. Make the sliced tomato be the top layer of your Turkey Avocado Sandwich.
  9. Cover with the final two slices of prepped toasted bread.

The Recipe

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Turkey Avocado Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Aioli


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5 from 11 reviews

  • Author: Glenda Embree
  • 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

Units Scale
  • 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

  1. Cook the bacon in the oven at 400° F for about 20 minutes or until crisp.
  2. Stir together the Cilantro Lime Aioli (recipe in notes) while the bacon cooks.  If you’re just using mayo, skip to the next step.
  3. Grate the Monterey Jack Cheese, slice the avocado and slice the tomato into thin slices.
  4. When the bacon is 5 minutes from being done, toast each slice of bread. 
  5. 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.
  6. Sprinkle grated Monterey Jack cheese over the browned turkey slices.  Shut off the heat and cover the skillet with a lid.
  7. Remove the bacon from the oven and drain on paper towels.
  8. Remove toast from toaster and spread all 4 slices with Cilantro Lime aioli or mayonnaise.
  9. On two slices of toast, add one leaf of lettuce and 1/2 of the avocado slices.
  10. Place turkey with melted cheese over the avocado. You can use salt and pepper, here.
  11. Next add 2 slices of bacon broken in half, two thin slices of tomato and more black pepper, to taste.
  12. 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
glenda embree

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...

22 thoughts on “Turkey Avocado Sandwich Recipe, Leftovers Made New”

  1. 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!






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  2. 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!






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  3. 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.






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