Recipe

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You're going to love the crunch in every bite of this epic turkey apple sandwich.

Below, you’ll get all my tips for packing this turkey apple sandwich in a lunch box and how to keep it perfectly fresh until lunchtime!

Apple Turkey Sandwich School Lunch

What do you do when your youngest raids the cheese drawer and doesn’t leave a single slice? Fruit to the rescue! This sandwich with turkey and apple is a healthy lunch idea that will make everyone eager to open their lunchbox!

Mixing fresh fruit with sandwiches has always been a winner in our house. Whether it’s my son’s pick, Nutella and strawberry sandwich, or my daughter’s favorite, pineapple hawaiian sliders, fruit adds flavor and a boost of nutrition to any lunch! #Win!

What You Need

You can find the exact amounts for this sandwich in the recipe card below. Here's why each ingredient works so well and what swaps you can make:

Bread: any sandwich bread will do! I like using whole-grain bread because it’s a little sturdier, plus it adds extra fiber.
Condiments (mayo & mustard): these add a creamy and tangy flavor. You can skip them or use cream cheese as a tasty alternative.
Apple: juicy crisp apples like Braeburn, McIntosh, Fuji, or Granny Smith work great! Keep them sliced thin to prevent excess moisture and to maintain a balance between the crunchy apple and the other ingredients.
Turkey: I recommend turkey for this recipe because it has a mild flavor that pairs well with fruit, but you can always experiment with other deli meats.
Lettuce: for a fresh crunch and to help create a moisture barrier between the apple slices and bread.

How to Pack a Turkey Apple Sandwich for Lunch

Here's how to make this sandwich with turkey and apple at home or keep it fresh inside a lunch box for hours:

Prep 
Wash lettuce if using and dry it well so it doesn't transfer moisture to your bread.
Assemble sandwich
Start by spreading mayo on one slice of bread and mustard on the other to help the lettuce stick in place. Next, you’re going to layer on your lettuce to act as a barrier between the bread and other ingredients. Finally, add the apple slices and the turkey on top to help hold the apple in place.
Pack it for school
Place your sandwich inside a hard lunch container and refrigerate if making ahead. Pack everything inside an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack, if necessary.

closeup of a turkey sandwich with apple slices

How to Keep a Sandwich Fresh for Lunch at School

Here are a few additional tips to ensure your turkey apple sandwich stays fresh if you are packing it in a lunch box:

Use the right container
The best way to pack a sandwich for lunch is to use a sturdy container to prevent it from sliding around or getting squished inside of the lunch bag.

Keep it safe to eat
Consider adding an ice pack inside the lunch bag to regulate the temperature and keep the food fresh until it's time to eat.

Use Sturdy Bread
Opt for a sturdier bread like sourdough or multigrain. This will hold up better against moisture from juicy fillings such as fruit or tomatoes and help prevent a soggy lunch.

Slow down browning
While the apple slices will eventually brown, when tucked into the bread they're less exposed to air; therefore, reducing the speed of oxidation.

Other Sandwiches with Apple Slices

If you love the crunch of apples, there are other sandwiches with apples you might want to try, including this grilled chicken apple sandwich and incredible peanut butter apple sandwich, or for a hand-held lunch, try a ham and cheese apple wrap. You’re going to love them.

Turkey Apple Sandwich

Servings: 1

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

You're going to love the crunch in every bite of this epic turkey apple sandwich.

5 from 1 vote

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Ingredients

2 slices bread
Condiments: mayonnaise & mustard
½ apple, sliced thin
2 ounces deli turkey
Lettuce leaves

Instructions

Assemble

Spread mayonnaise, if using, on one slice of bread and mustard, if using, on the other.
Top the mayonnaise side with lettuce, apple and turkey. Close the sandwich with the other slice.

Pack for school

If packing the sandwich for lunch, pack fresh fruit and veggies inside a lunch box. Refrigerate until ready to pack inside a lunch bag, with or without an ice pack.