Turkey Cranberry Sandwich

You’ll learn the best way to pack this turkey cranberry sandwich so it stays delicious in a lunchbox until it’s time to dig in.

Cranberry Turkey Grilled Cheese

It's fall, y'all! No matter what size bird we choose, we always have leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. This turkey cranberry sandwich is a wonderful way to turn those leftovers into an irresistible, gourmet-style school lunch!

It’s also a great way to bring some holiday cheer into a school day while my kids count down to winter break! I’ve been making oodles of warm and gooey options for cooler days like a grilled cheese and tomato, a cranberry pear grilled cheese, and decadent grilled nutella sandwich.

What You Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make this warm and toasty sandwich layered with tender turkey, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and creamy Brie:

• Bread: any sandwich bread will work, but whole grain and multigrain is sturdier and more nutritious.
• Cranberry sauce: the perfect balance of sweet and tart; you can use store-bought or leftover homemade cranberry sauce.
• Turkey: for this recipe, I’m using thinly sliced leftover turkey. You can also make it with deli turkey if you don’t have leftovers.
• Brie cheese: creamy and melty, Brie is ideal for this sandwich, although you can substitute with mozzarella or mild cheddar.
• Butter: for a golden, crispy layer to the bread while grilling; room temperature butter will spread more easily than refrigerated butter.

How to Make a Turkey Cranberry Sandwich

This simple recipe brings cozy holiday flavors into a quick and easy lunch that'll have your kids excited to dig in. Here’s how to assemble it and keep it fresh for school:

1. Assemble sandwich
   Layer the cheese on one slice of bread and spread cranberry sauce on the other. Add the turkey, close the sandwich, and butter the outside of both slices.
2. Grill
   Grill the sandwich for 2-3 minutes on each side until the bread is golden and the cheese has melted.
3. Cool it off
   Let the sandwich cool to room temperature - this is crucial to prevent sogginess.
4. Pack for school
   Pack sandwich in a durable lunch container and refrigerate along with any healthy sides until it’s time to go.

Keeping a Grilled Sandwich Fresh Until School Lunch

Crispy, toasted bread makes this sandwich special, but it's a bust if it ends up soggy by the time lunch rolls around. Here are some tips to keep each bite fresh and delicious:

Use the right container
Ziplock bags may be convenient, but the best way to pack sandwiches is in a hard, sandwich-sized container to prevent it from getting squished in a lunch bag.

Keep it cool
If you are adding sides like fresh fruit or yogurt, it’s a good idea to use an ice pack to keep everything safe to eat by the time lunch rolls around.

Take your time
My kids make and grill their sandwiches and then finish getting ready so their grilled sandwich can cool for 5-10 minutes.

More Grilled Sandwich Lunch Ideas

This Turkey Cranberry Sandwich is an easy, satisfying grilled treat that never fails to make my kids smile! If you love grilled sandwiches too, try my grilled cheese dippers with tomato sauce, a cozy apple grilled cheese sandwich, or this pepperoni sandwich.

Turkey Cranberry Sauce Sandwich

Servings: 1

Prep Time: 2 minutes mins

Cook Time: 4 minutes mins

Total Time: 6 minutes mins

Thanksgiving leftovers just became a gourmet lunchbox experience thanks to this irresistible Turkey Cranberry Sauce sandwich with melty Brie! 

5 from 4 votes

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Ingredients

• 2 slices of sandwich bread
• 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
• 3 ounces leftover turkey or deli turkey, thinly sliced
• 2-3 slices of brie cheese, or enough to cover bread
• Butter, for grilling

Instructions

Assemble the sandwich:

• Place brie cheese one slice of bread and spread cranberry sauce on the other. Layer the turkey slices and close sandwich. Butter both sides.

Grill it:

• In a non-stick pan over medium-high heat, grill the sandwich for 2 to 3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. Flip and continue to grill until the cheese is melted. Remove from heat and allow the sandwich to cool to room temperature.

Pack it for school:

• Once cooled, slice it in half and pack it inside a lunch container with an ice pack, if needed. If adding sides, pack them in a separate compartment or container.

Equipment

101 Packed Lunches

ice pack

Kids Lunch Box