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I’ll share with you all the tips for packing this sandwich for lunch so it remains fresh for hours in the lunchbox!

Turkey Sandwich with Pesto
I love a good turkey sandwich for lunch and when I crave variety, it’s helpful to have a few sandwich lunch ideas to choose from.
There are so many things you can put on a turkey sandwich to keep things fresh and never boring, and pesto is one of them.
Pesto takes this sandwich from a good school lunch idea to a super tasty one that kids (and adults) will enjoy. Since pesto can be difficult to spread, I mix it with mayo and turn it into the most scrumptious spread ever! Turkey’s mild flavor makes it the perfect match for pesto.
I’m using a ciabatta bread roll this time, but go and grab your favorite bread, some cheese, and veggies, and keep reading to learn the hacks that will make this sandwich remain fresh in the lunchbox for hours!
What you need
Make this Turkey Pesto Sandwich come true quickly and easily with everyday ingredients and adapt it to what you have in the kitchen. This sandwich includes:
- Mayonnaise: to combine with pesto and make it easier to spread.
- Pesto: adds flavor to the sandwich. Use store-bought or my easy homemade pesto.
- Bread: this time, I used a ciabatta bread roll; you can use 2 slices of your favorite bread.
- Deli turkey: any kind. I love oven-roasted turkey!
- Deli cheese: Swiss, cheddar, Colby Jack, or your favorite.
- Tomato: optional for extra freshness and nutrition.
- Green lettuce leaves: sandwiches are great for eating extra veggies!
How to Make Turkey Pesto Sandwich
Sandwiches are always a convenient way to solve lunch in 5 minutes. Check how to make it delicious and easy to pack in the lunchbox:
- Make the pesto spread
By combining pesto with mayonnaise, you get a spreadable mixture. Pesto by itself is hard to spread. - Build the sandwich
Spread the mixture over one side of the bread slices, top with lettuce, tomato, deli turkey, and cheese, and close the sandwich. - Serve or pack for lunch
You can enjoy the turkey pesto sandwich immediately with fresh fruit and veggies or place it inside a lunch container and refrigerate it for later until you’re ready to pack it inside a lunch bag.

How to Pack it for Lunch
Follow these tips for packing sandwiches for lunch so you can enjoy them hours later:
Use a sturdy lunchbox
A firm, sandwich-size container is the best way to keep sandwiches from falling apart or being flattened in the lunch bag. Here are my top picks for school lunch boxes.
Place ingredients correctly
Cheese and lettuce go next to the bread to keep the bread from absorbing the tomato moisture and getting soggy. So, if you’re adding tomato to the pesto sandwich, don’t place it directly over the bread.
Keep it chill
Depending on the weather, you may want to pack this Turkey Pesto Sandwich inside an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack to keep the temperature inside the lunch bag cool.
Make it a meal
This Turkey Pesto Sandwich is a satisfying meal, but it can get even better with sides! Pack this sandwich with your fruits, veggies, or your favorite school lunch sides. You can add a healthy dessert too!
Separate dry from wet
If packing this sandwich with fruit or veggies, place these wet ingredients in a separate container or compartment so the bread doesn’t absorb moisture.
More Pesto Sandwich Ideas
Fan of pesto-everything? Make it a regular staple in your lunches! One of my favorite recipes is this Cheesy Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwich and this Caprese Sandwich. Give sandwiches a break with these Turkey Pesto Pinwheels or add it as a dip as I do in this tasty Caprese Bento Lunch.
Turkey Pesto Sandwich

Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon pesto
- 1 ciabatta bread roll, or 2 slices of bread
- 2 oz oven roasted turkey
- 1 slice deli cheese, your favorite
- 2 slices tomato, optional
- 2 green lettuce leaves
Instructions
- In a small dish, combine the mayonnaise and pesto into a spreadable mixture and divide it on both sides of the bread.
- Top the bottom of side of the sandwich with lettuce, tomato, oven roasted turkey, and cheese. Close the sandwich with the top half of the ciabatta bread.
- Serve it with fresh fruit and veggies if desired.
Pack for School Lunch
- If making this sandwich for later, refrigerate it until you’re ready to pack it inside a lunch bag, with or without an ice pack, depending on the weather.
Maddie says
I love all your sandwich ideas for lunch, there’s always something yummy and easy to put in the lunchbox! I’m fan of pesto, so this will be my next lunch for sure!
Taylor says
If you love pesto, you HAVE to try this one. Laura has sooooo many amazing ones that I need to try :)
Alice says
Omg delish! I love a good turkey pesto sandwich, I know my kiddo will enjoy this as well!
Isabella says
This was my first time trying out a turkey pesto sandwich. Such a great idea, thank you!
Candice says
You inspired me, and I tried pesto on my daily turkey sandwich today! wow! I feel like I’ve been missing out. Turkey Pesto sandwiches are so good!!!