86% would make this again

Grilled Cheese and Turkey Sandwich

Q: What is a grilled turkey and cheese sandwich?

A grilled turkey and cranberry sauce sandwich is a warm sandwich made by layering cooked turkey, melty cheese and tart-sweet cranberry sauce between slices of buttered bread, then toasting it until golden and crispy. It’s a fun twist on leftover turkey or a holiday sandwich that balances sweet and savoury flavours so beautifully.

Q: What cheese works best in a turkey cranberry grilled cheese?

Cheeses that melt well and have mild flavour work best, like brie, provolone, white cheddar, mozzarella or havarti. They become gooey and help bind the cranberry and turkey together without overpowering the sandwich.

Q: Can I use deli turkey instead of leftover turkey in this sandwich?

Thinly sliced deli turkey is a great option if you don’t have holiday leftovers or cooked turkey on hand. Just layer it evenly so it warms through as the cheese melts.

Q: Do I have to use cranberry sauce or can I substitute something else?

Cranberry sauce gives that classic sweet-tart punch but you can swap it out for things like fig jam, apricot jam, apple butter or even a simple mustard glaze if you want a slightly different flavour. Feel free to experiment. That's exactly how we came up with this recipe after going through lots of different combo's until we found one that worked best.

Q: Should I grill this sandwich in a pan or on a griddle?

Either works well. A heavy frying pan or flat griddle gives an even golden crust and melts the cheese gently at medium heat. Just avoid very high heat so the outside doesn’t burn before the cheese gets gooey. This is quite important and often one of the biggest mistakes people make.

Q: How can I keep the sandwich from getting soggy?

To keep it crisp spread butter on the outside of both slices of bread and cook on medium-low heat and don’t add too much sauce. Letting the sandwich rest a minute before cutting also helps the filling set up so it stays firm when you bite in.

Vish G

March 10, 2026

A perfect combo of sweet ‘n’ savoury this Grilled cheese and turkey sandwich delivers gooey cheese with tender turkey and a layer of cranberry sauce that brings everything together. It’s so simple and just perfect for an easy lazy lunch or relaxed dinner at home. Made with simple ingredients and high in protein too. We take you through all the right steps to help this recipe turn out just as delicious as it looks.

PREP TIME

15 MIN

COOK TIME

8 MIN

SERVINGS

Ingredients

2 slices sourdough bread or thick white bread
2 teaspoons butter, softened
2 to 3 slices cooked turkey breast, thinly sliced
40 to 50 g cheese, sliced (brie, white cheddar, provolone, or havarti)
2 tablespoons ready made cranberry sauce or
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
250 g fresh or frozen cranberries
100 g granulated sugar (or 100 g light brown sugar)
100 ml orange juice or water
Optional: a little orange zest or a dash of ground cinnamon

Instructions

If making the homemade cranberry sauce, combine the cranberries, sugar and orange juice or water in a small saucepan and heat over medium. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries begin to burst and soften, about 8 to 10 minutes then remove from heat and let it cool so it thickens slightly.
Lay the bread slices flat and spread a thin layer of butter on one side of each slice.
Flip the bread over and spread your chosen cranberry sauce on the unbuttered side of one slice, keeping it fairly thin so it does not overflow.
Place the cheese slices on top of the cranberry sauce, then add the turkey slices in a neat layer without overfilling.
Top with the second slice of bread, buttered side facing out.
Heat a frying pan over medium low heat, then place the sandwich in the pan once the pan is warm.
Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until the bottom is golden and crisp, then carefully flip and cook the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes.
Press gently with a spatula to help the cheese melt, lowering the heat if the bread browns too quickly.
Once the bread is golden and the cheese is fully melted, remove from the pan and let it rest for 1 to 2 minutes before slicing and serving.