The Best Leftover Turkey Club Sub Sandwich

The Best Leftover Turkey Club Sub Sandwich features delicious layers of roasted turkey, cheese, bacon, salad, and pickles.  All these gorgeous ingredients are held together in a sourdough baguette.

What is a Club Sandwich?

A traditional A club sandwich is a classic layered sandwich, typically made using three slices of toasted bread. One slice of toast is topped with chicken or turkey and mayonnaise, followed by a second slice of toast, then bacon, lettuce, and tomato. The final slice of toast is placed on top.

Why make the Best Leftover Turkey Club Sub Sandwich?

The club sandwich is my absolute favourite sandwich.  Making this turkey club sandwich is an excellent way to pimp up leftover roast turkey from Thanksgiving in the USA or Christmas in the UK.

The combination of succulent turkey, crispy bacon, cheese and pickles in a crisp baguette (French stick) creates a satisfying bite. It’s quick to assemble and makes a great lunch as well as reducing food waste.

What ingredients do I need to make the Turkey Club Sub Sandwich?

The ingredients are things you will probably have in your larder and fridge. Make sure you have them all so you can make this sandwich in the holiday season. Here is what you will need:

• Baguette (French stick)
• Mayonnaise
• Grain mustard
• Honey
• Cheese
• Turkey
• Bacon
• Cucumber
• Tomato
• Pickles

Scroll to the end of this article to find the full recipe and all quantities of ingredients, with step-by-step photo instructions.

I’ve created a step by step guide to make it easy for you to recreate the Best Leftover Turkey Club Sub Sandwich.  All you need to make sure you have the ingredients into your fridge and larder ready for the day after your celebration.

What is a baguette?

A baguette is a long, thin loaf of French bread that is known for its crisp crust and soft, airy interior. The distinctive shape and texture are achieved through specific shaping and baking techniques, giving a golden, crunchy exterior and a light, open crumb inside.

Baguettes are commonly used for sandwiches, sometimes referred to as ‘French sticks’, and are widely available in bakeries and supermarkets.

Why use a baguette to make the Best Leftover Club Sub Sandwich?

I like to use a baguette for this sandwich as the crisp crust of the bread recreates the toast crunch of the traditional club sandwich. However, with the long French stick you can fill one big sandwich and then cut it into portions which makes it quicker and easier to make for a crowd.

I don’t have grain mustard, what can I substitute?

I like the extra texture and mild flavour you get from grain mustard, but you can use any mustard that you like on the sandwich. If you are using a hot spicy mustard then reduce the quantities as it may overwhelm the other ingredients in the sandwich.

What kind of cheese should I use?

I chose to add Edam sliced cheese on the sandwich. It’s a mild cheese which I find works well with the cooked turkey. Avoid strong flavoured and blue cheeses as they will overwhelm the combination of ingredients. The following cheeses work well in this sandwich:

• Edam
• Gouda
• Brie
• Cheddar
• Monterey Jack
• Provolone

What kind of turkey should I use for the Club Sub Sandwich?

I prefer to use turkey breast for this sandwich but any leftover turkey meat will work well. If you want to make the sandwich and don’t have leftover turkey, then you can use sliced deli turkey or chicken.

Can I substitute other meats?

Absolutely, make this sandwich your own by using cooked ham, salami, pastrami or any other cooked or cured meats that you enjoy.

What kind of bacon should I use for the Best Leftover Turkey Club Sub Sandwich?

I prefer smoked streaky bacon that has been cooked until crisp but not burnt. If you prefer unsmoked bacon then that will work just as well. Make the bacon ahead of time and store it in a lidded container in your fridge until you ready to make the sandwich.

What kind of pickles should I use for the Turkey Club Sub Sandwich?

Thinly sliced dill pickles or bread and butter pickles are popular choices for adding a tangy crunch to a club sandwich. You can also use gherkins or even sliced cornichons for a sharper flavour.

Including pickles is optional but I love them and think they enhance the overall taste and provide a contrast to the richness of the meats and mayonnaise.

What else can I add to the sandwich?

The possibilities are endless! I like to add a few slices of stuffing (dressing) and some cranberry sauce that’s a delicious combination. Or try adding sliced hard boiled eggs and any salad that you have in fridge. You can also spread some Date and Apple Chutney or Tomato Chilli Jam instead of the mustard.

Can I make the sandwich ahead of time?

I recommend that you serve this sandwich as soon as it is made while the bread is crisp and the fillings fresh. What you can do is pre-cook the bacon, slice up the turkey, prepare the mustard mayonnaise and slice the cucumber and tomatoes. Keep these ingredients ready in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the sandwich.

Can I freeze the Best Leftover Turkey Club Sub Sandwich?

No, this sandwich is not suitable for freezing.

Vegetarian

This recipe includes meat and is not suitable for vegetarians. However, you can substitute plant based fillings if liked.

Gluten Free

This recipe uses bread that is made from wheat. If you substitute a GF bread then you can make it suit your needs. Remember to always check the ingredients on any premade ingredients to ensure they are suitable for your requirements.

For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.

How should I serve the Turkey Club Sub Sandwich?

Slice the baguette into six sandwiches or if you are really hungry into four! I serve my turkey sandwich with extra mustard mayonnaise, cucumber pickles and other pickles on the side. You can also add some tortilla chips or crisps (potato chips) which always go down well.

More Turkey Leftovers Recipes

First published in November 2018.