The Ultimate Turkey Melt

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This is the ultimate turkey melt. Thick toasted sourdough, Dijon mustard mayo, turkey and provolone melted under the broiler, then piled with avocado, crispy turkey bacon and a lemony arugula salad. It’s a deli sandwich that actually feels like a meal.

Watch me make it

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Why you’ll love this turkey melt

Toasting the bread first and then melting the cheese right on top of the turkey gives you crunch on the outside and that gooey layer in the middle. The arugula with lemon cuts through all the richness, and the mustard mayo gives it a little tang. I went with turkey bacon to keep the turkey theme going, but regular bacon is great too.

What you need for the ultimate turkey melt

Two thick slices of sourdough, 4 slices of turkey breast, 3 slices of provolone, 3 slices of turkey bacon and half a small avocado. For the sauce it’s mayo, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. The arugula salad is a cup of arugula with a little olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, salt and pepper.

How to make a turkey melt

1. Cook the bacon

Bake the turkey bacon on a baking sheet at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping it halfway. Keep an eye on it after 20 minutes because every oven cooks a little different.

2. Make the mustard mayo and arugula salad

Mix 3 tablespoons of mayo with a tablespoon of Dijon and a little salt and pepper. Then toss a cup of arugula with a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, salt and fresh cracked pepper.

3. Toast the bread and add the sauce

Cut 2 thick slices of sourdough, drizzle both sides with olive oil and put them under the broiler until golden and crispy. Flip and do the other side. Then spread the mustard mayo on the toast.

4. Turkey and provolone, then broil

Lay the turkey on the bread and cover it with the provolone.

Put it back under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and starting to brown.

5. Stack it up

Add half a sliced avocado, 3 strips of bacon and a handful of the arugula salad.

6. Top it and cut it

Put the other slice of toast on top, cut it in half and dig in.

Pro tips

Buy a whole loaf of sourdough and slice it yourself. You want thick slices so the bread doesn’t get floppy under the weight of everything. Stay close to the oven when you broil, it goes from golden to burnt fast. And dress the arugula right before you build so it doesn’t wilt.

What you’ll need

• A baking sheet
• An oven with a broiler
• A small bowl
• A bread knife

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Turkey melt FAQ

Can I use regular bacon?

Yes. I used turkey bacon to keep the turkey theme, but regular bacon works great. Bake it the same way.

Can I make it in a pan instead of the broiler?

You can toast the bread in a pan, but the broiler is what gets the cheese melted and bubbly on top. If you only have a pan, cover it with a lid for a minute so the cheese melts.

What’s the best cheese for a turkey melt?

Provolone is my go-to because it melts smooth and doesn’t overpower the turkey. Swiss or white cheddar are both good swaps.

If you like this one, try my Turkey BLT Chopped Wrap or my Italian Chopped Wrap next.