Utilize leftovers to create this tasty leftover Thanksgiving turkey panini! Made with juicy turkey breast, cranberry sauce, provolone cheese, arugula and an herbed garlic aioli. This panini is an easy brunch or lunch idea and super tasty!
This Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Panini is the perfect sweet and savory sandwich to satisfy all your leftover cravings! Grab your sandwich maker, leftover items from Thanksgiving and make this panini!
This turkey panini is the perfect way to utilize leftovers after Thanksgiving. Therefore, prepare to create the tastiest restaurant quality sandwich at home. Serve this panini with an extra helping of cranberry sauce and a fruity mimosa and you'll certainly enjoy this meal!
THE INGREDIENTS UTILIZED IN THIS PANINI
First, start with the bread. In this recipe, I used slices from a sourdough loaf leftover from my seafood cornbread dressing recipe. You can certainly use what you have on hand in other words, regular white, wheat or dinner rolls will work!
Now it's time to grab the leftover turkey. The recipes uses 2-3 slices of turkey depending on the thickness for each panini. The turkey certainly doesn't have to be warmed as it'll reheat properly as the sandwich is cooked.
Next, grab whatever greens you have on hand. This recipes uses arugula but spinach, or any other hearty green will work!
The panini has cheese and since we are working with leftovers, I'm certain you have cheese laying around. This recipe uses provolone but use what you have on hand. Cheddar, brie, mozzarella will all work perfectly!
Cranberry sauce either store bought or home made will work!
Last, prep the herbed-garlic aioli. Together with a few items, this tasty creamy sauce adds the perfect flavor to pair with the sandwich. Utilizing herbs leftover, this explicitly provides a rich and earthy component to the panini.
HOW TO MAKE THE HERBED GARLIC AIOLI
In a small bowl, combine the mayo, herbs, garlic paste and black pepper. Stir until thoroughly combined and adjust herbs for flavor and add salt if needed. Last, set aside until later use.
HOW TO BUILD YOUR LEFTOVER THANKSGIVING TURKEY PANINI
First, if using a fresh loaf of bread, cut about ½ inch slices. It's important to realize, the slices should not be too thick but thick enough to hold the sandwich together during the cooking process.
Next, layer on the aioli to both slices of bread, followed by the arugula. Now add your sliced cheese and together with these ingredients, layer on the turkey slices on one slice of the bread.
Last, spoon on about ½ tablespoon of cranberry sauce to one side of the sandwich and finish by adding the other dressed slice of bread.
HOW TO COOK THE PANINI
Utilizing a griddle pan or panini maker, on medium to high heat butter or spray your cookware. Place the sandwich on the panini maker and press down. If utilizing a griddle pan, sear the sandwich on both sides until the cheese begins to melt and bread becomes slightly toasted.
TIPS FOR THE BEST PANINI
- Use thick-quality bread to ensure the sandwich holds together.
- Don't over use the wet ingredients, the bread could potentially become soggy.
- As the panini cooks, the cranberry sauce could drip out, be careful as it hits the hot pan or griddle.
- For best results, serve the panini immediately.
- If you don't have a panini maker use a griddle or cast iron pan, an additional heavy pan to weight down the sandwich as it cooks.
Interested in another hybrid sandwich? Try this Seafood Cheese Steak that is just like a traditional Philly Cheese Steak but with seafood!
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Panini
Equipment
- Panini Maker
Ingredients
- 4 slices Sourdough Bread
- 4 slices Provolone Cheese
- ½ cup Cranberry Sauce
- ½ cup Arugula
- 6-8 slices Leftover Roasted Turkey
- 1 tsp Butter cooking spray
Herbed Garlic Aioli
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Rosemary
- 1 teaspoon Sage
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Paste fresh minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Lemon Juice
- ¼ tsp Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
Instructions
Herbed Garlic Aioli
- In a small bowl, combine aioli ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Adjust ingredients to your liking and set aside until further use.
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Panini
- On a flat surface, spread herbed garlic aioli on to four slices of bread.
- Layer all slices of bread with arugula and cheese.
- Next, layer only two slices of bread with roasted turkey and about one tablespoon of cranberry sauce.
- Use the slices of bread only dressed with cheese and arugula to top the remaining pieces of bread (with turkey and cranberry sauce).
- On medium to high heat, spray your griddle or panini maker with butter and slowly place the sandwich into the maker or on to the griddle.
- If using a griddle, use a spatula or additional heavy pan to weigh down the sandwich. If using a panini maker, press down and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until cheese is melted for both cooking styles.
- Panini should be toasted and browned on both sides after 5-6 minutes and cheese should be melted.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately with an extra side of cranberry sauce if desired.
- Enjoy!
Leave a Reply