Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Cranberry Cheddar Panini
Next level Thanksgiving leftovers you will crave all year long! This leftover Thanksgiving turkey cranberry cheddar panini transforms holiday leftovers into something worth saving. So stop reheating dry turkey. Press it with tangy cranberry sauce and sharp cheddar in a hot panini press for leftovers that taste better than the big meal itself. Full recipe card below.
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Why This Recipe Works
The day after leftover turkey sandwich is an American tradition, but let’s be honest, it’s usually cold, dry, and forgettable. But the panini press fixes everything wrong with that equation.
Heat transforms leftover turkey from chalky and sad to warm and almost juicy again. Pressure melts the cheese into every crevice and makes a more cohesive bite. And this is where the cranberry sauce really shines! It turns into a sweet-tart glaze that coats the turkey and plays off the sharpness of aged cheddar. Who knew the Thanksgiving table could make such a delicious turkey cranberry sandwich. The best part? This takes four minutes of actual work.
Ingredients
This turkey cranberry panini is a great way to use up leftovers that everyone will actually enjoy. While this is a hard to mess up recipe, I have some notes and suggestions on additions 😉
- Bread – Sturdy bread slices are essential. Choose a hearty bread like sourdough, ciabatta, or artisan loaf. Soft sandwich bread turns soggy under pressure. You need bread with structure and a tight crumb that can handle heat, butter, and weight without falling apart. Sourdough has tang that plays well with cranberry. Ciabatta has air pockets that get extra crispy.
- Turkey Leftovers – Leftover roast turkey, smoked turkey breast, deep fried turkey, white meat, dark meat, or a mix. All of them will work. Slice it thin or shred it with your hands so it layers better and heats more evenly. Thick slices stay cold in the center while your bread burns.
- Cranberry Sauce – This is your secret weapon. Canned or homemade cranberry sauce both work, but my homemade cranberry sauce recipe is better. Either way, it adds moisture, sweetness, and acidity that wakes up tired turkey. Whole berry or jellied both work, but whole berry gives you more texture.
- Cinnamon Sweet Honey Butter – One of my favorite ways to take this from a good sandwich to a great sandwich! This copycat cinnamon honey butter is optional, but adds a whole new flavor dimension to the sandwich. This goes on the inside of the bread, not the outside. It adds moisture and a subtle holiday spice that keeps the turkey from tasting dry. Avoid spreading on the outside of the bread. The honey and sugar caramelize too quickly on the outside and can burn.
- Cheese – Sharp cheddar has the salt and funk to stand up to cranberry sauce. Mild cheddar disappears. Swiss cheese and melty brie cheese are good alternatives with turkey and cranberry if you prefer a milder option.
- Avocado Oil – This goes on the outside of the panini. You can spray the panini press and the outside of the bread. Cooking spray and plain butter work too. A little bit of olive oil will work in a pinch but I prefer an oil with a higher smoke point.
- Additional Sandwich Fillings – There are all kinds of creative ways to make this a standout sandwich. Add red onions for an extra sharp bite. Use tangy Dijon mustard or a bit of mayo instead of the cinnamon butter. Leftover green bean casserole fried onions for a salty crunch. The choice is yours.
Cooking Methods
A panini maker is the first choice here. It cooks fast, makes those signature grill marks, and creates gooey cheese. But if you don’t have one there are two backup options. Make this panini recipe grilled cheese style on the stove top in a grill pan or cast iron skillet. Or if you still have a George Foreman in your basement from 2004, this is its moment. It works exactly like a panini press.
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Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Cranberry Cheddar Panini
- Total Time: 9 minutes
Description
Leftover Thanksgiving dinner turkey gets boring fast. But this leftover Thanksgiving turkey cranberry cheddar panini flips the script in a delicious way! Crispy sourdough bread. Melted white cheddar. Tangy cranberry sauce. The Thanksgiving sandwich that transforms dull leftovers into something you’ll crave all year long.
Ingredients
- 2 Slices of Sourdough Bread
- 1 tbsp Cinnamon Honey Butter (optional)
- 2 tbsp Leftover Cranberry Sauce
- 1/4 cup Leftover Turkey
- 1 Slice Sharp White Cheddar Cheese
- 1 tbsp Avocado Oil or Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Pre-heat panini press to medium heat. If your press has a temperature dial, aim for 350°F. If it doesn’t, just turn it on and let it warm up while you build.
- Spread cinnamon honey butter onto the inside of each of the pieces of bread. This is optional, but tastes SO good! Do not spread the butter on the outside because it caramelizes too quickly between the hot plates of the panini press. Place butter side in.
- Layer thin slices of leftover turkey or chunks of turkey onto one side of the bread.
- Spoon the cranberry sauce onto the top of the turkey spreading it almost to the edges.
- Top with a slice of cheese and place the second slice of bread on top with the buttered side facing in.
- Spray the panini maker with avocado oil or cooking spray.
- Place the sandwich inside the press and drop the lid quickly. Note, if you close the lid too slowly the sandwich slides out.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the outside is golden brown and the cheese melts.
Equipment
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Category: Entree, Lunch, Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
More Thanksgiving Recipes to Try
- Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Cranberry Sauce Pizza
- Savory Sweet Potato Casserole with Feta and Honey
- Secret Ingredient Creamy Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes
- Creamy Stovetop White Cheddar Shells and Cheese
When to Make Leftover Thanksgiving Paninis
This Thanksgiving turkey sandwich is the perfect way to use up holiday leftovers after the big feast. But it’s also the type of panini that works great during the time of year when a soup and sandwich is the comfort food you have been craving. Make it with Thanksgiving leftovers or with deli turkey and cranberry jam. It pairs really well with copycat Autumn squash soup too!
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