Kamil Perry
The classic club sandwich is a towering, mouthwatering combination of ingredients. While the traditional club sandwich includes layers of bacon, lettuce, tomato, and turkey, some recipes call for an additional slice of cheese. The inclusion of cheese in a club sandwich is a matter of personal preference, as some people prefer to omit it altogether. However, for those who enjoy cheese, there are various options to consider, such as Swiss cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack. The choice of cheese can enhance the overall flavor and texture of the sandwich, creating a delightful culinary experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of bread slices | 2 or 3 |
| Bread type | Texas toast, sourdough, whole wheat, white |
| Bread texture | Toasted |
| Meat | Turkey, chicken |
| Meat texture | Thinly sliced |
| Cheese | Monterey Jack, Swiss, Muenster, cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, gouda, brie, cream cheese, manchego, havarti, provolone, fontina |
| Vegetables | Lettuce, tomato, onion, arugula |
| Condiments | Mayonnaise, herb mayo, cranberry sauce, honey mustard |
| Other | Bacon, salt, pepper |
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What You'll Learn
Turkey club sandwich ingredients
The classic turkey club sandwich is made with cooked turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and bread. The bread is usually toasted and slathered with mayonnaise. However, some variations include adding cheese, cranberry sauce, and onion to the sandwich.
When it comes to the bread, Texas toast, sourdough, or white bread are popular choices. Toasting the bread can enhance the texture and make the sandwich easier to eat. Mayonnaise is typically spread on one side of each slice of bread, adding a creamy element to the sandwich.
For the fillings, thin slices of cooked turkey are commonly used, as they are more tender and easier to bite through. The bacon is also typically cut thinly and cooked until crispy, adding a crunchy texture to the sandwich. Lettuce and tomato provide freshness and moisture, with the tomato slices being cut thinly.
Some people like to add cheese to their turkey club sandwich, with suggestions including Swiss cheese, Muenster, mild cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella. Cheese can be considered a "topping", adding a savoury element to the sandwich.
Other variations of the turkey club sandwich include adding cranberry sauce, onion slices, or honey mustard. The sandwich is usually cut into triangles or halves before serving, creating a visually appealing and manageable portion.
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Turkey club sandwich assembly
A turkey club sandwich is a multi-layered affair, with a variety of ingredients coming together to create a delicious whole. The assembly of the sandwich is an important part of the process, ensuring that the ingredients are evenly distributed and the sandwich is structurally sound.
Firstly, the bread. While some prefer a simple white bread, others opt for sourdough, wheat, or Texas toast. The bread should be toasted, and then a generous layer of herb mayo is spread on one side of each slice. Some recipes suggest buttering the toast instead of, or as well as, mayonnaise.
Next, the fillings. The classic combination of lettuce, tomato, bacon, and turkey is a must. The turkey should be thinly sliced, making it easier to fold and insert into the sandwich, and the bacon should be thin and crispy. Some recipes also include cheese, such as Swiss, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella, and fresh greens such as arugula.
To assemble the sandwich, place a slice of toast, mayo-side up, and add the fillings in layers. Start with the lettuce, followed by the tomato, then the bacon, and finally the turkey. If including cheese, it can be added after the lettuce or with the second layer of fillings. Repeat this layering process, finishing with a slice of toast, mayo-side down.
Finally, the sandwich is cut into triangles or halves and served with sides such as chips, macaroni salad, or potato salad. A toothpick can be used to secure each slice and ensure the sandwich stays together.
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Cheese types and their preparation
While some people prefer their turkey club sandwiches without cheese, many opt to include it. The type of cheese you choose for your sandwich is a matter of personal preference, but here are some popular options, along with preparation instructions for a classic grilled cheese sandwich.
Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese is a popular choice for meat sandwiches, and it can be paired with turkey. It has a nutty flavour and can be served melted or unmelted.
Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar is a versatile option that can be served hot or cold. It pairs well with smoked turkey when melted and can be used in small quantities with other ingredients in a turkey club sandwich.
Mozzarella Cheese
Fresh, unmelted mozzarella is popular in sandwiches. It has a mild flavour and exceptional melting properties. It can be paired with basil for a winning combination.
Monterey Jack Cheese
Monterey Jack is a mild variety of cheese with excellent melting properties, making it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches. It can be used to create a gourmet turkey club sandwich.
Provolone Cheese
Provolone is a sharp-tasting cheese that can be used in sandwiches. It melts well and can be paired with oregano for added flavour.
Havarti Cheese
Havarti is a light cheese that goes well with turkey. It can be melted and is best not toasted unless the bread is stale.
Preparation
When preparing a grilled cheese sandwich, it is recommended to use a block of cheese and slice or shred it as needed to ensure ultimate flavour and texture. Butter is essential, and it is typically spread on the bread slices before grilling. You can also add fresh herbs like thyme, dill, or oregano to enhance the flavour. Grilled cheese sandwiches can be made in a skillet, sandwich toaster, or oven, depending on your preference.
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Bread types and preparation
A classic club sandwich is made with three slices of bread. However, some people prefer to use two slices, which is more traditional. The bread should be toasted, and some recipes specify that Texas toast should be used. Other options include sourdough, whole wheat, white, and wheat bread.
When preparing the bread, it is important to toast it first. Then, spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice. Some recipes suggest adding lettuce or arugula directly to the bread, which can then be topped with turkey and other ingredients.
The bread should be chosen carefully, as the wrong type can make the sandwich soggy and hard to handle. For example, one source mentions that cheap Wonder Bread cannot handle wet toppings like coleslaw. Sourdough or whole wheat bread is a better option for wet toppings.
The bread should also be thin enough to allow for easy biting and stacking of the sandwich. Thick bread can create too much resistance when biting through the stacked layers of a club sandwich.
Finally, the bread can be cut into triangles or halves before serving.
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Turkey club sandwich serving suggestions
The classic turkey club sandwich is a towering, mouthwatering creation, and a hard-to-beat comfort food. It is a sandwich with many layers and a range of ingredients, and while the basic structure is always the same, there are many ways to adapt and personalise your sandwich.
The bread is an important component of any sandwich, and the classic club sandwich is traditionally made with three slices of white bread, toasted, and slathered with mayonnaise. However, you can adapt this to your taste, and some suggest using wheat or sourdough bread instead. You could also try Texas toast, or a NY everything bagel, toasted.
The next layer is usually lettuce, placed on top of the bread and mayonnaise. You could also add sliced tomato here, or some suggest adding tomato later in the layering process. You could also add sliced red onion, and salt and pepper.
The turkey club sandwich is famous for its meat, and the next layer is usually turkey. It is best to slice the turkey as thinly as possible, as this makes it easier to fold and insert into the sandwich, and thin slices are more tender. You can use leftover roast turkey, or quality roast turkey from the deli.
The next layer is the bacon. It is important to get the right kind of bacon, as too-thick bacon creates too much resistance when biting through the stacked layers. It is better to use thinner, leaner centre-cut strips of bacon, which produce a more satisfying crispness. You could also add this bacon to the sandwich uncooked, and allow the other ingredients to warm it through.
The final layer is cheese. You could use Monterey Jack, Swiss, Muenster, mild cheddar, mozzarella, or Pepper Jack. You could melt the cheese, or leave it unmelted.
Place the final slice of bread on top, and secure the sandwich with a toothpick. Cut the sandwich diagonally into triangles, and serve with your favourite sides. Suggested sides include macaroni or potato salad, homemade chips, and a pickle.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not necessary to put cheese on a turkey club sandwich, but some people like to include it.
Some popular options for cheese on a turkey club sandwich include Swiss, cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and pepper jack.
A classic turkey club sandwich typically includes bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
