This Ultimate Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Bacon is a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich that’s packed with flavor and satisfying textures! It features layers of savory deli turkey, melted white cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, fresh spinach, juicy tomato slices, and a touch of honey mustard, all grilled between slices of buttery sourdough bread. I love how this recipe elevates a simple sandwich into something truly special. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, a comforting dinner, or a weekend treat. Get ready for a sandwich that will tantalize your taste buds!
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Melt
- Gourmet Flavors: The combination of turkey, cheddar, bacon, spinach, tomato, and honey mustard creates a delicious and satisfying flavor profile.
- Crispy and Gooey: The sourdough bread gets perfectly toasted and buttery, while the cheese melts into gooey perfection.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to your liking.
Ingredients for Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Bacon
Here’s what you’ll need to make this ultimate sandwich. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Sourdough (or thick, crusty bread of choice) (Bread)
- Honey mustard (Condiment)
- White cheddar cheese (Dairy)
- Deli turkey (Meat)
- Tomato, (Vegetable)
- Fresh baby spinach (Vegetable)
- Cooked bacon (Meat)
- Butter, softened (Fat)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Turkey Melt as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Cheese: Try using provolone, Swiss, or Monterey Jack cheese instead of cheddar.
- Add Avocado: Add some sliced avocado for extra creaminess and healthy fats.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the honey mustard.
- Different Bread: Use ciabatta, multigrain bread, or your favorite sandwich bread instead of sourdough.
- Add Caramelized Onions: Caramelized onions would add a delicious sweetness and depth of flavor.
How to Make Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Bacon
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Ultimate Turkey Melt:
Assemble the Sandwiches
- I place 4 slices of sourdough on a cutting board, plate, or other flat surface.
- I divide the honey mustard into four ½-tablespoon portions.
- I spread ½ tablespoon of honey mustard evenly across the top side of each slice of sourdough.
- I divide the white cheddar cheese in half, creating 4 slices of cheese total.
- I place one “slice” of cheese on each piece of bread, covering the honey mustard.
- I divide the deli turkey into 2 slices of turkey per sandwich.
- I place the turkey slices on top of 2 slices of cheese-topped bread.
- I divide the fresh baby spinach into ¼ cup spinach per sandwich.
- I layer the preferred number of thin tomato slices and ¼ cup baby spinach on top of each layer of turkey.
- I divide bacon.
- I place each portion of bacon on the remaining slices of cheese-topped bread.
- I close the sandwiches, placing the sandwich halves with bacon face-down on top of the sandwich halves with turkey. Each sandwich should consist of the following layers: 1 slice sourdough, ¼ tablespoon honey mustard, 1 half-slice cheese, 2 slices deli turkey, thin tomato slices, ¼ cup baby spinach, 2 strips bacon, 1 half-slice cheese, ½ tablespoon honey mustard, and 1 slice sourdough.
Warm Sandwich
- I divide the softened butter into four ½-tablespoon portions.
- I spread ½ tablespoon of butter on the outside of each slice of bread (4 sides total).
- I place a large skillet on the stovetop over medium heat.
- When the pan is warm, I carefully place the assembled sandwiches flat in the skillet.
- I toast the bottom slice of bread for 3 to 4 minutes, then carefully flip the sandwich over.
- I toast the now-bottom slice of bread for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the sandwich is warmed through.
Serve
- Serve Warm
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Grilled Cheese
Here are my secrets for making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich:
- Use Good Quality Bread: A sturdy bread like sourdough is best for holding up to the fillings.
- Butter the Bread: Buttering the outside of the bread creates a golden-brown and crispy crust.
- Low and Slow: Cook the sandwiches over medium heat to allow the cheese to melt completely without burning the bread.
- Press Gently: Pressing the sandwiches gently with a spatula helps to melt the cheese and create a more compact sandwich.
How to Serve
This Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Bacon is perfect for:
- Lunch: A quick and easy lunch that’s packed with flavor.
- Dinner: A satisfying and comforting dinner.
- Game Day: A great sandwich for watching the game.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can assemble the sandwiches ahead of time and store them, wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before grilling. Leftover sandwiches can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet, in the oven, or in a panini press.
FAQs about Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Bacon
- Can I use a different type of cheese?
- Yes, you can use any type of cheese you like.
- Can I make this without the bacon?
- Yes, you can omit the bacon or substitute it with another type of meat, like ham or turkey bacon.
- Can I add other vegetables?
- Yes, you can
Enjoy this flavorful, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying Ultimate Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Bacon! It’s a gourmet twist on a classic sandwich that’s sure to become a new favorite.
Print
Ultimate Turkey Melt with Cheddar, Spinach, and Bacon (Gourmet Grilled Cheese!)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Main Course, Sandwich
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Turkey Melt is a delicious and satisfying sandwich featuring savory deli turkey, crispy bacon, melted white cheddar cheese, fresh spinach, tomato slices, and a touch of honey mustard, all grilled between slices of crusty sourdough bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 slices sourdough bread (or other thick, crusty bread)
- 2 tablespoons honey mustard
- 2 slices white cheddar cheese, halved
- 4 slices deli turkey
- Thin tomato slices (from 1 medium red tomato)
- 1/2 cup fresh baby spinach
- 4 strips cooked bacon, halved
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, divided
Instructions
- Prepare Bread: Lay out the 4 slices of sourdough bread on a cutting board or plate.
- Spread Honey Mustard: Divide the honey mustard into four equal portions (about 1/2 tablespoon each). Spread one portion of honey mustard evenly over one side of each slice of bread.
- Add Cheese: Divide the 2 slices of white cheddar cheese in half, creating 4 half-slices. Place one half-slice of cheese on top of the honey mustard on each slice of bread.
- Layer Turkey: Divide the deli turkey slices evenly between two of the bread slices (2 slices of turkey per sandwich). Place the turkey on top of the cheese.
- Add Spinach and Tomato: Divide the fresh baby spinach evenly between the two sandwiches with turkey (about 1/4 cup per sandwich). Layer the tomato slices over the spinach.
- Add Bacon: Divide the cooked bacon strips in half (2 strips per sandwich), then in half again creating 4 halves. Place two halves of bacon on top of the spinach and tomatoes.
- Top with remaining bread, cheese side face down, with honey mustard and bread on top.
- Butter Bread: Divide the softened butter into four equal portions (about 1/2 tablespoon each). Spread one portion of butter evenly over the outside of each slice of bread (the sides that will be in contact with the skillet).
- Heat Skillet: Place a large skillet (cast iron recommended) over medium heat.
- Grill Sandwiches: When the skillet is hot, carefully place the assembled sandwiches in the skillet, buttered-side down.
- Cook First Side: Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the bottom slice of bread is golden brown and toasted.
- Flip and Cook Second Side: Carefully flip the sandwiches over. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the second side is golden brown, the cheese is completely melted, and the sandwich is heated through. Press down gently on the sandwiches with a spatula while they cook to help them cook evenly.
- Serve: Transfer the grilled sandwiches to serving plates. Serve warm with your desired sides (chips, salad, soup, etc.).
Notes
- Bread: Sourdough bread is recommended for its tangy flavor and crusty texture, but you can use other thick, crusty breads, such as ciabatta or a rustic Italian loaf.
- Honey Mustard: You can use store-bought or homemade honey mustard.
- Cheese: White cheddar cheese is used in this recipe, but you can substitute other cheeses, such as provolone, Swiss, or Monterey Jack.
- Turkey: Use your favorite type of deli turkey.
- Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy before adding it to the sandwiches.
- Serving Suggestions: These turkey melts are delicious on their own or served with a side of chips, a salad, or soup.