Turkey Sandwich Toppings Ideas for Gourmet Lunches

Turkey sandwiches are one of my favorite ways to use up leftovers or start fresh with sliced deli meat!

I’ve stacked them high with roasted peppers and pesto, gone simple with mustard and pickles, and even tried cranberry and cream cheese.

The key for me is using bread that holds up to whatever moisture is inside—nothing worse than a soggy sandwich halfway through.

I like to toast the bread lightly, especially when using ingredients like avocado or sliced tomato.

A handful of arugula or shredded lettuce can give just enough crunch without taking over the whole bite!

1. Drizzle with Cranberry Sauce

I know what you’re thinking, but if you can have cranberry sauce with every Thanksgiving dinner, why not add it to your turkey sandwich?

The sweetness and tartness of cranberry sauce delightfully balance out the rich yet mild flavor of turkey.

I like to couple cranberry sauce with hot turkey sandwiches.

The appetizing splash of color also tickled my fancy!

2. Layer with Avocado Slices

Healthy and flavorful, I can’t think of one reason not to top a turkey sandwich with avocado if you have it on hand.

The creamy, buttery, and nutty goodness of avocados blends perfectly with the darker taste and dryer texture of turkey meat.

I also like to see some green in my sandwiches.

3. Tropical Vibes with Mango Salsa

For a Caribbean twist on your cold turkey sandwich, top it off with mango salsa.

The sweet and citrusy taste of the mango highlights the tenderness and richness of the turkey without overpowering it.

You can throw in some red onions, olive oil, and lemon juice to make the flavor even more intriguing.

4. Smother in Bacon Jam

Bacon jam is a unique topping that needs much more love in my opinion.

On top of a turkey sandwich? It’s just heavenly!

The caramelized sweetness of the jam is a great way to break the mild chicken-like flavor of turkey.

Depending on the type of bacon you use, you can also get delicious hints of maple syrup or smokey sauce.

5. Pair with Pesto Sauce

For a flavor-loaded hot turkey sandwich, I couldn’t recommend any topping more than pesto sauce.

The herby, bright taste of the basil combined with the salty richness of the cheese and pine nuts make for an out-of-world experience.

The garlicky and peppery profile of pesto complements the turkey meat so well, I dare you not to lick your plate clean!

6. Cover with Raspberry Jam

Whether hot or cold, spread some raspberry jam on top of your turkey sandwich for an unconventional punch of flavors.

Sugary and fruity with a light sour aftertaste, the raspberry jam will smoothly partner up with the dark, mild meat of the turkey.

Add some cheese or sour cream to balance out the sweetness and your sandwich is good to go!

7. Spice with Jalapeno Poppers

Flip your turkey sandwich game with some spicy jalapeno poppers.

The peppery, earthy taste is a nice addition to the rich turkey and the heat is just strong enough to wake up your senses without punishing you for it.

To make the jalapenos richer and smokier, grill or roast them first.

8. Pile Smoked Gouda Cheese

Whenever the question “what is the best cheese to put on a turkey sandwich?” comes up, my go-to answer is Gouda.

I just love the way turkey tastes along with the nutty flavor and the delicious caramel notes from Gouda cheese.

Its buttery and creamy texture is a much-appreciated bonus!

I prefer smoked Gouda for its depth, but you can use a non-smoked variety if you like.

9. Coat with Hummus

A nice, thick layer of hummus spread can completely transform a boring turkey sandwich into a gourmet meal.

Oozing with umami flavors, hummus is tangy and savory.

It melts in your mouth leaving behind a garlicky richness that tastes like nothing else out there.

10. Freshen Up with Apple

Cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard make for a great turkey sandwich, but when you add apples it becomes phenomenal!

A few slices of Gala apples or green apples don’t just grace the sandwich with a fresh hint of sweetness and mild tartness, but they also give a crunchy texture.

Eat the sandwich cold or toast it on a frying pan.

11. Spread Herb Butter

Sometimes your turkey just doesn’t turn out as tender or juicy as you’d hoped.

To counteract that issue, you need a creamy and soft topping for your sandwich.

An ideal candidate is herb butter.

It’s savory, fluffy, and filled with fresh flavors to elevate your meal.

The best thing is that you can make your own at home by mixing butter with cilantro, rosemary, basil, thyme, parsley, chives — you name it.

12. Trickle Some Pineapple Hot Sauce

“Don’t knock it till you try it” is my main advice with this topping.

Pineapple hot sauce offers an amazing kick of flavor on turkey sandwiches.

The bright spiciness of the chili peppers, the sweet tartness of the pineapples, and the sharp acidity of the garlic all work together to bring the dark taste of the meat to life.

13. Add Coleslaw with Thousand Island Dressing

Not many toppings can add crunch and tang as well as coleslaw does.

It’s also sweet and bitter, which is a fantastic flavor profile for a cold turkey sandwich on a warm day.

You can whip up this combo into a Rachel Sandwich by piling on some swiss cheese, thousand island dressing, and butter.

14. Reminisce with Ham

Whether it’s for game day or a lazy brunch, ham and turkey are an iconic duo that deserves far more appreciation.

Ham has a satisfying fleshy texture and an underlying sweetness despite its savory and rich overall flavor.

If that wasn’t enough to convince you of the delicious match, ham can also add a smokey and salty punch.

15. “Green-ize” with Spinach

Turkey sandwiches can be super hearty, but they can also be quite healthy!

One way to add a nutritious shot is to top it with spinach, be it raw or cooked.

Besides splashing your turkey sandwich with an appetizing green, spinach delivers a slight sweetness for a refreshing taste when it’s raw.

If you cook it, the flavor of the spinach becomes more acidic.

16. Asian Fusion with Kimchi

Inspired by Asian cuisine, try topping your turkey sandwich with kimchi.

Kimchi is a pickled or fermented concoction of cabbage, onions, garlic, ginger, horseradish, and red peppers.

This is why the main flavors it adds to complement the dark taste of turkey are sour, umami, and spicy.

Not going to lie — I drooled a bit!

17. Bring the Tanginess with Pickled Carrots

It’s common to see pickled dill, cabbage, or cucumbers on a turkey sandwich.

But did you ever try topping it with pickled carrots?

The “Banh Mi” -a traditional Vietnamese sandwich- uses pickled carrots, sriracha, and cilantro on top of sliced pork. It tastes just as good on turkey, so give it a go!

18. Glaze with White Barbecue Sauce

Invented in North Alabama, white barbecue sauce is a sensational topping to glaze meats, especially right off the smoker or grill.

The base of this sauce is mayonnaise.

From there you add cider vinegar and spices such as cayenne pepper, garlic, and horseradish.

The result is a unique tanginess that tastes simply delectable on a turkey sandwich.

19. Sweeten with Honey Mustard

When mustard and turkey sandwich are mentioned together, most people think of regular or dijon mustard.

But to change it up a bit, reach for some honey mustard instead.

Its warm spices round all the flavors with a pleasant sweetness that your palate will adore.

20. Incorporate Blue Cheese

I think a turkey sandwich is a terrific chance to slide some blue cheese into the mix.

Blue cheese is characteristically pungent with a sharp and salty flavor.

It’s more of an acquired taste, but being on a turkey sandwich makes it easier to handle.

21. Sprinkle with Pomegranate Seeds

Whether you’re baking, grilling, or searing your turkey, you can add a twist of zingy freshness with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds.

The distinct sweet and sour flavors of pomegranate seeds pair flawlessly with the richness of the meat.

I also love the pop of color and crunch pomegranate gives to the dish.

22. Modernize with Red Wine Vinegar Mayo

Instead of the traditional mayonnaise, why not step outside of the box and top your turkey sandwich with red wine vinegar mayo?

It’s brighter and more tangy than normal, with a hint of sweetness that rounds the dish beautifully.

What to Put on a Turkey Sandwich: The Right Side, The Right Technique

Now that you have a bigger and better view of what goes on a turkey sandwich, I need you to ask yourself “why stop here?”

Besides toppings, other aspects such as the type of side dish and cooking/assembly techniques can also have a major impact on your food experience.

So before you call it a day with your turkey sandwich toppings, here’s a closer look at options for what to add to it.

What Sides Pair Well with a Turkey Sandwich?

Side dishes aren’t only to make sure there’s enough food to go around, but they also fill out the table with different flavors, colors, and textures to make things more interesting.

Here are some ideas that’ll go great with your turkey sandwich to get your creativity going.

Sweet potato wedges

Need I say more?

No, sweet potato wedges aren’t as crispy as regular potatoes, but the combination of sweet and savory flavors next to turkey more than makes up for it!

For a healthier kick, bake your wedges instead of deep frying them.

Corn ribs

These serve as an excellent side dish to turkey sandwiches.

Think corn on the cob, but smaller and easier to devour.

You can keep the flavor simple with cayenne and garlic powder, or shake it up with cotija cheese, lime, and jalapenos.

Creamy potato salad

Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, and celery along with your favorite pickles and herbs.

Stir in chopped boiled potatoes and get ready to meet a creamy, hearty potato salad that perfectly complements turkey sandwiches.

Fried mushrooms

If you want a unique and tasty sidekick to your turkey sandwich, whip up fried mushrooms.

These are as easy to make as dipping mushrooms in buttermilk and then coating them in seasoned flour before frying.

Their crispy exterior and tender interior won’t disappoint.

How to Make a Turkey Sandwich Even Better

A turkey sandwich meal is about more than just the toppings and side dishes.

If your turkey sandwich is dry, be sure to steam the leftover turkey in the oven to help the meat stay tender.

If the bread keeps falling apart because of juicy ingredients, try potato buns as they’re denser.

While cheese is a great topping for a turkey sandwich, don’t pile up too much of one or multiple types.

You don’t want to overpower the turkey and turn it into a cheese sandwich with a turkey topping!