Why make a boring grilled cheese sandwich when you can amp up the flavor with smoked turkey, green apple, and garlic cheese? That’s what this Turkey & Apple Grilled Cheese is all about, and when it’s on buttery sourdough bread, it’s just about the best grilled cheese on the planet!
The combination of tart green apple with savory smoked turkey and rich, garlicky cheese is what makes this sandwich so special. The crisp bite of the apple adds freshness to the creamy, melted cheese, and the sourdough bread grills up perfectly golden and crunchy—each bite is a dream.
I love this recipe because it turns a simple grilled cheese into something so much more exciting without much effort. Whether I’m whipping it up for a quick lunch or when I want a fun twist on a classic, this Turkey & Apple Grilled Cheese never disappoints!
Ingredients
- Sourdough bread – Or your favorite bakery fresh bread.
- Butter – I use salted butter.
- Smoked turkey – Deli sliced.
- Garlic Manchego cheese – Sliced. A good quality sharp cheddar would also work.
- Mozzarella – Or Monterey Jack cheese; shredded.
- Green apple – Sliced thinly.
- Apple chutney – Or jelly.
How to Make Turkey & Apple Grilled Cheese
- Spread butter on one side of each slice of sourdough bread. The butter will help create that crispy, golden crust we all love.
- Assemble the sandwiches by placing the buttered side of the bread down on a clean surface. Layer slices of smoked turkey, garlic Manchego, shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack, and thinly sliced green apple on four slices of bread. Spread a small amount of apple chutney or jelly on the inside of the remaining slices.
- Close the sandwiches by placing the chutney-spread slices of bread on top of the turkey and cheese layers, with the buttered sides facing out.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. You don’t want the heat too high, as the bread can burn before the cheese melts.
- Grill the sandwiches for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted. If your cheese isn’t melting fast enough, you can cover the skillet with a lid to help trap in the heat.
- Remove the sandwiches from the skillet, slice them in half, and enjoy!
Step-By-Step Process
Cheese Suggestions
I got the most lovely garlic Manchego from my favorite cheese shop, but if you can’t find that any good sharp cheddar will work. Other great cheese suggestions include:
- Applewood smoked cheddar
- Aged gouda
- Pepper Jack
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Butter the bread instead of adding oil to the pan for the crispiest, most flavorful crust.
- Lower the heat and cover the skillet with a lid if your cheese isn’t melting quickly enough.
- I always add some neutral-flavored, easy-melting cheese like mozzarella or Monterey Jack. Because what’s a grilled cheese without lots of ooey gooey cheese?
- Use a Mandoline to slice the apple thinly, so it doesn’t overpower the sandwich.
Recommended
Make It a Meal
This Turkey & Apple Grilled Cheese is already pretty filling, but if you’re looking to make it a full meal, I recommend serving it with a simple side salad or a cup of tomato soup. The freshness of a salad balances out the richness of the sandwich, and we all know that grilled cheese and tomato soup are a classic duo. If you want to keep things light, a handful of crispy potato chips on the side also works perfectly!
Storage
Got leftovers? You can store any extra sandwiches in the fridge for up to 2 days by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or storing them in an airtight container. To reheat, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to keep the bread crispy, or use a toaster oven if you have one. For meal-prepping, assemble the sandwiches without grilling, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze. When you’re ready to eat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and grill as usual.
Turkey & Apple Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 slices sourdough bread
- ¼ cup butter
- ¾ pound sliced smoked turkey deli-style
- ½ pound garlic Manchego cheese sliced
- 1/2 cup mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese; shredded
- 1 green apple thinly sliced
- ¼ cup apple chutney or jelly
Instructions
- Spread butter on one side of each slice of sourdough bread. The butter will help create that crispy, golden crust we all love.
- Assemble the sandwiches by placing the buttered side of the bread down on a clean surface. Layer slices of smoked turkey, garlic manchego, shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack, and thinly sliced green apple on four slices of bread. Spread a small amount of apple chutney or jelly on the inside of the remaining slices.
- Close the sandwiches by placing the chutney-spread slices of bread on top of the turkey and cheese layers, with the buttered sides facing out.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. You don’t want the heat too high, as the bread can burn before the cheese melts.
- Grill the sandwiches for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted. If your cheese isn’t melting fast enough, you can cover the skillet with a lid to help trap in the heat.
- Remove the sandwiches from the skillet, slice them in half, and enjoy!
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Butter the bread instead of adding oil to the pan for the crispiest, most flavorful crust.
- Lower the heat and cover the skillet with a lid if your cheese isn’t melting quickly enough.
- I always add some neutral-flavored, easy-melting cheese like mozzarella or Monterey Jack. Because what’s a grilled cheese without lots of ooey gooey cheese?
- Use a mandoline to slice the apple thinly, so it doesn’t overpower the sandwich.