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    Home » Recipes » Lunch

    Pesto Turkey Sandwich

    Published: Mar 9, 2022 · Modified: Jul 6, 2022 by bobbieblue

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    If you need a quick meal made with simple ingredients try making turkey pesto sandwiches! These sandwiches have so much extra flavor from the pesto mayo plus packed with protein and lots of veggies! This sandwich is the perfect way to use leftover turkey after the holidays or make any time of the year with turkey from the deli!

    (Blue’s Best Life is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. I earn a small commission if you purchase through those links. This helps me keep the blog going! -Bobbie)

    Why this turkey pesto sandwich recipe is the best

    The best part of this sandwich is the pesto aioli! Pesto adds so much flavor to an otherwise ordinary sandwich! Make this delicious meal any day of the week for lunch or even dinner. Pair it with an easy fruit salad or pasta salad for a light meal!

    key ingredients and Substitutions

    pesto aioli- is a mixture of mayonnaise and pesto. The mayo mellows the bold flavors of the pesto. Get the complete pesto aioli recipe here.

    whole grain bread- any type of crusty bread will work. Use your favorite bread.

    turkey- choose a deli turkey brand that is nitrate free. Check out the deli meats at your local grocery store for their recommendations. This sandwich could also be a great way to use up leftover turkey after the holidays or rotisserie chicken.

    cheese- I love either cheddar cheese or provolone cheese but you could pick any type you like. Mozzarella cheese or goat cheese both pair well with pesto.

    step-by-step instructions

    Start by spreading the side of each slice of bread with two tablespoons pesto aioli. Use a sharp knife and cutting board to slice the veggies thin.

    Layer bread slices with a slice of cheese, turkey slices, sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumber and spinach.

    expert tips

    • Slice the cucumbers and tomatoes very thin. It makes it easier to layer the sandwich.
    • Make the sandwich when you are ready to eat so that the bread does not get soggy. If making this sandwich for a work or school lunch, the best way to make the sandwich is to package the pesto mayo in a separate container.

    Variations

    There are so many different ways you can build this sandwich. If you do not care for cucumbers and tomatoes add your favorite veggies! Here's a few ideas.

    • red peppers
    • thin slices of red onion
    • sun dried tomatoes
    • olives

    You can also turn this into a hot sandwich by using a panini press or grill pan. To make into a turkey panini you will want to spread butter on the top of the slices to get those grill marks.

    Should I use homemade pesto?

    Make your own pesto by blending fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, olive oil and parmesan cheese in a food processor. Try this homemade pistachio pesto recipe for a unique twist on pesto. Or to make this an easier meal with store bought basil pesto.

    What to serve with a turkey pesto sandwich

    Soup and sandwiches always comes to mind when thinking of pairings. If you want a quick comfort soup try these easy Vitamix soup recipes!

    Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

    Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup Recipe

    Easy Vitamix Tomato Basil Soup (Ready in 10 Minutes!)

    Looking for other great sandwich recipes? Try these!

    Turkey Reuben with Homemade Thousand Island

    Turkey Hummus Wraps

    Did you try this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and a 5- star rating. I would love to hear from you! Subscribe Here to get new recipes sent straight to your inbox!

    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Pesto Turkey Sandwich

    If you need a quick meal made with simple ingredients try making turkey pesto sandwiches! These sandwiches have so much extra flavor from the pesto mayo plus packed with protein and lots of veggies! This sandwich is the perfect way to use leftover turkey after the holidays or make any time of the year with turkey from the deli!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time0 mins
    Total Time2 mins
    Course: Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: basil, aioli,
    Servings: 1
    Author: Bobbie Blue

    Ingredients

    • 2 slices whole wheat bread
    • 1 slice cheddar cheese
    • 3 ounces sliced deli turkey
    • 2 tablespoons pesto aioli
    • 1 small tomato, sliced thin
    • cucumber slices
    • spinach

    Instructions

    • Mix the pesto aioli. Spread the pesto mixture on both sides of bread.
    • Wash and slice vegetables. Layer the sandwich with turkey, cheese and vegetables.

    Notes

    If making the sandwich ahead, package aioli in a separate container to add before eating to prevent bread from getting soggy.  
     

    More Lunch

    • Healthy Strawberry Walnut Salad Recipe
    • Healthy California Chicken Salad Recipe
    • Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup
    • Arugula Apple and Walnut Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nora

      March 09, 2022 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a great, simple recipe! Perfect for a quick lunch snack at work! Since you have to wear a mask anyway, the garlic doesn't matter. 😀

      Reply
    2. nancy

      March 09, 2022 at 10:35 pm

      5 stars
      you had me at pesto. it really worked well with the turkey - i'm totally making this again tomorrow for lunch

      Reply
    3. Crystal

      March 10, 2022 at 4:02 pm

      5 stars
      This looks amazing! Now I have something to look forward to besides my usual turkey and cheddar.

      Reply
    4. Jeannie

      March 11, 2022 at 12:01 am

      5 stars
      such a filling sandwich that is easy to make!

      Reply
    5. Shilpa

      March 11, 2022 at 5:57 am

      5 stars
      Love this recipe. Easy peasy lunch for weekdays.

      Reply
    6. Ellen

      March 20, 2022 at 3:29 pm

      5 stars
      Going to try this one. My husband loves pesto on anything. He will be very surprised when he opens his lunch box tomorrow.

      Reply
      • bobbieblue

        March 20, 2022 at 3:54 pm

        Hi Ellen, That's a great idea. I hope he likes his surprise!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Bobbie! Welcome to Blue's Best Life. I'm a self taught cook that loves to find the balance between healthy dished while still enjoying a truly decadent dessert, because there is always room for a little something sweet!

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