A leftover turkey sandwich can be served cold or warmed in a skillet until the turkey is steaming hot. Use turkey that was refrigerated within 2 hours of dinner and is still within 3 to 4 days of the original meal. USDA leftover guidance is to reheat leftover turkey to 165°F if you serve it warm. See the Thanksgiving guide, Thanksgiving mains, diets and leftovers, how long Thanksgiving leftovers last, and how to reheat leftover turkey.
A simple cold sandwich
Toast the bread lightly if you want it to stay crisp under cranberry sauce or mayonnaise. Layer sliced turkey, a thin smear of mayonnaise or mustard, lettuce or a few pickle slices, and a spoonful of cranberry sauce. Salt and pepper the turkey, because cold leftovers can taste flat. Soft rolls, sourdough, or rye all work. Keep the fillings from getting soggy by putting wet ingredients, such as cranberry sauce, in the middle rather than against the bread. If the turkey was stored in gravy, scrape most of the gravy off for a cold sandwich, or warm the meat instead.
A warm sandwich, and a stuffing variation
For a warm version, butter the outside of the bread and cook the sandwich in a skillet over medium-low heat until the bread is golden and the turkey is hot all the way through. Add a slice of cheese if you like. Check the thickest part of the turkey with a thermometer; leftovers should reach 165°F. You can also tuck a thin layer of leftover stuffing inside, but treat that as a warm sandwich only, because stuffing needs to be reheated to 165°F too. This is not a second leftover stuffing article; a thin layer is enough. Related: turkey tetrazzini if you have more meat than bread.
Pack it safely if you are leaving the house
If the sandwich is going in a car or to work the next day, keep it cold. Pack it with an ice pack and eat it within a few hours of leaving the refrigerator, or reheat the turkey to 165°F just before you eat a warm version. Do not leave a sandwich with turkey, cheese, or mayonnaise on the counter through a long afternoon. A dry sandwich, without mayonnaise, travels a little better, and you can add sauce when you arrive. Use leftover turkey within the same 3- to 4-day window you would use for any other leftover meat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat leftover turkey cold in a sandwich?
Yes, if the turkey was refrigerated within 2 hours and is still within 3 to 4 days. If you prefer it warm, reheat the turkey to 165°F.
How do I keep a leftover turkey sandwich from getting soggy?
Toast the bread, and keep wet ingredients such as cranberry sauce or tomatoes away from the bread itself. Wrap the sandwich just before you eat it.
Can I put leftover stuffing in the sandwich?
Yes, in a thin layer, but heat the sandwich until the stuffing and turkey reach 165°F. Do not leave a stuffing sandwich sitting out.
Helpful kitchen tools
- Stasher Silicone Reusable Food Storage Bags, 4-Pack — Useful for packing leftover turkey or a sandwich you will eat later the same day, kept cold.
- Pyrex Deep 9×13-Inch Glass Baking Dish with Lid — A lidded dish is a good way to store leftover turkey and bread separately in the refrigerator.
- OXO Good Grips Bent Icing Spatula — Handy for spreading cranberry sauce or mayonnaise in a thin layer.
- Everyday White Porcelain Oval Serving Platter, 16-Inch — A simple platter can hold a stack of sandwiches if you are feeding a few people at once.
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