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    Home » Sandwiches

    Published: Nov 20, 2022 · Modified: Dec 27, 2022 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Turkey and Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese

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    A title text picture for a Turkey and Gouda Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

    Turkey and Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Apple is a MUST for all grilled cheese lovers! Trust me when I tell you that leftover turkey has never tasted so good!!

    A Turkey and Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese sandwich with bacon and apple.

    **Note - The following recipe post or category contains affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration. By clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

    Jump to:
    • The ingredients needed
    • Ingredient savvy
    • The easy instructions
    • Recommended kitchen equipment
    • How long will this sandwich last in the refrigerator
    • How to reheat after refrigeration
    • How many sandwiches does this recipe make
    • Can deli turkey work instead of leftover turkey slices
    • Can another cheese be substituted for the smoked Gouda
    • Can the honey mustard mayonnaise be replaced
    • What to serve along side this grilled turkey, cheese and bacon sandwich
    • Printable Recipe Card

    The ingredients needed

    A visual ingredient list for making Turkey and Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese.

    The above ingredient image was made using Canva Design. It's one of my very favorite design tools. You don't need to be a food blogger to use Canva. All you need to be is someone who loves designing graphics. Check them out if you're interested and a whole new world of artistic expression will be opened to you.

    Ingredient savvy

    I love smoked Gouda, which is why I chose it for this grilled cheese sandwich. Smoked Gouda has a nutty smoked flavor. It's buttery and creamy with a sweet and salty vibe. I urge you to use the smoked Gouda if you can but feel free to use a non-smoked variety if needed or preferred.

    A loaf of good Italian bread is a tasty choice for this sandwich because it offers an excellent bread-to-filling ratio. Sliced Italian bread supplies an incredible crunchy bite (especially when grilled) and a lightly chewy texture.

    I developed this grilled turkey and cheese sandwich recipe because I had leftover turkey slices from making my Brown Bag Roast Turkey recipe. Of course, this recipe doesn't need leftover turkey slices, but it's an excellent way to use them if you do! Feel free to use deli turkey slices if needed.

    Bacon is an entirely optional ingredient for this sandwich (but not if you ask my husband), but it compliments the smoky flavor of the cheese nicely. Feel free to use your favorite variety or even the precooked bacon found in the market.

    The apple slices nicely balance the flavor of this smoky grilled cheese sandwich by adding a fresh, bright sweetness. I used a Gala apple, but feel free to use your favorite tangy, crisp apple variety.

    I opted to use a mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and honey mixture for the outside of the bread as opposed to butter. Butter is always an excellent choice for making a grilled cheese sandwich, but the sweet honey, mayo, and mustard sauce is a delicious change from the ordinary. It can also serve as a dipping sauce for the completed sandwich. YUM!!

    The easy instructions

    Mix together the mayo, Dijon mustard, and honey.

    Spread the mayo mixture on the underside slices of the Italian bread.

    A glass bowl with honey mayo mustard dipping sauce.
    Mustard mayo being added to bread with a spatula.

    Grate the smoked cheese,

    and cut an apple into ¼" slices.

    A block of Gouda cheese being grated on a box grater.
    Apples being slices for a sandwich.

    Time to assemble the sandwich, add a layer of the shredded cheese,

    a layer of turkey slices,

    Shredded cheese being added to a grilled cheese sandwich before cooking.
    Leftover turkey slices being added to a grilled cheese sandwich before cooking.

    a layer of apple slices,

    and additional shredded cheese.

    Apple slices being added to a sandwich for grilling.
    Shredded cheese being added to a grilled cheese sandwich before cooking.

    Top with 2 slices of bacon per sandwich,

    and add the final slice of bread that's been spread with the mayo mixture.

    Bacon slices being added to a sandwich.
    Mayo mustard being spread on the bread of a sandwich.

    Grill the sandwich in a large skillet over medium/high until the cheese begins to melt.

    Gently flip after 2-3 minutes.

    A grilled cheese sandwich with turkey and bacon in a skillet.
    A browned Turkey and Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese Sandwich in a skillet.

    and use a press or a spatula to flatten the sandwich as it grills.

    If needed, keep the sandwiches warm on a baking sheet fitted with a rack in a low oven (300 degrees) while additional sandwiches are made.

    A round sandwich press in a skillet.
    Two Turkey and Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese Sandwiches on a wire rack.

    Serve with the remaining Dijon mustard and mayo dipping sauce and enjoy!

    A grilled cheese with turkey sandwich and apples in the background.

    Recommended kitchen equipment

    Because this sandwich has many small components, the flip can be a little tricky. I found that pressing the sandwich with a bacon press (or sandwich press) while it's cooking helps make that process easier without as many ingredients falling out.

    I also recommend a panini press when making these sandwiches (not shown here). That way, there is no flipping involved, and you'll get pretty grill marks on each sandwich.

    How long will this sandwich last in the refrigerator

    Wrapped well in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container this grilled turkey and cheese sandwich will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

    How to reheat after refrigeration

    Always choose uncovered in an oven or air fryer for a crispy sandwich. I'd recommend 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes.


    However, if crispy doesn't matter to you upon reheating, a microwave will work fine to heat the sandwich and melt the cheese.

    How many sandwiches does this recipe make

    As written, this recipe makes three large sandwiches. That said, if you have a lot of turkey slices, this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if needed.

    Can deli turkey work instead of leftover turkey slices

    Yes. Always. Use what you have.

    Can another cheese be substituted for the smoked Gouda

    You bet! Use what you love and if slices of cheese work best for you instead of shredded cheese, use that. It's your sandwich. Make it your way!

    Can the honey mustard mayonnaise be replaced

    Feel free to use butter on the bread in place of the honey mustard sauce if you'd rather.


    There's never anything wrong with using butter to make a grilled cheese sandwich, but if you want your sandwich to be indescribably unique, I urge you to use the sweet mustard mayonnaise.

    What to serve along side this grilled turkey, cheese and bacon sandwich

    Crunchy, healthy, and completely addictive. This Sunflower Crunch Kale and Cabbage Salad has it ALL going on!! Dig in! You're going to love this colorful salad!

    If you like crunchy food and you're also a fan of sweet potatoes, then these Homemade Fried Sweet Potato Chips with sweet and smoky flavor are what you'll crave.

    Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies are delicious cookies that are crispy on the outside, soft, and chewy on the inside with a big hit of chocolate flavor!

    A leftover Turkey and Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese Sandwich with dipping sauce.

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. See you there!!

    ⭐If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating on the recipe card, along with a comment if you're so inclined. Thank you. 🙂

    Printable Recipe Card

    A turkey and smoked Gouda grilled cheese sandwich that's been cut in half.

    Turkey and Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese

    Renee Goerger
    Turkey and Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese with BACON and APPLE is a MUST for all grilled cheese lovers! Trust me when I tell you that leftover turkey has never tasted so good.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course dinner - sandwich, Easy Main Course, lunch - sandwich, Sandwich
    Cuisine American
    Servings 3 servings
    Calories 992 kcal

    Equipment

    • Large Skillet
    • bacon press optional
    • panini press optional
    • slotted spatula
    • Mixing Bowls
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • cutting board
    • chef's knife
    • silicone spatula
    • box grater
    • parchment paper

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 6 slices Italian bread
    • 9 slices turkey breast leftovers work great
    • 6 slices bacon precooked
    • 1 medium gala apple cut into ¼" slices
    • 8 ounces smoked Gouda cheese shredded

    Instructions
     

    • Stir together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and honey in a medium-sized bowl.
    • Working on top of a sheet of parchment paper, spread a thin layer of the mustard mayo onto one side of 3 slices of bread. Place the bread mayo side down.
    • Top the bread with an even layer of shredded cheese. Top the cheese evenly with the turkey slices, apple slices, and another layer of shredded cheese, reserving a tiny bit of cheese for one final layer.
    • Add two bacon strips to each sandwich and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Top each sandwich with the final slices of bread spread with the mustard mayonnaise (mayo side up).
    • Heat a large skillet on medium/high heat. Add the sandwiches (one at a time) to the skillet and cook each sandwich on the first side for 3-4 minutes until golden. Gently flip the sandwiches and press each sandwich with a spatula or sandwich press. Cook each sandwich for an additional 3-4 minutes until golden and the cheese has melted.
    • To keep the sandwiches warm while making the remaining sandwiches preheat oven to 300 degrees. Add the sandwiches to a baking sheet fitted with a rack and keep the sandwiches on the rack inside the oven.
    • Slice the sandwiches in half and serve with the remaining honey mustard mayo for dipping.

    Notes

    Wrap the sandwiches well with plastic wrap or inside a airtight container and refrigerate up to 4 days.
    For a crispy sandwich place the sandwich on a baking sheet and reheat in a preheated 350 degree oven for 5-7 minutes. 
    Or warm in a microwave (covered with a paper towel) to heat the sandwich, and melt the cheese.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Calories: 992kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 29gFat: 81gSaturated Fat: 31gPolyunsaturated Fat: 23gMonounsaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 1413mgPotassium: 364mgFiber: 3gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 507IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 545mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!

    Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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