This Turkey Melt with Bacon features a creamy dijonnaise sauce and is piled onto buttery, toasted sourdough. It’s an easy, flavor-packed lunch that comes together in about 15 minutes — perfect for a quick gourmet-style sandwich any day of the week.
If you want a satisfying sandwich without a long prep time, this one delivers: layers of turkey, crispy bacon, melty cheese and a tangy dijon-mayo spread all warmed on buttery bread.
Try other popular sandwich ideas like a Chicken Pesto Sandwich, Sourdough Grilled Cheese or Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwich for more quick lunches.
Why You’ll Love This Sandwich:
- A Classic. Meat, melted cheese and sauce on toasted bread is comfort food at its best.
- Simple. Minimal ingredients and easy-to-follow steps.
- Fast. Ready in under 20 minutes.
- Family Friendly. A crowd-pleaser the whole household will enjoy.
If you have leftover turkey deli meat, consider turkey and cheese roll-ups or a Turkey Club Wrap for variety.
Ingredients:
Turkey: Thinly sliced deli turkey works best. Choose a high-quality deli turkey for a fresh texture and clean flavor.
Bacon: Applewood or traditional bacon adds smoky richness — cook it until crisp for contrast with the melty cheese.
Cheese: Monterey Jack melts beautifully and complements the mustardy sauce, though provolone, Swiss or cheddar are great substitutes.
*See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts.
Substitutions and Variations:
- Swap sourdough for Italian or rye bread for a different flavor profile.
- Omit the bacon if you prefer a lighter sandwich.
- Switch cheeses — provolone, Swiss or cheddar are excellent options.
- If you don’t like plain mayo, use additional Dijon mustard or a lighter mayo to taste; the dijonnaise adds tang without an overpowering mayo flavor.
Side dishes that pair well include a Broccoli Crunch Salad, Elote Pasta Salad, High Protein Pasta Salad, or Chicken Wild Rice Soup.
How to Make a Turkey Melt:
Step 1: Stir together Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, salt and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
Step 2: Spread the dijonnaise on the inside of each slice of bread. Feel free to be generous — it adds great flavor and helps keep the sandwich moist.
Step 3: Layer shredded cheese on one slice, add turkey and bacon, then close the sandwich. Press gently to compact the layers so the sandwich cooks evenly.
Step 4: Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and melt half the butter. Place the sandwich in the skillet and cover with a lid for 2–3 minutes to warm the turkey and begin melting the cheese. Add the remaining butter to the pan, flip the sandwich, and cook until both sides are golden and the cheese is fully melted.
Step 5: Slice the sandwich in half, plate and enjoy while hot.
Expert Tips:
- Shred cheese from a block for the best melt; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that affect texture.
- Cover the sandwich briefly while it cooks to trap heat and ensure the turkey warms through and the cheese melts completely.
For more easy lunch recipes, try Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Greek Chicken Tzatziki Wraps, Turkey Cranberry Salad, or Dill Pickle Egg Salad.
More Lunch Recipe Ideas to Try:
-
Easy Cheeseburger Bowls (Deconstructed Burgers)
-
Chopped Italian Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
-
Southwest Chicken Salad
-
Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt (Panera Copycat)
If you make this Turkey Melt Recipe, please leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing how it turned out!
Recipe
Turkey Melt with Bacon
5 from 1 review
- Author: Tara Smithson
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 sandwich
Description
This Turkey Melt with Bacon is dressed with a tangy dijonnaise and piled onto buttery sourdough. Ready in about 15 minutes, it’s an easy, flavorful lunch that’s perfect when you want something quick but satisfying.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- ⅓ cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded from the block
- 4–5 slices deli turkey
- 2 slices bacon, cooked and halved (or whole if your bread is large)
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, salt and pepper until combined.
- Spread the dijonnaise on the inside of each bread slice.
- On one slice, layer shredded cheese, then turkey and bacon. Close the sandwich and press gently to seal.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and melt half the butter. Add the sandwich and cover for 2–3 minutes to warm the turkey and start melting the cheese. Add remaining butter, flip, and cook until both sides are toasted and cheese is melted.
- Slice in half and serve immediately.
Equipment
Cheese grater, nonstick skillet
Notes
- Shred cheese from a block for a smoother, better melt.
- Cover the sandwich while cooking to ensure the turkey warms and the cheese melts completely.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Stove-top
- Cuisine: American