Description
A delicious and savory twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich featuring whole wheat sourdough bread, sharp white cheddar, thinly sliced tart apples, fresh sage, and tender deli turkey. This Apple Grilled Cheese with Turkey recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, ideal for a hearty lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Spreads
- 4 slices whole wheat bread (bakery whole wheat sourdough recommended)
- ¼ cup apple butter
- 1 tablespoon light butter spread, plus additional for grilling
Fillings
- ½ tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 scant teaspoon dry rubbed sage
- 2 ounces freshly grated sharp white cheddar cheese
- 1 firm tart or semi-tart apple (such as Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp), thinly sliced
- 6 ounces good-quality deli turkey meat
Instructions
- Prepare the Cooking Surface: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat or preheat your panini press to medium-high to ensure even cooking and melting of the cheese.
- Spread Apple Butter: Spread 1 tablespoon of apple butter evenly over each of the four slices of bread. This adds a sweet, fruity layer that pairs wonderfully with the savory ingredients.
- Assemble the Sandwich: On two of the apple-buttered bread slices, layer half the sage, half the grated cheddar cheese, a layer of thinly sliced apple, and all the deli turkey. Top each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, apple butter side down.
- Butter the Outside: Generously butter the outside of each sandwich to help achieve a golden, crispy crust during grilling.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Place the sandwiches on the warm skillet or in the preheated panini press. Cook each side on the stovetop for 2 to 4 minutes over low heat until the bread is toasty and golden brown and the cheese is melted. If using a panini press, grill until the sandwich is hot and the bread is crispy, adding additional butter or nonstick spray as needed to prevent sticking.
- Serve: Remove the grilled sandwiches from the heat, slice them, and serve hot for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use low heat on the stovetop to ensure the cheese melts without burning the bread.
- Choose tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance against the sweetness of the apple butter and richness of the cheese.
- Fresh sage gives the sandwich a bright herbal note, but dry rubbed sage can be substituted if fresh is unavailable.
- If you prefer a stronger cheese flavor, consider using aged white cheddar.
- This recipe makes 2 sandwiches but can be easily doubled for more servings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
