Name: Open Faced Turkey Cranberry Provolone Sandwich Melt
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 loaf French Bread, cut in half lengthwise; ½ cup Mayonnaise; 1 cup Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce; 2-3 cups Cooked Turkey, shredded; 2-3 cups Stuffing / Dressing; 6 large slices Provolone Cheese

Jump to Recipe

What’s the one thing that makes Thanksgiving leftovers even more exciting than the main feast? It’s that magical combination of savory turkey, tart cranberry, and savory stuffing, all transformed into something new. But why wait for a holiday? You can enjoy these incredible flavors any time of year with a simple, comforting, and absolutely delicious melt.

Contents

Ingredients
Timing
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Bread and Oven
Step 2: Spread the Base Layers
Step 3: Layer the Turkey and Stuffing
Step 4: Top with Cheese
Step 5: Broil to Perfection
Step 6: Cool and Serve

Nutritional Information
Healthier Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

Q1: Can I use deli turkey?
Q2: What other cheese can I use?
Q3: Can I make this without stuffing?
Q4: Is this recipe good for a crowd?

Open Faced Turkey Cranberry Provolone Sandwich Melt

Description
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

This Open Faced Turkey Cranberry Provolone Sandwich Melt is the ultimate comfort food upgrade. It takes crusty French bread and layers it with creamy mayonnaise, bright cranberry sauce, tender shredded turkey, and savory stuffing. Topped with a generous slice of provolone and broiled until bubbly and golden, it’s a warm, open-faced hug on a plate. Whether you’re using up leftovers or just craving a hearty, flavor-packed meal, this turkey cranberry melt is ready to satisfy in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

This recipe uses hearty ingredients to create a satisfying open-faced sandwich. It’s perfect for using up leftovers!

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity	Notes
French Bread	1 loaf	Cut in half lengthwise
Mayonnaise	½ cup	Light or regular
Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce	1 cup	Canned or homemade
Cooked Turkey, shredded	2-3 cups	Roasted turkey breast works perfectly
Stuffing / Dressing	2-3 cups	Leftover or prepared Stove Top
Provolone Cheese	6 large slices	Mild, creamy melting cheese

Timing

This meal comes together incredibly fast, especially if you are using leftovers.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes (broiling)
Total Time: Approximately 15 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to build a warm, melty, and flavorful sandwich that tastes like a holiday feast.

Step 1: Prepare the Bread and Oven

First, move your oven rack to the upper-middle position and set your oven to BROIL. Take your loaf of French bread and slice it in half lengthwise, creating two long boats. Place them cut-side up on a large baking sheet.

Step 2: Spread the Base Layers

Spread ¼ cup of mayonnaise evenly over the cut surface of each bread half. This adds moisture and richness. Next, spoon ½ cup of cranberry sauce onto each half and use a knife or the back of a spoon to spread it out over the mayo. The tart cranberry sauce cuts through the richness perfectly.

Actionable Tip: Using whole berry cranberry sauce adds a wonderful texture, but jellied sauce works too if you prefer a smoother layer.

Step 3: Layer the Turkey and Stuffing

Evenly arrange the 2-3 cups of shredded turkey over the cranberry sauce layer on both bread halves. Then, sprinkle the 2-3 cups of stuffing over the top of the turkey.

Actionable Tip: If your leftovers are cold from the fridge, you might want to warm the turkey and stuffing slightly in the microwave before assembling to ensure the sandwich heats through completely under the broiler.

Step 4: Top with Cheese

Lay the large slices of provolone cheese over the top of the stuffing, covering the sandwich as much as possible. The cheese acts as a delicious glue that holds everything together.

Step 5: Broil to Perfection

Place the baking sheet in the oven under the broiler. Broil for approximately 5 minutes.

Actionable Tip: Watch it carefully! Broilers can go from golden brown to burnt in seconds. You want the cheese to be bubbly and golden brown, and the edges of the bread to be toasty.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Remove the melt from the oven. Let it cool for a minute or two to allow the cheese to set slightly and the filling to stabilize. Slice each half into individual portions and serve warm.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information is an estimate per serving (assuming the loaf yields 6 generous servings).

Calories: Approx. 450-550 kcal
Protein: 25-30 g
Carbohydrates: 50-60 g
Fat: 15-20 g
Saturated Fat: 6-8 g
Sugar: 15-20 g (from cranberry sauce)

Notable Benefit: This meal provides a good amount of lean protein from the turkey.

Healthier Alternatives

While this is a comfort food indulgence, you can make a few swaps:

Whole Wheat Bread: Use a whole wheat baguette or loaf for added fiber.
Lighter Condiments: Stick to light mayonnaise or even use mashed avocado for a healthy fat alternative.
Reduced Sugar: Use a low-sugar cranberry sauce or fresh cranberry relish.
More Veggies: Add a layer of spinach or arugula under the cheese for added greens.

Serving Suggestions

This Turkey Cranberry Melt is a hearty meal on its own, but pairs well with simple sides.

Soup Combo: Serve with a bowl of butternut squash soup or turkey noodle soup for a cozy meal.
Fresh Salad: A crisp green salad with a vinaigrette helps balance the richness of the melt.
Sweet Potato Fries: Baked sweet potato fries complement the flavors of the turkey and cranberry beautifully.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

For the best melt experience, avoid these common pitfalls:

Soggy Bread: Putting too much cranberry sauce or mayo can make the bread soggy. Solution: Stick to the recommended amounts and serve immediately.
Cold Center: If using cold leftovers, the cheese might burn before the middle is hot. Solution: Briefly warm the turkey and stuffing in the microwave before assembling, or bake the sandwich at 350°F for 10 minutes before broiling the cheese.
Burning the Top: The broiler is intense. Solution: Don’t walk away! Keep an eye on it constantly during the broiling step.

Storing Tips

These melts are best eaten fresh, but leftovers can be saved.

Refrigerate: Wrap leftovers tightly in foil or place in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat: To reheat, place the sandwich on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven or toaster oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. The microwave will make the bread soft.

Conclusion

This Open Faced Turkey Cranberry Provolone Sandwich Melt is the perfect way to enjoy the best flavors of the holiday season without all the work. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying, transforming simple ingredients into a warm, cheesy, and flavorful meal. Whether it’s post-Thanksgiving or just a Tuesday night, this melt is sure to become a family favorite!

Ready to melt into deliciousness? Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think in the comments below! We love hearing your feedback. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more easy, comforting meal ideas!

FAQs

Q1: Can I use deli turkey?

Yes! Thick-sliced roasted turkey from the deli works great if you don’t have leftovers. Just pile it on generously.

Q2: What other cheese can I use?

Swiss cheese, white cheddar, or Muenster are all excellent melting cheeses that would taste delicious in this recipe.

Q3: Can I make this without stuffing?

Absolutely. If you don’t have stuffing, simply omit it. The turkey, cranberry, and cheese combination is still fantastic on its own.

Q4: Is this recipe good for a crowd?

Yes, it’s easily scalable! You can prepare multiple loaves at once on large baking sheets to feed a hungry group quickly.