The turkey cranberry panini is the ultimate sandwich for transforming holiday leftovers into something truly irresistible. It combines tender slices of roasted turkey with sweet-tart cranberry sauce, melty cheese, and crispy bread for a warm, comforting bite that perfectly balances savory and sweet flavors.
This panini starts with hearty slices of sourdough, ciabatta, or any rustic bread that can hold up to the fillings and the grilling process. Spread one side with cranberry sauce, which adds a bright, fruity tang that cuts through the richness of the turkey. Layer on slices of roasted turkey – whether fresh from Thanksgiving dinner or deli-style – and then add cheese. Brie is a luxurious choice that melts beautifully and adds creaminess, but Swiss, provolone, or sharp white cheddar also work wonderfully.
For extra flavor, some like to add a smear of Dijon mustard or a handful of baby spinach or arugula for a peppery bite. A few slices of crispy bacon can also turn this already delicious sandwich into something truly indulgent.
Once assembled, the sandwich is brushed with a little butter or olive oil on the outside and pressed on a panini grill or cooked in a skillet until the bread turns golden brown and crisp, and the cheese melts into gooey perfection.
The result is a warm, crunchy, melty panini with the perfect blend of savory turkey, creamy cheese, and tangy cranberry sauce. Itās a comforting yet elevated way to enjoy leftover turkey or simply create a festive meal any time of year.
Serve it with a simple green salad, a cup of tomato soup, or even some kettle chips for a satisfying lunch or dinner. As for drinks, a crisp cider, sparkling water with lemon, or even a glass of Chardonnay pairs beautifully with this panini.
Whether enjoyed the day after Thanksgiving or made anytime you’re craving something cozy and delicious, the turkey cranberry panini is comfort food at its finest.
Ingredients
- 2 slices bread use your favorite type, such as sourdough or ciabatta
- 100 grams cooked turkey sliced
- 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce store-bought or homemade
- 2 slices cheese such as brie or Swiss
- 1 tablespoon butter softened, for spreading
Instructions
- Preheat your panini press or a skillet over medium heat.
- Spread butter on one side of each bread slice.
- On the unbuttered side of one slice, layer the turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese.
- Top with the second bread slice, buttered side out.
- Place the sandwich in the panini press or skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes, until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from heat, slice, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
This panini is amazing! The flavors really pop together. I used cranberry sauce from scratch and it was worth it. šā¤ļø
I totally agree! Homemade cranberry sauce takes it to the next level! šļø
Yum!! Simple and nice. Did not have a panini press, just used a frying pan and it worked fine. Will do this again for sure!
I followed it pretty much exactly, but my cheese didnāt melt as much as I wanted. Maybe my heat was too low? Still tasty though.
I didn’t have a panini press, so I just used a regular skillet. It turned out fine, but I feel like I missed out! āāā
I donāt get why everyone loves this so much. The cranberryās too sweet with the turkey. Gave it a shot but wonāt make it again.
I totally get where youāre coming from! Itās definitely a unique combo, but not everyone is a fan of sweet toppings with savory. Have you tried adding different spreads?
Who puts cheese on turkey sandwiches? This is weird. I probably wonāt try again. āā
I totally get it! Cheese on turkey sounds odd to some, but it actually works really well! You should give it a shot, it might surprise you! š§
I burned the bread the first time. Medium heat is still too hot for my stove apparently. Second try was perfect and the cheese finally melted right.
Too much cranberry for my taste, maybe just a dab next time. Other than that, itās ok š āāā
Meh, it was alright I guess. Not sure what the hype is about… Cheese and turkey? Kinda boring!
I totally get what you mean! I thought it would be more exciting, but it was just okay for me too.
Really easy, but I worry 4-5 minutes might not fully melt the cheese if the bread is thick. Maybe lower heat or press longer?
This is an amazing sandwich! I added a bit of spinach for extra crunch. Yum!
Looks simpel but good! I will use ciabatta and melt the cheese a bit longer cuz i like it extra gooey. Thanks!
Brie felt too fancy for me, lol. I swapped in cheddar and it was decent, though not as āsmoothā as Swiss.
Swiss? Brie? Iām not sure thereās a big difference, honestly. Iād probably just use whatever cheese I have. 4-5 minutes in a skillet seems short thoāmy bread usually takes longer or it gets burned on the outside.
Totally get thatāBrie can feel fancy š Cheddar sounds like a great ācozierā swap. Did you find it melts easier or just different flavor-wise?
LOL! This recipe is easy peasy. I canāt believe anyone would mess it up. Just toast it!
It’s not that easy for everyone! I struggled last time I tried a panini.
My kids loved this! It’s so easy to prepare, and I didn’t even have to cook the turkey myself! Thanks for the recipe!
Yea, but isn’t it just a glorified grilled cheese? I dunno, seems kinda easy. Anyone can just slap turkey on bread.
So glad to hear that! This recipe is a lifesaver for busy parents. My kids loved it too!
really good, but i used cheddar instead of brie… not bad tho but who can turn down cheddar?
Why do you need to butter the bread? Seems like extra work.
I love turkey and cranberry together. This is like a Thanksgiving sandwich!
Mine came out a little soggy because my cranberry sauce was runny. Next time Iāll use a thicker sauce or drain it a bit. Still tasty though.
Maybe your heat was a little low? If it doesnāt crisp fast, any extra moisture will hang around. I usually warm the sauce slightly so it spreads, but not so wateryāotherwise yeah soggy city š
Good catch. Iāve had that happen tooārunny cranberry sauce just makes everything go soggy. Next time Iād either simmer it down a bit or put a thin layer and blot the sauce off the top of the turkey.
Not gonna lie, Iām skeptical about cranberry sauce in a hot cheese sandwich. But I tried it and the sweet-salty balance actually worked.
I burnt mine! š Be careful with the heat! Maybe just use the oven next time. āā
Yikes! I nearly set mine on fire too! š Oven sounds safer for sure!
Brie with cranberry is elite. I usually add a little Dijon too, but even as written I bet it slaps.
It was okay, but I think the brie was too much. Maybe try a milder cheese next time.
Honestly, not sure what you mean. The brie makes the panini fancy! But yeah, try Swiss if you like that.
I love brie! But I get what you’re saying, maybe a Gouda would work better for some people.
Not gonna lie, 4-5 minutes feels a little short to melt cheese evenly in a skillet. Iād probably cover it with a lid for 2 minutes more.
Just… wow. So good. But where’s the turkey? I think I put too much cheese. Haha!
Sounds delicious! I love the combination of turkey and cranberry. How much cheese is too much? Haha!
I think turkey’s essential in a turkey panini! Maybe you just got confused? Don’t worry about the cheese, it can be awesome- or it can ruin it! Just depends on taste.
Just made it and the cheese melted perfectly. Really satisfying, like a warm deli melt.
I made it with ciabatta bread and it was yumm! I added spinach too, just for some green š©āš³. āāāāā
Simple and delicious! I used leftover turkey from Thanksgiving and it was perfect! Can’t believe I never thought of this before.
My husband is picky, but he devoured it! Finally found a way to get him to eat turkey.
Turkey on a sandwich is just wrong. #TeamHam
Just made this, but I used leftover chicken instead of turkey. Still turned out delicious! š¤¤
Using leftover chicken? That’s a great idea! I might try that next time for a change. š
I dunno, isn’t turkey kinda the point? š¤ But if it worked for you, then that’s cool, I guess.
This panini is fantastic! The combo of turkey and cranberry is spot on. Family loved it too! āāāāā
I don’t have a panini press, just a skillet. Will it still work? Like do I need a lid or something?
Yepā100% works in a skillet. No panini press needed. Iād put it in a hot skillet over medium heat and use a lid (or foil) so the cheese melts and it warms through. You can also press it with a spatula or a heavy pan for a couple minutes per side.
Iām not into cranberries, could I use ketchup instead?
I don’t know about cranberries on a sandwich… sounds weird to me. Just sticking with turkey and cheese from now on. Pass!
I mean, do what you want. But really, it ain’t that weird! Sweet and savory can be a good mix. I think youād be surprised!
Cranberries add a nice sweetness! You gotta try it before you knock it. Itās way better than just turkey and cheese. āŗļø
Could you use like a different sauce instead of cranberry? Not much a fan of that. Trying mayo?!
AMAZING! Perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers. I made it with ciabatta, loved it!
I’m glad you loved it! Ciabatta is a great choice for paninis. Did you try any other fillings?
Too simple! I was expecting something more complicated. This is just basic.
I think sometimes simple is best! Not everything has to be complicated to taste good.
Not gonna lie, panini press instructions are kinda vague. Like what setting? Also āuse your favorite typeā is broad, man.
Totally get youāpanini presses vary a ton. I usually do medium heat and watch for that golden-brown crust, but yeah āabout 4-5 minutesā isnāt super helpful.
I think āfavorite typeā is fineāsourdough is best tho. And if your cheese doesnāt melt, go a little longer. Mine took like 7 min on low-ish.
Meh. It tastes like a normal turkey sandwich with a little sweet sauceā¦ couldāve used more turkey or different cheese.
I get what you mean. I love cranberry, but if you go light on the turkey it can feel more like āsweet grilled cheeseā than a real panini. Next time Iād add an extra sliceās worth of turkey.
Hmā¦ I actually thought the balance was perfect. The brie (or Swiss) plus cranberry sauce makes it taste fancy, not just turkey-on-bread. Maybe try more salty cheese if you want it less sweet?
I didn’t grease the pan, and it totally stuck! Lesson learned š . Still, the taste was good!
This panini was absolutely delicious! The combination of turkey and cranberry is genius. I’ll definitely make it again.
I’ve never tried a panini before. Is this really what they taste like? Looks kinda weird.
Yes, they taste amazing! The sweet and savory combo is so good! You should definitely try it!
I dunno, they look kinda gross to me… like a melted mess. But maybe you’ll like it?
Tasted great! I used leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. Quick and tasty lunch!
That sounds delicious! I love using leftovers creatively. Can’t wait to try it!
Leftover turkey? I can’t imagine it tasting that good. Isn’t it dry?
Pretty tasty, but I think 2 tbsp cranberry sauce is a lotāmine got a little messy and slid around. Next time Iāll use less or spread it thinner.
I used brie and it got all oozy, which I loved. Bread got golden but next time Iāll press a bit longer.
Interestingāmine never gets that melty with brie unless I use lower heat. Maybe 4-5 min is too short? Either way, Iām trying your āpress longerā idea.
Yes!! Brie being oozy is the best part š Pressing longer definitely helps everything meld together too.
Brie is a little too fancy/soft for me on a hot panini pressāit oozed everywhere. Flavor was good though.
Yumm! So good! I forgot butter and it still turned out great! Also, who knew brie cheese could be this nice? š¤¤ 5/5
So simple but sooo good! Kids loved it too!
I made something like this but with sharp cheddar and it slapped. The cranberry sauce helps a lotāsweet + salty is the move.
Easy recipe! Just what I needed. š„Ŗ
4ā5 minutes on medium is too low IMO, especially if your cheese doesnāt melt fast. Maybe Iām just impatient, lol.
The recipe says brie or Swissābrie is expensive where I live, so I used cheddar. Turned out decent but not as fancy. Still yummy though.
meh, too sweet for my taste. cranberry overpowers the turkey.
This sandwich is a total game changer! The combo of turkey and cranberry is sooo good. I added some spinach for extra crunch. 5 stars!
This is my new go-to sandwich! So delicious and easy to make. The combination of turkey and cranberry is just perfect!
I don’t see how turkey and cranberry could be a sandwich. Sounds weird.
I totally agree! This combo is heavenly! I added some spinach for extra crunch. Yum!
This receipe is just average. I’ll stick to grilled cheese.
This is a fancy sandwich for sure! Very nice. Will make for my friends next time they come over.
Low calorie? Nah, this is a lot of butter for me. Gotta watch my waistline.
This sounds dangerously good. The cranberry + turkey + brie combo is basically holiday flavor in sandwich form. Iāll try it with sourdough for extra tang.
I burnt mine! Lol. Maybe a lil shorter cook time next time.
Yeah, paninis can be tricky! Burning it just means you’re one step closer to perfection. Don’t give up!
This panini is AMAZING! The turkey and cranberry combo is just so good. I used sourdough bread and it was perfect. 5 stars!
I thought it was alright, but my kids didnāt like it. They said it tasted like school lunch. š
Honestly, my kids didn’t like it either. Maybe it’s just the way it sounds? š¤
I used leftover Thanksgiving turkey and it was perfect! A great way to repurpose food. āāāā
Best part: no mayo. So simpleāmakes me hungry.
GREAT RECIPE!!! Will definitely make again!!
Didnt have turkey, used ham instead! Still tasty. Great recipe, but I think ham is better than turkey for this type of thing. 4 stars.
But isnāt this recipe supposed to be for turkey? I donāt know, seems a bit off to me. Still, if you liked it, thatās what matters.
I totally get that! Ham can add a nice smokiness to the sandwich. Glad you enjoyed it! š
followed the recipe step by step, but my bread got soggy š. Maybe I shouldn’t have added so much sauce?
very good, I liked it! My kids licked their plates clean! #CleanPlateClub āāāāā
Yum! Tried it with ciabatta and it was perfect!
Pretty solid quick lunch. I used ciabatta and added a tiny bit of Dijonāmade it taste more ādeliā and less plain.
This sounds like a Thanksgiving sandwich cosplay. But okayā¦ it actually works. Kids liked it too.
This sounds dangerously good. Turkey + cranberry + brie is such a festive combo, and the panini press idea makes it feel fancy without much effort.
Wasn’t great tbh. The cranberry sauce overpowered the turkey.
Nah, I think the sauce is what makes it special! But I guess everyone has different tastes.
I actually loved the cranberry sauce! It gives a nice sweetness to the turkey. Maybe you just used too much?
I don’t know about the brie, I used cheddar instead and it turned out great! But the cranberry sauce felt a bit too sweet for me.
I totally get that! Cheddar has such a strong flavor, I bet it was delicious! Maybe just add a pinch of salt to the cranberry sauce next time to balance it out a bit!
Simple and delicious, but my kids didn’t like the cranberry. Should’ve left it off.
Cranberry can be hit or miss with kids! Maybe try with just turkey and cheese next time. Still love this recipe though.
This is sooo good! I can’t believe I never thought of putting cranberry sauce on turkey. A must-try!
It’s ok but I think I prefer grilled cheese more. Didn’t love the cranberry with turkey.
Easy and tasty! I used leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. Would definitely make again!
Only 100g turkey?! Thatās likeā¦ two bites. Iād double it and then itās perfect.
I thought it was gonna be amazing but the cheese didn’t melt good for me. Maybe I did it wrong?
Yum, I love paninis! But I hav no panini press, so I grilled it in a skillet. Same outcome? š
Using a skillet works just fine! As long as you press it down while cooking, you’ll get that nice crispiness. Enjoy! š
Turkey and cranberry is a classic combo! I made mine with ciabatta and it was perfect. 10/10 would recommend!
This panini is so good! The turkey and cranberry together are a match made in heaven. š
Honestly, 4-5 minutes was spot on for my skillet, but I had to keep an eye on it because my pan runs hot. Still great.
Easy recipe! I made it for lunch and my family loved it! Will definitely do again.
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s a family favorite for me too. The combination of turkey and cranberry is just perfect!
This is sooo delicious! The cranberry and turkey go together perfectly. Love it!
I donāt get the hype, honestly. Cranberry sauce is already sweet so adding it to cheese feels weirdā¦ but maybe itās balanced?
Not sure about using store-bought cranberry sauceāit’s always kinda sweet. I’d rather use something more tart, like whole-berry if possible.
I made it with ciabatta and homemade cranberry sauce, and it was kinda Thanksgiving in sandwich form. Would absolutely do again.
Thatās such a good ideaāThanksgiving vibes but handheld. š I bet the ciabatta crust is perfect with the melty cheese. Definitely trying your version!
Yummmm!!! The cheese all melty-licious! š
I know right?! Cheese just makes everything better! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Melty cheese? Sounds great but is it really that good? I don’t know about this combo…
Brie might be kinda expensive though š Swiss is more budget-friendly. Still sounds tasty, Iād do it with whatever cheese I have.
This sounds dangerously goodāturkey + cranberry + brie is such a cozy combo. Iād totally make it with leftover holiday turkey.
Ugh! Who puts cranberry in a sandwich? Seems gross to me. Just turkey and cheese pls!
I actually love the sweet and savory combo! Give it a try, you might be surprised!
Cranberry sauce from a jar? No thanks! I made mine from scratch, much better!
Making it from scratch is definitely the way to go! Store-bought just doesn’t have that fresh taste. š
Who eats turkey and cranberry together? Isn’t that just for Thanksgiving? I don’t get it. *shrug* 2 stars.
I tried something like this but with turkey leftovers and it came out really melty. The butter-on-outside trick is the key, honestly.
Need more flavor! I added some spicy mustard and that helped a lot! But the base recipe needs a kick. Definitely not a 5 for me. 4 stars.
Iām skeptical about the cheese. Brie with turkey? Seems weird…
1 tablespoon butter???? I used way more and it was better lol. Also I cooked it like 10 mins and it got too dark. Maybe follow the instructions.
Tried this with Swiss and homemade cranberry sauceāso good. The sweet-tart combo with turkey is perfect and the cheese gets really melty in a skillet. Will make again.
Hmm, Iām not sure about the cranberry sauce partāsounds kinda sweet for turkey. Does it still taste good if you use less sauce? Also brie melts great, Swiss too I guess.
Love that comboāSwiss + cranberry sounds amazing. Iāve tried turkey with jam before but never with actual cranberry sauce like this. Definitely adding it to my list!
This is my new go-to. Iām always short on time, and 4-5 minutes is dead on. Add black pepper and youāre set.
I tried this recipe, and the cheese didn’t melt enough. Maybe I need a better panini press?
I had the same issue! Maybe try a non-stick panini press? It’ll help with melting. Good luck!
I don’t understand why people put cranberry with meat. Seems weird to me.
Cooked turkey is kinda dry sometimes, and I felt itāwish there was a bit more moisture. Could add a drizzle of mayo?
Amazing! The flavors totally blend together. My new fave!
Tried this with Swiss and homemade cranberryāso good. The sweet/savory combo is perfect. I pressed it a minute longer and the bread got extra golden.
Can i use chicken instead of turkey?
This sounds super goodāturkey + cranberry + brie is a combo I didnāt know I needed in a panini. 4-5 minutes seems right too.
I donāt have a panini press so I used a skillet and pressed it with a spatulaāstill golden bread and melty cheese. Good simple instructions.
I love a warm sandwich, but 4ā5 minutes might not be enough for meādepends on the bread. Still, the layering makes sense.
I dunno, 4-5 mins in a skillet seems too fast. Unless the pan is super hot, the cheese wonāt melt all the way š Iād cover it with a lid.
Totallyābread type makes a huge difference. I usually give mine closer to 6ā7 minutes on medium-low so the cheese fully melts without burning.
Mine came out a little soggy because my turkey was too wet. I think patting the turkey dry would help. Still edible though.
Tried this with Swissāso good. The cranberry tang + melted cheese is a perfect combo. Super quick lunch.
I tried it but my cranberry sauce kinda soaked the breadā¦ still tasty though. Next time Iāll use less sauce maybe. Quick and filling!
Yes!! I did this with Swiss too and it was SO melty. The cranberry really cuts through the richnessāperfect quick lunch.
It was ok, but I thought the cranberry sauce was too sweet. Maybe I’ll try less next time. 3/5
Confession: I used leftover deli turkey and store-bought cranberry sauce and it still turned out good. Easy weeknight meal.
Honestly, Iām skeptical about cranberry sauce in a sandwich, but I gave it a shot. It was surprisingly tastyālike Thanksgiving vibes in a panini.
Kinda weird mixing thanksgiving flavors with a sandwichā¦ but Iām still curious. Swiss might be better than brie here.
I didnāt have brie so I used cheddar and it still worked. Cranberry sauce was a little sweet thoughānext time Iāll use less.
Not gonna lie, this feels kinda randomāturkey + cranberry + brieā¦ I expected it to taste weird. It doesnāt, but I still donāt get the hype.
Really good comboāsweet cranberry with the turkey is surprisingly perfect. I used Swiss and it melted great in my skillet.