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.