A delicious turkey pesto sandwich piled high with roasted turkey breast, italian meats, basil pesto, and cheese. This pesto sandwich is about to up your sandwich game to the next level.

two sandwich halves stacked on each other with jar of pesto in the background.

There are few things my husband loves more than sandwiches. I mean he loves Jesus, me, and our sons, but I honestly think sandwiches may be next.

I created this Spicy Italian Turkey Pesto Sandwich recipe with him in mind. It is piled high with Boar's head turkey and soppressata, finely chopped giardiniera and pesto are pressed into a golden brown demi baguette, fresh mozzarella, thick slices of tomato, and baby arugula leaves. Think of this sandwich as an italian sub combined with a pesto grilled cheese combined with a turkey sandwich.

Ingredients:

Demi French Baguette (you could also use sourdough bread!
olive oil
turkey breast lunch meat
sopressata
lemon pesto
giardiniera, chopped fine
tomato slices
fresh mozzarella cheese
fresh baby arugula

How to Make a Turkey Pesto Sandwich

sliced baguette halves toasting in cast iron skillet.

Begin by slicing your demi baguette in half lengthwise. Heat a cast iron skillet with 1 tbsp. olive oil over medium heat. Place bread on hot skillet, cut side down and allow to brown, about 3-4 minutes.

While your bread is toasting, prepare the rest of your sandwich toppings. I like to chop the giardineria up finely so that it really gets into the nooks and crannies of the crusty bread!

Remove grilled bread from skillet and spread pesto on to the cut side of the bottom of the loaf. Add giardineria and remaining toppings. Finish with the other browned piece of baguette and serve.

Want to make this into a turkey pesto grilled cheese? Simply follow the previous steps and finish it on a panini press for 3-4 minutes until the mozzarella cheese is melted!

Variations and Tips

This sandwich can also be made on the panini press instead of a cast iron skillet. Simply add all ingredients in between the slices of baguette and carefully transfer to the press and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the turkey pesto panini is cooked through.
Add roasted red peppers for color and a bit of sweetness.
Provolone cheese can be used in place of mozzarella.
Baby spinach can take the place of arugula in this pesto turkey sandwich.
Use a few slices of sourdough bread or a ciabatta roll.
For the sliced turkey, leftover turkey from a carved turkey can be used if it's the season for it!

finished turkey pesto sandwich cut in half shown on white crinkled paper from overhead.

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