Stacked high with vegetables and avocado, this layered sandwich is one of my favorites. I think you’ll enjoy it also!
What Makes a Club Sandwich a Club Sandwich?
A club sandwich can have lots of different parts and layers to it. In my opinion, the only thing that makes a club sandwich a club sandwich is two distinct layers, each with some protein element. For this Ultimate Club, I do one section with turkey, cheese, and lettuce, and then a second section with bacon, avocado, and tomato. It’s pretty great!
This Version vs. The Classic Club
The classic version of a club sandwich usually uses deli turkey or ham for ease, but I like roasting my own turkey if I have the time. It’s super tender and more flavorful in my opinion. Also, rather than jarred mayo, I like to roast garlic to make a tasty aioli. It’s a small upgrade to the sandwich but really makes a difference!
Tips for Making Homemade Turkey Breast
A turkey breast is much easier to roast than a whole turkey. You don’t have to worry about part of the turkey over-cooking. I recommend getting half of a turkey breast, which is usually two to three pounds, with the bone in and skin on. Drizzle it with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast it at 350 ̊F until the turkey breast is 165 ̊F in the thickest part of the breast. This will usually take 60-70 minutes, but the only way to know for sure is to use a meat thermometer to test the temperature. Once it reaches temperature, let it cool for at least 10 minutes, and then slice it thinly for sandwiches.
Tips for Making Crispy Bacon
In my opinion, crispy bacon is essential on a club sandwich. The easiest way to make crispy, uniform bacon is by baking it in the oven! Check out my full tutorial on how to do just that!
The Best Bread for Club Sandwiches
There are a million different kinds of bread one could use for a sandwich like this, but I keep it simple for my club sandwiches: white sandwich bread. Toast it, and it’s perfect for a club sandwich.
Ways to Adapt This Club Sandwich
This sandwich is pretty versatile, actually. I think turkey and bacon are pretty essential, as well as some sort of spread (like mayo). Other than that, go crazy! Here are a few ideas to change it up:
SproutsThinly sliced red onionSwitch out cheddar for Swiss cheeseMake it spicy with a drizzle of sriracha
Can You Make This Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! In fact, every piece of this sandwich can be made in advance. Roast the turkey, make the aioli, and bake the bacon all well in advance. Then, when you are in a sandwich mood, just toss it all together! All the individual pieces will keep well in the fridge for five to seven days.
What to Serve With Club Sandwiches
Pickles and potato chips are a classic club sandwich serving side. I like to serve mine with a big salad though, either green salad or potato salad would be nice. It’s such a hearty sandwich that I like a lighter side dish for serving.
More Sandwich Recipes
Turkey Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Pickled Onions Toasted Turkey Cranberry Arugula Sandwich Hot Turkey Sandwich Cuban Sandwich (Cubano) Grilled Cheese BLT
I like to bake my bacon so the pieces are really uniform and crispy. Check out my full tutorial on baking bacon in the oven!
1 (2 to 3) pound turkey breast, bone-in and skin-on 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 12 slices bacon 1 loaf (18 slices) white sandwich bread 6 slices sharp cheddar cheese 3 avocados, pitted and sliced 2 tomatoes 1 head romaine lettuce
For the garlic aioli:
1 head garlic 1 cup mayonnaise Juice from 1/2 lemon Pinch salt
Let the bacon grease cool. Then remove the foil and place new foil over the baking sheet. You will roast the turkey breast on the same sheet. When the turkey breast has 40 minutes remaining, add the foil-wrapped head of garlic to the sheet pan with the turkey. Top one bread slice with lettuce, 4-6oz sliced turkey, and 2 slices of cheese. Then add another slice of bread (center slice). Top with 2 strips of bacon, 1/2 an avocado, and 2 slices of tomato. Top with the last slice of bread. Leftovers! I recommend assembling the sandwiches right before serving, but you can make the pieces well in advance. The turkey, bacon, and aioli will all keep well in the fridge for 5-7 days.
