Description
This Applewood Smoked Turkey Melt with Cranberry Whiskey Glaze offers a delightful combination of smoky flavors and sweet-tart notes!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 slices applewood smoked turkey breast
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 slices whole wheat artisan bread
- 2 tbsp whiskey (bourbon preferred)
- ½ cup fresh cranberries
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp butter (for grilling)
- Fresh rosemary (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Begin by combining the fresh cranberries, whiskey, brown sugar, and orange zest in a medium-sized saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally to combine the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for about 8–10 minutes, or until the cranberries have softened and the glaze has thickened into a syrup-like consistency. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning, and feel free to mash some cranberries with the back of a spoon for a smoother texture. Once done, remove the saucepan from heat and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Now it’s time to build your delicious melts. Start by taking 4 slices of the whole wheat artisan bread and layering each with 2 slices of the applewood smoked turkey breast. Next, drizzle about 2 tablespoons of the prepared cranberry glaze over the turkey on each sandwich. On top of the glaze, place a slice of sharp cheddar cheese and finally finish with the remaining slices of bread to create your sandwich. Make sure your sandwiches are assembled tightly so that the cheese melts properly during grilling.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt approximately ½ tablespoon of butter in the pan for each sandwich. Once the butter has melted and is bubbling, carefully place each assembled sandwich into the skillet. Grill the sandwiches for about 3–4 minutes on each side or until they turn a golden, crispy brown and the cheese is melty. You may want to adjust the heat as necessary to ensure the bread gets crispy without burning before the cheese adequately melts. Once they’re grilled to perfection, remove the sandwiches from the skillet and let them rest for a minute before slicing.
Notes
This melt is perfect for any occasion and can easily be customized with different proteins or vegetables!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch
Nutrition
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Protein: 32 g