Made with sliced turkey, sweet apples, dressed mixed greens, and sharp cheddar cheese this Turkey Apple Sandwich is reminiscent of Panera's seasonal roasted turkey sandwich. It is tangy, sweet, tart, savory, and absolutely delicious!
While Panera may have discontinued their delicious seasonal Turkey Apple Sandwich, it doesn't mean you need to give it up! You can easily recreate a similar masterpiece at home.
Using thinly sliced roasted turkey or deli turkey, cranberry walnut bread, sharp white cheddar, sweet apples, and dressed greens, this turkey apple sandwich is filled with incredible flavor and a symphony of textures.
This sandwich is filled with flavor and texture. It truly is my favorite way to enjoy a turkey sandwich and my all-time favorite recipe for Thanksgiving Leftovers.
Notes on Ingredients Needed
- Turkey: Use thinly sliced deli turkey or thinly sliced leftover Roast Turkey, or Instant Pot Turkey Breast.
- Bread: Cranberry Walnut Bread is an amazing base for this sandwich. It is chewy and the flavors of cranberry and walnut make the sandwich pop. However, whole wheat bread or store-bought grain bread are other suitable options for this sandwich.
- Sharp White Cheddar Cheese: White cheddar pairs amazingly well with sweet apples, as it is sharp and flavorful. Muenster or Sharp Cheddar work if you do not have white cheddar cheese.
- Gala Apples: Sweet, firm apples are a must for this sandwich. Gala is a great option, as is Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Golden Delicious. I do not recommend Red Delicious or Granny Smith for this turkey sandwich.
- Greens: The seasonal Panera Turkey Sandwich had a combination of kale and broccoli slaw on the sandwich. Sometimes, I use all broccoli slaw, sometimes I use all kale, and sometimes I take a shortcut and use a bagged Sweet Kale Salad which includes both.
- Poppy Seed Dressing: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade poppy seed dressing. If you opt to use a bag of Sweet Kale Salad for the greens, use the dressing included in the salad kit.
Substitutions
- Add Red Onions: While not original to the Panera Turkey Sandwich, sliced red onions add a nice sharp flavor to the sandwich and pair well with the sweet apples.
- Try it with Honey Mustard: If you aren't a fan of poppy seed dressing, dress this sandwich with honey mustard, which will add just the right sweet and tangy flavor to the overall sandwich.
- Mix up the Greens: Skip the broccoli slaw and kale combination and use green or red leaf lettuce.
- Try it with Ham: If you have leftover baked ham or Instant Pot Ham, use it in place of the turkey. It will be delicious!
More Copycat Panera Recipes
- Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Copycat Panera Greek Salad
- Puff Pastry Quiche Cups
- Cranberry Walnut Bread
If you enjoyed this Turkey Apple Sandwich, I would love for you to leave a review and comment below.
Copycat Panera Turkey Apple Sandwich
Made with sliced turkey, sweet apples, dressed mixed greens, and sharp cheddar cheese this Turkey Apple Sandwich is reminiscent of Panera's seasonal roasted turkey sandwich. It is tangy, sweet, tart, savory, and absolutely delicious!
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Servings: 4 sandwiches
Calories: 367kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped kale leaves
- ½ cup broccoli slaw
- 1 tablespoon poppy seed dressing
- 8 slices cranberry walnut bread or whole grain bread of your choice
- 8 slices sharp white cheddar cheese
- 1 large gala apple thinly sliced (or other sweet apple)
- 8-10 ounces thick sliced roasted turkey breast
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl combine the broccoli slaw, kale, and poppy seed dressing, tossing to combine.
- Layer 4 slices of bread with a slice of cheese, followed by the slaw mixture, sliced turkey, sliced apples, and an additional slice of cheese. Top with the remaining 4 slices of bread. Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
Note on Kale/Broccoli Slaw Mix: Sometimes, I use all broccoli slaw, sometimes I use all kale, and sometimes I take a shortcut and use a bagged Sweet Kale Salad which includes both.
Poppy Seed Dressing: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade poppy seed dressing. If you opt to use a bag of Sweet Kale Salad for the greens, use the dressing included in the salad kit.
Add Red Onions: While not original to the Panera Turkey Sandwich, sliced red onions add a nice sharp flavor to the sandwich and pair well with the sweet apples.
Try it with Honey Mustard: If you aren't a fan of poppy seed dressing, dress this sandwich with honey mustard, which will add just the right sweet and tangy flavor to the overall sandwich.
Mix up the Greens: Skip the broccoli slaw and kale combination and use green or red leaf lettuce.
Try it with Ham: Use ham in place of the turkey. It will be delicious!
Nutrition
Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 584mg | Potassium: 335mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 310IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 296mg | Iron: 2.5mg
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Originally published in September 2017, updated November 2023.
Monica
Pretty good, but panera's had cole slaw (apple slaw), so I made some to add to the sandwich. Satisfies my craving since they no longer have this.
Rebecca Larrison
Simply the best. I happened to find a recipe for cranberry-walnut bread in my bread machine book. I make it and it is like being at Panera, but at home. Thanks for the great recipe.
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed this sandwich Rebecca 🙂
Logan
Try it toasted. Your life will never be the same!
Kristen Chidsey
Oh yes, I love Toasted Bread. Thanks!
Easypeasylifematters
This sounds delicious!! Can't wait to give it a try 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
I hope you love it!! This is one of my most favorite sandwiches ever!
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin
I was just texting a girlfriend today about Panera Bread. We don't have one here but when we visit the in-laws they have one and as a treat for us get fresh bagels to have. It's such a treat! We've even gone there for lunch and the sandwiches are amazing! This sandwich makes me think of one similar that McAllisters has (we do have one of these) that I love except without apples. They would be a good addition! Thanks for this I'll have to remember it and I've only got 2 more weeks before we're near a Panera Bread!
Kristen Chidsey
Tricia, Panera is so good! But you can make this at home. I hope you try it!
Cathy
My mouth is watering! 🙂 One of my favorite sdandwiches!! Looks great! 🙂
Cathy
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Cathy!
Diana Rambles
That looks better than Panera!!
Kristen Chidsey
Diana, I would have to agree it is better than Panera :)Hope you try!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running
I love it when restaurant dishes are easy to figure out how to recreate. I did that once with a mussels and chorizo dish, and our homemade version was so delicious that we've made it multiple times since that first attempt.
Kristen Chidsey
Oh boy Kathryn--that mussel and chorizo dish sounds fabulous!
Aspen
I toasted the bread, added garlic sandwich sauce, and warmed up the Turkey for 35 seconds with thin layer of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top 🙂 delicious!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
Oh, this is my favorite sandwich from Panera! I love the idea of making it at home for a quick and easy lunch.
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Ashley. It is my favorite too--I think you will LOVE it!
Amanda @bephoenixfit
Thanks for posting this! My kids love to eat Panera sandwiches, and this would be a great one to make at home this weekend. Yum!
Kristen Chidsey
Your kids will devour this one! I hope you try it out soon!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
Gorgeous sandwich Kristen! Love apples and cheddar with turkey, such a treat. Will have to remember this post-Thanksgiving! Glad you found what you needed after a super long day (including inspiration!) and glad things went well at your appointment. xo
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Allie--it was a good appointment and a great sandwich (but homemade better!) Hope you give this a try post-T day 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld
This is my all time favorite sandwich from Panera- Making it!
Kristen Chidsey
YEA!!! I hope you LOVE it as much (or more than Panera!!)
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
It sounds delicious, Kristen! I love Panera sandwiches too...a good copycat sounds fabulous to me!
Kristen Chidsey
YOu will love it Michelle!
Fallecia
I used to work at Panera Bread you can buy cole slaw mix and fuji apple dressing and use fuji apples to make the apples slaw they use. You can even just eat the slaw as a side too.
Kristen Chidsey
Very true, my version is just a bit cheaper and cleaner 😉 And the slaw is delicious as a salad! Great suggestion!
Monica
I knew it had coleslaw, but didn't know about the fuji apple dressing. Please elaborate. Thanks.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Monica! This recipe does not have the coleslaw, but instead replicates the flavor by using sliced apples and a honey mustard dressing. Feel free to mix some shredded cabbage with the honey mustard and add diced apples and use that for this sandwich. Enjoy!