What makes this club sandwich the ULTIMATE? Oven-roasted turkey, crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a homemade garlic aioli! This club sandwich takes a little time to build, but it’s worth every step.
In this recipe
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What is a club sandwich?
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Prepare homemade turkey breast
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Tips for crispy bacon
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Bread for club sandwiches
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Customize this sandwich
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Make-ahead tips
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What to serve with club sandwiches
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More sandwich recipes
BE PICTURED IN; CHARACTERIZED IN:
The club sandwich is something very special. While it’s generally made with deli turkey, I like to roast a whole turkey breast and thinly slice it for this ultimate version. With the oven on, it’s worth making some crispy bacon and a homemade roasted garlic aioli, too!
What makes a club sandwich a club sandwich?
A club sandwich can have many different parts and layers. In my opinion, the only thing that makes a club sandwich a club sandwich is two different layers, each with a protein element.
For this Ultimate Club, I’ll do one section with turkey, cheese, and lettuce, and then a second section with bacon, avocado, and tomato. It’s pretty awesome!
This version vs The Classic Club
The classic version of a club sandwich usually uses turkey or ham for convenience, but I like to roast my own turkey when I have the time. It’s super tender and, in my opinion, spicier.
Also, I prefer roasting garlic to jar mayonnaise to make a delicious aioli. It’s a small upgrade to the sandwich but really makes a difference!
Tips for preparing homemade turkey breast
A turkey breast is much easier to roast than a whole turkey. You don’t have to worry about any part of the turkey overcooking.
I recommend going with half a turkey breast, which usually weighs two to three pounds, with the bone and skin on. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and fry at 350 ̊F until turkey breast is 165 ̊F at thickest part of breast. This usually takes 60-70 minutes, but the only way to know for sure is to use a meat thermometer to test the temperature.
Once it’s up to temperature, let it cool for at least 10 minutes, then slice thinly for sandwiches.
Tips for making crispy bacon
In my opinion, crispy bacon should not be missing on a club sandwich. The easiest way to make crispy, even bacon is to bake 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 types of bread you 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 customize this club sandwich
This sandwich is actually quite versatile. I think turkey and bacon are pretty important, as is some kind of spread (like mayo). Otherwise go crazy! Here are a few ideas to change it:
- sprouts
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Swap cheddar for Swiss cheese
- Make it spicy with a drizzle of Sriracha
can you do this in advance
Absolutely! In fact, every slice of this sandwich can be made ahead of time. Roast the turkey, make the aioli, and bake the bacon all well in advance. Then when you’re in a sandwich mood, just throw it all together! All individual pieces will keep in the fridge for a good five to seven days.
What to serve with club sandwiches
Pickles and potato chips are a classic club sandwich side dish. I like to serve mine with a large salad though, either green salad or potato salad would be nice. It’s such a hearty sandwich that I like to have a lighter side to serve it with.
More sandwich recipes
- Turkey grilled cheese sandwich with pickled onions
- Roasted Turkey Cranberry Arugula Sandwich
- Hot turkey sandwich
- Cuban Sandwich (Cubano)
- Grilled Cheese BLT
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Check out this classic turkey club sandwich recipe
The ultimate club sandwich
This recipe makes six sandwiches to serve a large family for dinner or to use for lunch all week. You can roast the turkey and cook the bacon, then refrigerate to assemble sandwiches throughout the week.
I like to bake my bacon so that the pieces are really even and crispy. Check out my full Oven Baking Bacon Tutorial!
ingredients
For the sandwich fillings:
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1 (2 to 3) lb turkey breast, with bone and skin
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2 tablespoon olive oil
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1 teaspoon kosher salt
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1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
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12 slices bacon
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1 bread (18 slices) white sandwich bread
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6 slices sharp cheddar cheese
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3 avocadospitted and sliced
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2 tomatoes
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1 head romaine lettuce
For the garlic aioli:
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1 head garlic
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1 Cup mayonnaise
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juice out 1/2 lemon
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prize Salt
method
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Prepare bacon:
Line a baking sheet with foil, then cover with a wire rack (biscuit cooling rack). Place the strips of bacon on the wire rack perpendicular to the wires, making sure the bacon pieces do not overlap.
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bake bacon:
Place the bacon in a cold oven and set the temperature to 375°F. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Check the bacon around the 18 minute mark. Some bacon cooks faster than others. Remove from the oven; place on a plate lined with kitchen paper.
How to make bacon in the ovenCONTINUE READING:
Allow the bacon fat to cool. Then remove the foil and place new foil over the baking sheet. You will roast the turkey breast on the same sheet.
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Roast turkey breast:
Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. Place the turkey breasts, skin-side up, on the foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle the turkey breast generously with olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. Roast the turkey breast for 60 to 70 minutes or until it reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the breast.
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Roasting Garlic for Aioli:
While the turkey breast is roasting, snip the top of a head of garlic, exposing the garlic cloves. Place the garlic bulb, cut-side up, on a square of foil large enough to enclose it. Drizzle the garlic bulb with a teaspoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Wrap in foil.
When the turkey breasts remains 40 minutes, add the foil-wrapped garlic bulb to the sheet pan with the turkey.
how to roast garlicCONTINUE READING:
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Remove turkey and garlic:
Remove the turkey breast and roasted garlic from the oven, place on a cutting board and allow to cool.
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Cut the turkey:
When comfortable with handling, use a carving knife to thinly slice the turkey breast. (You can store leftover turkey breast in a covered container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.)
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Prepare aioli:
Once the garlic has cooled, use your fingers to crush the garlic cloves into a small bowl. They should slide out easily. Mash with a fork, then stir in the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and salt. Store in the fridge for up to a week.
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Assemble the club sandwiches:
When you’re ready to make a club sandwich, toast three slices of white sandwich bread. Brush one side of each slice of bread with some garlic aioli (you will use about 2 tablespoons total).
Top a slice of bread with lettuce, 4-6 ounces of sliced turkey, and 2 slices of cheese. Then add another slice of bread (medium slice). Top with 2 bacon strips, 1/2 avocado and 2 tomato slices. Cover with the last slice of bread.
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Surcharge:
Halve or quarter the sandwich. Secure each sandwich section with a large toothpick.
leftovers! I recommend assembling the sandwiches just before serving, but you can also make the pieces well in advance. Turkey, bacon, and aioli will all keep in the fridge for a good 5-7 days.
| nutritional information (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 1417 | calories |
| 77g | Fat |
| 84g | carbohydrates |
| 98g | protein |
