Gluten Free Turkey, Bacon, Swiss Melt Recipe

Gluten free turkey, bacon, Swiss melt with lettuce and tomato is one of the best gluten free sandwiches! It’s a fun way to enjoy turkey leftovers.

Hello, friends!

With Thanksgiving right around the corner here in the states, my family is already coming up with creative ideas for the turkey leftovers.

Honestly, why wait until Thanksgiving to enjoy delicious turkey tenderloin? Turkey made a wonderful, autumn dinner this weekend, and my kids loved using the leftover turkey to reinvent lunch the next day.

From the first bite, it was clear: this gluten-free turkey melt earned a spot in my lunch recipe collection.

This gluten-free Turkey, Lettuce, Tomato, Bacon, and Swiss Cheese Melt (yes, half the fun is piling on all of the ingredients) was entirely my kids’ creation, so I’m handing it over to my daughter, Nicole, to explain the details of the sandwich making process.

Nicole here! I’m so excited to be sharing this recipe with you all. 🙂

Let’s start with the turkey. I’ve made turkey melts before with thin-sliced deli turkey, but you really can’t beat the taste of fresh, home cooked turkey tenderloin. Mom seasoned hers with salt and pepper and baked it in a beautiful sauce of white wine, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and green tarragon sprigs. Is your mouth watering yet?

Ok, let’s save some of that turkey for the sandwiches. We’ll also need to cook up bacon. It’s easy and less messy when you cook your bacon in the oven. I used Oscar Mayer’s Select No Nitrite Bacon, and I’ll admit that I couldn’t stop myself from snacking on several strips of crispy bacon as I prepared the sandwiches.

The coolest part? Putting together this Turkey, Bacon, Swiss cheese melt is super easy! Just grab these ingredients to whip up this delicious treat.

Ingredients

Turkey – Today, I have turkey tenderloin, but you could also go with turkey breast or thin-sliced turkey from the deli to save on cooking time.

Bacon – Crispy bacon adds its yummy savory taste. 

Swiss cheese – Cheese melts to create a gooey texture and adds a cheesy taste.

Ketchup and Mayonnaise – These combine to make a tasty sauce.

Lettuce and Tomato – These add a fresh and crunchy kick. Select tomatoes that are firm yet slightly yielding when gently squeezed – a sign of ripeness. And go with your favorite type of lettuce.

Gluten Free Bread – You can choose your favorite gluten free bread. Grilling the bread with butter enhances the taste.

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

First, we’ll need two slices of gluten-free sandwich bread. I love Udi’s as the bread is almost as light and fluffy as real white bread. Actually, I’ll take that back. It is real white bread, just sans wheat.

I spread one side of the slices with softened butter, and then let them grill in a pan with more butter to make those beautiful black grill lines. The bread ends up toasty on one side, and soft and chewy on the other.

Next, I prepared the special sauce. This is the secret ingredient that takes the sandwich to a whole new level. It’s really just an abridged version of Russian dressing: a little bit of mayonnaise and ketchup mixed in a bowl until pink and ready to spread on the bread slices. We like organic condiments from Primal Kitchen.

Or if you want to get fancy, try our friend’s remoulade sauce on her blog. Just make sure to use gluten-free ingredients since her site might have non-gluten-free options.

Now we’ll need to return to our skillet. Take several pieces of turkey, layer them with bacon, and cover with strips of Swiss cheese. Cover the skillet and heat until the cheese is melted.

And finally, we’re ready to build the sandwich: a beautiful hot, turkey sandwich for cold autumn afternoons. Spread the slices with the special sauce; add fresh lettuce; stuff with the turkey, bacon, and melted cheese; and don’t forget the juicy, red tomatoes!

Best side dishes for turkey melt

Complete your Turkey Melt indulgence with a perfect pairing of one of my soup recipes such as: Hearty Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup or Gluten Free Cream Of Mushroom Soup, a wholesome organic pickle, healthier Homemade French Fries cooked in refined avocado oil, and a refreshing serving of my Cole Slaw With Sugar Free Dressing or Vinegar Cole Slaw.

Pro tips and recipe notes

1. Is there a substitute for Swiss cheese if I don’t have it? Cheddar, Gouda, or mozzarella can be good alternatives for Swiss cheese.
2. Can I add other toppings to customize the melt? Yes, feel free to add toppings like onions, mushrooms, or even switch out the spread for mustard if you prefer.
3. What’s the best way to store leftovers? Store any leftover melts in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

You may not be able to go back to ordinary turkey sandwiches after taking your first bite of this ultimate gluten-free turkey melt.

Enjoy!

More gluten free sandwiches and wrap ideas

Review: Against the Grain rolls – Here’s my review of gluten free Against the Grain rolls including recipes for three savory and simple gluten free sandwiches you’ll love.

Hot Open Turkey Sandwich – You’ve just got to try this delicious hot open faced turkey sandwich. It’s so good.

Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps – These wraps are made with tender sliced roast beef, fresh peppers and onions, and melted provolone cheese covered in a delicious sauce. Best of all, they’re crazy easy to make.

Panini Sandwich – Made with fresh ingredients, this grilled sandwich is packed with flavor and perfect for any time of day.

Bacon Cheeseburger with Caramelized Onions and Peppers on a Gluten Free Bun – This juicy bacon cheeseburger is one of the best burgers you’ll ever have.

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5 from 1 vote

Gluten Free Turkey, Bacon, Swiss Cheese Melt

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You can’t beat the taste of fresh, home cooked turkey in this gluten free turkey, bacon, swiss cheese melt. You may never to go back to ordinary turkey. Yum

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Calories 638kcal

Author Barbara Bianchi

Ingredients

• 4 slices of cooked turkey tenderloin
• 2 leaves of romaine lettuce
• 4 slices of tomato
• 4 slices of bacon
• 3 slices of Swiss cheese
• 4 slices of gluten free bread
• 1 tablespoon of gluten free ketchup
• 1 tablespoon of gluten free mayonnaise We like Primal Kitchen Mayo
• 3 tablespoons of butter

Instructions

• For special sauce, mix ketchup and mayonnaise in a small bowl and set aside.
  1 tablespoon of gluten free ketchup, 1 tablespoon of gluten free mayonnaise
• Then melt butter in a grill pan. Place buttered bread on grill pan so that you get those distinctive grill marks on the outside, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
  3 tablespoons of butter, 4 slices of gluten free bread
• Next, for each sandwich, take several pieces of turkey, layer them with bacon, and cover with strips of Swiss cheese. Cover the skillet and heat until the cheese is melted.
  4 slices of cooked turkey tenderloin, 4 slices of bacon, 3 slices of Swiss cheese
• To assemble: spread sauce on the inside of each slice of bread. Top the first slice with lettuce, turkey-bacon-cheese melt, and tomato. Then cover with the second slice of grilled bread.
  2 leaves of romaine lettuce, 4 slices of tomato

Notes

• Is there a substitute for Swiss cheese if I don’t have it? Cheddar, Gouda, or mozzarella can be good alternatives for Swiss cheese.
• Can I add other toppings to customize the melt? Yes, feel free to add toppings like onions, mushrooms, or even switch out the spread for mustard if you prefer.
• What’s the best way to store leftovers? Store any leftover melts in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

Calories: 638kcal

did you make this recipe? We want to see! Take a pic, and tag @glutenfreehomestead on Instagram.