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Whether you have leftover turkey or you’re just craving this diner classic, our Hot Turkey Sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy is an absolute favorite around here!
A Midwestern Classic…
Not sure if this is a regional thing or not, but here in the Midwest we do sandwiches right.
The little diners all serve Hot Turkey sandwiches (along with hot beef sandwiches – also good) and they’re kind of insane.
Soft, squishy white bread, roasted turkey, a pile of buttery mashed potatoes, and a vat of turkey gravy. <— It’s just as decadent and ridiculous as it sounds…in the best way.
This is a fork and knife sort of sandwich and I adore it. Been eating these since I was a kid and now I look so forward to leftover turkey after Thanksgiving so that I make them at home!
♥ 3 Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe:
Leftover Magic: This is the perfect way to use up all those Thanksgiving leftovers either for lunch or dinner!
Quick & Easy: The sandwiches are ready in minutes if you start with leftovers! Still easy enough to make from scratch if you use thick cut deli turkey.
Comfort Food: It doesn’t get much better than turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy when you’re in need of some good comfort food.
Ingredients, Swaps & Tips:
- Turkey: Light meat or dark meat is okay to use here! We’re starting with leftover Thanksgiving turkey but you could also make it fresh. Check out our air fryer turkey breast recipe! Thick-cut deli turkey or shredded chicken is a good option too.
- Gravy: No leftovers? Use jarred gravy or make a quick pan gravy using a box of stock. Gravy can be made by whisking 2 tablespoons of butter and flour over medium heat. Slowly whisk in 2 cups of chicken broth until thickened and season as desired!
- Bread: White bread is classic but leftover dinner rolls are a valid choice too.
- Add-ons: Add in some other Thanksgiving classics like cranberry sauce, your favorite stuffing, or sautéed mushrooms.
- Lighter Option: Serve it open faced with only one slice of bread!
Leftover Hack!
Have more leftovers in your fridge? Dress this up by adding other leftovers to the sandwich – cranberry sauce, bacon stuffing, or green bean casserole with bacon would all be good additions here!
Serving Suggestions:
This hot turkey sandwich recipe is meant to be pretty quick and easy and make use of leftovers so we don’t often serve it with anything else except other leftovers!
We’ve usually got smothered green beans, glazed carrots, or some kind of casserole to go with it.
A simple fresh salad is a quick and easy side to go with this as well. Plus, pretty much any kind of soup would go well here. This is pure comfort food!
More leftover thanksgiving recipes!
- Leftover Turkey Soup
- Leftover Turkey Casserole
- Easy Turkey Tetrazzini
- Turkey Noodle Soup
- Keto Leftover Turkey Casserole
Hot Turkey Sandwich
Ingredients
- ½ cup leftover turkey gravy
- 2 tablespoons chicken stock more as needed
- 2-3 slices leftover turkey
- 2 slices white bread
- 1/2 cup mashed potatoes for serving
Instructions
- Add the gravy to a skillet over medium heat and cook until warm. Thin with extra stock, if needed.
- Add the sliced turkey to the gravy and cook over medium heat until the turkey is hot.
- Place the turkey on a slice of bread on a plate. Top with the remaining slice of bread. Cut the sandwich in half.
- Place a scoop of mashed potatoes on the plate and cover the sandwich and potatoes with the warmed gravy.
- Serve hot and eat with a fork.
Harry A. says
I love hot gravy sandwiches with leftover mashed potatoes and stuffing. I always fry the leftover potatoes with a little butter maybe even brown them sometimes add a little pepper. Mashed potatoes make an excellent sandwich.
joan says
Whenever I go to a diner, there is a good chance I order the hot turkey sandwich. Instead of mashed potatoes I substitute french fries and order lots of gravy, on everything–everywhere! (gravy on fries might be a local thing, but don’t be afraid of it.) When I make it at home with left overs I always add what ever I have left over–stuffing, cranberries, etc. I think I look forward to left overs more than the dinner itself. I will be making a hot turkey sandwich for sure!
Karly says
Ooh, I bet it’s delicious with french fries!