The Perfect Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Sandwich
Are you ready to take your holiday leftovers to the next level? If you’re looking for the ultimate festive sandwich, this Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Sandwich will become your new favorite. Trust me, it’s not just a sandwich—it’s a whole vibe! You’ll learn how to make a hearty, savory, and oh-so-sweet creation that’s perfect for those cozy moments after the holiday feast. For another elegant brie-based dish to serve at the same gathering, these mushroom brie crostini are a stunning appetizer companion. In essence, this sandwich belongs to the same holiday stretch as my cranberry walnut gorgonzola salad and the winter salad I put beside almost everything in December.
One thing I love about the holidays besides time with family, is the leftovers. We always have so much fun concocting new and innovative things with our holiday leftovers. This Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Sandwich is seriously at the top of the list. For a delicious brie appetizer to start the meal before this sandwich, these mini fig and brie bites set a beautiful festive tone. Equally important, the same leftovers that build this sandwich carry a smoked salmon charcuterie board the next afternoon.
What’s more, this is the meal I actually look forward to once the hosting is done. To illustrate, the table by then is a quiet one — a cheese platter picked over from the night before, a holiday mimosa if it is still morning, and a bowl of white sausage tortellini soup if the weather has turned. All things considered, leftovers deserve as much thought as the meal that made them.
What Is A Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Sandwich
A Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Sandwich is a delicious, festive sandwich that combines the flavors of roasted turkey, creamy brie cheese, and sweet cranberry sauce, typically served on soft, toasted bread. The savory turkey pairs perfectly with the rich, gooey brie, while the cranberry sauce adds a touch of sweetness, making this sandwich a flavorful combination of savory, creamy, and sweet tastes. It’s often enjoyed after the holidays, using up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas meals, but it can also be made fresh with roasted turkey. The sandwich is usually cooked in a skillet, giving the bread a golden, crispy texture while the cheese melts, creating a delicious, warm meal.
Turkey Cranberry Brie Sandwich Ingredients (With Purpose & Flavor Notes)
- Butter– You’ll need this for that golden, crispy, buttery goodness that wraps the sandwich.
- Cranberry Sauce – The star of the show for that sweet holiday flavor. You can use leftover cranberry sauce, or go for a jarred version if you’re in a pinch!
- Soft bread – I use Hawaiian bread for its sweet, pillowy texture. It’s an absolute game-changer, but feel free to swap it out with a hearty sourdough or your favorite bread.
- Brie – Make sure to have enough brie to cover one side of each piece of bread. The creamy richness of brie brings the whole sandwich to life.
- Leftover turkey (shredded) – This is where those Thanksgiving leftovers come in handy. If you have any dark meat, it adds an extra depth of flavor.
- Bacon – Crispy bacon adds that salty crunch that pairs so perfectly with the turkey and cranberry sauce.
- Mayonnaise – I mix mayo with a touch of garlic salt for a creamy spread that complements the sandwich perfectly.
- Garlic salt – A little bit of garlic salt in the mayo adds just the right touch of flavor.
Shop Erica’s Pick
Everything I Love for this recipe
This post contains affiliate links. I only share products I personally use and genuinely love. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Cuisinart Griddler
Presses the sandwich warm and crispy on both sides while the brie melts inside.
Cast Iron Skillet
Builds a deep golden crust on the bread and holds the heat for a perfect melt.
Cutting Board
A sturdy board for slicing the turkey, brie and the finished sandwich.
Knife Block Set
A sharp knife makes slicing turkey and brie clean and effortless.
Bread Knife
Slices crusty bread and the finished sandwich cleanly without squashing the layers.
Fish Spatula
A thin, wide spatula that flips the sandwich in the skillet without losing any filling.
Cheese Knife Set
Cuts the brie into even slices so it melts in a smooth, creamy layer.
Spreader Knives
Spreads the cranberry sauce and mayo edge to edge on every slice.
Sauce Cups
Small cups for serving extra cranberry sauce or a dipping sauce on the side.
Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
Whole berry cranberry sauce brings the tart, festive layer to every bite.
Duke’s Mayonnaise
Creamy, tangy Duke’s mayonnaise gives the bread a golden, crisp crust in the skillet.
Garlic Salt
Garlic salt with parsley adds a savory finish to the buttered bread.
How To Make a Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Sandwich
1
Spread butter on one side of each of the pieces of bread.
2
Spread Cranberry sauce on bread without butter.
3
Heat a large skillet with a lid over medium low heat. Put two pieces of bread butter side down in the skillet. Add the brie, the turkey, the bacon, butter side up to top off the two sandwiches.
4
Cover the skillet and cook over low heat for a few minutes. Carefully flip the sandwiches and cook, covered, for another minute or two.
The Perfect Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter softened
- ½ cup 1/2 cup of cranberry sauce
- 4 pcs soft bread (I used Hawaiian Bread)
- 4 ounces brie enough to cover one side of bread
- 4 ounces leftover turkey (shredded turkey meat)
- 2 slices thick cut bacon cooked
- ¼ cup cup mayonnaise
- ¼ tsp garlic salt
Instructions
- Spread butter on one side of each of the pieces of bread.
- Spread Cranberry sauce on bread without butter.
- Heat a large skillet with a lid over medium low heat.
- Put two pieces of bread butter side down in the skillet.
- Add the brie, the turkey, the bacon, butter side up to top off the two sandwiches.
- Cover the skillet and cook over low heat for a few minutes.
- Carefully flip the sandwiches and cook, covered, for another minute or two.
- Serve immediately.
KEEP HOSTING
More festive favorites to keep the celebration going — three holiday-worthy ideas.
Simple and Sophisticated Cranberry Brie Turkey Crackers
Cranberry, brie, and turkey stacked on a crisp, festive cracker.
Get the Recipe →
Turkey, Cranberry, Brie Quesadilla
Turkey, cranberry, and brie folded into a melty quesadilla.
Get the Recipe →
Recipe: Baked Brie with Orange Zest Cranberry Sauce
Baked brie topped with bright orange-zest cranberry sauce.
Get the Recipe →
Turkey Cranberry Brie Sandwich Variations
Swap Out the Brie
While brie is divine, you can also try it with other cheeses like sharp cheddar or goat cheese for a different twist.
Add Fresh Greens
If you’re craving a little freshness, try adding arugula or spinach to your sandwich. It gives it an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Make It a Wrap
If you’re not feeling bread, you can wrap this up in a soft tortilla for a fun variation.
Use Cranberry Jalapeño Sauce
For a sweet and spicy kick, switch out regular cranberry sauce for a cranberry jalapeño variety.
When I Love Serving Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Sandwich
For a Cozy Weekend Meal
If you’re just in the mood for something comforting on a chilly weekend, this sandwich is your go-to. To illustrate, it is the same weekend cooking that gives me a spinach and bacon quiche on Saturday and apple cinnamon overnight oats waiting on Sunday.
After Holiday Gatherings
This sandwich is the perfect post-Thanksgiving or Christmas treat, especially when you’ve got a ton of turkey leftovers.
For a Hearty Lunch or Dinner
It’s filling enough to be a meal on its own, so serve it for lunch or dinner during the winter months.
Game Day Lunch
Given that it is hearty and easy to slice into halves, I stack a platter of these for the big game, and they disappear faster than the wings.
A Fall Picnic
Wrapped in parchment, it travels beautifully and still tastes wonderful at room temperature on a crisp autumn afternoon.
Soup and Sandwich Night
Paired with a bowl of tomato soup, it becomes my favorite cozy weeknight dinner with almost no effort.
What to Serve With a Turkey Cranberry Brie Sandwich
A Side Salad
A light and tangy salad with mixed greens, goat cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette balances the richness of the sandwich. In particular, my winter salad and my blackberry balsamic salad with fried goat cheese both do this job beautifully, and a bowl of white sausage tortellini soup turns it into a proper cold-weather lunch. This apple and goat cheese salad is an especially perfect pairing—the crisp apple and tangy goat cheese complement the brie and cranberry flavors beautifully.
Crispy French Fries
You can’t go wrong with a side of golden, crispy fries. Try dipping them in ketchup, ranch, or even more cranberry sauce for the ultimate combo.
Sweet Potato Fries
For a more seasonal touch, sweet potato fries pair perfectly with this sandwich’s flavor.
Turkey Cranberry Brie Sandwich Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The bread will soften a bit, but it will still be delicious.
- Reheat the sandwich in a skillet over low heat for a few minutes to bring back that crispy texture.
Turkey Cranberry Brie Sandwich FAQs
Can I use fresh turkey instead of leftovers?
Absolutely! Fresh turkey works just as well as leftover turkey, so feel free to roast or grill some up just for this sandwich.
What kind of bread is best for this sandwich?
I recommend using something soft, like Hawaiian bread, for the best texture. But if you want something with a bit more bite, sourdough is a fantastic option.
Can I make this sandwich ahead of time?
You can assemble the sandwich ahead of time and store it in the fridge. However, I recommend grilling it fresh for the best results.
Final Thoughts
This Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Sandwich is a game-changer. It’s everything you love about the holidays—comforting, filling, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re using up your holiday leftovers or just craving something that screams seasonal goodness, this sandwich is always the answer. All things considered, it belongs to the same holiday table as my baked brie with balsamic caramelized onions, my caviar board and the holiday dinner party I build around them. What’s more, the morning after is its own occasion — a holiday mimosa bar, a plate of prosciutto and fig crackers, and a fried goat cheese board for anyone still grazing. In the final analysis, leftovers deserve as much thought as the meal itself, which is exactly why I keep a smoked salmon charcuterie board and a cranberry Moscow mule in the rotation too. For a beautiful cranberry-forward side salad to serve alongside, this cranberry walnut bacon gorgonzola salad pairs perfectly with the holiday flavors. Trust me, you won’t regret making this one!
Bon appétit and happy holiday eating!
So I have to ask- are you going to make this delicious post holiday gathering sandwich? I promise you that this sandwich will make for the perfect meal especially when using holiday leftover! Be sure to let me know what you think in the comments below!
Erica A. Thomas
Founder of Eating With Erica
SAVE NOW, MAKE LATER!
