Roasted Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese

This recipe was featured in Stillwater Living Magazine.

Roasted Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese is a delicious way to use up holiday leftovers. Turkey, cranberry sauce, and melted cheese combine for a mouthwatering bite.

Growing up, we ate leftovers for dinner at least 3 times a week. When I finally moved out and on my own, I swore off leftovers. I learned to cook for one, and made dinner every night. My mom still thinks it’s nuts, but this way I don’t get tired of any one thing. I could eat my Baked Homemade Mac and Cheese every single day, and and when I do make it I make a batch large enough to enjoy for a couple of days.

Since moving to Oklahoma I normally stay in town for Thanksgiving, and often spend a quiet day at home. Whether I stay at home or spend the day with friends, I always end up with leftovers. And leftovers are kind of a requirement around Thanksgiving. I don’t go overboard when I cook at home, but even with my Roasted Cornish Game Hen I can enjoy a few extra meals.

What I really like about Thanksgiving leftovers is the versatility, as you can come up with completely new meals. Sandwiches are one of my go-to leftover meals, like Roasted Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese

How good does this Roasted Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese look?! Yes, it’s a little indulgent. Well, maybe a lot indulgent. But I only eat grilled cheese on occasion. And besides, look at that beautiful melted cheese. Sometimes it’s just a sacrifice you have to make.

ROASTED TURKEY CRANBERRY GRILLED CHEESE INGREDIENTS

• Roasted turkey – I’m a 100% dark meat girl, but there’s never any leftover dark meat turkey by the end of the day. So I do use turkey breast, and slice it thin so it doesn’t dry out any more
• Whole Berry Cranberry sauce
• Cheese – I use a combination of Brie and Provel
• Crusty bread – I have used Sourdough and Boule
• Softened butter

The Roasted Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese comes together quickly, and is so delicious. The softened butter creates a golden brown exterior, and adds crunch to every bite. I discovered Roll Butter from an Amish Market about 6 months ago, and use it all the time. Real butter has so much more flavor than imitation butter, and it’s well worth it. Soft brie cheese has a very nice mild flavor, and is a thick and rich cheese that melts well. I discovered Provel cheese about 2 years ago, and have never looked back. You can find it in most grocery stores, and I found it at Wal Mart in the gourmet cheese section. I don’t buy it unless I’m using it for a recipe, otherwise I would eat the whole container in record time.

THIS ROASTED TURKEY CRANBERRY GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH IS SO VERSATILE!

What I love about the Roasted Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese is its versatility

• Don’t like or have turkey? Use chicken instead! Of course, then the name changes, but that’s not the point.
• If you can’t find Provel cheese in your local grocery store, no worries…just use Brie. You can also try Gruyere, Swiss, Provolone, Goat or Cheddar cheese.
• Instead of sourdough or boule bread, try ciabatta, multigrain, wheat, or even an English muffin.

I have to admit, I wasn’t a fan of cranberry sauce for the longest time. I’m a big texture eater, and I just didn’t care for the jelly texture of the sauce or the very tart bite. Over time I’ve overcome that, but still don’t eat it much more often than over the holidays. I really like the sauce in this Roasted Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese, because the tart bite complements the creamy cheese so well.

Roasted Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese will remain high on my list of favorites to enjoy with Thanksgiving leftovers, and even all year long. You can find roasted turkey at the prepared foods counter in grocery stores. You can still find canned cranberry sauce year-round, just not at every turn in the store like during the holidays.