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4.91 from 11 votes

Turkey and Cranberry Panini

These delicious Turkey and Cranberry Panini are nice and toasty on the outside and warm and melty on the inside.  They're utterly irresistible and are the perfect vehicle to use up your leftover Thanksgiving turkey.   
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1
Calories: 404kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 slices ciabatta or other sturdy bread like focaccia or a baguette
  • 2 slices Muenster, Fontina, Provolone or other good melting cheese
  • 2.5 ounces leftover sliced turkey or chicken breast
  • 2 tablespoons whole cranberry sauce
  • ¼ cup baby spinach leaves
  • 2 teaspoons honey mustard
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

  • Place one slice of bread on a cutting board and top with one slice of cheese. Arrange the turkey slices on top of the cheese and then top with the cranberry sauce and spinach. Put another slice of cheese on top. Spread the honey mustard on the second slice of bread and close the sandwich.
  • Heat a Panini press or a grill pan or skillet over medium heat. Brush the outside of the panino with olive oil on both sides and place it on the Panini press. Close the press and cook for 3-5 minutes until the bread is toasted and the cheese melts. If you don’t have a Panini press, place the panino on a grill pan or skillet and place another skillet weighted with a couple of cans on top. After 1-2 minutes, remove the skillet, flip the panino over and repeat the process on the second side.
  • Cut in half and serve hot.

Notes

  • Get the grill nice and hot before adding your panini.  This will help ensure beautiful grill marks.
  • Brush the outside of the bread with olive oil before toasting so the bread get nice and crispy.
  • Keep wet ingredients in the center of the sandwich.  If you're using wet ingredients like tomatoes, sandwich them in between layers of cheese and meat.  This will keep them away from the bread and prevent it from getting soggy.
  • If you don't have a panini press, no worries!  You can toast the sandwiches on a grill pan or in a skillet instead.  Simply place the panini in the pan and then place a heavy skillet (or a skillet weighed down with a couple of cans) on top to press it down. This will create the same effect as a panini press.  If you have a waffle maker, you can make the panini on that.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 1360mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1000IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 221mg | Iron: 1mg