An Open Faced Hot Turkey Sandwich with Gravy is the ultimate comfort food — warm, hearty, and deeply satisfying. Ideal for using leftover turkey, this simple dish combines tender sliced turkey, melted cheese, thick bread, and a generous pour of rich gravy for a cozy, delicious meal.
Leftovers are often the best part of a big meal — relaxed, effortless, and full of familiar flavors. When the holiday bustle dies down, few things are as comforting as an open-faced hot turkey sandwich piled with gravy and served piping hot.
This recipe is quick, customizable, and perfect for turning leftover turkey into a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Why This Recipe Works:
Hearty: Thick slices of bread and plenty of gravy make this a filling main course.
Comforting: Warm, savory flavors deliver a familiar homestyle meal.
Easy: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean it’s ready fast.
Versatile: Works with fresh or leftover turkey and pairs well with mashed potatoes, stuffing, or a simple salad.
What This Recipe Needs:
Bread: Use thick slices for structure — brioche, Texas toast, or a hearty artisan loaf work well.
Turkey: Leftover roasted turkey, smoked turkey breast, or sliced deli turkey are all suitable.
Cheese: Brie melts beautifully, but provolone, mozzarella, Gouda, or Monterey Jack are great alternatives.
Gravy: Warm turkey gravy ties everything together; a quick homemade gravy works perfectly if you don’t have drippings.
Some versions are piled with all the holiday fixings — stuffing, cranberry sauce, and extra cheese — while others are simply bread, turkey, cheese, and a generous ladle of gravy. Both are delicious and depend on what you have on hand.
Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a crisp salad to round out the meal.
How to Make an Open-Faced Hot Turkey Sandwich with Gravy:
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to broil. Arrange bread on a baking sheet and broil until lightly toasted, about 1–2 minutes per side. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Step 2: Top the toasted bread with sliced turkey and cheese. Return to the broiler until the cheese melts, another 1–2 minutes. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overbrown.
- Step 3: Remove the sandwich from the oven, spoon warm gravy over the top, and garnish with chopped chives or parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Alternative Cooking Methods:
If you prefer not to use the oven, toast the bread in a toaster, layer on turkey and cheese, and heat briefly in the microwave until warm. The texture will be softer but still tasty.
Another option is to heat the gravy in a saucepan and spoon it over the assembled sandwich on the plate, rather than broiling with the gravy on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
An open-faced sandwich is a single slice of bread topped with ingredients and typically served without a second slice on top. Sauces or gravies are commonly used for extra flavor.
Classic sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry relish, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad pair well with hot turkey sandwiches.
Open-faced sandwiches are typically eaten with a knife and fork to manage the gravy and toppings comfortably.
More Related Recipes
If you enjoy this sandwich, consider trying other leftover-friendly recipes like turkey enchiladas, turkey cranberry sandwiches, smoked turkey breast, or sweet potato pudding for dessert. These dishes make great use of holiday extras and keep mealtime interesting.
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Leftover Turkey Enchiladas
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Thanksgiving Sandwich
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Cranberry Molasses Smoked Spatchcock Turkey
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Sweet Potato Pudding Recipe
Video
Open Faced Hot Turkey Sandwich with Gravy
Ingredients
- 2 slices bread
- 4 large slices of turkey
- 2 oz cheese brie or provolone
- Gravy
- Chives or Parsley Garnish, optional
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to broil on high and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Place the bread on the prepared baking sheet and broil until toasted, about 1–2 minutes per side. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
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Top the toasted bread with turkey and cheese, then return to the broiler until the cheese melts, another 1–2 minutes.
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Remove from the oven, spoon warm gravy over each sandwich, garnish with chopped chives or parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Broiling works quickly — stay attentive to prevent the bread or cheese from burning.
- If you need quick gravy, a simple cornstarch or flour-thickened turkey or chicken gravy can be made in minutes and poured over the sandwich.