Club Sandwich Recipe

Article by Laura Denby

Whether you’re having guests over for lunch or looking for a midweek pick-me-up, a solid club sandwich recipe is key to creating a diner-like lunch spread at home. Piled high with meat, toasted bread, lettuce and tomato, the best club sandwich recipes should be hearty, filling and easy to master—just like this one. The Food Network test kitchen’s expert team of recipe developers crafted a turkey club sandwich that will rival your favorite diner lunch, all in your own home.

What Is a Club Sandwich?

A club sandwich is one of the heartiest and most filling types of sandwiches out there. Typically, a clubhouse sandwich recipe consists of cooked poultry—like turkey or chicken—bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and bread. The sandwich gets layered between three slices of toasted bread and cut into four triangles, which are then held together by cocktail sticks. As the moniker suggests, club sandwiches are often served at East coast country club-like watering holes. But they’re also found on deli and restaurant menus across the country (and you can easily make them at home!).

How to Make a Club Sandwich Like a Pro

Use high-quality, sliced bread: Since club sandwiches have an extra layer of bread, it’s important to use fresh, high-quality bread. Our recipe calls for white bread because it’s soft and mild, but you could also use sourdough or whole wheat.

Cut it into four pieces: Club sandwiches are extra thick, so they can be challenging to eat. To make the supersized sandwich a little easier to bite into, try cutting the sandwich into four pieces rather than just two. That way, you’ll get a perfect view of all the meaty layers.

Use cocktail swords to hold it together: The best club sandwich recipes are piled high with multiple layers of juicy ingredients. Before serving, be sure to skewer each half (or quarter) of the sandwich with a cocktail sword or frill pick. The picks will help keep the layers together.

Club Sandwich Variations

Swap in your favorite meats: Our classic club sandwich relies on turkey as the main ingredient, but you could easily swap in different meats instead. Pre-sliced deli meats like ham or roast beef make a fantastic addition. Additionally, you could adapt this turkey sandwich recipe and transform it into a chicken club sandwich recipe instead.

Add fun condiments: We kept the condiments pretty simple, but you can add whatever flavors you like. Mustard, relish, sriracha or even gochujang mayo add bold flavor to the simple sandwich.

Press it in a panini press: Instead of toasting each piece of bread before assembling this turkey club sandwich, try pressing the whole thing in a panini press instead. To do so, assemble the sandwich as outlined in the recipe, then close it in the press to let the bread get extra crisp and toasty.

What to Serve with a Club Sandwich

Club sandwiches are best served warm. Try pairing yours with a handful of potato chips, a side of pickles, a crispy plate of french fries or a refreshing side of potato salad.