This Leftover Smoked Turkey Sandwich is a delicious way to use up leftovers. Toasted hoagie rolls are piled with smoked turkey and sautéed veggies, tossed in BBQ sauce, and topped with melty cheese. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal for weeknight dinners, tailgates, or campouts.
Leftover turkey is almost always around after a big meal, and it keeps for up to four days in the refrigerator. Turning it into sandwiches is fast and satisfying—these smoked turkey sandwiches are a favorite because they’re simple, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a group.
If you’re looking for other leftover turkey ideas, try turkey burgers or a creamy pumpkin alfredo with roasted squash and turkey. But for quick, messy-good sandwiches, this recipe can’t be beat.
What Is a Smoked Turkey Sandwich?
A smoked turkey sandwich starts with chopped smoked turkey that’s warmed and tossed in BBQ sauce, then layered into toasted rolls with slices of melty cheese. It’s a great way to use smoked turkey breast, spatchcocked turkey, or smoked turkey with stuffing—basically any smoked turkey leftovers.
Leftover Turkey Sandwich Ingredients
- Canola oil
- Smoked turkey leftovers – picked over and chopped. Chop dark meat and slice white meat for easy use in sandwiches or salads. Tip: save and freeze bones for homemade turkey stock or turkey carcass soup later.
- Onion and red pepper – minced so they incorporate easily with the turkey.
- BBQ sauce – use your favorite brand; Head Country Bar-B-Que is what we used but any sauce works.
- Hoagie rolls – or swap for rye, sourdough, or any bread you prefer.
- Colby Jack cheese – or any melty cheese such as provolone, gouda, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack.
- Fresh arugula – optional, for garnish and a peppery bite.
Leftover Smoked Turkey Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 2 lbs smoked turkey leftovers picked over and chopped
- 1 onion minced
- 1 red pepper stemmed, seeded and minced
- 1 – 2 cups your favorite BBQ sauce
- 6 hoagie rolls
- 9 slices Colby Jack cheese
- fresh arugula for garnish
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to broil.
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In a cast-iron skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Working in batches, warm the chopped turkey until heated through; remove and set aside.
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In the same pan, sauté the minced onion and red pepper until softened, about 5–7 minutes.
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Return the turkey to the pan and toss everything with the BBQ sauce until evenly coated.
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Split and toast the rolls under the broiler while you finish the filling.
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Fill each toasted roll with the turkey mixture, cutting cheese into strips and layering on top as desired.
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Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and return to the oven until the cheese melts, about 5–7 minutes.
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Garnish with fresh arugula and serve immediately.
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See notes below for campfire or tailgating make-ahead tips.
Notes
Campfire or tailgating prep:
- Mix the turkey, sautéed veggies, and sauce ahead of time and chill.
- Stuff rolls with the chilled filling and top with cheese when ready to serve.
- Wrap sandwiches tightly in foil for transport.
- Grill in the foil over coals until heated through and the cheese melts.
- Use the foil as a handy wrapper to keep hands clean while eating.
Nutrition
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How to Make a Sandwich with Leftover Turkey
- Preheat the oven to broil and heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Warm the chopped turkey in batches, then remove it from the pan and sauté the minced onion and pepper until softened.
- Add the turkey back to the pan and toss the turkey and veggies with BBQ sauce until well coated.
- Split and toast the rolls in the oven, then fill each roll evenly with the turkey mixture.
- Cut the cheese into strips and layer it on each sandwich; return to the oven until the cheese melts.
- Garnish with fresh arugula and serve immediately for best texture.
Girl Carnivore Expert Recipe Tip
Customize your sandwiches with different toppings—try red onion, creamy avocado, or pickles to add texture and flavor.
What to Serve With Leftover Smoked Turkey Sandwiches
If you want to bulk up the meal, serve these sandwiches with sides like:
- BBQ glazed smoked Brussels sprouts
- Smoked potato salad
- Smoked corn on the cob
- Grilled corn salad
Leftovers & Reheating
Serve the assembled sandwiches right away for the best texture—rolls will soften if they sit too long. If you need to reheat leftovers, warm the filling gently in a skillet or wrapped in foil over a grill or campfire, then toast the rolls and add fresh cheese and greens before serving.
More Leftover Turkey Recipes
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Turkey
Turkey Salad Recipe
Poultry Recipes
What to Make: Leftover Turkey Recipes
Turkey
Turkey Carcass Soup Recipe
Don’t toss leftover turkey—turn it into these flavorful Leftover Smoked Turkey Sandwiches. They work for quick lunches, easy dinners, tailgates, and campfire meals.
If you try the recipe, please rate it and leave a comment to help other readers.
Recipe FAQs
Colby Jack pairs nicely with smoked turkey, but you can use provolone, gouda, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Swiss, or any melty cheese you prefer.
BBQ sauce is classic here, but you can switch to spicy BBQ, chipotle sauce, mayo, mustard, or even cranberry sauce for a seasonal twist.
Yes. For meals within 5–7 hours, prepare the filling and skip the cheese until ready to heat. For longer holds, toss turkey and veggies with extra sauce and store in a chilled container; transport wrapped in foil and reheat over a grill or campfire, then toast the rolls, add cheese, and assemble.
