This Brie Grilled Cheese with turkey is a unique twist on the classic sandwich! With creamy cheese, roasted turkey breast, and a tangy cranberry spread, this sandwich conjures the flavors of nostalgic holiday meals.
Stuffed between two pieces of sourdough bread and grilled until crispy, this recipe is guaranteed to fill you up and deliver on flavor. If you're a grilled cheese fan, you've got to try this amazing combination!
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🩵 About This Recipe
Grilled cheese is definitely a favorite in my house. How can you not like toasty, crunchy, cheesy hand-held sammies?
I love finding new and delicious ways to make grilled cheese. Varying the type of cheese, incorporating meats or vegetables, and even adding spreads or other condiments.
This grilled cheese idea started from a lunch with a friend at a cozy restaurant in a small town near me. She and I used to work together, and recently she made the move to another company.
She is really one of the sweetest people I know, and so fun to hang out with! So we are trying to meet for lunch every so often just to stay in touch.
Which is great because she knows of all these great little restaurants in her town that are new to me. This sandwich is inspired from one of our visits!
I have a ton of sandwiches on the blog and there are some things that really make a difference when it comes to building the best sandwich! This particular sandwich is a tasty way to use up leftover Air Fryer Turkey Breast.
If you are looking for more ways to use up leftovers from the holidays, you'll want to check out this Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Casserole. Yum!
Or try this Santa Fe turkey sandwich - simple, easy, delicious!
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- whole cranberry sauce, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and salt - combine to make a wonderful spread for this rich sandwich
- turkey breast - use sliced turkey breast or leftover turkey (the holidays are right around the corner).
- brie cheese - tangy and pungent, this soft cheese is perfect for a grilled cheese sandwich!
- sourdough bread - grills up so well, it's the best choice for these flavors.
- butter - spread the bread crust-to-crust to ensure the sandwich is crispy and not soggy!
🔪 Let's Make Brie Grilled Cheese!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Make Sauce
Place the cranberry sauce, mayo, lemon juice, and salt into a small bowl.
Combine
Mix well and set aside.
Prepare Sandwiches
Butter one side of 4 slices of bread, place them butter side down on a baking sheet, and layer the turkey and brie slices.
Add Spread
On each of the other 4 slices, spread the cranberry mayo on one side.
Bake
Place the bread, cranberry spread side down, on top of the turkey and cheese, butter the tops of the sandwiches, then bake!
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Add the spread from crust to crust. Especially when grilling! The soft buttery spread on the surface of the bread will ensure golden crusty deliciousness!
- Use the right bread - the bread will flavor the meal, be sure to use the appropriate slice.
- Choosing high-quality ingredients. Cheap cheese, while saving a buck, will be greasy and will make your grilled cheese soggy.
- Speaking of soggy... don't scrimp on your grilling time - ensure each side is crispy and golden brown.
- Don't be afraid to be a little frugal! This sandwich is just one of 15+ Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Bread.
- Give the brie some time to sit at room temperature to make it easier to slice. The butter can also come up to room temperature to make it easier to spread.
- Avoid soggy bread by patting the turkey dry with some paper towels.
- You can prep the cranberry mayo ahead of time and store in the fridge.
❔ FAQs
No problem, you can substitute with chicken! Using leftover slow cooker chicken would be delicious! This is a perfect upscaled sandwich to serve if you are having guests over for lunch!
Not everyone is a fan of brie; it has a strong flavor. If you decide to substitute, cream cheese would be a good choice; it has a super mild flavor. Goat cheese is another option; it's quite pungent. Both cheeses would be delicious but of course will change the flavor of the sandwich.
No, you don't need to remove the rind. Brie rind is absolutely edible, and in fact many people enjoy the texture and flavor of it.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Add some crispy bacon for a brie and bacon grilled cheese.
- Cream cheese or goat cheese can be used instead of the brie if you prefer.
- Add thinly sliced apples for grilled cheese with brie and apples.
- For some added color and nutrition, add a handful of spinach or some arugula.
- Jellied cranberry sauce can be used if you want a smoother and more easily spreadable sauce.
- Other kinds of bread like ciabatta or multigrain bread can be used.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
You could certainly try a healthier version of this brie grilled cheese by using whole grain bread, cutting back on the brie, scaling down the cranberry mayonnaise spread, and whatever else you can think of to reduce fat and calories and maximize nutrition.
🥡 Storage and Reheating
If you have leftover brie grilled cheese sandwiches, store them in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic in the fridge for 2 days or so.
Reheat by popping them back in the oven at 350, or reheat in the skillet or toaster oven. I don't recommend microwaving them as they'll get soft or soggy.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this brie grilled cheese recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
If you're looking to add a side dish pairing with these grilled cheese sandwiches, try my Berry Salad, Butternut Squash Soup, Kale Caesar Salad, or my Roasted Red Pepper Soup!
😋 More Amazing Sandwich Recipes You'll Love
- Chili Grilled Cheese - This is a great way to use leftover chili. The crispy bread and cheesy, melty filling results in the ultimate grilled cheese experience!
- Crock Pot Pulled Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches - So easy, versatile, and tasty, this dish is one of my favorite chicken recipes, perfect for feeding the family on busy weeknight or a serving a crowd on the weekend!
- Cheddar Pumpkin Grilled Cheese - A filling, cheesy, crispy sandwich chock-full of fiber and vitamins A and C that is a great go-to meal for busy weeknights!
- Mac and Grilled Cheese - This amazing recipe from Something About Sandwiches combines two classic dishes into one fantastic sandwich!
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📋 Recipe Card
Turkey and Brie Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Cranberry Mayonnaise Spread:
- ⅓ cup whole cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Sandwich:
- 12-16 slices leftover turkey (or leftover chicken or deli oven-roasted turkey or chicken slices)
- 8 ounces brie (1 package, cut into ¼ inch thick slices)
- 8 slices sourdough bread
- buttery spread or butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degree F (230 degrees C).
- Combine the cranberry sauce, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.⅓ cup whole cranberry sauce, ¼ cup mayonnaise, ½ teaspoon lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Butter one side of 4 slices of bread with the butter. Place them butter side down on a baking sheet.8 slices sourdough bread, buttery spread or butter
- Distribute the turkey across the 4 slices, then distribute the brie.12-16 slices leftover turkey , 8 ounces brie
- Spread the cranberry mayonnaise spread on one side of the remaining 4 slices of bread, place them on top of the brie, then butter the tops.
- Bake in the oven for 6-8 minutes, then flip the sandwiches and bake about 6 minutes more, until the sandwiches are golden brown and crispy. (Alternatively, you can grill them on the stove top on a griddle or in a skillet).
Notes
Prep Tips:
- Let the brie sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before slicing so it cuts cleanly and evenly.
- Pat the turkey dry with a paper towel if it's moist to avoid soggy bread.
- Use softened butter or spread for easy, even coverage from crust to crust.
- Prepare the cranberry mayonnaise ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup.
Variation Suggestions:
- You can use leftover chicken or even deli turkey or chicken slices.
- Try using cream cheese or goat cheese in place of the brie for a different flavor.
- Change up the bread with ciabatta, multigrain, a hearty white loaf, or whatever is your favorite.
- Add a handful of baby spinach or arugula for a fresh, slightly peppery bite.
- Use jellied cranberry sauce for a smoother, more uniform spread.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a bowl of tomato soup or add a simple green salad with vinaigrette.
- Cut into halves or quarters for easy serving at lunches or casual gatherings.
- Pair with kettle chips or a light side like fruit salad.
Storage Info for Leftovers:
- Store leftover sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat in a skillet or toaster oven to help restore the crispy texture. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the bread soft and chewy.
- Optionally, reheat in the microwave in short intervals, then crisp it up in a pan.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in November 2019, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in April 2026.
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Aunt Bee says
Oh my word does that look delicious! I especially love the cranberry sauce and lemon juice in the mayonnaise dressing!
Stephanie Pass says
This grilled cheese looks amazing! I love turkey in my grilled cheese, but I've never tried brie. I cannot wait to make this! Yum!!
Kristin King says
You will love it! 🙂 Thanks, Stephanie!