Turkey Club Melt Sandwich Recipe (Friendly’s SuperMelt Copycat)
A turkey club melt sandwich is a simple grilled sandwich loaded with sliced turkey, crispy bacon, and melted cheese. Grilled until golden on the outside and warm all the way through, it’s an easy meal that comes together quickly with just a few simple ingredients.
Bring Friendly’s most popular sandwich to your table
I worked at Friendly’s restaurant for 17 years, and this sandwich was the top-selling SuperMelt on the menu for every one of those years. It wasn’t just a favorite among guests — it was my favorite too. Years later, it’s still one of the sandwiches I make most often at home.
It’s the kind of sandwich that works just as well for a quick lunch as it does for an easy weeknight dinner. If you enjoy hearty homemade sandwiches, be sure to try my chicken salad sandwich with a spicy kick, homemade basil chicken salad sandwich, and creamy beef stroganoff sandwich as well.
Serve it with a handful of from-scratch French fries, a scoop of classic Waldorf potato salad, or homemade Tuscan tortellini salad for a complete meal.
Recipe ingredients
- Sourdough Bread: Friendly’s restaurant served their turkey club melt on sourdough bread, and that’s the bread used in this recipe. The sturdy texture holds up well to the filling while creating a crisp, golden exterior when grilled. If you prefer a different type of bread, give my artisan style no knead bread, easy rustic whole wheat bread, or traditional caraway rye bread a try.
- Butter: Butter creates the golden, crisp exterior that makes a turkey club melt so satisfying. Homemade butter is one of the most useful staples you can keep in your kitchen, and if you’ve never made your own before, give my old-fashioned homemade butter recipe a try to get started.
- Turkey: Oven-roasted deli-style turkey is the traditional choice for this sandwich and keeps it true to the restaurant recipe. Ask for it freshly sliced at the deli counter for the best texture. Any variety of deli turkey can be used if you prefer a different flavor.
- Thousand Island Dressing: Thousand island dressing adds the signature flavor that makes this sandwich instantly recognizable. While store-bought dressing works fine, homemade dressing always delivers fresher flavor. I recommend using my classic thousand island dressing recipe to make your own for this sandwich.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make a turkey club melt sandwich
Step 1: Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat. Butter one side of each slice of bread, then place the bread butter-side down in the warm skillet.
Step 2: Place the cheese on the unbuttered side of both slices of bread.
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Step 3: Arrange the turkey evenly over the cheese on one slice of bread, covering it from edge to edge for even bites throughout the sandwich.
Step 4: Layer the bacon over the turkey, then arrange the tomato slices on top of the bacon.
Step 5: Spread the thousand island dressing evenly over the melted cheese on the second slice of bread.
Step 6: Continue cooking until the bottoms of both slices are golden brown and the cheese has melted.
Step 7: Using a spatula, quickly lift the slice topped with thousand island dressing and place it dressing-side down over the turkey, bacon, and tomato side. Work quickly to keep the dressing from running off the bread.
Step 8: Remove the sandwich from the skillet, transfer it to a cutting board, cut it in half, and serve immediately.
Top tips
- Warm the Turkey First: If you prefer the turkey heated through, warm it briefly in the skillet before assembling the sandwich.
- Use Freshly Cooked Bacon: Freshly cooked bacon provides the best texture in this sandwich. If using leftover bacon from the refrigerator, reheat it before assembling the sandwich.
- Don’t Overload the Turkey: A moderate layer of turkey allows the cheese to hold the sandwich together and helps the center heat evenly. Too much turkey can make the sandwich difficult to grill and serve.
- Use Ripe Tomatoes: Ripe tomatoes provide better flavor and texture than underripe tomatoes. If tomatoes are out of season, Roma tomatoes are often a reliable choice for sandwiches.
- Serve Immediately After Grilling: This sandwich is at its best when served right away while the bread is crisp, the cheese is melted, and the ingredients are still warm.
Other recipes you’ll love
If you loved this sandwich recipe, give these other great sandwich recipes a try too!
Old-Fashioned Egg Salad (Simple & Classic)
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sliders (Bold & Spicy)
Loose Meat Sliders (Midwestern Style Ground Beef Sandwich)
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Sliders (Bold & Juicy)
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Turkey Club Melt Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 slices American cheese
- 3 ounces deli-style oven-roasted turkey
- 3 slices bacon cooked to preference
- 3 slices tomato
- 2 tablespoons thousand island dressing more or less to preference
Instructions
- Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place the bread butter-side down in the skillet.
- Top both slices of bread with American cheese.
- Divide the turkey evenly over one slice of bread. Top with the bacon and tomato slices.
- Spread the thousand island dressing over the cheese on the second slice of bread.
- Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Carefully place the dressing-topped slice of bread over the turkey, bacon, and tomato side to form the sandwich.
- Remove from the skillet. Cut in half and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use oven-roasted deli turkey: This is the turkey traditionally used for a turkey club melt and keeps the sandwich closest to the original restaurant recipe.
- Choose freshly sliced deli turkey: Thin slices layer more evenly on the sandwich and heat more consistently than thicker slices.
- Use thousand island dressing: This is the dressing used for this sandwich, whether you use store-bought or make your own from scratch.
- Serve immediately: The bread and melted cheese are best enjoyed while hot from the skillet.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
