Make The Ultimate Classic New York Club Sandwich Recipe

The classic New York club sandwich has been around since the late 19th century. It’s on just about every diner menu. And it can be found as an offering at other restaurants as well.

It is one of the most iconic sandwiches out there. And it’s proven that it has staying power with it’s unwavering popularity. It’s truly a fantastic sandwich. 

I’ll be making this sandwich with deli turkey for this post. It is the most popular deli turkey sandwich in the United States. And once you make one of your own, and sink your teeth into it’s savory goodness, you’ll know why.

This sandwich was created at the Union Club on Fifth Avenue in New York city. No one is certain if it was created by one of the chefs there, or by the owner himself, Richard Canfield. But it showed up on the menu in 1899.

The origin of the club sandwich is sometimes attributed to the Saratoga Club House in Saratoga Springs, New York. They made claim that it was introduced to the public by their establishment in 1894.

However, there is no real way to dispute the timeline that is clearly depicted in the published menu of the Union Club five years earlier.

Sorry Saratoga Club House. This iconic sandwich originated at the Union Club.

What Is A New York Club Sandwich?

The original version, of the traditional club sandwich, was made with grilled chicken breast. This is a really great way to put this sandwich together. But it is one of the least popular versions in modern day.

Which is why I’ll be making the more sought after turkey club for this post. Pullman bread, a square loaf of white sandwich bread, is commonly used to make this sandwich. And I did use it for this post.

Full transparency here, I never make my club sandwiches with pullman bread. I prefer to use a healthier bread.

But, we’ll talk about that further down in the post when we cover the ingredients used for this recipe.

I see recipes out there calling for a slice of cheese to be layered into this sandwich. I’ve never known a club sandwich to have cheese on it. So, I opted out of this ingredient for this recipe.

I am also opting out of referring to this sandwich as a double-decker sandwich or a triple-decker sandwich. I have always known it as a triple decker club. But, the fact of the matter is, it really only has two ‘decks’. 

Ingredients Needed To Make This Recipe

The ingredients used to make this sandwich are readily available at any grocery store. I encourage you to use the freshest versions of each ingredient available to you for your club sandwich.

I used the most traditional ingredients when making the sandwich for this post. Because I felt that most people who are searching for a recipe for this sandwich are looking for that version. 

However, going as farm fresh as possible when making this sandwich just makes it better. And better. And better.

Following is a list of ingredients needed to put this recipe together.

• BREAD – As discussed earlier a pullman loaf of white bread is commonly used to make this sandwich. I encourage you to use a healthier loaf of grainy bread goodness when you make yours. Homemade grainy goodness is better yet. Any bread will need to be toasted.
• MAYONNAISE – Mayonnaise makes the sandwich. I like to make my own homemade mayonnaise whenever I can.
• TURKEY BREAST – This sandwich is made with deli meat. It is also very tasty made with real turkey breast.
• BACON – Farm fresh bacon is the best. Otherwise, pick up the best quality bacon you can find at the store. The bacon will need to be cooked. 
• LETTUCE – Traditionally, this recipe is made with iceberg lettuce. I more often make it with romaine lettuce. It tastes best with crispy lettuce. So, avoid varieties like red leaf or butter lettuce.
• TOMATO – Fresh tomato slices are fantastic on this sandwich. They are not always in season. So, do what you have to do to make it happen.

How To Make A New York Club Sandwich

The trick to successfully making the ultimate club sandwich is to layer it in a way that will result in 4 neat stacks of sandwich when it has been cut. In order to accomplish this you need to take your time when putting the layers together.

Do your best to be sure that each ingredient is evenly spread across the entire sandwich. It will never be perfect. But, just a little mindfulness will result in a better sandwich. Promise.

You’ll start by toasting 3 pieces of bread and spreading a thin layer of mayonnaise on each of the bread slices.

Then create the first layer of the sandwich by layering the following ingredients, respectively, on one of the slices of toast; sliced turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

Place the second piece of toast on top of the layered ingredients and repeat the process again. Then put the third slice of toast on top of the sandwich stack.

Insert frill picks, otherwise known as cocktail sticks (a long toothpick with a colorful frill on it’s end), into each quadrant of the sandwich.

Hold the sandwich securely with your hands. And cut it into four triangular pieces.

And that’s all their is to it folks! You’ve just made a classic New York club sandwich!

Tips And Tricks For Making This Recipe

Following is a list of tips and tricks that you can use to make the best darn clubhouse sandwich anyone has ever eaten. Too big a claim?!?! That’s up to you to decide.

• Pay attention to the bread as it’s toasting. It will get too hard to make an enjoyable sandwich pretty quickly. It really needs to be toasted just right. Golden brown is what you’re going for here.
• Use just a thin layer of mayonnaise on each slice of toast. The sandwich can be served with a side of mayonnaise for anyone who prefers a little more than that.
• Layer the ingredients as evenly as possible when putting the sandwich together. It will stay together better when you are slicing it, and when you’re eating it, if the layers are uniform.
• Use a pair of kitchen shears to cut the slices of bacon in half before you cook them. It is so much easier to cut it then. And whole slices won’t fit as well on the sandwich.
• Create an even little lettuce stack for each layer of the sandwich. Flatten it with the tips of your fingers when layering it on the sandwich.
• Take the time to cut the tomato slices as evenly as you can. You don’t want them to be thinner on one side than on the other. It will make the layers of the sandwich uneven.
• Use the tips of all five of your fingers to hold the whole sandwich securely in place when you slice it. Put enough pressure on it to keep it from sliding around, without crushing it.

Variations For This Recipe

There are so many variations that you can try for this recipe. First, let’s talk about the layers of bread used to make this popular sandwich. It is the layering of ingredients, with 3 slices of toast, that make it a classic New York club sandwich. That’s true.

But, you can make it with just 2 slices of toast and single layers of ingredients as well. It is more commonly referred to as a turkey blt when constructed this way. It is still delicious. It has a few less carbs. And it is easier to eat.

I will admit though, that somehow, it is just not the best club sandwich you’ll ever taste. Give them both a try and see what you think.

This sandwich can be made with a different protein. It is usually offered in several different varieties on a diner menu. The most popular offerings in my area, apart from turkey, are ham and roast beef.

Tuna salad, chicken salad, corned beef, and pastrami are also great choices. And you can put some cheese on this club is you want to. Try american, swiss, gouda, provolone, or cheddar cheese.

I’ve added a little onion to my club on occasion. It’s tasty. And I’ve even added some avocado a time or two. This variation is often referred to as a California club. Indeed, California is where I first had this version of the club sandwich.

And finally, consider switching out the bread you make this sandwich with. Sourdough bread is a good choice. Rye and whole grain bread are pretty stellar too.

How To Serve A New York Club Sandwich

If you snag yourself a good club sandwich from a diner menu it’s almost certainly going to be served with a side of potato chips and a pickle spear. It’s kind of a thing.

But, if you’re the one serving it up, and you want a few more options, you could always make a batch of fries to go with it. Sweet potato fries would be a real treat for sure. And there’s a recipe for garlic asiago potato wedges on the blog that you should try whether you’re making a club sandwich or not!

They’re pretty darn amazing! A side of potato salad, macaroni salad, pasta salad, or coleslaw are pretty great options too. Particularly when it’s hot outside.

And, as the weather starts to turn cooler, a steamy cup of soup is the perfect way to go; mushroom, acorn squash, creamy sausage and pepper, Italian broccoli, and yellow split pea are a few of my favorites.

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