Smoked Turkey + Caramelized Onion Recipe
smoked turkey, smoked scamorza, caramelized onion, special sauce, ciabatta
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Ingredients
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Sandwich
Special Sauce
Optional garnish
Method
Caramelized Onions
- 1
Slice onions
Thinly slice 1 large yellow onion (about 1.5 cups sliced) into half-moons.
- 2
Cook onions
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to coat and spread evenly in the pan.
- 3
Let the onions cook slowly, stirring every 4–6 minutes, adjusting heat as needed to prevent burning. After about 20–30 minutes they will become deeply golden and reduced. If they start to stick, add a tablespoon of water and scrape the fond. Once caramelized, remove from heat and reserve 1 cup for the sandwiches; you may refrigerate any extra.
Special Sauce
- 4
Combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, and a pinch (1/8 tsp) each salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and taste; adjust sweetness or acidity with a little more honey or vinegar if desired. Refrigerate until assembly.
Assembly & Toasting
- 5
Preheat broiler to high (or set a pan over medium heat if toasting on stovetop). Slice ciabatta rolls horizontally and spread 1/2 tablespoon softened butter on the cut faces of each roll (optional for extra browning).
- 6
Place the bottoms of the rolls on a baking sheet. Layer each bottom with half of the smoked turkey (about 4 oz per sandwich), then divide the smoked scamorza slices evenly (2 oz per sandwich) so the cheese sits atop the turkey. Top with 1/2 cup caramelized onions per sandwich (or divide 1 cup between the two). Add optional arugula or pickles if using.
- 7
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the special sauce onto the top halves of each roll. Place the tops over the fillings.
- 8
Broil: place the assembled sandwiches under the broiler for 2–4 minutes until the cheese melts and the bread is golden — watch closely to avoid burning. Alternatively, heat a skillet over medium, place sandwiches seam-side up, cover with a lid or weight and toast 3–5 minutes until cheese melts.
- 9
Remove from heat, slice each sandwich in half if desired, and serve immediately.