Name: Hilltop Tap Houses Turkey Melt Recipe
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 slices sliced deli turkey; 2 slices sliced American cheese; 3 slices bacon strips, cooked; 2 leaves lettuce leaves (iceberg or romaine); 3 slices tomato; 1 tbs mayonnaise; 2 slices bread (white or wheat); 1 tsp butter (room temperature); 1 to taste salt; 1 to taste black pepper; 1 tsp olive oil or cooking spray (for pan); 1 slice extra cheese (if desired)

Method

Prepare components

Cook bacon (if not pre-cooked)

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add bacon strips and cook 3–5 minutes per side until crisp to your liking. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool slightly; chop in half if preferred. Reserve a teaspoon of bacon fat or discard.

Prep vegetables

Wash and dry lettuce leaves. Slice the tomato into 3 medium-thick slices. Lightly season tomato slices with a pinch of salt and a grind of black pepper; set aside.

Assemble and melt

Butter one side of each bread slice with the room-temperature butter. This will be the outside of the sandwich for toasting.

Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, on a clean work surface or plate. Spread the mayonnaise evenly on the unbuttered side of the bread (the interior).

Layer the sandwich: first place half of the turkey slices (4 slices) on the mayo-spread bread, then add one slice of American cheese on top of the turkey. Add the cooked bacon strips (3 strips), then the tomato slices, and the lettuce leaves. Top with the remaining turkey slices (to add extra warmth and coverage) and the second slice of American cheese. If using extra cheese, add it now on top of the stack.

Place the remaining bread slice on top with the buttered side facing up to form the sandwich.

Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low to medium heat. If desired, add the teaspoon of olive oil or use cooking spray and wipe to coat the surface. Place the sandwich in the pan and cook 3–4 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese begins to melt. Carefully flip the sandwich and cook another 2–4 minutes until the other side is golden and the cheese is fully melted. If the bread is browning too quickly before the cheese melts, lower the heat and cover the pan with a lid for 1–2 minutes to trap heat and help melt the cheese.

Alternatively, you can melt the sandwich in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven on a baking sheet for 6–8 minutes per side or until the cheese is melted and bread is toasted.

Finish and serve

Remove the sandwich from the skillet and transfer to a cutting board. Let rest 1 minute to settle, then slice in half if desired. Taste and add more mayonnaise, salt, or pepper if needed.

Serve immediately with pickles, chips, or a side salad.