Make this simple sandwich for a summer picnic or easy dinner paired with a salad.
jump toRECIPE
While most Tuscan sandwiches are made with chicken breasts, I use deli-sliced turkey to make it even easier to assemble. This Tuscan turkey sandwich is made on focaccia with roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomato mayo, spinach, provolone cheese and pesto.
Sun-dried tomatoes – Finely chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes are stirred into mayonnaise to create a flavorful spread for this sandwich.
Paprika – Paprika is used to add a bright red color to the sun-dried tomato mayonnaise but can be omitted if you don’t have it on hand.
Provolone – Provolone is a semi-soft Italian cheese with a mild flavor and smooth, creamy texture similar to low-moisture mozzarella.
Spinach – Baby spinach leaves add some greens to this sandwich though they can be swapped with wild arugula. Tossing the spinach in a little bit of olive oil helps to keep it in the sandwich without falling out.
Focaccia – This Italian flatbread with an open crumb makes for great sandwich bread! I used a version with onions baked into it though any focaccia will do.
Turkey – Rather than buying pre-packaged deli-sliced turkey I prefer to order it freshly sliced from the deli counter. I find the texture to be much better. I used pepper crusted turkey though any deli-sliced turkey will do!
Bell pepper – Jarred, fire roasted bell peppers are soft in texture and have an intense flavor that pairs well with the basil pesto and creamy sun-dried tomato mayonnaise.
How to Make This Tuscan Turkey Sandwich
Step 1: Make the sun-dried tomato mayo.
In a small bowl stir together the mayonnaise, tomatoes and paprika until completely combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 2: Spread sauces on bread.
Spread the mayonnaise on the top half of the bread and the pesto on the bottom half.
Step 3: Layer fillings.
Then, top the bottom half with provolone, turkey and peppers.
Step 4: Add spinach.
Toss the spinach in the olive oil and add over the peppers then close.
Step 5: Cut sandwich.
Then, cut the sandwich into quarters or eights and serve.
Tips and Tricks for This Recipe
Swaps and substitutions
Also, try swapping the turkey for thinly sliced, roasted chicken breasts in this recipe for a more traditional version of the sandwich.
If you aren’t a fan of bell peppers, swap them for thinly sliced tomatoes.
Moreover, other greens like wild arugula can be used in place of the spinach.
How to Serve this Sandwich Hot
This sandwich is great served pressed. Before cutting it into pieces, heat a large panini press or cast iron skillet. If using a skillet, use something heavy like an aluminum foil wrapped brick to create a press. Let cook, flipping halfway through, until the bread is crisp and cheese is melty, about 6 minutes.
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this Tuscan turkey recipe, I recommend checking out these other sandwiches:
These sandwiches were wonderful! I served with iced tea and pasta salad, just a perfect lunch! Thanks for such a great recipe!
great recipe! we were just missing focaccia bread and i took out the turkey since i’m a vegetarian.