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Make the classic club sandwich on wheat bread! Combine turkey, ham, bacon, cheese, crisp lettuce, and tomato to make the ultimate stacked sandwich.
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Join the Club (It’s Delicious)
Sometimes I just crave a good club sandwich. With lightly toasted wheat bread, crispy bacon, hearty turkey and ham, juicy tomatoes and cool crisp lettuce, there’s nothing like a classic club sandwich. Yes, they are giant but because they are so big they are extremely shareable! You can even cut them into fourths and serve them as a hearty appetizer or a lighter lunch for several people.
What Makes a Club Sandwich a Club Sandwich?
A traditional club sandwich is made with three slices of toasted bread. The classic ingredients club ingredients include turkey and/or ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. Some variations may include chicken (instead of turkey), cheese, or pickles, but the combination of deli meat, bacon, and veggies is what gives the club its signature style. In this recipe I added cheese because any good sandwich needs cheese, but it’s not traditional. The sandwich is usually cut into quarters (or halves) and held together with toothpicks to hold everything together.
Club Sandwich Ingredients
- Wheat bread – you need 3 slices of toasted wheat bread
- Mayonnaise – our favorite brand is Best Foods Mayo (also known as Hellman’s on the East coast).
- Cheddar cheese – you can use 4 slices of cheddar, or 2 slices of cheddar and 2 slices of Swiss, switch it up and make it how you like!
- Bacon – make sure you cook your bacon nice and crispy!
- Deli turkey – sliced and fresh, it’s important to use quality ingredients for a good sandwich
- Deli ham – just like the turkey, you want it sliced and fresh and good quality
- Lettuce – leaf lettuce to taste, you can use crisp iceberg, romaine, or butter (my favorite)
- Tomato – fresh and sliced
- Salt and pepper – to taste
How to Make a Club Sandwich
- Toast – Lightly toast the bread.
- Bread slice #1 – Use a knife to spread mayonnaise on one of the slices of bread. Top with 2 slices of cheese, 2-3 slices of bacon, turkey, half of the lettuce, and half of the sliced tomatoes, being sure to sprinkle salt and pepper over the tomatoes.
- Bread slice #2 – Spread mayonnaise on another slice of bread and place mayonnaise-side-down over the tomatoes of slice #1. Spread mayonnaise over the top of that same slice and layer again with remaining slices of cheese, bacon, ham, lettuce, and tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bread slice #3 – Add remaining mayonnaise to the last slice of bread and place over the top of the sandwich.
- Slice – Slice diagonally into halves or quarters and secure with toothpicks.
Additions and Variations
You can get creative with your sandwich. Try adding items like Dijon, pickles, sprouts (my personal favorite addition), banana peppers, avocado, jalapeno, red onion, or cucumber. You can also switch up the bread and serve on white bread, sourdough, or rye. Add some flavor variation with different condiments like dijon or brown mustard, ranch dressing, spicy mayo, garlic aioli, honey mustard, thousand island dressing, or oil and vinegar.
What to Serve With a Club Sandwich
There are so many great sides that pair well with a club sandwich. If I’m in the mood for something hot and crispy, I’ll go for fries, tater tots, or potato wedges. When I want to keep it lighter, I will opt for a simple green salad. I also love creamy side options like potato salad, macaroni salad, or coleslaw. And if I’m craving a little sweetness, a fruit salad is always a nice touch (and my kids’ favorite). Oh, and don’t forget the classic dill pickle spear—it’s simple, but sometimes that’s all you need!
Questions About Club Sandwiches
Personally, I think wheat bread holds together best, but white sandwich bread, regular white bread, sourdough, or rye will also work great.
Yes, club sandwiches can be prepared ahead of time! To prevent them from becoming soggy, assemble them without wet ingredients like tomatoes or spreads. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Add tomatoes and spreads right before serving for the best texture.
Pat tomatoes dry with a paper towel before adding them to the sandwich. You can also place the lettuce directly against the bread as a barrier between the tomatoes and other ingredients.
More Hearty Sandwiches
Deli Style Turkey Sandwich
The Ultimate BLT Sandwich
Turkey and Brie Sandwich
Grinder Sandwich
Corned Beef Sandwich
Deli Roast Beef Sandwich
Italian Turkey Sandwich
Italian Beef Sandwich
Club Sandwich on Wheat Bread
Ingredients
- 3 slices wheat bread
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 slices cheddar cheese (or 2 slices cheddar, 2 slices Swiss)
- 4-6 slices cooked bacon
- 4 slices deli turkey
- leaf lettuce (to taste)
- 1 medium tomato
- 4 slices deli ham
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Lightly toast all three slices of wheat bread.
- Use a knife to spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on one of the slices of bread. Top with 2 slices of cheese (try to cover all of the bread), 2-3 slices of bacon, turkey, half of the lettuce, and half of the sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the top of the tomatoes.
- Spread another tablespoon mayonnaise on another slice of bread and place mayonnaise-side-down over the tomatoes. Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise over the top of that same slice of bread.
- Layer again with remaining slices of cheese, bacon, ham, lettuce, and tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Add remaining mayonnaise to the last slice of bread and place over the top of the sandwich.
- Slice diagonally into halves or quarters and secure with toothpicks.
