Apple Butter, Turkey, and Cheddar Grilled Cheese
Have you ever Wikipediaed “American Food?”
No? You aren’t gripped by irrepressible urges to know which edibles Wikipedia considers to be the national grub? Folks, you are in for the all-American scoop, apple pie a la mode style..
{By the way, if you know the proper spelling for “Wikipediaed,” do tell. Urban Dictionary delivered conflicting reports.}
First of all, my subconscious has not been giving American food the respect it deserves. Wikipedia whispered “shame on you” while instantly redirecting my ignorant search for “American Food” to “Cuisine of the United States.”
Not only does Wikipedia consider American food to be worthy of the title “cuisine,” it has volumes to say on the subject. The article traces American food through history, profiles regional specialties, and outlines the significant influences of our immigrant backgrounds, be they Polish or Polynesian. To be honest with you, I’d expected to be taken to a page with a picture of a hot dog and a Hostess cupcake. For as much as I love food, I haven’t been giving the USA enough credit for good eats.
Though American food may not be viewed as the fanciest, the spiciest, or even the most original, we are the nation of pumpkin pie, of deep-dish pizza, of National Grilled Cheese Month. Any nation that dedicates an entire month to grilled cheese is a nation where I can graze with gusto.
Yes friends, April is National Grilled Cheese Month. While I consider grilled cheese a VIP—it’s always invited to the menu—what’s not to celebrate about hot, gooey cheese oozing betwixt two buttery bread slices? Let’s party with one of my all-time favorite sandwiches: Apple Butter, Turkey, and Cheddar Grilled Cheese.
We spread sweet apple butter on two bread slices, then sprinkle with savory sage. Trust me, we want this killer flavor-combo hitting us on all sides.
Next, we fill our apple-buttered bread with thinly sliced apples, fresh-from-the-deli turkey, and oodles of sharp cheddar.
Hit that baby on a Panini press (or stove top) until the cheese is melty and marvelous, then say hello. Apple Butter, Turkey, and Cheddar Grilled Cheese: hot, ready, and in our face in 6 minutes or less.
Our Apple Butter, Turkey, and Cheddar Grilled Cheese is so much more than just a sandwich. The sweet apple butter, earthy sage, and tart apple slices jive with our turkey to create a totally new sammie experience that will make you want to hug a loaf of bread, thank the dairy gods, and party under an apple tree. “Official” grilled cheese month may end April 30th, but don’t let the calendar fool you. Apple Butter, Turkey, and Cheddar Grilled Cheese deserves lovin’ any day of the year!
Apple Butter, Turkey, and Cheddar Grilled Cheese
Sweet apple butter, savory sage, tart apple slices, and gooey cheddar cheese combine to create one killer grilled cheese sandwich.
Yield: 2 sandwiches
Prep Time: 7 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 slices whole wheat bread (I used a bakery whole wheat sourdough)
- 1/4 cup apple butter
- 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 scant teaspoon dry rubbed sage
- 2 ounces freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese (I love using white cheddar)
- 1 firm, tart or semi-tart apple, thinly sliced, such as Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp
- 6 ounces good quality deli turkey meat
- 1 tablespoon light butter spread, plus additional for grilling sandwich
Directions:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium low or preheat your Panini press to medium high.
- Spread all four slices of bread with 1 tablespoon apple butter each. For each sandwich, layer one of the slices with half of the sage, half of the cheese, a layer of apple slices, and the turkey. Place the remaining bread slices on top, apple butter side down.
- Butter the outsides of the sandwich, then once the skillet is warm or the Panini press is preheated, grill on stovetop (cooking each side for 2-4 minutes until the bread is toasty and golden—low and slow will guarantee the most melty, perfectly cooked grilled cheese) or place in Panini press, using additional butter or cooking spray as needed to prevent sticking. Slice and enjoy hot.
- To make gluten free, use gluten free bread.
Did you try this recipe? I want to see! Follow Well Plated on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag it #wellplated. I love to know what you are making!
About Erin Clarke
I’m fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food taste incredible. Wearer of plaid, travel enthusiast, and firmly convinced that sweets and veggies both deserve a place at the table. MORE ABOUT ERIN…
I’m all about apples with grilled cheese but I have never thought to do apple butter! That’s such a great idea! MUST TRY
The apple butter is totally the “secret sauce” on this guy. There’s something about it with the turkey and cheese that has me addicted. I hope you like it too!
Oh man, applebutter on a grilled cheese? My kind of sandwich! And I totally agree– grilled cheese is the kind of sandwich to be celebrated all year round :)
I don’t know what possessed me to try apple butter on this, but I’ve been HOOKED every sense. And yes–viva grilled cheese!
Another delicious combination Erin!! I’ve never tried apple butter… do you make your own? I love the idea of combining sweet apple with turkey, cheese and a touch of fragrant thyme. Sounds so perfect for a quick weeknight supper in front of the television. And yay for grilled cheese month… I might try and start it up in Australia too (haha – wish me luck!). Yum!!
You know Laura, I THINK about making apple butter every fall…then somehow end up with apple pie instead, lol. It’s available in every grocery store here, but if you can’t find it down under, you can definitely make your own. I think it even works in the crockpot! And YES for bringing grilled cheese month to Australia. The country will thank you :)
What a crazy combination! I love it! Im all about these fun grilled cheese! And I loove apple butter!
You think it’s crazy…till you taste it :) If you love apple butter, then this sandwich was made for you Alaina!
I have heard its pretty easy to make your own apple butter. Have you ever tried?
Hi Reba,
Although I buy a mass amount of apples every fall, they always seem to end up in my desserts ;-) I have heard that it’s pretty simple though and have seen quite a few crockpot recipes. Maybe this will be the year!
Apples with sharp cheddar is only my most favorist thing in the whole wide world! And then the combination of turkey with the crispy bread, I have reached grilled cheese nirvana.
Glad this sammie offers some of your favorite flavors! Apples + cheddar. Sounds like an odd couple, but SO GOOD.
Apple + turkey + cheddar = true love. Beyond awesome recipe, Erin!
Thanks Georgia!! And true love lasts a lifetime ;-)
We have a restaurant here in town with a similar version of this sandwich. I thought it sounded strange the first time I tried it, but now I make it at home all the time:) Awesome flavor combination!
Thanks Lisa! I’m a sucker for sweet+savory. And anything oozing with cheddar cannot be bad :) PS. I want to eat at that restaurant!
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Now THAT’S my kind of sandwich! Oh yum!
Thanks so much Dorothy! Here’s hoping grilled cheese month lives on all year!
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just made these sammies! soooo good! the sage was the perfect spice to round out all the flavors. James was super impressed.
Yay!!! I’m so happy you both enjoyed them. This are one of our favorite recipes too. Thanks for taking time to share your review! Makes my day :-)
This was/is amazing! This will be my family’s go to sandwich from this day on……y u m m y!
Hooray Barb!!! So happy you all enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know and have a great night :-)
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