Leftover turkey never tasted so good! This turkey Cuban sandwich is an easy way to put those Thanksgiving leftovers to use, and my lightened-up recipe won’t weigh you down either.
Looking for a balanced meal? Try serving this sandwich with my cabbage soup for a simple combo.
Healthy Cuban Sandwich With Leftover Turkey
If you’re craving a Cuban sandwich, this turkey version is sure to satisfy! I have a weakness for Cuban sandwiches; if you have never tried one, they are usually made with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, thin sliced pickles and mustard, then pressed with a sandwich press or a panini grill until everything is hot and the cheese is melted. Leftover turkey breast makes a great, lighter alternative to roast pork and it’s a fantastic way to use your leftover turkey this Thanksgiving. Here’s more Leftover Thanksgiving Recipes if you are looking for more ideas.
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Cuban Sandwich Recipe
I love Cuban sandwiches (Cubano) so these healthier turkey Cuban sandwiches were a big hit in my house! A great way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers!
- A new way to use leftover turkey. Instead of making the same old turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce or turkey soup, this recipe really reinvents those Thanksgiving leftovers.
- Lighter and healthier option. Using turkey breast instead of roast pork allows for a healthier version of the traditional Cuban sandwich without compromising on flavor.
- Easy to make. Because the last thing you want to do after cooking a full Thanksgiving dinner is make an elaborate recipe for lunch! These Cuban turkey sandwiches are simple.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below for exact measurements.
- French bread – I used fat-free French bread.
- Leftover turkey breast – Heat this up before starting the recipe.
- Ham – Use deli slices for this—any variety you like.
- Alpine Lace Swiss cheese – These lower calorie slices of cheese are perfect for this lightened up Cuban turkey sandwich.
- Pickles – One of the key ingredients for a good Cuban!
- Mustard – Use any kind you have on hand, or buy a Cuban-style mustard for authentic flavor.
- Pam cooking spray – I like to use butter-flavored Pam.
How to Make a Turkey Cuban Sandwich
See the recipe card below for printable instructions.
- Assemble. Slice the bread and spread mustard on both sides. Layer with cheese, pickles, turkey, and ham.
- Cook. Close the sandwich and spray a panini press with Pam. Place the sandwich in the press and grill until the cheese is melted and the bread is lightly crispy on top.
- Serve. Cut the Cuban turkey sandwich diagonally and serve.
Tips and Variations
- Switch up the bread. You can substitute the French bread with a soft baguette or Cuban bread if you’re lucky enough to be able to find it locally. If you can’t find fat-free bread, you can scoop out some of the insides of the bread to shave off some calories. (Save the insides to make homemade breadcrumbs!)
- Use your favorite deli ham. I love honey-baked ham or a ham with lots of smoky flavor. You can also try using prosciutto for something a little different.
- Shred your own cheese if needed. If you can’t find Alpine Lace cheese, a good alternative is to buy a block of Swiss and shred it yourself. Shredding the cheese allows you to evenly distribute it over the sandwich, so you can still get an even layer of cheese despite using less.
What to Serve With a Cuban Sandwich
These Baked Parmesan Kale Chips are always delicious with a sandwich for lunch. I also love these Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries and my Avocado Fries with Lime Dipping Sauce, which are both made in the air fryer.
Proper Storage
- Refrigerate: To store leftover turkey Cuban sandwiches, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or place them in an airtight container before refrigerating for up to 2 days.
- To reheat: I recommend reheating in the sandwich press to restore the crispy exterior. Let the sandwich come to room temperature first for best results—this helps ensure that the inside is completely warmed through when the outside is done.
More Leftover Turkey Recipes
Turkey Cuban Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 6-inch slice French Bread
- 3 ounces cooked turkey breast, leftovers, heated
- 1 slice ham
- 2 thin slices Alpine Lace Swiss cheese
- 3 slices dill pickles
- yellow mustard
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Slice the bread open. Spread mustard on both sides.
- Place cheese and pickles on the bread.
- Add turkey and top with ham.
- Close your sandwich, spray the sandwich press or panini maker with oil and press down until the cheese is melted and the crust is a little crispy. If you don't have a panini maker, use a heavy skillet to press down on the sandwich.
- Cut the sandwich on the diagonal and enjoy!
Where do you find a fat free French loaf?
That particular loaf was fat free, long time ago! Use whole wheat.
The recipe I have for Cuban bread in the bread machine has no lard and no fat at all! That’s why we make it! LOL!!
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Good luck
What kind of pickles are traditionally used? Dill or the sweet bread & butter pickles?
Dill
I agree with pp that real cuban bread is amazing but no way is even close to skinny. It contains lard!
I made these yesterday. They were AMAZING! Thank you Gina!!!!
🙂
Cuban sammies are da bomb! This one looks excellent. BTW, while they are popular in Miami, they're a MUST in Tampa! There's a longtime debate over whose is better (Hint: Tampa!!!) We add salami to them here as a nod to the Italian immigrants who worked in the cigar factories in Ybor City alongside their Spanish and Cuban friends. Adds lots of fat & cals, so you likely won't use it in a skinny version, but there's some history for ya! Also, Cuban bread is much better than French for this sandwich if you can find it. Chewier and more flaky in the crust. Prob hard to find outside FL or a very large city, though, so I get the need for French bread as a substitute. Cuban toast with cheese and a cup of cafe con leche is a staple breakfast here, too. If you ever visit the Tampa Bay area, make sure you hit a Cuban restaurant for b-fast AND lunch!
Had this last night! Very tastey!
old points that is…
what if i can't find a fat free french bread and it's a regular french bread? how many more points? my market bakery has french breads but not the deli and i doubt they are fat fee…
This is yummy! I have made it several times and it is a very quick and tasty sandwich. Thanks Gina!
Love it! I've been loving your recipe's for a while now. I joined weight watchers a couple years ago and am now just trying to kind of use the principles to eat better currently. I just made a similar sandwich here.
http://dramaskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/light-turkey-panini.html
great recipes ty
Do you have points plus for this one? It is one of my favorites.
Thanks for sharing that bit of knowledge!! Good to know!
FYI, I have a friend who use to own a bakery and in REAL AUTHENTIC french bread there is NO FAT. It was even written up in the newspaper as part of a fat free diet! A lot of supermarkets market french bread but when you read the ingredients you find some type of shortening. Again, REAL AUTHENTIC FRENCH BREAD has no fat.
I found it in the deli section of my supermarket, I just read all the labels until I found one. Good luck!
Hey guys, I can't seem to find FF french bread anywhere and I want to make this sooo bad…any ideas? I live in Northern California. Thanks!
VLO- That's great news!!
between lunch and dinner, and giving one to my friend, there werent even left overs for the next day, so that tells you how much we enjoyed this one! also i wanted to let you know that ive lost an addtional 12 lbs since ive started cooking your recipes and that im now in Onederland(out of the 200's)!
You're welcome! You really don't miss the pork at all in this, it's amazing, isn't it!
every single week i have a new favorite of your recipes! when i made these for lunch today , i couldnt believe how much these tasted like the real thing, i thought there was no way since pork and turkey taste so different. but i was so wrong! i had to talk my husband out of seconds by telling him i'd make him another for dinner! i used a package of Turkey Breast cutlets, seasoned it with Adobo and and cooked in skillet till meat was done. i know this one will become a staple in our house! thanks again Gina, you've really made it effortless for me to stick to my points and youve also made me look like the best cook in the eyes of my husband and many of my friends! much love!
ok – so i'm an idiot – just reread your statement that you found the bread in your deli section! thanks!
where the heck does one fine fat free french bread?…
Yes, sooo good!
Stop It I love these types of Sandwiches Some what like panni Ill be linking to this recipe
Chere
I actually just made a cuban sandwich for the firs time the other day–they are really good. I made mine in a wrap though! Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving!
@ Susan – nope, just a skinnier recipe. I don't consider any of my recipes WW recipes. They are all just healthy, lighter delicious recipes, with points.
@Duo – Yes, the pickles and mustard are a must here!!!!
Pickles and mustard make a cuban!
That does look like Heaven in a sandwich, in fact your whole site is making me hungry, mmmm
That's a WW recipe? Sounds (and looks to delicious) to be true. I love Cuban sandwiches, so I'll be linking to this for my upcoming post on Thanksgiving leftovers sandwiches.
They are awesome!
This does look really good. I make sandwiches on a VERY regular basis. My husband loves them….This looks awesome.
A turkey cuban sandwich is a really good idea!
oooh, great way to use those leftovers!
Oooh, I love a good Cuban sammy myself! Your light version looks perfect. Thanks for sharing!
This looks YUMMY!!
I adore Cuban sandwiches and order them as much as possible when we're in Florida–the west coast makes them, too. I like the turkey filling.
Well, I can stop wondering what to do with my portion of the turkey. Love, love, love Cuban sandwiches. Pam butter spray rocks! Have to go to the store now for ham and bread…
Yuummmm…..love Cuban sandwiches. Never heard of them until we moved to SW Florida. Thanks for sharing this great idea!
This looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing the idea!!!