Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Butterball. The opinions in the post are entirely my own.
Turkey BLT Sandwich Recipe
The turkey BLT is truly the perfect sandwich for back-to-school meal prep! This mouth-watering sandwich has an Asian flair with grilled turkey thighs that were marinated in a garlicky soy sauce, crispy turkey bacon, crisp iceberg lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and a sesame wasabi mayo. This is one of my favourite sandwich recipes and I am confident you and your family will love it too.
Healthy and tasty turkey BLT!
BLT sandwiches are a classic that is loved all over the world. My version isn’t just any BLT sandwich, it uses incredibly juicy turkey thighs and turkey bacon instead of regular bacon. Grilling caramelizes and enhances the flavour of meat, making the sandwich extraordinary and flavourful!
The turkey thigh pieces are easy to find at your local grocery store. Butterball has a line called Easy Fresh that provides pre-cut pieces, including the Easy Fresh bone-in-turkey thighs that I used in this recipe. The recipe works well with turkey breasts as well.
On top of having incredible products, Butterball has a convenient vacuum-sealed packaging that is simple to open and keeps the turkey fresh, juicy and tender much longer in the fridge. When it’s time to freeze, there’s no need to repackage – Easy Fresh turkey can be put directly in the freezer, then thawed later, without any change to the taste or quality.
For the Butterball Bacon Style Turkey, the package is resealable so I can cook what I need, when I need it. I recommend cooking the turkey bacon according to the instructions mentioned on the package, which is to pan fry to achieve extra crispy bacon. For those who have not tried turkey bacon before, the Butterball version is smoked slowly over hardwood chips which gives it an authentic bacon taste and aroma. The best part? You get the taste and texture, with 50% less fat than regular pork bacon. Yes please!
Having turkey in the sandwich is an easy and delicious way to add lean protein to a balanced diet. Our family loves turkey all year long (more turkey recipes below).
Back to school convenience!
Back-to-school time is a busy time, and with so much uncertainty going on in the world, convenience is top of mind. This turkey BLT checks the boxes, as it is easy to make.
The turkey BLT works well for weeknight meals or brunch, as many of the steps can be made in advance, and then assembled at the table. This way, each person can decide if they want extra sauce or turkey bacon slices! My kids always opt for extra turkey bacon.
The turkey thighs cook in about 30 minutes on the grill and the turkey bacon cooks quickly in a non-stick pan. If you don’t have a BBQ, roasting the turkey in the oven is also a convenient option. The homemade mayonnaise uses four ingredients and can be whipped up in a few minutes and kept in the fridge until ready to use.
DIY style is how we roll in our household!
The turkey sandwich also makes a great school lunch option. The sandwiches can even be made the night before and kept in a sandwich container. If your child enjoys constructing their own sandwiches (like mine), I suggest getting bento box containers where each ingredient stays in its own compartment.
Flavour recap!
Every ingredient in the turkey BLT is an integral part of the sandwich.
Aside from lettuce and tomatoes, the protein is the star. The turkey thighs are marinated in a sweetened soy sauce with aromatic sesame oil and minced garlic. The outcome is tender savoury turkey with an umami punch. The turkey bacon provides smokey flavour and texture.
The mayonnaise is aromatic, sweet and has a subtle kick with wasabi paste. Feel free to omit the wasabi if you do not like any heat.
A sandwich must have good bread to hold everything together. I have used white sandwich bread for this recipe, but feel free to substitute with your favourite bread and toast it to your desired darkness.
Asian Ingredients!
Below is info about Asian ingredients that are used in the recipe, for your reference, as well as suitable substitutes.
What is sesame oil?
I have used sesame oil in the marinade and in the mayonnaise. Sesame oil is made of sesame seeds and has a nutty taste and aroma. It is great for marinades and can also be used as a cooking oil. Sesame oil can be found in the “International” section of most grocery stores. Other nut oils including walnut and peanut are a good substitute. Tahini can be used but should be thinned out with cooking oil.
What is Japanese mayonnaise?
Japanese mayo is often called “Kewpie mayo” as the Kewpie brand is most easily available at supermarkets. The mayo only uses egg yolks rather than whole eggs which makes the texture creamy and thick, and gives the mayo its’s signature yellow tint. The mayo can be found at Japanese and Chinese grocery stores, and the “international” section of selective grocery stores. The sauce in this recipe can be substituted with regular mayonnaise.
What is wasabi paste?
Wasabi paste is a thick green condiment that is a substitute for real wasabi. It is less expensive and easier to find than real wasabi. There are powdered versions that need to be mixed with water. The paste version used in this recipe comes in a tube and can be found in the international section at grocery stores. It provides a punch of spice to the mayo. Only a small amount is added to ensure it doesn’t overpower all the other flavours in the sandwich. Horseradish is an alternative to the wasabi paste.
Time to learn how to make your turkey BLT!
RECIPE
Turkey BLT Sandwich
This turkey BLT sandwich has an Asian flair, with soy-based marinated grilled turkey thighs, crispy turkey bacon, crisp iceberg lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and a sesame wasabi mayo.
Ingredients
- 1 package Butterball Easy Fresh bone-in turkey thighs (725 g)
- 8 slices Butterball Bacon Style Turkey
- Avocado oil, or oil of choice
- 8 slices white sandwich bread, or bread of choice
- Salt and pepper, to season
- 2 medium-sized tomatoes, seeds removed, thinly sliced
- 4 palm-sized iceberg lettuce leaves, cut in half
Marinade:
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ⅛ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Sesame wasabi mayonnaise:
- ⅓ cup Japanese mayonnaise, or regular mayonnaise
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- ¼ tsp wasabi paste
Instructions
Turkey marinade:
Remove Butterball bone-in turkey thighs from packaging and pat skin dry with a paper towel. Place thighs in an airtight container or plastic resealable storage bag.
In a bowl, add all the ingredients for the marinade (soy sauce, brown sugar, water, sesame oil, and minced garlic). Mix well.
Pour marinade on turkey and distribute evenly, until every part of the turkey is coated. Marinate for 3hours or overnight.
Preparing the sesame wasabi mayonnaise:
Add all the mayonnaise ingredients (Japanese mayo, sesame oil, honey, wasabi pasta) to a small bowl and mix together until fully combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Cook the bacon:
Using a non-stick pan, add oil, place turkey bacon side by side. Cook on low-medium heat for 5-7 minutes flipping often until crispy.
Grill the turkey:
Take turkey out of the fridge about 30minutes before grilling to get it up to room temperature. Preheat grill to 400°F.
Season turkey skin with salt and pepper before placing on grill. Reduce heat to low, place turkey thighs skin side down on the grill and close the lid. Turn turkey after 10 minutes and continue to cook with lid down until the internal temperature of the meat hits 165°F (about 30 minutes in total). Let it rest for10 minutes.
Cut each turkey thighs in half lengthwise and carefully remove the bone. Save the bone for other uses.
Assembling the sandwich:
Toast bread slices to desired level of darkness.
On one slice of bread add turkey thigh slices, turkey bacon, tomato slices, and lettuce. Add desired amount of mayonnaise and top with the remaining slice of bread.
Recipe Notes
Cooking times may vary on the grill.
For other Butterball quick dinner ideas, check out the following recipes:
- Chinese Turkey Lettuce Wraps
- Grilled Turkey and Asian Pesto
- Soy Sauce Turkey
- Chinese Sheet Pan Turkey Dinner
For more turkey recipe ideas, head to https://www.butterball.ca/recipes/
Follow Butterball on social media:
- Instagram: @Butterball_CA
- Facebook: Butterball Canada
- Twitter: @Butterball_CA
- Hashtag: #ButterballEasy
Remember to PIN the recipe!
- 1920s War on Whisky Tour- A must do tour in the Durham Region - June 3, 2022
- Family staycation at Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites [with video] - August 5, 2021
- Easy Siu Mai (燒賣 ) recipe with Chinese sausages - May 7, 2021
No Comments