The Best! Jalapeno Crusted Grilled Cheese with Turkey and Apple

Today, I give you the Jalapeño Crusted Grilled Cheese with Turkey and Apple. Isn’t it just so wonderful looking? This may just be the greatest (and cheapest) thing to happen to a grilled cheese sandwich since sliced bread. You can honestly serve this Jalapeno Crusted Grilled Cheese with Turkey and Apple recipe all cut up in smaller pieces at a dinner party and people go crazy for them. Or, you could Little Red Hen it and just make a stack of them all for yourself. You and your fabulous party of one. (Speaking from experience). But the best thing is to use slices of your leftover Thanksgiving turkey for the best EVER post-holiday sandwich.

If you like the looks of these Jalapeno Crusted Sandwiches, you might also enjoy our Chicken Cheesesteaks, Hot Honey Dripped Oven Baked Chicken Sandwiches or these Blackened Chicken Sandwiches. Furthermore, I’ve got some pretty great Baked Turkey Burgers that will change any notions you’ve got about turkey-based anything.

Why We Love This Jalapeno Crusted Grilled Cheese with Turkey and Apple

The addition of some sliced turkey, and crunchy sweet apples makes this spicy grilled cheese more substantial than a plain ole grilled cheese and by slathering on some salty honey butter, you really deepen the flavor of the whole affair. Just these few simple, very budget-friendly (very My Kitchen Little) changes manage to beautifully elevate the sandwich and make it feel so very special.

Taking some cues from Chrissy Tiegen and Subway, both of whom share an affinity for peppering their bread, this sandwich is one that I truly make all the time, for my husband and me. My kids don’t mess with the pickled jalapeños, but sometimes I’ll use regular sliced pickles and they absolutely go crazy for it – the pickles work just as well.

The recipe today makes one sandwich, but of course you can easily multiply it for however many you see fit to make. You can also play around with the cheeses used here, and I find that using brie is absolutely wonderful, as it’s classic with apples and turkey, and sometimes I get a little wild and reach for the smoked cheddar. You do you, there.

If you’ve never played with pickled jalapeños before, oh boy are you in for a game-changing treat. I genuinely keep them at the ready at all times – they’re one of my pantry essentials – and I like to sneak them into, onto, and around everything you can possibly think of. This sandwich represents a truly fantastic way to level up your food while keeping an eye on your budget – something we’re always trying to do here at My Kitchen Little. Pickled jalapeños cost pennies, but they pack major flavor and also a truly cool aesthetic appeal to a plain Jane sandwich. This is a total win, guys, and if you make it, I would love to see!

Grilled Cheese Sandwich FAQ’s

What is the best pan for grilled cheese making?

In my opinion, a heavy cast-iron skillet is the best pan for making grilled cheese sandwiches. But if you don’t have one, just reach for your heaviest, large skillet and you’ll be golden (and so will your sandwiches).

What is a good substitute for jalapeno?

Serrano peppers.

Can you freeze a cooked grilled cheese sandwich?

Yes, you can freeze a cooked grilled cheese sandwich. Just be sure it’s/they’re wrapped really tightly and they’ll keep nicely in the freezer for up to two months. Be sure to thaw them at room temp before gently reheating in a warm skillet with a little melted butter.

What you’ll need to make this Jalapeno Crusted Grilled Cheese with Turkey and Apple

• 1 TBSP salted butter softened
• 2 tsp honey
• 2 slices sandwich bread or bread of your choice
• Roasted turkey slices from the deli; use as much as you like
• A few thin slices of fresh apple, red or yellow, not green
• 2 slices of sharp cheddar, or use whatever cheese you like
• 5 or 6 pickled jalapeno slices from a jar

How to make these Jalapeno Crusted Grilled Cheese with Turkey and Apple

1. In a small bowl, combine the butter and honey. Stir to mix well. Slather this butter on one side of each slice of bread. Pile up some turkey on one of the un-slathered sides, followed by cheese and then some apple slices. Top with the remaining bread slice, butter side facing up. Press the jalapeno slices into the top of the bread.
2. Place a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook the sandwich, beginning with the jalapeno side facing down until golden brown and crusty on both sides. I like to press down as it cooks, panini style, as this helps the jalapenos adhere to the bread. Serve hot, right away, with some extra honey drizzled over top.

Jalapeno Crusted Grilled Cheese with Turkey and Apple

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Our favorite way to jazz up a traditional grilled cheese sandwich – pile on some sliced turkey (hello, holiday leftovers) and crunchy, sweet apples and then slather your bread with salty honey butter and some pickled jalapeños. A quick toasting in your pan will sear those peppers into the bread and make the tastiest (most inexpensive) grilled cheese ever. 

• Author: Lauren McDuffie
• Yield: Makes one sandwich 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoons salted butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons honey (or to taste, maple syrup also works)
• 2 slices sandwich bread or bread of your choice
• Roasted turkey slices from the deli; use as much as you like
• A few thin slices of fresh apple, red or yellow, not green
• 2 slices of sharp cheddar, or use whatever cheese you like
• 5 or 6 pickled jalapeno slices from a jar (fresh can be subbed, but will be spicier)

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Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine the butter and honey. Stir to mix well. Slather this butter on one side of each slice of bread. Pile up some turkey on one of the un-slathered sides, followed by cheese and then some apple slices. Top with the remaining bread slice, butter side facing up. Press the jalapeno slices into the top of the bread.
2. Place a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook the sandwich, beginning with the jalapeno side facing down until golden brown and crusty on both sides. I like to press down as it cooks, panini style, as this helps the jalapenos adhere to the bread. Serve hot, right away, with some extra honey drizzled over top.