This post is sponsored by the National Turkey Federation. You can find delicious turkey recipe ideas on their website, www.eatturkey.org.
Grilling season is finally here and rather than go for a burger, I’ve been working on a grilled turkey sandwich that is big on flavor and rather than use ground turkey, it uses thinly sliced turkey tenderloins or turkey breast.
The results are a stacked-high masterpiece sandwich that I would happily serve at any backyard BBQ.
What Cut of Turkey to Use?
Instead of ground turkey, which would give you more of a turkey burger feel, I went with a full cut of turkey. You could use turkey tenderloin, which is very popular these days, or turkey breast if you can find it.
Slice the turkey into about 6 ounce servings and then pound them lightly with a kitchen mallet until they are thin.
![Turkey Cutlets Pounded Thin](https://www.crunchtimekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Jalapeno-Popper-Grilled-Turkey-Sandwiches-thin-cutlets.jpg)
How to Grill Turkey
Turkey is an incredibly lean meat and it can dry out quickly on the grill. To help with this, I recommend marinating the turkey in spices and olive oil and then grilling it over high, direct heat for just a few minutes per side. The thin, even cutlets will grill quickly and cook through without drying out.
![Grilling Turkey Cutlets over high heat](https://www.crunchtimekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Jalapeno-Popper-Grilled-Turkey-Sandwiches-on-the-grill.jpg)
Making Crispy Shallots
This sandwich needs something crispy on top to bring together the textures. I made these quick crispy shallots by seasoning sliced shallots with paprika and dusting them with flour and then just frying them for a few minutes until crispy.
In a pinch, you can use store-bought crispy onions also!
![Crispy Shallots](https://www.crunchtimekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Jalapeno-Popper-Grilled-Turkey-Sandwiches-fried-shallot.jpg)
Building the Grilled Turkey Sandwiches
When your turkey is grilled and your jalapeno is charred, you are ready to build some good sandwiches!
![Grilled turkey and jalapenos done and ready for sandwiches](https://www.crunchtimekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Jalapeno-Popper-Grilled-Turkey-Sandwiches-off-the-grill.jpg)
I like to toast my buns, add some avocado, the grilled turkey cutlets, cream cheese, and grilled jalapeno!
![Building a turkey sandwich](https://www.crunchtimekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Jalapeno-Popper-Grilled-Turkey-Sandwiches-building.jpg)
Crispy shallots go on top of this sandwich and serve it with a cold beverage of course!
![Grilled Turkey Sandwich](https://www.crunchtimekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Jalapeno-Popper-Grilled-Turkey-Sandwiches-long1CR2.jpg)
While this sandwich only has a few ingredients, each plays an important role and the finished turkey sandwich is a wonderfully flavorful and delicious one.
![Grilled Turkey Sandwich](https://www.crunchtimekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Jalapeno-Popper-Grilled-Turkey-Sandwiches-bite1.jpg)
Change up your grill game this season with this amazing sandwich!
Jalapeno Popper Grilled Turkey Sandwiches
![Grilled Turkey Sandwiches](https://www.crunchtimekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Jalapeno-Popper-Grilled-Turkey-Sandwiches-feature-Feature-240x240.jpg)
Ingredients
- 6 5-ounce cutlets turkey, pounded thin
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 6 jalapenos, halved
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- Ripe avocado
- Fried Shallots, see below
- Potato buns, for serving
Quick Fried Shallots:
- 4 shallots, sliced thin
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 2 cups neutral oil, for frying
Instructions
- Cut turkey into 5- ounce (approximately) cutlets and pound thin with a kitchen mallet between two pieces of plastic. Move cutlets to a bowl and add olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat or prepare a charcoal grill for direct heat.
- When ready to cook, lightly oil cooking grates of grill. Add jalapeno halves to the grill and the marinaded turkey cutlets. Grill cutlets and jalapenos for 3-4 minutes per side. Turkey should register 165˚F in the thickest part of the cutlets. They will cook very quickly.
- Brush buns with a little oil and grill for 30 seconds to toast them.
- Build a sandwich by adding some ripe avocado to the bottom bun. Top with a grilled turkey cutlet (cut in half is easiest for stacking). Top with about an ounce of cream cheese and two halves of grilled jalapeno. Finish the sandwich with a handful of crispy fried shallots.
- Leftover grilled turkey will keep well in the fridge for 4-5 days.
- To make fried shallots, slice them thin and preheat oil to 350˚F in a medium pot. Dust shallots with seasoned flour and fry for 3-4 minutes until deep brown and crispy. Remove and let drain on a few paper towels.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Here are a few other great turkey recipes!
- Easy Turkey Ragu
- Turkey Meatball Orzo
- Leftover Turkey Waldorf Salad
- Turkey Pesto Burger Wrap from National Turkey Fed