When you need quick, hearty comfort food the whole family will love pull out this easy recipe. It's always a welcome weeknight dinner.

Table of Contents
❤️ Why you'll love it
- Hearty and juicy, this is the perfect comfort food.
- This open-faced turkey sandwich recipe is quick, easy, and makes for a great weeknight dinner.
- It's so versatile - and is one of my favorite brunch recipes.
You can't go wrong with a big, diner style plate piled high with a hot turkey sandwich covered in creamy gravy cuddled up next to a big scoop of mashed potatoes.
And... it takes just 15 minutes!
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

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🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

- Melt the butter in a large skillet.
- Add the onions and caramelize until they are golden and soft.
- Blend in the gravy and cream cheese until smooth.
- Heat the turkey in the gravy mixture until warm then build your sandwiches.
🥄 Equipment
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You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
🥫 Storage
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. Be sure to store the turkey and gravy seperately from the bread so that it does not get soggy.
I recommend only assembling each open face turkey sandwich on an individual plate when you are ready to serve them.
If you use commercial gravy you can freeze this for up to 4 months in an airtight container or a ziplock bag.

📖 Variations
- Sliced chicken or roast beef would be another lean meat that would make a great hot sandwich.
- Top your sandwich with your favorite cheese, like provolone or Swiss, for even more flavor.
- If you are a fan of peppered turkey, add a little bit of white pepper to your gravy for a tasty pepper kick.
- Add a little poultry seasoning to the gravy.
- Give your sandwich a little of Thanksgiving Day flavor by adding stuffing and cranberry sauce to it.
💭 Tips
Expert Tip: To keep the onions from burning, make sure to keep them on medium heat and stir often.
- Once you add the gravy and cream cheese to your skillet, be sure to scrape the bottom of the skillet well with your wooden spoon to get all the tasty bits that are stuck on the bottom of the skillet.
- I've found that using a cast-iron skillet really gives onions the best texture and flavor.
- Add a pinch of salt to your onions once they have cooked down for a nice flavor.
- I prefer thick bread slices, like Texas toast or slices of this Pullman loaf.
- Toast bread before you assemble the sandwich if you like a little crunch.
- Garnish your sandwich with fresh parsley for added color.
👩🍳 FAQs
When food is cooked open-faced it means that there is no top bread slice on the sandwich.
These sandwiches are to be enjoyed with a knife and fork.
Yes, you can use leftover turkey in this recipe.

📚 Related recipes
- This No-Knead Bread is an easy recipe for white bread to use for these sandwiches.
- Instead of using turkey gravy mix, you can make your own homemade gravy for even more healthy recipes.
- Crockpot Mississippi roast is tender and flavorful beef that makes for a tasty meal.
🍽️ Serve with...
- Whip up a batch of these Copycat Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes to serve with these hot turkey sandwiches.
- Cornbread Dressing would be a great way to add more flavor to this recipe.
- Southern Style green beans are an easy and fresh side dish that is great for healthy eating.
📞 The last word
The hot, open-faced turkey sandwich is stick to your ribs food for a chilly autumn day -- with maybe a spattering of rain. It is guaranteed to warm the chilliest bones and cheer up the dreariest soul.
This is classic diner food and it's just as delicious today as it was 60 years ago!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe

Open Faced Turkey Sandwich wiht Gravy
Print Pin Recipe SaveIngredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1-½ pounds cooked turkey breast, I use deli sliced turkey
- 24 ounces turkey gravy
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 8 slices bread
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Instructions
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and saute until tender and beginning to brown.
- Add gravy and cream cheese.
- Whisk over medium heat until the gravy and cream cheese are smooth.
- Add turkey and heat through.
- Serve over the sliced bread.
Notes
- Once you add the gravy and cream cheese to your skillet, be sure to scrape the bottom of the skillet well with your wooden spoon to get all the tasty bits that are stuck on the bottom of the skillet.
- I've found that using a cast-iron skillet really gives onions the best texture and flavor.
- Add a pinch of salt to your onions once they have cooked down for a nice flavor.
- I prefer thick bread slices, like Texas toast or slices of this Pullman loaf.
- Toast bread before you assemble the sandwich if you like a little crunch.
- Garnish your sandwich with fresh parsley for added color.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Jody Miller
Was there a different version of this recipe you posted with a homemade gravy? Thanks
Marye
Yes but no one wanted that one because it was "too much work" so I took it down.