Traditional Ingredients Equals Best Club Sandwich
Bread – bakery quality white or wheat and not sliced thick
Butter – salted or unsalted
Mayonnaise – Duke’s is the best
Turkey – sandwich sliced from the deli
Tomatoes – sun-ripened slicing tomatoes
Salt
Cheddar cheese – sandwich sliced from the deli
Ham – sandwich sliced from the deli
Bacon – crispy cooked (how to cook bacon in the oven)
Lettuce – leaf lettuce or iceberg lettuce.
How to make a Classic Club Sandwich
Start by toasting the bread, then lightly butter both sides of each toast slice. Spread some mayo on one side of each of those slices. Layer turkey, tomato slices, and cheddar cheese in that order on one of those slices. Place another piece of the toast on top of that mayonnaise side up. Layer with ham, bacon, and lettuce. Top with another slice of toast mayonnaise side down. Stick toothpicks in the four sides of the top bread slice (see picture). Then, slice into triangular pieces with a sharp or serrated knife. Or better yet, use an electric knife if you have one. Serve with potato chips, French fries, Southern potato salad, soup, or creamy coleslaw.
Recipe Tips
Use thinly sliced bread. I like to use classic white or whole wheat. This sandwich has three slices of toast, and it gets fairly tall, so you don’t want it to get so tall that you can not secure it with a toothpick or eat it.
Likewise slice your tomatoes thin and don’t pile on the lettuce too thick.
Cook your bacon in the oven at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Use an old baking sheet or cover a newer one with parchment paper. I have an old baking sheet that I keep around just for bacon.
Best Tip – for a neat appearance, trim any excess lettuce with kitchen scissors.
This sandwich is best enjoyed promptly or shortly after being made.
Recipe variations
Are you tired of the classic club and looking for something a little different? Try some of these fun ideas and change things up a bit.
Protein – try sliced chicken breast, roast beef, fried egg, or even tuna or salmon
Cheese – try Pepper Jack, American, Provolone, or Swiss Cheese
Veggies – try sliced avocado, red onion, pea tendrils, arugula, or radish sprouts
Spreads – try guacamole, mustard, aioli, or Southern Comeback Sauce.
