Smoked Turkey Brie and Apple Panini
Move over plain old grilled cheese, this simple smoked turkey brie and apple panini is the best sandwich you will ever eat. Ever.
I’m about to go out on a limb and declare something here and now. This was the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten.
Really. I’m not lying. I’ve heard of people doing crazy things like putting sliced apples on sandwiches and figured I might as well try it if I wanted to form a real opinion.
I made this concoction on a whim due to some brie that landed in my fridge via my husband’s cheese cooler at work (don’t worry, he paid for it!), and seriously, as I was eating this, I would devour a bite then look at my husband and roll my eyes in delight, eat a bite then look at my 5-year old and say, “is this not the most divine sandwich ever?” which was a little lost on him since he opted for a plain old cheddar grilled cheese, and the pattern just continued until the entire sandwich was gone…in a flash.
I could eat this sandwich every day for the rest of my life.
As a sidenote, I don’t own a panini press and still make panini sandwiches all the time using my indoor grill pan and a heavy cast iron skillet to press it as it grills.
And if it helps, it really isn’t much of a recipe – more just a list of ingredients layered on each other. Try it. I want you to love it as much as I did!
Smoked Turkey Brie and Apple Panini
Ingredients
- Artisan, sourdough or french bread, cut into desired slices
- Shaved or sliced smoked turkey
- 4 ounces Brie cheese, wax removed and cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 1 medium apple, cored and cut into thin slices (I used a Gala apple)
- ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced into half moons
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, melt 1 teaspoon oil over medium heat. When hot, add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are browned and beginning to caramelize, 10-12 minutes. Set aside.
- Place a single layer of brie on one slice of the bread. Top with sliced turkey, apples, caramelized onions and finally with another layer of brie. Place the other slice of bread on top of the sandwich.
- Preheat a skillet or indoor grill pan to medium heat. Place sandwich in the pan and top with a heavy skillet or panini press (I have a cast iron panini press I use with my indoor grill pan).
- Grill 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and heated through.
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Recipe Source: My Kitchen Cafe
Had to substitute really cheap ham for the turkey (maybe one day Korea will get into the idea of sliced deli meat but in the meantime… ;;) they still turned out deliciously though. My friend said they were like the gourmet version of those sandwiches they serve on airplanes XD Also, is there a trick to flipping the sandwich without it falling apart? I don’t have a panini press and the apples kept slipping out when I tried to flip the sandwiches in my skillet
Hubby keeps bringing home Brie when I send to the store to pick up something for me so I made this for dinner tonight. I don’t like Brie much but thought it was pretty good. All the ingredients worked nicely together. It was fun to try something new.
I made this for supper tonight – holy amazingness!!!
Can you give me the calorie, carbs and sodium for this sandwich?
Connie – sorry, I don’t calculate that information for each individual recipe but I’m sure there are free nutrition calculators online that could help you.
Mel, this was DELICIOUS!! Its also amazing with pears. Except with the pear, the cheese switches to something a bit stronger like a sharp white cheddar or gouda.. brie is just as good, (as most cheese is, ha) I like it with the turkey or without as a type of gourmet grilled cheese. Thanks for sharing all your mouth watering recipes, such a huge fan!!
By the way, this sandwich is really good with pepperjack cheese, too! I put that on the sandwich for my kids and they gobbled it up! Yes, we made it again for dinner tonight! Twice in a week! 🙂
Jenny – so glad you and your husband agree with my review that this is the best.sandwich.ever. You are so sweet and your nice comment made my day – thank you!
Best sandwich!!!! Oh, this is sooo good! I agree with you! The combination of flavors is perfect! My husband loved it and is begging me to make it again! We will definitely be making it again! I am OBSESSED with your blog! You, truly, need to get a cookbook out there! I love all of your recipes! They are the best! Thank you! You’re the best Melanie!
Leslie, you are brilliant! I bet fig jam is divine in this. Yum!
this sandwhich is DELISH with fig jam added. and i used cut up chicken breast and it worked great! thanks for the great recipes!
Danielle – it’s taken me a few days to respond to your comment so if you are truly still sick, and your kids, too, then I am personally flying to wherever you live to help you! 13 days!! Ugh. I’ve had sick kids, too, so I know how miserable it can be, especially when mom is sick. Glad this sandwich was a little pick-me-up.
I made this sandwich for lunch today; day 13, of really sick kids and no leaving the house. Needless to say I needed a little something to make me feel like a grown-up and not just a big walking Kleenex. This was so delicious. I love, love, LOVED it. So thanks again. Between this sandwich, a nebulizer and the Olympics, I feel like I can make it!
Marci – nice friend! Glad the sandwiches were delicious.
My friend had me over lunch today and made these…I’m in love :-)!!!
Ok, Jonathon is really me. Apparently I was logged in as my husband. Sorry, I didn’t catch that you were at a funeral. Hugs to you!
I am SO making this today…and your pretzels…and possibly your chocolate chip bars. Your food is just way, waaaaay to yummy.
“F” – thanks for your comment! I am really glad that you have had success with the recipes you’ve tried and that you were able to find a salmon recipe you like! Maybe this will be the start of you loving seafood!!
Lauren – thanks for the tip on the Brie. I actually remember hearing that the substance on the outside of the brie is edible, but for some reason, I just prefer it removed.
Hayley – I’m sorry I’m getting back to you so late. I’ve been out of town for a funeral. As for the rice in the soup, I just buy normal wild rice (not minute or Uncle Ben’s) and cook it according to the package directions (it usually takes about 25 minute). I’ve never bought the wild rice in the box with the seasonings so I’m not sure how it would blend with the soup. Let me know how it turned out!
Jonathon – I’ve been excited for someone to weigh in on their opinion of these sandwiches. I’m glad you liked them – thanks for letting me know!
I made these last night and they were fabulous! The combination of flavors is perfect. Thanks for another keeper!
Melanie –
You should do a post for your Super Bowl Sunday reommendations! Any fun appetizers, desserts, etc.
This has always been one of my favorite sandwiches, but I use apple butter and not apples. Can’t wait to try it with apples AND as panini. Usually I just throw it under the broiler.
MMMMM I cant wait to try this one..
LOL..I dont have a press either. I use my grill pan and a brick wrapped in foil!!!
Hi Melanie – I have a question on your Chicken and Wild Rice Soup…. What kind of Wild Rice do you use? And do you just cook it according to the box? Also what about the seasoning that comes with the rice? Sorry for so many questions, I’m just really excited to make this for dinner tonight. Thank you!!!
These ARE delicious– another REALLY good combo, that you wouldn’t think originally, is Green apple, goat cheese and honey, grilled on wheat bread. SOO SOO good. Sticky, and delicious.
Hi Melanie – I love your blog and haven’t found a recipe here yet that we haven’t liked!!!
Would you mind e-mailing me your menu and shopping list template? I would love to use it, if you don’t mind….
lisamoreland3@yahoo.com
also, I would love love love to see more of your weekley menus!
with sincerity – lisa
Oh wow, that looks good. I’ve been craving a good sandwich recently! And I love brie and turkey together!
Yum, that sounds good! We have recently discovered Brie along with many other fabulous cheeses on our own personal cheese-tasting journey and love it! PS, did you know that is mold (not wax) on the outside and you can eat it?
Oooooh…this does sound marvelous! I am drooling over this.
I know I’d love this too. I don’t have a panini press either, grins, and will have to make the sandwich the same as you; good to know I’m in such terrific company.
wow, melanie–that’s high praise indeed! best sandwich ever? yeah, i get that–soft, gooey, salt brie, smoky turkey, sweet and juicy apple. yeah…
must.have.amazing.sandwich!
Anything with Brie and apples is fabulous…add in toasty warm bread…YUM!
Oh no…I cannot even LOOK at a sandwich this delicious until the weekend. I am a sandwich addict and I just know I will be thinking of this particular one ALL week! I cannot wait to make it!
thats sounds wonderful!! I’ll be adding this to my menu next week!! Just have to come up with a soup to serve it with for soup and sandwich night!
Oh wow, this looks great! I love paninis. I got a panini maker for Christmas and I’m so going to make this later during the week. Yum!
I have been following your blog for a couple of months now and I have been trying new recipes from your blog like crazy. I just have to say how much my family LOVES them. There is not one that didn’t earn a spot in my recipe book for future dinners. I am not a seafood eater but for my kids we try to work it into our diets, we made your salmon on saturday and everyone (kids and all) devoured it. Thanks for posting such yummy food.
This combo sounds amazing, so I do believe you. Sometimes the simplest foods really do make the best meals.