This turkey panini recipe is always a favorite in our house. The simple mix of turkey, apple, Cheddar cheese and arugula is delightfully simple and tasty.
Turkey Panini Recipe with Apple, Cheddar & Arugula
This turkey panini recipe is one of my favorite light lunchtime meals. Super quick and easy, with an unexpected flavor combination that was inspired by a sandwich that my husband discovered years ago.
Long before we first hurtled down the luge-like chutes on wheeled carts during the summertime at Snowbird and Park City ski resorts, my husband (Steve) and I knew "alpine slides" as something completely different.
When we lived in New York City years ago, Steve drove out to Danville, New Jersey a few times each week to meet with clients. I remember the day when he came home and said, "I found this great deli today that had the best sandwich. It's called the Alpine Slide."
The Alpine Slide was a simple turkey sandwich on 7-grain bread. What made it special was stone ground mustard with a kick, sharp Cheddar cheese and slices of crisp apple. Ever since those days in New Jersey, we've slipped two or three slices of apple into our turkey sandwiches. The sweet crunch can take a sandwich from good to great.
Ever since my family bought me a panini press for Christmas a few years ago (they know the way to my heart), that appliance has been used at least three or four times per week. Sausages, panini, fish, chicken. You name it, it gets taken for a test drive on the panini press. So naturally, I thought it would be best to give the Alpine Slide a turn on the press. Melted cheese is always a good decision.
I love a good soup and sandwich combo. Try serving it with Broccoli Cheese Potato Soup or Tomato Rice Soup.
If mustard isn't your thing, double down on the apple flavor by replacing the mustard with homemade apple butter.
What if I don't have a panini press?
If you don't have a panini press, no problem. You could use a George Foreman Grill or cook the sandwich in a skillet or grill pan (this is the one I have) with a brick (covered in foil, please!) on top.
How to make a light turkey panini:
- To make these panini a little lighter, I used whole wheat sandwich thins, which can be found at most supermarkets and weigh in at only 100 calories each. For those times when I'm more interested in getting a big bite of filling rather than bread, the sandwich thins are the perfect option.
- Instead of mayonnaise, I swapped in Greek yogurt and mixed it with stone ground mustard.
- If you prefer, use light Cheddar cheese. I am partial to the taste and meltability (that's a word, right?) of the full fat version.
Other healthy apple recipes:
Cinnamon Apple & Goat Cheese Crostini {Cookin' Canuck}
Light Maple Cashew Baked Apples {Cookin' Canuck}
Apple Pistachio Quinoa Salad {Chelsea's Messy Apron}
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats {That Clean Life}
Printable Recipe

Turkey Panini Recipe with Apple, Cheddar & Arugula
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 3 teaspoons stone ground mustard
- 2 whole wheat sandwich thins
- 3 ounces turkey breast
- 1 ounce cheddar cheese thinly sliced
- ½ Gala apple sliced
- ½ cup arugula
Instructions
- Heat a panini maker.
- In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt and mustard.
- Spread the yogurt sauce on both halves of each sandwich thin.
- Divide the turkey breast, cheese, apple and arugula evenly between the two sandwiches.
- Grill the sandwiches on the panini maker until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
The post was originally published on September 25, 2015 and updated on September 9, 2019.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Michelle @ Taste As You Go
My family isn't the biggest fan of mustard. What would you suggest to use as a spread instead? Do you think fig jam/preserves would be too sweet?
Dara
I think that would be a fantastic combination!
Abigail
This looks so delicious, healthy and simple. Love it!
Thanks for the shout out 🙂
Colleen (Souffle Bombay)
Mmmm, I live in PA not far from Jersey and haven't come across this sammie. It sounds so good! Thanks for the intro! I had no idea you have lived over this way previously either!
Amanda @ The Kitcheneer
I need this panini! I love the apple turkey combo in sandwiches. Reminds me of one I had when I was visiting NYC one winter. Delicious!
Melissa from Hungry Food Love
How funny about finding that great deli and sandwich in NJ, it does look like a divine combination.... oh and I would love a panini maker...
Justine | Cooking and Beer
Ahhhhh, haha. I was raised in NJ and I think I may need to go back just to try this "Alpine Slide." It is definitely not the alpine slide I'm thinking of! Loving this sandwich, and the story behind it. 🙂
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles
What a great looking sandwich! The flavor combination just screams fall. Love it!!
Chandra@The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen
Dara I am all about a good sandwich! This panini really delivers
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
Haha. I love how you added the foil covering bit. 😉 But that's actually a great idea! I would have never thought of that. And like I said before, LOVE the apple and cheddar combination!
Heather | girlichef
Apples and turkey are definitely the perfect combo. I make a sandwich with those two and brie - but I'm a huge cheddar-lover (and arugula) - so this is going on my try soon list!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
We eat a lot of turkey sandwiches in this house (it's my husbands favorite lunch) I think this would be a great change of pace!
Lana | Never Enough Thyme
I really like the crunch and bit of sweet the apple gives this sandwich. That paired with the peppery arugula, the cheddar, and turkey sound like pretty much the perfect sandwich to me!
Kristyn
This sounds like such a delicious take on a regular ole panini! Can't wait to try!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Oh I love this so much! I adore paninis and I love all of the ingredients in here too! And by the way, apple and cheddar are magical together 🙂
Joanie @ Zagleft
I love the crunch of apple in these sandwiches. These would make the perfect lunch, so many great flavors!
Liz
Thank you Dara for the nice recipe.
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig
I wish I could eat these for breakfast. They look so delicious!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Paninis are my most favorite kinds of sandwiches. Something magical happens to a sandwich when it's warm and squished. Loving that you added apple to these, it sounds like lunch! Pinned!