Poolside Turkey Club Sandwich

Pool days have their own kind of hunger. It’s not the craving for a fancy heavy meal or light snack. It’s the kind of belly-growling hunger that calls for a really good sandwich. One that’s piled high with fresh ingredients and sturdy enough to survive the transport in the cooler. This poolside turkey club was made exactly for those afternoons at the pool or beach, that’s easy to slice and share. 

Layered on hearty sourdough bread, this turkey club is stacked high with thick slices of turkey, crispy bacon, sharp white cheddar cheese, tangy pickled jalapenos, juicy tomatoes, and fresh romaine lettuce. Each bite is salty, smokey and fresh with just a little bit of a kick from the chipotle mayo and jalapeños. It tastes delicious chilled or toasted!

We’d argue this homemade poolside turkey club sandwich deserves the official title of Sandwich of Summer! Whether you’re packing a cooler for the lake, heading to the pool or looking for an easy summer lunch that feels a bit more special, this turkey club checks every box and hits the spot. 

Why You’ll Love This Turkey Club Sandwich

• Perfect for packing in the cooler. Wrap this sandwich in some plastic wrap, and it’s sturdy enough to travel with you to the lake, pool, or beach. 
• It’s simple but feels special. Simple ingredients that are packed with bold flavor, that are hearty enough to keep everyone full for a day packed with adventure. It’s the kind of sandwich that you’ll be looking forward to all day long.
• Smokey, spicy, and salty! Every layer ties together perfectly with just the right amount of heat. The cold slices of cheese, crisp, salty bacon, spicy mayo, juicy tomato, and thick layer of meat pack a punch of flavor and texture in each bite.

How to Make this Poolside Turkey Club Sandwich, Step by Step

Step 1. Cook bacon in the oven until crispy.

Cooking bacon in the oven is one of our favorite kitchen hacks – it cooks the bacon evenly and reduces the mess of cooking bacon in a skillet! You don’t have to worry about grease popping and splattering on you or your countertops. 

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Lay 10-12 strips of bacon on the baking sheet and bake in the oven for 15-29 minutes until crispy. 

Once the bacon is done cooking, remove the bacon strips from the pan and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to cool for about 10 minutes.

Tip: This is a cold sandwich, so you don’t want the bacon to be piping hot when you assemble the sandwiches.

Step 2. Assemble sandwiches. 

If your sourdough loaf isn’t already sliced, use a serrated knife to slice the loaf into eight to ten 1/2-inch thick slices.

Grab two slices of bread and assemble your first sandwich! Start by spreading a thin layer of chipotle mayonnaise on both pieces of bread. 

Layer the sandwich with a couple of slices of cheese, tomato slices, a healthy layer of sliced turkey (about 3-4 ounces per sandwich), a couple of pieces of bacon, some tamed jalapeno slices, and a couple of pieces of lettuce. 

Top the bread with the second slice of bread. Gently press down on the sandwich to lock in all the ingredients.

Step 3. Slice and serve.

This recipe makes about 4-5 healthy-sized sandwiches that can be sliced in half or fourths, depending on how you want to serve them. 

Tips for Prepping and Packing the Sandwiches for the Pool

• Pat the tomatoes dry. After slicing the tomatoes, blot them with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This keeps the sandwich crisp and prevents the bread from getting soggy.
• Bake the bacon until crispy. The oven will cook the bacon evenly, but make sure to cook it until it’s nice and crisp. It will add the perfect salty crunch to every bite. 
• Layer the lettuce or cheese against the bread. Place the romaine lettuce directly on top of the chipotle mayo before adding the other ingredients. It creates a barrier that helps keep the bread fresh and crisp.
• Slice and serve immediately. For the best texture, enjoy the sandwich right after assembling while the bacon is still crisp and the bread is fresh. Or immediately wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge or ice chest (if you’re taking these on the go).

How to Serve Poolside Turkey Club Sandwiches

These sandwiches are easy to dress up or down, depending on the occasion. Although they are perfect for a pool or beach day, they can also be fun to serve for other festivities.

• Wrap tightly for picnics or pool days. Wrap each sandwich tightly in parchment paper before slicing. It keeps everything together, makes them easier to transport, and creates that classic deli-style presentation.
• Cut into fourths for parties or game day. Secure each piece with a decorative toothpick to create bite-sized sandwich appetizers that are easy to grab from a serving platter.
• For a summer spread pair with: potato chips, fresh vegetables, watermelon slices, grapes, and a bowl of extra chipotle mayo for dipping.

How to Store Poolside Turkey Club Sandwiches

These sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 

• If making them ahead, consider storing the tomatoes separately and adding them just before serving to help prevent the bread from becoming soggy. 
• If using toasted bread, wait to toast it until you’re ready to assemble for the best texture.