Easy Turkey Basil Pesto Panini Recipe
This Easy Turkey Basil Pesto Panini is a delightful and savory sandwich combining the rich flavors of basil pesto, melted fontina cheese, tender turkey slices, and fresh Roma tomatoes, all pressed between crispy sourdough bread for a perfect grilled meal.
- Author: Grace
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Bread & Spreads
- 8 pieces sourdough bread
- 1 cup basil pesto
Cheese
- 1/2 pound fontina cheese, sliced
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 1/2 pounds turkey, sliced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
Others
- Prepare the Bread with Pesto and Cheese: Lay the sourdough bread slices flat and evenly spread pesto on each slice. Place the sliced fontina cheese on top of the pesto on all 8 slices. Set 4 slices aside for the next steps.
- Add Turkey: Evenly distribute the turkey slices over the 4 slices of bread reserved earlier, placing the turkey directly on top of the cheese layer for optimal flavor layering.
- Add Tomato Slices: Arrange the sliced Roma tomatoes on top of the turkey layers on each of the four bread slices to add a fresh and juicy component to the panini.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Top each stack with the remaining 4 slices of bread, pesto and cheese side down, and gently press down to secure the sandwich layers. Brush both sides of each sandwich lightly with olive oil to ensure a golden crisp finish when grilled.
- Grill the Paninis: Preheat a grill or panini press to medium-high heat. Grill the sandwiches until the bread is golden brown and toasted, and the cheese inside has melted, usually about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove from heat and slice each sandwich in half diagonally before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute turkey with chicken or ham if preferred.
- For a vegetarian option, omit turkey and add extra cheese or roasted vegetables.
- Use a panini press or grill pan for the best crispy texture.
- Fresh basil pesto is recommended for optimal flavor, but store-bought pesto works well too.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Turkey panini, basil pesto sandwich, grilled panini, easy turkey sandwich, fontina cheese sandwich