If I ever pick up a sandwich at a local deli/grocery store I often look for a turkey sandwich. I especially liked this version with coleslaw (I added pure horseradish) and Russian dressing – no lettuce or tomato. Serve with pickles, coleslaw and/or chips and you have a nice lunch or a light dinner.
This is a sandwich made to your taste; I decided to follow the recipe even though I have my own recipes for coleslaw and Russian dressing. It’s fun to try new versions and get new ideas. So, use this post as a guideline to make your own special Turkey Sandwich Deli Style. I really enjoyed the combination the authors created.




This recipe has been in my draft file for some time now and it won out over a few newer recipes. I had a few ideas of what I was going to do with the leftover turkey besides these sandwiches such as Ronit’s Turkey meatloaf https://ronitpenso.wordpress.com/2016/11/20/turkey-leeks-and-potatoes-meatloaf/ – no ground turkey here but white breast turkey. The Wok’s Turkey Lo Mein https://thewoksoflife.com/turkey-lo-mein/ was another recipe I have on my “to make list” uses shredded turkey and is a blend of American/Chinese cuisines.
Turkey Sandwich Deli Style
Recipe by Clinton St. Baking Company – 2010 by Dede Lahman and Neil Kleinberg, Adapted by Judi Graber
Sandwich:
- 2/3 cup Tartar Sauce (see recipe below)
- 8 slices rye bread, toasted, using my panini had excellent results as it melted the cheese and warmed the sandwich up
- 2 lbs. fresh turkey breast, sliced thin (could be smoked or honey, etc.)
- 2 cups coleslaw, plus more for serving (homemade or use recipe below)
- 16 thin slices Swiss cheese
Tartar Sauce + 1/3 cup ketchup = Russian dressing (this is delicious)
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped sour pickles (I sustituted dill pickles)
- 1/4 cup drained, coarsely chopped capers
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 tbs. coarsely chopped fresh parsley
- 1-1/2 cups mayonnaise such as Hellmann’s or Best Foods
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 tsp. Tabasco sauce
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- Add 1/3 cup ketchup and stir well
Combine the pickles, capers, onion and parsley in a bowl. Whisk in the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce until combined. Season with salt and pepper; then add the ketchup.
Coleslaw:
- 8 cups mixed shredded cabbage; 6 cups green and 2 cups red (I used a packaged mix)
- 1 medium carrot, julienned (I also used pre-sliced carrot slivers)
- 1 cup mayonnaise, Hellmann’s or Best Foods
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup finely diced white or sweet onion
- 1-1/2 tbsp. sugar
- 1 tbsp. white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp. pure horseradish – I added
- 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 3/4 tsp. ground black pepper
Combine the cabbage and the carrot. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, onion, sugar,vinegar, pure horseradish, salt and pepper. Add the dressing to the cabbage mixture and mix until well combined.
Assemble:
Spread 2 tbsp. dressing on each slice of bread.
Top each of 4 slices of bread with 1/2 lb. turkey, scant 1/2 cup coleslaw and 4 slices Swiss cheese. Top each with the remaining 4 slices of bread to make sandwiches. Serve with potato chips, extra coleslaw and/or pickles.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com



With everything freshly made, this is ultimate lunch sandwich!. Great flavors. 🙂
I really enjoyed this sandwich – the Russian dressing was especially tasty with the capers and pickles 🙂
sounds delicious. I do love a good sandwich, and we find that sandwiches disappear first at our Historical society afternoon teas.
cheers
sherry
When sandwiches like this one are delicious they will disappear. This is a keeper for me 🙂
Lovely ingredients all around – must put the recipes aside. Having been born in northern Europe am a huge fan of big open sandwiches piled high with a variety of goodies . . . some of these would make a lovely mix tho’ turkey is not ‘all that big’ in the Baltics or Down Under 🙂 !
Turkeys are a big part of American history beginning with the Pilgrims on Thanksgiving. It’s a family tradition but I am always surprised how many families enjoy ham or roast beef or even Italian pasta. I like a big, flavorful sandwich like this – the Russian dressing was really good 🙂
This sandwich looks delicious – simple, hearty, and packed with all the classic deli flavours. Such a perfect, comforting meal.
Always fresh iongredients and I needed to get out my electric knife to make the slices of turkey thinner. Delicious combination with coleslaw and that wonderful Russian dressing 🙂
Your sandwich looks so yummy!
cookingwithauntjuju.com
12/04/2025 at 4:38 pm Edit
Thanks so much as we sure did enjoy them. Sorry I waited so long to make one as it is now my go-to deli sandwich 🙂