Turkey Rachel Sandwich Recipe | The Rustic Foodie® (2024)

This easy gluten free Grilled Turkey Rachel Sandwich recipe is made with Swiss cheese, crunchy coleslaw and homemade thousand island dressing!

This Rachel Turkey Sandwich is cousin to the Reuben and made with turkey, Swiss cheese, a homemade thousand island dressing, and lots of coleslaw.

Every year for St. Patrick's Day my family hits an Irish buffet and we stuff ourselves to the gills with corned beef, Irish potatoes, and every kind of cabbage dish under the sun.

Lots of people like to celebrate the holiday with lots and lots of booze. I don't mind a drink or two but what I really like to celebrate is the food.

Most people wake up the next day with a beer hangover - I wake up with a cabbage hangover. I wanted a recipe to get myself in the spirit of the holiday (and to train my stomach for that buffet).

One of the most famous corned beef recipes is the Reuben Sandwich.

This Rachel Sandwich (cousin to the Reuben Sandwich) is all of the best things in life toasted between two pieces of rye bread!

What's The Difference Between a Rachel and Reuben Sandwich?

Reuben sandwiches have become quite popular throughout the past few years. It seems now that it's time for the Turkey Rachel Sandwich to shine.

A Rachel sandwich is cousin to a Reuben sandwich. A Reuben is the iconic sandwich consisting of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing, and rye bread.

Turkey takes the place of corned beef in a Rachel sandwich and uses coleslaw instead of sauerkraut. Each version is grilled on the stove top and is basically a gourmet, grown-up grilled cheese.

Is one of them better than the other? No. They're both full of rich, gooey, melt-y deliciousness. A Rachel is just a slight variation on that deliciousness.

Ingredients For A Turkey Rachel Sandwich

These Rachel Sandwiches are made with both homemade thousand island dressing and coleslaw.

The homemade dressing and scratch-made coleslaw make all the difference!

You can skip the homemade version and use premade coleslaw and/or bottled thousand island dressing but there's nothing like the real thing.

Here's what you'll need to make it.

• 1 lb. Sliced Deli Turkey (or leftover roasted turkey)
• 1 package Swiss Cheese
• 1 loaf Gluten Free Rye Bread (or regular rye bread if not gluten free)
• 1 Tbsp. Butter
• 6 cups Cabbage (or 1 bag coleslaw mix)
• ⅓ cup Mayo
• 3 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
• 2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
• ½ tsp. Sugar
• 2 tsp. Celery Seeds
• Pinch Kosher Salt and Pepper

How To Make Thousand Island Dressing

The key to both the Rachel and the Reuben sandwiches is the Thousand Island dressing. It's the glue that holds the whole thing together and gives you the distinct flavor that is so crucial to this sandwich.

There's just one problem when it comes to Thousand Island Dressing - I don't like ketchup. Let me re-phrase that. I loath ketchup. I have a very hard time eating something if I know there is ketchup in it.

I knew there had to be some tomato-like ingredient in existence that could be substituted for ketchup. That ingredient? Adobo sauce.

Adobo is the tangy, sweet sauce that chipotles are packed in. The result? Pure magic. This zesty spin is going to take your Rachel and Reuben sandwiches to a whole new level.

Here's what you'll need to make this dressing.

• ½ cup Mayo
• 2 Tbsp. Adobo Sauce
• 2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
• ½ cup Chopped Kosher Dill Pickles (or kosher dill relish)
• ¼ tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Sugar
• ¼ cup Fresh Dill or Chives
• Pinch Kosher Salt and Pepper

It's a super easy dressing to make!

1. Finely chop 4-6 kosher dill pickles (equals roughly ½ cup).
2. Combine ½ cup mayo, 2 Tbsp. adobo sauce (from can of chipotles in adobo), 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, ¼ tsp. garlic powder, 1 tsp. sugar, and a pinch of kosher salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stir until completely combined.
3. Add the chopped kosher dill pickles and ¼ cup of minced dill, chives, or herb of choice.
4. Mix all of these ingredients together until combined.

For more detailed instructions and information check out this post for Homemade Thousand Island Dressing!

How To Make Coleslaw For Rachel Sandwich

The coleslaw that is used to top this sandwich can be made with freshly sliced cabbage or a bag of pre-packaged coleslaw mix. Fresh cabbage is always better but the bagged coleslaw mix is a great shortcut ingredient!

1. To make the coleslaw dressing combine ⅓ cup mayo, 3 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar, ½ tsp. sugar, 2 tsp. celery seeds, and a pinch of kosher salt in a small bowl.
2. Stir until completely combined using a fork or small whisk.
3. Add the shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix to a large bowl and pour the dressing over the top. Toss until the cabbage is completely combined with the dressing.

For more detailed instructions check out this recipe for Crunchy Coleslaw!

Can The Coleslaw Be Made Ahead Of Time?

This coleslaw may be made the day ahead or a few hours ahead of time and stored in the fridge until ready for use.

Can I Use Sauerkraut Instead Of Coleslaw?

Absolutely! If you prefer sauerkraut to coleslaw you can make it more of a turkey reuben and swap out the coleslaw for sauerkraut.

You can heat the sauerkraut before assembling the sandwiches or add the sauerkraut and let it warm while the sandwiches are toasting.

Love coleslaw? Don't miss these recipes!

• Asian Cabbage Slaw
• Blue Cheese Coleslaw
• Kohlrabi Slaw

How To Make A Rachel Sandwich

Now it's time to assemble these masterpieces!

1. Take a few pieces of rye bread and slather it with a generous helping of thousand island dressing.
2. Place 1-2 slices of Swiss cheese on top of the dressing.
3. Add a couple slices of deli turkey on top of the cheese.
4. Place a heaping spoonful of coleslaw on top of the turkey.
5. Heat a skillet to medium on the stove top and melt a little bit of butter in the pan. Combine the sandwich halves and place in the heated pan.
6. Cover and cook the sandwiches for 8-10 minutes or so on each side. The cheese should start to melt and the bread should develop a golden crust.
7. Repeat with the remainder of the sandwiches.

Cooking times may vary depending on the temperature of the stove top and the type of skillet used.

These sandwiches are quite thick and may take up to 10 minutes per side to properly toast.

Be sure to keep an eye on the sandwiches in the skillet and flip when necessary to prevent burning.

This recipe is gluten free and uses gluten free rye bread but feel free to use regular rye if gluten is not an issue for you!

If you can't find gluten free rye bread you can feel free to substitute your favorite deli-style gluten free bread.

If you like cabbage I think you'll love this Cabbage Roll In A Bowl!

What To Serve With A Rachel Turkey Sandwich

Once the Turkey Rachel Sandwiches are toasted they may be cut in half and served right away.

These sandwiches are decadent, messy, and downright delicious!

I love to serve them with some crunchy chips alongside a side dish like a marinated tomato salad, Mediterranean potato salad, dill pickle pasta salad, pickled beet salad, or a crunchy pea salad.

It would be great with a cup of homemade soup like this potato leek cauliflower soup or roasted carrot soup.

If you're looking for a sweet treat to follow up this Rachel sandwich I recommend these Bailey's and chocolate glazed doughnuts or whiskey Bailey's Irish affogato!

Love Sandwiches For Lunch? Don't Miss These Recipes!

• Mozzarella Grilled Cheese Sandwich
• Curried Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
• Lemon Tarragon Chicken Salad
• Mustard Egg Salad
• Dijon Gouda Grilled Cheese

Love Sandwiches? Don't Miss These Recipes!

5 Minute Masala Sandwich

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese

Grilled Cheese with Tarragon and Caramelized Shallots

Pot Roast Grilled Cheese