Panera Bread Sierra Turkey Sandwich Recipe

For a quick lunch, make this Panera Bread Sierra turkey sandwich recipe! It’s a simple, straightforward recipe that’s great for beginners or people who don’t like to cook.

Panera Bread Company is an American bakery-cafe chain with a variety of sandwiches, soups, and salads. And the Sierra turkey sandwich was a popular option on their secret menu, but the company has since discontinued it.

But don’t worry, because this sandwich is easy to make at home. Just spread some sauces, pile on the turkey, melted cheese, add a few veggies, and take a bite!

This copycat recipe is great for lunch, a mid-afternoon snack, or a light supper. (Or breakfast if you’re feeling adventurous!)

And, it’s a very versatile sandwich. You can change up the bread, dressing, or veggies to customize your own masterpiece.

Also, you can serve it hot or cold — it’s great for summer or winter. So, if you miss this classic Panera sandwich, just make it at home.

Picking the Best Panera Bread Sierra Turkey Sandwich Ingredients

Bread

Panera used asiago cheese focaccia for their sandwich, so that’s what I use here. I love the combination of sharp cheese, fresh herbs, and the sandwich sauce.

Asiago is a cow-milk cheese has a nutty and buttery flavor, so this cheese pairs really well with smoked turkey breast.

While asiago cheese focaccia is delicious, you could use regular focaccia if you don’t eat cheese. And for a lower fat option, you could substitute ciabatta.

Turkey

Turkey meat is a classic choice for a flavorful sandwich. It’s easy to find at the grocery store, and it comes in a lot of flavors.

Sauce

Chipotle mayonnaise forms the base of the sauce, with a few extra ingredients like lime juice and barbeque sauce.

I find that brown sugar balances out the saltiness of the sauce, but you can leave it out if you want. Chipotle peppers (dried, smoked jalapeños) are actually a bit sweet on their own.

Chipotles often come in cans of adobo sauce, which is also a little sweet. Adding chipotles in adobo to any dish automatically gives it a boost of heat, smokiness, and general deliciousness.

To make the chipotles easier to use, you can put the peppers and sauce in your blender and make a paste. Then it’s easy to add spoonfuls to your recipes.

Onions

Another semi-sweet ingredient in this sandwich is fresh onion. I like to use large red onions and slice them really thinly.

Avocado Spread

While you don’t need avocado for a yummy sandwich, I love the creaminess it adds. You can just throw some slices directly on the bread, or you can make a quick guacamole. Simply mash half an avocado, add the juice from half a lemon or lime, and a dash of salt.

Greens

A standard turkey sandwich usually uses Romaine lettuce, but you can add any greens you like. For example, you can substitute arugula for a slightly spicy option.

Also, take advantage of your greens. They’re a great barrier to put between the bread and the sauces, so your focaccia doesn’t get soggy.

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven
   

   Set your oven to 400 degrees F and let it preheat.
   

2. Make Sauce
   

   Then in the medium bowl, add the mayo, chipotle, lemon or lime juice, brown sugar, and barbecue sauce (if using). Mix them together until combined.
   

3. Slice and Toast Bread
   

   Cut 8 slices from the loaf of focaccia. Put them in the oven to toast until the slices start to crisp up.
   

4. Assemble Sandwich and Enjoy
   

   On each slice of bread, add 2 tablespoons of the sauce and spread evenly. Set 4 pieces aside for the sandwich tops.

   Then, add a slice of turkey to each of the bottom slices of bread. Add the onions next. After, layer the greens, and then the Swiss cheese and avocado.

   Finally, place the second slice of bread on top.

   Enjoy your sandwich while it’s still warm.
   

Swaps and Substitutions for the Panera Bread Sierra Turkey Sandwich Recipe

• To increase the fibers, leave out the Swiss cheese and swap the cheese focaccia for slices of whole-grain bread.
• Make the sandwich healthier by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise (or use half of each). This reduces the fat content, and it will make the dressing even tangier.
• Adding more vegetables add freshness. Pile on the tomato slices, cucumber, shredded carrot, or roasted red peppers. Or, for a salty kick, try black olives, pickles, or banana peppers.

How to Serve the Panera Bread Sierra Turkey Sandwich

• To have this sandwich the classic Panera Bread way, serve a cup of soup or a green salad with it.
• Potato chips or French fries are a great side dish, too, and they’ll make your taste buds very happy with this delicious combination.

Storing Options for Panera Bread Sierra Turkey Sandwich

In the fridge, open packages of lunch meat will last for about 3-5 days, so don’t keep pre-made sandwiches longer than that.

Before freezing, spread margarine or butter on the bread before adding other ingredients. That way, the bread won’t get as soggy when you take it out. Also, don’t add veggies or mayonnaise to the sandwich before freezing.