Shredded Turkey Sandwiches

If you thought turkey was only for Thanksgiving, think again. This recipe for shredded turkey sandwiches transforms boneless turkey breast into a savory sandwich filling for lunches, dinners or tailgate parties. Toss beer, dried onion soup mix, butter and meat into a slow cooker, let it go for a few hours and then shred the meat. You’ll have a sandwich filling that’s almost like a French dip, Italian beef or pulled chicken but with its own delicious flavor profile. Serve shredded turkey with sturdy rolls so they don’t disintegrate under the juices—and you’ll want those juices!

Ingredients for Shredded Turkey Sandwiches

• Turkey breast: Look for boneless, skinless turkey breast portions in the meat department. See below for options to use cooked turkey instead!
• Beer: Either regular or nonalcoholic beer works as a braising liquid in the slow cooker. When cooking with beer, lagers and ales are good choices. Anything too hoppy could render the sauce too bitter.
• Onion soup mix: Make your own onion soup mix or opt for a reliable store-bought brand.
• Butter: Added to the slow cooker with the other ingredients, butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce for these shredded turkey sandwiches.
• French rolls: These small rolls have a delectably chewy crust. Other types that work with this recipe are slider buns, pretzel buns or kaiser rolls.

Directions

Step 1: Add everything to the slow cooker

Place the turkey breast halves in the slow cooker. Combine the beer, soup mix and cubed butter in a small bowl, then pour the mixture over the turkey breast. Cover the slow cooker and cook the meat for seven to nine hours or until the meat is very tender.

Step 2: Shred the turkey

Remove the turkey and shred it. Return the pulled turkey to the slow cooker and heat through. Serve the shredded turkey and sauce spooned inside split French rolls.

Editor’s Tip: The best way to shred meat is with two forks or your fingers.

Shredded Turkey Sandwich Variations

• Use cooked turkey: This is a great way to utilize Thanksgiving turkey leftovers! Instead of raw turkey breasts, pull leftover cooked meat into shreds. Add it to the slow cooker with the other ingredients, and cook for about an hour until the meat is heated through and flavorful.
• Try beef broth: You can omit the beer and replace it with beef broth, which is a perfect pairing for the French onion soup mix.
• Add cooked onions: These slow-cooker pulled turkey sandwiches are so tasty with caramelized onions or Tennessee onions folded into the rolls with the turkey.
• Use a sauce: Add barbecue or teriyaki sauce to the broth, or toss a sauce with the pulled turkey recipe before serving. A touch of soy sauce added to the braising liquid brings a lot of umami to the party.

How to Store Shredded Turkey Sandwiches

Store the leftover pulled turkey recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The rolls should be stored separately in a sealed bag or container.

How should you reheat shredded turkey?

One way to reheat the slow-cooker pulled turkey is in the microwave. Transfer some of the meat and sauce to a microwave-safe container and loosely cover it. Zap it for 60 seconds, stir and repeat until the meat is warmed through. You can also warm up the meat and sauce in a saucepan set over medium heat on the stove. Wrap the rolls in foil and warm them in the oven or toaster oven.

Shredded Turkey Sandwich Tips

What else can you do with pulled turkey?

If you have extra pulled turkey or simply want to offer different options, serve the meat and sauce over cooked rice or tender egg noodles. Or, fold it into warm tortillas with sauteed onions and bell peppers, topped with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar or Jack cheese. The flavorful shredded turkey is also quite tasty when used in a batch of oven-baked nachos!

What can you serve with shredded turkey sandwiches?

A casual, flavorful dinner like this is delicious served with a side of crispy french fries or Tater Tots. You can also pair the sandwiches with a comforting soup, such as lentil soup, cream of mushroom soup or a hearty vegetable soup. Or, make the sandwiches as an easy party food to serve alongside jalapeno popper dip and sausage wonton cups.