Classic Club Sandwich
Classic triple-decker club sandwich with turkey, crisp bacon, lettuce and tomato on toasted bread, cut into quarters. Ready in about 20 minutes.
45% of it needs you at the counter
- Hands-on
- 10 min
- Cooking
- 12 min
- Serves
- 2
- Calories
- 585
- Protein
- 29 g
- Per serving
- $3.92
Why this recipe works
The club sandwich is a diner and hotel classic for good reason: three slices of toast, layered with turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato, cut into quarters so it's easy to eat. This is the straightforward version.
- Letting the toast cool for a minute before building keeps the lettuce crisp and the mayo from turning oily.
- Spreading mayo on every slice of toast seals the bread, so the tomato juice can't soak through.
- Securing each quarter with a toothpick before cutting keeps three layers of bread from sliding apart.
Ingredients
You will need
- Large skillet or rimmed baking sheet
- Toaster
- Long toothpicks
- Serrated knife
Method
Tap a step number to mark it done.
Cook the bacon
Cook the bacon in the skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
AI-generated illustration of this step. Toast the bread
Toast the bread until golden and let it cool on a rack for a minute so it stays crisp.
AI-generated illustration of this step. Build the first layer
Spread mayo on one side of each slice of toast. Lay two slices mayo-side up and top each with a lettuce leaf, a few tomato slices seasoned with salt and pepper, and the turkey.
AI-generated illustration of this step. Add the second layer
Place a second slice of toast on each, mayo-side up, and top with the bacon and the remaining lettuce. Finish with the last slices, mayo-side down.
AI-generated illustration of this step. Secure and cut
Push a toothpick through each quarter of the sandwich, then cut it diagonally into four triangles. Serve right away.
AI-generated illustration of this step.
Cook's notes
- Bake the bacon instead: lay it on a rimmed sheet in a cold oven, set it to 400°F and cook 15 to 18 minutes for flat, evenly crisp slices.
- Pat the tomato slices dry on a paper towel before layering if they're very juicy.
- Add a slice of cheddar or Swiss on the turkey layer if you like; it's common, though not classic.
Nutrition per serving
585 calories
$3.92 estimated cost per serving
Where the calories come from
| Protein | 20% of calories | 29 g |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs | 33% of calories | 47 g |
| Fat | 47% of calories | 30 g |
| Fiber | 3 g | |
| Sodium | 1710 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients and amounts; not lab-tested. Cost estimated from average US retail prices.
Questions people ask
What is on a classic club sandwich?
Three slices of toasted bread layered with turkey (sometimes chicken or ham), bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, cut into quarters.
Why is it called a club sandwich?
It's widely believed to come from American gentlemen's clubs in the late 1800s, where it was a popular late-night menu item.
How do you keep a club sandwich from falling apart?
Use long toothpicks in each quarter before you cut, and don't overload the layers. Slightly cooled toast also holds its shape better.
