Panera Bread Sierra Turkey Sandwich

There's something about Panera Bread sandwiches, especially the sierra turkey sandwich. And this recipe makes the same perfect and flavorful sandwich that everyone loves, except you get to enjoy it right from the comfort of your own home. From the zesty, smoky mayonnaise, to the buttery focaccia bread and delicious sliced turkey this copycat sierra turkey Panera sandwich has it all.

The Best Sierra Turkey Sandwich Recipe

Everyone knows Panera Bread makes the best sandwiches. So when I found out the sierra turkey sandwich isn't offered on the menu anymore, I knew I had to make a copycat version of it. And, honestly, this homemade version tastes exactly like the one Panera used to have!

This sandwich has tender sliced turkey meat, crispy arugula, onion, and fresh avocado as the fillings. Then, the homemade chipotle mayo spread comes together with fresh lime juice and a touch of sweetness for the perfect balance of flavors. And, of course, all of this deliciousness is piled high on freshly toasted focaccia bread.

Also, since this recipe is such a breeze to make, it works perfectly as a quick, convenient, and easy lunch recipe or even a simple dinner the whole family will enjoy. By the way, this sandwich is excellent paired with my Panera broccoli cheese soup recipe. It's like having your own "pick two" from Panera at home!

Oh, and you can also enjoy this turkey sandwich a little differently every day of the week! I've included some modifications below.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need for the chipotle mayonnaise spread:

• Mayonnaise- for the creamy base.
• Sugar- for a hint of sweetness to balance out the heat.
• Chipotle peppers in Adobo Sauce- pureed for the kick of spice
• Lime juice- to balance out the flavors.

And to build the sandwich:

• Small focaccia bread- two pieces cut into 8 sandwich-size slices.
• Olive oil
• Smoked turkey breast slices- pick it up fresh from the deli.
• Onion- sliced.
• Arugula- or other greens.
• Avocado- sliced.

Now, this recipe is super flexible, so feel free to adjust what you put on it. So, if you don't like spice, you can just use regular mayo or a different spread like this dill dip, ranch dressing, or hummus. 

By the way, if you want chipotle mayo but don't want to have to make it from scratch, you can pick up the premade kind from the store.

My Recipe Modification Suggestions

If there's one thing I love about a good sandwich - it's how easy they are to customize! Here are some of my favorite ways to make this turkey sandwich a little different each time:

• Add fresh tomato slices, bacon, and crispy lettuce for a BLT style sandwich.
• Use asiago cheese focaccia or other flavored bread such as garlic or rosemary.
• Add any kind of cheese you want, like provolone or Swiss
• Add a drizzle of barbeque sauce or even hot sauce for extra flavor.

There's a never-ending number of ways to make this sandwich recipe better each time, kind of like this Italian grinder sandwich. Seriously, even the pickiest of eaters won't be able to say no! 

How To Make The Sierra Turkey Sandwich

Step 1: Make chipotle mayonnaise sauce

First, you'll want to make the homemade chipotle mayo so it's ready to go for later.

To do that, add the mayonnaise, sugar, chipotles, and lime juice to a bowl. Then, give them a good mix until all of the ingredients combine into a sauce.

Step 2: Toast the Bread

Next, you'll toast the bread because everything tastes better on toasted bread.

To toast the bread, brush the focaccia with olive oil and either place it in the toaster oven or in a panini press and toast until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.

Step 3: Build The Sandwich

Now that you have the sauce and bread ready, it's time to build this Panera Bread menu item.

First, layer the bottom of the bread with a generous layer of chipotle mayo, then add the turkey breast slices, onion slices, avocado, and arugula on top.

Then, to finish the sandwich, put the other piece of bread on top and slightly press it down to hold everything together.

Finally, slice the sandwich in half, take a bite and enjoy!

How I Recommend Storing This Sandwich

As I mentioned, this recipe will make 4 sandwiches. And since they're so easy to assemble, I definitely recommend making these sandwiches fresh whenever you want one.

But, if you made more than you can finish, you can store the sandwiches wrapped tightly in plastic wrap - or aluminum foil - and then place them in an airtight container or sealable bag. The sandwich will last in the fridge for about 2 days. 

By the way, to avoid the focaccia from getting soggy, wait to spread the chipotle mayo until you're ready to eat your sandwich.

My Final Thoughts

Well, that's how to make Panera's sierra turkey sandwich.

This recipe is so easy to put together and quicker than going to the restaurant to pick it up. And it's much cheaper too!

Plus, it tastes identical to the one on the menu from Panera - if not better.

As always, if you try this recipe, leave a comment below and let us know how it went! 

Also, be sure to check out our Youtube channel and Instagram page for more recipes!

More Copycat Recipes

If you want to give some more recipes a try that taste just like the one from the restaurant, we have a ton on the blog that I think you'll enjoy.

Give one of these a try next: 

• McDonald's McGriddle
• Panda Express teriyaki chicken
• KFC famous bowl 
• Olive Garden chicken parm
• Little Caesars cheesy bread
• Cheesecake Factory four cheese pasta
• Panera turkey chili
• Panera souffle