Last month, Oliver asked me to pack him a "fancy sandwich like the ones at restaurants" for his field trip lunch. After fifteen years of perfecting lunch recipes and countless kitchen experiments, I knew exactly what he meant - a proper club sandwich with all the classic layers that make it special. This recipe comes from studying how the best diners make theirs, testing different bread combinations, and finding the exact layering order that keeps everything from sliding around when you take a bite.
Why You'll Love This Club Sandwich
From years of making lunch for hungry families and testing this club sandwiches on picky eaters (including Oliver's entire scout troop), I can tell you exactly why this club sandwich never fails. The secret is in the perfect balance of crispy bacon, tender turkey, fresh vegetables, and that creamy mayo that holds everything together without making the bread soggy. Oliver's friends now ask if I'm making "the good sandwiches" every time they come over for lunch, and after making over 150 of these for various events, I've learned exactly what makes them so satisfying.
What makes this club sandwich really special is how it brings that classic diner quality to your home kitchen. Unlike the sad, flat sandwiches you get at most places, this triple-decker version has real substance and flavor in every layer. The bread stays crispy, the bacon adds that perfect salty crunch, and the turkey provides protein that actually fills you up for hours.
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Club Sandwich Ingredients
The Bread Foundation:
- White sandwich bread
- Sourdough slices
- Whole wheat bread
- Texas toast
The Protein Layers:
- Sliced turkey breast
- Crispy bacon strips
- Ham slices
- Chicken breast
The Fresh Elements:
- Iceberg lettuce leaves
- Ripe tomato slices
- Red onion rings
- Avocado slices
The Binding:
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Cream cheese
Finishing Touches:
- Potato chips on the side
- Sandwich toothpicks
- Pickle spears for serving
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Club Sandwich
Toast the Bread:
- Toast three slices of bread until golden brown
- Let cool slightly to prevent wilting lettuce
- Keep toast warm but not hot
- Have all ingredients ready for assembly
Prep Your Ingredients:
- Cook bacon until crispy and drain
- Slice tomatoes into thick rounds
- Wash and dry lettuce leaves
- Have mayo and condiments ready
First Layer Assembly:
- Spread mayo on first toast slice
- Add lettuce leaves covering entire surface
- Layer turkey slices evenly
- Top with crispy bacon strips
Second Layer Build:
- Place second toast slice on top
- Spread mayo on both sides
- Add more lettuce and tomato slices
- Season tomatoes with salt and pepper
Final Assembly:
- Top with third toast slice
- Press down gently to compress
- Insert toothpicks in quarters
- Cut diagonally into four triangles
Storing Your Club Sandwich
Short-Term Storage (same day):
- Wrap individually in plastic wrap
- Keep refrigerated until serving
- Don't cut until ready to eat
- Best eaten within 4-6 hours
Lunch Box Packing:
- Pack components separately if possible
- Use ice packs to keep cool
- Wrap in parchment paper
- Include napkins for easy cleanup
Make-Ahead Tips:
- Toast bread and store in airtight container
- Cook bacon ahead and refrigerate
- Prep vegetables night before
- Assemble fresh for best results
What Not to Do:
- Don't freeze assembled sandwiches
- Avoid storing with tomatoes overnight
- Never leave at room temperature long
- Don't pre-cut if storing
Club Sandwich Variations
California Club:
- Add fresh avocado slices
- Use sourdough bread
- Include sprouts or arugula
- Ranch dressing instead of mayo
Chicken Club Deluxe:
- Grilled chicken breast strips
- Swiss cheese slices
- Honey mustard spread
- Crispy onion strings
BLT Club Hybrid:
- Extra bacon layers
- Heirloom tomato varieties
- Butter lettuce leaves
- Garlic aioli spread
Breakfast Club:
- Scrambled eggs added
- Hash brown patties
- Breakfast sausage
- Hollandaise sauce drizzle
Turkey Club Supreme:
- Cranberry sauce spread
- Stuffing layer (for holidays)
- Swiss or provolone cheese
- Herb mayo blend
Veggie Club:
- Grilled portobello mushrooms
- Roasted red peppers
- Hummus spread
- Cucumber slices
Equipment For Club Sandwich
- Sharp serrated knife
- Toaster or toaster oven
- Large cutting board
- Small spreading knife
- Sandwich toothpicks
Smart Swaps for Club Sandwich
Bread Options:
- Gluten-free bread → Regular white bread
- Croissants → Traditional bread slices
- Bagels → Standard sandwich bread
- Pita bread → Regular toast
Protein Alternatives:
- Grilled chicken → Turkey slices
- Ham → Turkey or chicken
- Vegetarian bacon → Real bacon
- Roast beef → Traditional turkey
Healthier Choices:
- Greek yogurt → Mayonnaise
- Avocado spread → Mayo base
- Mustard → Full mayo
- Light mayo → Regular mayo
Vegetable Swaps:
- Spinach → Iceberg lettuce
- Arugula → Regular lettuce
- Cucumber → Tomato slices
- Sprouts → Traditional lettuce
Cheese Additions:
- Swiss cheese → No cheese
- Cheddar slices → Plain version
- Provolone → Traditional build
- American cheese → Classic style
Top Tip
- About six months ago, Oliver was getting frustrated because his packed lunches always ended up soggy and messy by lunchtime. One morning, he watched me making his club sandwich and asked, "Why can't we just pack it like a puzzle, Mom?" I didn't understand what he meant until he explained his idea - packing all the parts separately so he could build his own sandwich at school.
- At first, I thought it would be too complicated for a seven-year-old, but Oliver convinced me to try it. We got a lunch container with separate compartments and packed the toasted bread in one section, the turkey and bacon in another, and the vegetables in a third. I sent along little packets of mayo and let him assemble everything at lunch.
- He came home that day so excited because not only was his sandwich perfect and fresh, but all his friends thought it was the coolest thing ever. They started asking their parents to pack "build-your-own" lunches too. The teacher even mentioned how much Oliver was enjoying his lunch and how it had sparked this whole trend in his class.
My Sister's Secret Worth Sharing
My sister found something great about club sandwiches during her college years when she worked at a busy deli downtown. She noticed that the best sandwich makers always did one thing differently - they would "mayo-seal" every single piece of bread, even the middle slice. While everyone else just put mayo on the outside pieces, Emma started spreading a thin layer on all surfaces that touched other ingredients.
But real genius was what she called the "bacon weave." Instead of just laying bacon strips in one direction, she would weave them over and under each other to make this perfect bacon layer that didn't slide around when you bit into the sandwich. The bacon stayed put, the sandwich held together better, and you got bacon in every single bite instead of pulling it all out in one piece.
FAQ
What to put in club sandwiches?
The classic club sandwich includes turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on toasted bread. Some versions add a third slice of bread to make it a true triple-decker. You can also include cheese, avocado, or switch the turkey for chicken or ham depending on your preferences.
What's the difference between a BLT and a club sandwich?
A BLT has just bacon, lettuce, and tomato with mayo on toasted bread. A club sandwich adds turkey (or chicken) and usually has three slices of bread instead of two, making it a heartier, more filling sandwich. The club is basically a BLT with added protein layers.
What are the main ingredients of a clubhouse sandwich?
The main ingredients are toasted bread, sliced turkey or chicken, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, ripe tomato slices, and mayonnaise. The key is using three slices of bread to create that classic triple-decker effect that makes it a true club sandwich rather than just a regular sandwich.
What is the correct order of a club sandwich?
Start with toast, spread mayo, add lettuce, then turkey, then bacon. Add the middle slice of bread with mayo on both sides, more lettuce, tomato slices, and top with the final piece of toast. Always secure with toothpicks before cutting into quarters diagonally.
Ready for Club Sandwich Success!
Now you have all the secrets to make perfect club sandwiches - from proper layering techniques to Emma's mayo-sealing trick that keeps everything fresh for hours. These classic triple-decker sandwiches prove that sometimes the best meals are the ones that have stood the test of time.
What I love most about this recipe is how it brings that classic diner experience right to your home kitchen. There's something special about watching Oliver carefully build his sandwich layers and then take that first big bite that makes all the prep work worth it. These sandwiches are substantial enough to satisfy hungry teenagers but simple enough that kids can help make them.
Want more family favorites that bring comfort food home? Try our Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole that feeds a crowd with minimal effort. Looking for the perfect side? Our Perfect Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe pairs beautifully with any sandwich meal. Need something for your next gathering? Our Best Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe travels well and always gets compliments!
Share your club sandwich success! We love seeing your family lunches and hearing about your own kitchen discoveries!
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Club Sandwich
Equipment
- Serrated knife (For clean cuts through layers)
- Toaster or oven (For evenly toasted bread)
- Large cutting board (For assembling and slicing)
- Small spreading knife (For applying mayo/condiments)
- Sandwich toothpicks (To secure sandwich for slicing)
Ingredients
- 12 slices Bread (white or sourdough) - Toasted
- 8 slices Turkey breast - Sliced
- 8 strips Bacon - Cooked until crispy
- 4 slices Ham (optional) - Adds extra flavor layer
- 4 leaves Iceberg lettuce - Washed and dried
- 2 Tomatoes - Sliced into thick rounds
- ¼ Red onion - Thinly sliced into rings
- 1 Avocado (optional) - Sliced
- 4 tablespoon Mayonnaise - For spreading
- Salt & Pepper - To season tomatoes (optional)
Instructions
- Toast 12 slices of bread until golden brown. Let cool slightly to prevent sogginess but keep warm for easy assembly.
- Cook bacon until crispy, slice tomatoes, wash and dry lettuce, and have all spreads and condiments ready.
- Spread mayo on first toast slice. Add a full layer of lettuce, then sliced turkey, and finish with crispy bacon.
- Place second slice of toast on top (spread mayo on both sides). Add more lettuce, tomato slices, and a dash of salt and pepper.
- Top with final toast slice, press gently, insert 4 toothpicks into corners, and cut diagonally into four triangles.
- Serve with a side of chips and a pickle spear for the full diner-style experience.
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