Hearty Cowboy Club Sandwich: My Ranch-Style Favorite (Print Version)

Build a Hearty Cowboy Club Sandwich with layers of smoky bacon, roasted turkey, and tangy ranch. My go-to for a satisfying, easy meal. Get the recipe!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains meat, dairy, gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Main Layers

01 - 3 slices thick-cut bread (sourdough or white)
02 - 4-6 slices roasted turkey breast, deli-sliced
03 - 4-6 slices crispy bacon
04 - 2 slices sharp cheddar cheese
05 - 1/2 cup fresh lettuce, torn
06 - 1/2 ripe tomato, sliced

→ Creamy Spread

07 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
08 - 1 tablespoon ranch dressing

→ Flavor Builders

09 - 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeños, sliced
10 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Optional Extras

11 - 1/2 avocado, sliced
12 - Pinch of smoked paprika (for mayo mix)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get organized! Lay out all your ingredients on the counter, like a little sandwich assembly line. Toast your bread to a lovely golden brown. This is where I sometimes get distracted and burn a piece, oops, but that's just part of the process, right? Toasting is crucial for preventing a soggy sandwich, so don't skip it! While it's toasting, slice your tomato, red onion, and lettuce. The smell of that warm, toasty bread is just heavenly, honestly.
02 - Now for the star of the show: the bacon! Cook your thick-cut bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it's perfectly crispy. I like to lay it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess grease. This makes it super crunchy, which is exactly what we want in a Hearty Cowboy Club Sandwich. I used to just throw it on straight from the pan, and the sandwich became a greasy mess. Learn from my mistakes, friend, drain that bacon!
03 - In a small bowl, combine your mayonnaise and ranch dressing. Give it a good stir until it's super smooth and creamy. This is the secret sauce, the flavor bomb! Sometimes I add a tiny pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of garlic powder here, just for a little extra oomph. Taste it and adjust – maybe a little more ranch? You do you!
04 - Grab three slices of your perfectly toasted bread. Spread a generous layer of your ranch mayo mixture on two of the slices. On one of those, layer on a good amount of roasted turkey and then a slice or a sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese. I always press it down a little, just to make sure everything feels nice and secure before the next layer goes on.
05 - Take your second ranch mayo-slathered toast and place it cheese-side down on top of your turkey and cheese layer. Then, on this new top slice, pile on your fresh lettuce, sliced tomato, those delicious pickled jalapeños, and thinly sliced red onion. This is where the sandwich really starts to get its height and character! Don't be shy with the veggies, they add so much freshness.
06 - Finally, add your crispy bacon on top of the veggies. Place the remaining plain toast slice on top, completing your glorious Hearty Cowboy Club Sandwich. To keep it all together, I usually secure it with a couple of long toothpicks before carefully slicing it into halves or quarters. It should look like a towering masterpiece, ready for its close-up! The mix of colors and textures is just so satisfying.

# Notes:

01 - Don't skimp on toasting the bread; soggy bread is a sandwich sin.
02 - For meal prep, keep the components separate and assemble just before eating to avoid sogginess.
03 - If you're out of ranch, a little Dijon mustard in the mayo can give it a similar tang, I tried it once!
04 - Serve with some crunchy potato chips and a cold pickle spear for the full diner experience.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Skillet
02 - cutting board
03 - sharp knife
04 - small mixing bowl
05 - toaster (optional)

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 650-750 kcal
Total Fat: 40-50g
Total Carbohydrate: 40-50g
Protein: 35-45g

Back