Sweet Hawaiian Turkey Sandwich w/ Apple & Provolone

We are a big sandwich household. We haven’t held a sandwich we did devour moments after it being placed in front of us. This Sweet Hawaiian Turkey Sandwich w/ Apple & Provolone is an original in our house dating back to about 2017. The perfect combo of sweet and savory, soft and crunchy. I cannot take full credit for this flavor combo. Mat has always been the sandwich connoisseur and he was the one who originally requested apples on his turkey sandwich. We haven’t looked back.

The grocery list.

• King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls – These slightly sweet rolls are perfect for this sandwich. While they are traditionally pulled apart as individual rolls, I like to keep them intact and section them in a row of 3 to create a sub like length with the rolls.
• Bacon- As the recipe shows, bacon is optional but essential. Optional because it’s going to be a bomb bite of food without it if you don’t have time mid-day to bake up some bacon just for a sandwich. BUT if you do have time, I suggest baking the bacon in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes (depending on the thickness) until slightly crispy. It’s the perfect addition of crunch and saltiness for this slightly sweet sandwich. Plus, who doesn’t love bacon on a turkey sandwich??
• Honeycrisp Apple – Any apple will do for a op of crunch and sweet but I have to argue that honeycrisp is the superior apple in the hierarchy of apples. The texture and level of sweetness (not too much) is by far my favorite things about this variety of apple.
• Honey Roasted Deli Turkey – Honey roasted is our favorite of the sliced deli turkey options for this sandwich. It plays really well into the sweet from the rolls and the apple. You can substitute for your favorite, maybe even swap it out for a honey ham if that’s your preference!
• Provolone Cheese – This cheese is one of out favorites for sandwiches because it’s pretty mild in flavor. Not too overpowering and it melts really well, coating the sandwich and
• Mayonnaise – What is a sandwich without some mayonnaise? If you are not a mayo lover, simple omit or add your favorite sandwich condiment!

The preparation.

First, Carefully remove the rolls from their packaging. These rolls are meant to be pulled a part as single serve rolls but I like to keep them together in a section of 3 rolls to create a “sub” roll. Use a bread knife to cut the rolls in half to create a top and bottom.

Set the oven to broil on HIGH. While you wait for the oven to heat, assemble the sandwich. PLace the cut rolls on a baking sheet. On the bottom of the roll, layer the bacon, apple slices, turkey and provolone cheese. Place the top bun, cut side up, next to the rest of the sandwich and smear with mayonnaise. Place the baking sheet in the oven to broil for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts and the mayo bubbles.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven, place the top bun onto the sandwich and return to the oven for 1 minute until the top becomes lightly browned and toasted. Serve alongside additional slices of apple and enjoy!

The origins.

When Mat was training to compete in the CrossFit Games, eating was like a part-time job. He was eating nearly 9,500 calories a day trying to keep up with the demands of training. When it came to mid-day meals, we aimed to find things that would not only taste dayummm good but something filling that would easily digest before the next training session. Mat always enjoyed sandwiches and so we leaned in and created a variety of sandwiches.

This sandwich however, was one of the firsts and one that got eaten, a lot! Who doesn’t love a turkey sandwich with bacon on it? The addition of the apple, all Mat’s idea. Bacon and apple, an amazing combo of sweet and salty, all wrapped up in a sweet Hawaiian roll to double down on those slightly sweet flavors. Soft and pillowy rolls, lightly toasted, with a bit of crunch from apples and crispy bacon. These flavors are off the charts, textures are on point and your bellies will be full and happy after one of these.

Not only would you find this sandwich on a plate during training season, it was a standard at the CrossFit Games. It was easy enough to make in a hotel room and wrap in tin-foil for the cooler full of food and snacks throughout a day of competing. No oven? No problem, skip the broiler and enjoy cold.

When it came to fueling during competition, it was important to keep the calorie intake just as high as training. While the Volume of the games is far lower than the volume during an average training session, the insanity is far greater. The emphasis on eating during competition has nothing to do with actual hunger. If anything, competing at that intensity actually kills your appetite. Eating during competition is all about fueling for recovery and sustaining energy throughout the 4-5 days of competition and 15 events.

We made a conscious effort to make minimal changes in competition to what Mat was eating. He was used to digesting sandwiches like this Sweet Hawaiian Turkey Sandwich w/ Apple & Provolone during training sessions and so we continued to consume those foods in competition.

Looking for more sandwich lunch ideas? Here are a few to try:

TURKEY CRAN RYE SANDWICH

PESTO AVOCADO TURKEY SANDWICH

ITALIAN SAUSAGE & GARLIC BREAD SUBS

Lastly, if you make this Sweet Hawaiian Turkey Sandwich w/ Apple & Provolone recipe, be sure to leave a comment! Above all, I love to hear from ya’ll and do my best to respond to every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of your dayyyummm good recreations is my favorite!

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