Easy Vegan Turkey Melts with Pesto Mayonnaise

These savory and delicious vegan turkey melts with pesto mayo are made with tasty oven-roasted vegan turkey slices, creamy vegan cheese, and fresh lettuce and tomato. All on soft and fluffy pretzel buns and slathered with a flavorful and super easy-to-make vegan pesto mayo sauce.

If there’s one thing that I missed when I gave up meat, it’s a quick and easy-to-make sandwich. But with so many different vegan options for sandwich meat and sliced cheeses now, it’s easier than ever to duplicate any beloved sandwich. This vegan turkey melt with pesto mayo recipe was a hit in my house and did not disappoint. It totally satisfied my craving for a vegan turkey sandwich that’s not only delicious but, meat-free, dairy-free, and customizable. This is definitely one of my more easy recipes. A great 30-minute vegan dinner recipe.

INGREDIENTS FOR VEGAN TURKEY MELTS W/ PESTO MAYO

For the Vegan Turkey Melts

• Pretzel Buns:  I like to use pretzel buns because they’re soft but sturdy enough to hold in lots of sauce and the juices from the tomato. But feel free to use any type of bread that you prefer.
• Vegan Turkey Slices:  I used the Tofurkey Plant-Based Deli Slices Oven Roasted flavor.  These are a great vegan turkey substitute with a great flavor and texture. It's been a while since I've had real turkey, but these taste a lot like what I remember turkey roast slices tasting like.
• Tomato:  I like to use vine tomatoes, but feel free to use heirloom tomatoes or any other kind you prefer. Or leave them out if you’re not a fan of tomatoes.
• Lettuce: for this recipe, I used butter lettuce, but it’s delicious with arugula also.
• Vegan Cheese: I mean, what’s a sandwich without cheese? I used the Violife cheddar slices, but feel free to use any vegan cheese slices that you may have on hand.
• Vegan Butter or Oil: I prefer to use butter, but a high-heat oil, like avocado oil or refined coconut oil, also works well with this recipe.
• Water: This will help the vegan cheese melt really nicely in the skillet.

For the Vegan Pesto Mayo

• Vegan Mayonnaise: I like to use the Follow Your Heart Vegenaise. It’s creamy and tastes just like regular mayonnaise.
• Vegan Pesto Sauce: I love the flavor that the pesto adds to this sandwich. I use the Trader Joe’s Vegan Kale, Cashew, and Basil Pesto, but most major groceries stories have a vegan pesto sauce on hand.

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN TURKEY MELTS W/ PESTO MAYO

For the Pesto Mayo

1. Combine. In a small bowl, add the vegan mayonnaise and pesto sauce.
2. Mix the mayonnaise and pesto until the sauce is smooth and thoroughly combined.
3. Set the sauce aside.

For the Vegan Turkey Melts

1. Prep the toppings.  Slice the tomato and wash and dry the lettuce (if necessary).
2. Toast the buns with the sliced sides down in a lightly buttered skillet on medium heat to your desired toastiness. Then remove the buns from the skillet and set them aside.
3. Cook the turkey slices. Add more butter or oil to the same skillet. Add the turkey slices in a single layer (about 6 at a time) and brown them on both sides for about 1-2 minutes. Remove the turkey slices from the pan and set them aside. Repeat this step with the remaining slices.
4. Stack. When all of the slices are browned, stack about 3 slices of the vegan turkey together back in the skillet and top each stack with a slice of vegan cheese.
5. Melt the cheese by pouring the ¼ cup of water onto the open space of the skillet, trying not to get the vegan meat and cheese wet (but it’s okay if does a little bit).  Cover the skillet with a lid and continue to cook until the cheese melts.
6. Remove the vegan turkey and cheese from the skillet and assemble the sandwiches to your desired preference.
7. Enjoy!

MORE EASY VEGAN SANDWICH RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE:

• Easy Curry Chickpea Salad Sandwiches (Vegan)
• The Best Roasted Vegetable Sandwiches | Easy and Vegan
• Easy Chickpea Salad Sandwiches