Elevated Grilled Cheese with Turkey, Greens & Gut-Loving Layers

Summary

This isn’t your childhood grilled cheese—it’s a protein-rich, flavor-layered powerhouse tucked between slices of fresh sourdough. With clean deli meats, microgreens, and healthy fats, it satisfies the soul and the cells. A cozy lunch that feels like a treat, but fuels you like a meal.Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Ingredients

• 2 slices homemade sourdough or quality local bread (bonus: cinnamon swirl sourdough gives this a sweet and savory flavor)

• 1–2 tsp avocado oil-based mayo

• 1–2 tsp Dijon mustard

• 2 slices grass-fed hard cheese (like cheddar or Swiss) — slice yourself, not pre-wrapped

• 2 slices Applegate Farms oven-roasted turkey (or brands free of nitrates + nitrites)

• 2 slices Applegate Farms oven-roasted ham (or brands free of nitrates + nitrites)

• Handful fresh spinach leaves

• Small handful of microgreens (e.g., sunflower, radishes, mixed greens)

• 1–2 tsp hemp seeds

• Optional: 2 slices pasture-raised pork bacon, crisped

• Optional: tomato slices, avocado slices, roasted red peppers

• 1 tbsp grass-fed butter (for skillet)

Instructions

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 1

1. Spread one side of each bread slice with a light layer of avocado oil mayo and Dijon mustard.

2. Layer one slice with cheese, turkey, ham, spinach, microgreens, and hemp seeds. Add optional ingredients like bacon, tomato, or avocado.

3. Top with the second slice of bread, mayo-mustard side facing in.

4. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium. Add grass-fed butter and swirl to coat.

5. Place sandwich in the skillet and cook until golden and crisp on the bottom, about 3–4 minutes. Flip and press gently with a spatula, cooking another 3–4 minutes until cheese is melty and bread is caramelized.

6. Slice and serve hot—with a pickle, a warm soup, or as-is.

Tips & Variations

• Change up the greens: arugula, baby kale, or beet greens all work beautifully.

• Add a fried or scrambled egg for a breakfast twist.

• Pair with a bowl of tomato soup, bone broth, or fermented pickles.

Nourishment Notes

This sandwich might look familiar, but every layer was chosen with intention—to turn a nostalgic comfort meal into a nutrient-dense, blood-sugar-friendly staple:

• Homemade Sourdough or Local Bread – Fermented grains can support gut health and make nutrients more bioavailable. Using local bread often reduces exposure to preservatives and glyphosate.

• Grass-Fed Cheese – Rich in CLA, calcium, and vitamin K2. Slicing it yourself avoids ultra-processed oils and additives found in conventional cheese slices.

• Applegate Meats – Free of antibiotics, added hormones, and nitrates/nitrites, which have been linked to inflammation and increased cancer risk.

• Avocado Oil Mayo + Dijon – Provide stable, anti-inflammatory fats and flavor without refined seed oils.

• Microgreens + Spinach – Offer concentrated phytonutrients, fiber, and enzymes. Far more nutrient-dense than mature greens.

• Hemp Seeds – Boost protein, omega-3s, and minerals like magnesium and zinc for hormonal and neurological support.

• Optional Add-ins like avocado and bacon bring in more healthy fats and minerals for satiety and nourishment.