Turkey vs. Bacon: Who Wins?

Seven simple components, one exquisite sandwich: The Turkey Vs. Bacon.

Let's discuss what has made this one stick around for nearly 10 years at Simply Fresh Market.

It’s not exactly a new concept: meat, cheese, bread. But that’s exactly the point. The simple sandwich has been a beloved meal for ages. We've learned that when you start with the basics, and do them the right way, you don’t need too much else.

Our take on a classic turkey sandwich has undoubtedly become one of our bestsellers, rapidly rising to the rank of "#1 Fan Favorite". So, what's so special about it?

As with any sandwich, we start with the bread. In this case, we use Zingerman’s Sesame Semolina— delivered fresh every morning. Semolina is the flour used to make pasta, and gives the bread a rich, buttery flavor. The sesame seeds on the crust toast up perfectly. 

The rivaling stars of the sandwich are, you guessed it, turkey and bacon. But these two headliners don’t compete so much as they complement each other. Oven-roasted turkey breast from Fischer Farms lays out the canvas for the flavor-pop of our thick-cut bacon from The Cut. It's a duet that never gets old.

A little insight into why these two simple ingredients impact the sandwich so strongly...

Step one: quality sourcing. Fischer Farms turkeys are raised in Indiana and do not consume GMO feed. Likewise, we source our Michigan GMO-free bacon exclusively from The Cut, maintaining a close partnership that allows us to customize every order to our exact culinary specifications. It's so important to think intentionally and sustainably when it comes to sourcing.

Step two: flavor control. With roasted turkey, we've found its essential to brine it first, in our special brine mix, and then after roasting, we slice it semi-thick. The bacon being lower maintenance, we find the most important part is to cook it to the ideal doneness, so that it arrives on your sandwich with the perfect texture. These particular steps ensure that we have the optimal moisture, flavor and balance in our sandwich.

The supporting cast on this sandwich are no less important. Ripe red, pesticide-free tomatoes add a layer of juiciness to accompany the toasty bread. Avocado works quietly here, softening edges and adding just enough creaminess to keep the sandwich balanced. Grass-fed Muenster cheese mildly binds it all together, and Sir Kensington GMO-free mayonnaise adds that final zing.

Assembled to order and toasted up on our panini press, there’s a reason this sandwich has become a staple. Whether you need a quick lunch on the go or a platter of sandwiches for an event, the Turkey vs. Bacon is a a flavorful and filling classic that will keep you coming back for more. And it's always available in a whole or half size.

We may never know who emerges victorious from the Turkey vs. Bacon rivalry — either way, you’re the real winner here. 

Order yours in-store or online for carryout!