The Publix Deli Turkey Cranberry Holiday Sub turns Thanksgiving leftovers into a made-to-order Pub Sub starting from $7.69. It is worth grabbing fresh, but extra relish and a hit of acidity take it from pleasant to genuinely memorable.
Thanksgiving leftovers, built at the deli counter
The Publix Deli Turkey Cranberry Holiday Sub is exactly what its name promises: a made-to-order sandwich built around familiar holiday flavors. Boar’s Head Ovengold roasted turkey breast, smoked Gruyère cheese, precooked bacon, Publix mayo, and Publix cranberry-orange relish are layered on your choice of sub roll. The 5-grain Italian roll is a common pick, but white, whole wheat, and other available breads work too; a lettuce wrap is also an option.
You will find it at the Publix deli counter, where it is assembled fresh rather than pulled from an aisle. It comes as a whole or half sub and starts from $7.69, although the typical whole-sub price runs from $8.49 to $10.49, with sales common. Because it is seasonal and limited-time, this is one of those Pub Subs to order when you see it rather than assuming it will still be around next month. For broader context, it belongs squarely among the Pub Subs that have become Southern favorites.
| Price | from $7.69 |
| Size | Whole or half sub (made-to-order) |
| Where to find it | Deli counter (made fresh to order) |
| Availability | Seasonal | limited-time |
| Brand | Publix Deli (with Boar’s Head ingredients) |
Why the sweet-savory combination works
At its best, this tastes like the sandwich you hoped to make the day after Thanksgiving. The roasted turkey supplies the mild, savory center; smoky Gruyère and bacon bring richness; mayo smooths everything out; and cranberry-orange relish adds the sweet fruit note that turns an ordinary turkey sub into a holiday one. Fresh bread and Boar’s Head ingredients give it a more polished execution than some chain versions of the same idea.
The texture is part of the payoff. Tender turkey, crisp-edged bacon, creamy condiments, and a fresh roll make it satisfying without requiring a full holiday dinner. It also avoids the awkward excess of a leftovers sandwich piled with every side dish in the refrigerator. This is focused: turkey, cheese, bacon, cranberry, and bread.
The criticism is fair, though. The cranberry relish can taste too mild, especially against bacon, smoked cheese, and mayo. When that happens, the sandwich loses the contrast that makes the concept special and starts reading as a fairly rich turkey-and-cheese sub. I would not call the standard build bad, but I would not leave the relish quantity to chance.
The best preparation is barely preparation at all
Eat this fresh from the deli. That is the definitive best method: order it, let the counter build it to your specifications, and eat it immediately as a cold sub or request it lightly toasted if that is your preference. No home cooking is required, and there are no useful times or temperatures to follow because this is already ready to eat.
Cold is my first choice when I want the cranberry-orange relish to stay distinct and the fresh roll to keep its character. Light toasting is the better choice if you want the Gruyère warmer and the sandwich a little more unified. The key word is lightly; the verified preparation guidance does not call for reheating it heavily.
If you cannot eat it right away, refrigerate it briefly. Still, this is not a sandwich I would deliberately buy far ahead. Its appeal comes from the made-to-order bread and the contrast among the fillings, so the fresh deli version has the clearest advantage over trying to recreate the experience later.
The custom order I would actually place
My most reliable upgrade is extra cranberry-orange relish plus mustard. The extra relish makes the Thanksgiving identity unmistakable, while mustard supplies the acidity the standard build can lack. If you prefer a dressed-sub flavor, oil and vinegar or sub dressing can serve the same balancing role. The goal is not to soak the roll; it is to cut through the mayo, bacon, and smoked cheese.
For a sharper version, swap the Gruyère for cheddar or add cheddar alongside it. Onions reinforce that sharper edge, while extra bacon pushes the sandwich in a smokier, richer direction. I would choose onions when the original tastes flat and extra bacon only when I specifically want indulgence; bacon does not solve the missing-acidity problem.
You can also add familiar vegetables such as lettuce or tomato, but I keep the build fairly restrained so the turkey-and-cranberry combination stays in charge. If you want to reproduce or strengthen the idea at home, seasonal Publix Cranberry Orange Relish or Boar’s Head products are the logical extras to grab. These are the same kinds of small deli-counter choices that make a better sub at home.
What the price really gets you
The menu price starts from $7.69, while a whole sub typically lands between $8.49 and $10.49 before any common sale is considered. A verified serving count is not provided, so there is no honest per-serving figure to calculate. The useful comparison is purchase for purchase: restaurant Thanksgiving-style sandwiches often cost $10 or more, while this one can begin below that mark and uses premium Boar’s Head turkey, smoked Gruyère, and bacon.
At the low end of the typical whole-sub range, $8.49 is $1.51 below a $10 restaurant sandwich. At $10.49, the price is essentially in restaurant territory, so the advantage becomes ingredient quality, customization, and deli convenience rather than a dramatic discount. Sales improve the equation, but even without one, the quality-to-price ratio is strong for a freshly assembled grocery deli sub.
It also executes the Thanksgiving-leftovers concept better than some chain versions, particularly once you request extra relish or acidity. That is the real value proposition: not simply a large sandwich, but a seasonal build you can adjust at the counter instead of accepting exactly as designed.
The honest catch and final buying call
Skip it if you dislike fruit with savory meat, want cranberry to dominate without requesting extra, or prefer an everyday Pub Sub that is available more consistently. The standard cranberry note may be too restrained for anyone expecting a bold sweet-tart bite. A lettuce wrap can change the bread component, but it will not change the sandwich’s central turkey-and-cranberry premise.
Availability is another catch. It usually appears around October or November and continues through the holidays, though occasional early releases such as a summer Christmas-in-July appearance can happen while supplies last. The relish is not typically sold separately during those early or especially limited releases, so ordering extra on the sub may be your best opportunity to strengthen it.
My verdict is yes: grab it at least once during its seasonal run, preferably fresh with extra cranberry-orange relish and mustard. That customized version earns its place beside the better Pub Subs. The untouched standard build is still made with good ingredients, but its mild relish can keep it from delivering the full holiday payoff.
Get it here: Publix Deli Turkey Cranberry Holiday Sub – from $7.69 at the store · checked 2026-11-07.
Quick Questions
When is the Turkey Cranberry Holiday Sub available?
It is typically available from October or November through the holidays as a limited-time seasonal item. Occasional early releases, including Christmas in July, may appear while supplies last.
Can you customize the Publix Turkey Cranberry Sub?
Yes. Choose your bread or a lettuce wrap, add vegetables such as lettuce, tomato, or onions, and request extra relish or other available toppings.
Is the cranberry relish sold separately?
Not typically during early or especially limited releases. Later in the season, it may be available in the deli or produce section.
Should I order it cold or toasted?
Fresh and cold gives the clearest contrast among the turkey, relish, bacon, and bread. A light toast also works if you prefer warmer cheese, but no home cooking is necessary.
The Publix Deli Turkey Cranberry Holiday Sub is worth grabbing for its fresh bread, premium fillings, and convincing leftovers-sandwich character. Order it fresh, add extra relish and acidity, and it becomes the holiday Pub Sub the standard recipe almost delivers on its own.
