Jeff Goldblum’s 4-Ingredient Sandwich: A Must-Try for Your Lunch Menu!

Jeff Goldblum has long been regarded as a cherished icon in American culture. My admiration for him was sparked during childhood viewings of Jurassic Park, and it only grew when I recently caught him enthusiastically discussing sandwiches on Reddit. He exclaimed, “Oooooooooh. SANDWICH. OH MY GOSH. Oh my gosh. I love sandwiches.” Among his favorites, he mentioned a standout: “…turkey and Swiss [cheese] with Russian dressing.”

Whipping up Goldblum’s simple four-ingredient turkey sandwich slathered in Russian dressing was straightforward and utterly tasty! While I typically lean towards prosciutto or ham for their robust flavors, in this sandwich, the turkey slices were a perfect match, allowing the bold tastes of the Swiss cheese and dressing to take center stage.

What Is Russian Dressing, Anyway?

Despite growing up surrounded by Russian American culture in South Brooklyn, with Russian friends and colleagues, I was clueless about Russian dressing.

It turns out that Russian dressing is actually an American invention. Historically, it might have included caviar—a Russian delicacy. Nowadays, its base is typically ketchup and mayonnaise. It occasionally features chili, herbs, horseradish, and spices. Its similarities in color, texture, and flavor with Thousand Island dressing often lead to confusion, though Russian dressing is generally spicier, while Thousand Island is more on the sweet side.

When purchasing Russian dressing from the store, it usually appears red, somewhat resembling a thinner ketchup, and is sans mayonnaise. I opted for Wish-Bone’s Russian dressing, but there are creamier options available from smaller brands. However, if you’re making it at home, don’t omit the mayonnaise; it lends a delightful creaminess. With all ingredients on hand, assembling Goldblum’s sandwich is a breeze.

Crafting Jeff Goldblum’s Turkey Sandwich

Starting with a slice of sourdough, I layered a slice of Swiss cheese, followed by a slice of turkey, another cheese slice, and topped with a final piece of turkey. You can choose to fold the turkey slices if preferred. A generous teaspoon of Russian dressing was then spread over the turkey, topped with another bread slice to finish the sandwich.

With just one bite, my eyebrows shot up in surprise, prompting me to quickly take another. The sandwich was a delightful mix of sweet, spicy tang from the dressing, complemented by the salty turkey and the nutty, subtly buttery Swiss cheese. Oooooooooh. SANDWICH. OH MY GOSH, indeed! It’s safe to say this sandwich has become a new favorite in our family’s lunch repertoire.

As a recipe developer and cookbook author, I couldn’t help but put my own twist on this creation. With ripe avocados on hand, I added avocado slices for added color, fiber, and creaminess. Since the Russian dressing from Wish-Bone isn’t creamy, I mixed in some Kewpie mayo.

Other enhancements include toasting the bread beforehand, buttering it, or even transforming the sandwich into a panini or grilled cheese. For those who like a bit of green, adding some lettuce or baby kale is a great option. Enhancing the spice from the Russian dressing with a drizzle of chili crisp or a dash of sriracha could also be fantastic.