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    Home » Lunches » Sandwiches

    Tips for Making the Best Sandwiches

    Published: Jun 28, 2021 · Modified: Jun 28, 2021 by Jessica Fisher

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    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.

    The best sandwiches make a quick dinner as well as a fun picnic meal, but most importantly, they leave you wanting seconds and maybe thirds. Good sandwiches are never boring!

    Whether you go for a classic British Cheese and Pickle Sandwich or a southwest-inspired Avocado Salsa Sandwich, you’re bound to find some flavors that make brown bagging it your favorite way to go. Check out these tips and recipes for making cold, easily packable sammies that are good enough to write home about.

    baguette sandwich with open end facing to show laters of cheese, English pickle, onion, and spinach. this …
    Jump to:
    • Why It’s Important
    • Ingredients
    • Tips for Success
    • FAQs
    • Recipes
    • What do you think?

    Good sandwiches are some of my favorite, easy meals. They are simple, filling, and easily packed for work or school.

    But, I’m not talking bologna on white bread. I’m talking about mini masterpieces that boast plenty of flavor and texture.

    The best sandwiches are those you want to eat again and again!

    Why It’s Important

    Whether you’re looking for a great picnic lunch, something new and refreshing to brown bag to school or work, or just an easy meal to pack on your next road trip, you’re bound to save money and eat well if you spend just a few minutes making good sandwiches for the road.

    PB&J is fine, but you’ve got Dagwoods and Reubens and heroes to explore! With so many different kinds of sandwiches in the world, it’s worth exploring your horizons a bit.

    Ingredients

    It’s not hard to make the best sandwiches, but it does take just a little bit of forethought to the structure of the ingredients.

    white plate with an array of sandwich ingredients, including bread, cheese, ham, mustard, and pickles.

    Bread

    There is a wide variety of good breads for sandwiches. Bake your own or buy quality rolls or bread. It’s the base of a great sarnie, so the bread matters.

    Think of breads such as Garlic Focaccia, Sourdough Rye Bread, Italian Sandwich Rolls, or even Homebaked Pita Bread.

    Spread

    While not necessary, a good sandwich spread can really improve the flavor and texture of the dish. Whether you make your own mayonnaise or vinaigrette or have a favorite commercial sauce, even a little bit can keep your sammy from being dry and boring.

    Just a dash of Garlic Yogurt Sauce or Roasted Garlic can make a good sandwich amazing. English Pickle is amazing on a cheese baguette while pesto adds pizazz to veggies.

    Protein Fillings

    Typically, the best sandwiches feature some type of protein as a filling. This can be something as simple as hard cooked eggs, cold cuts, or grilled chicken or as elaborate as Chicken Salad Club Sandwiches loaded with Bacon.

    Veggies

    It’s all too easy to carbo-load, so make sure you stuff some veggies in with your cheese and meat. Lettuce, tomato (fresh or roasted), roasted peppers — these all add texture, flavor, fiber, and nutrition.

    Think outside the box: a Simple Coleslaw can even go on a bun with pulled pork! Sliced cucumber, shredded carrot, jalapeno slices, and cilantro leaves add amazing flavor to a simple turkey roll.

    Extra Condiments

    Go the extra mile with other condiments such as pickles, olives, or sliced jalapenos. They add that special little touch you get from the pricey shop.

    ingredients for this sandwich

    Tips for Success

    • If you’re packing sandwiches for school, work, picnics, or general on-the-road eating, wrap them well in a meal prep box or wrapped in deli paper or plastic. In this way the bread won’t dry out.
    • Keep them cool. Unless all the fillings are shelf-stable, you’ll want to keep your sammies in a cooler. Food left at room temperature for longer than 2 hours is unsafe to eat.
    • If you know it will be several hours before eating, pack the spreads on the side to avoid soggy bread. Layer dry ingredients like cheese and lettuce near the bread to add another layer of protection against sogginess.

    Sandwiches never need to be boring. You can vary your sandwich components and make a million different components.

    FAQs

    Can sandwiches be frozen?

    Many sandwiches and/or sandwich fillings can be frozen. However, avoid freezing anything with lettuce, vegetables you want to enjoy fresh, or mayonnaise. These ingredients do not freeze well.

    Can sandwiches be made the night before?

    Follow our tips for success above and you should be good to go. Most importantly, leave the spread off. If the filling is very wet, store the bread and fillings separately and assemble right before serving.

    Recipes

    Need some help deciding what to make? Try one of these Good Cheap Eats favorite sandwiches that is great for packing.

    Picnic Sandwich
    Enjoy eating in the great outdoors with this easy, make-ahead picnic sandwich. Meatless and packed with lots of fresh veggies, it’ll do your summer good.
    Check out this recipe
    Picnic sandwich cut in pieces
    Egg Plus Salad Sandwiches
    Easy sandwich with hard boiled egg and veggies.
    Check out this recipe
    egg plus salad sandwiches
    Spring Street Club Sandwich
    The classic club sandwich is worth making on the regular
    Check out this recipe
    A Spring Street Club sandwich cut in half
    Chipotle Turkey Baguettes
    Layer tender turkey with lettuce, tomato, and a creamy chipotle mayo for a tasty chipotle turkey baguette sandwich that will rival the best sandwich shops!
    Check out this recipe
    in front of a black backdrop are two portions of baguette sandwich with the chipotle mayo evident in a blob on the side.
    Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Cucumber
    Ready to get up and go? Make sure to save money on your lunch bill by packing up some easy Chicken Salad Sandwiches with crisp, crunchy cucumbers.
    Check out this recipe
    cut side view of chicken salad sandwich with cucumber
    Italian Sub Sandwiches
    The classic Italian Sub is an easy and affordable sandwich to make yourself. You’ll enjoy a great lunch at a price that can’t be beat!
    Check out this recipe
    Italian sub sandwiches on platter bursting with cold cuts and other fillings.
    Egg Salad BLT Sandwich
    Can’t decide between an egg salad sandwich and a BLT? You don’t have to! This Egg Salad BLT sandwich combines them both into one fantastic meal.
    Check out this recipe
    egg salad blt in stages on board
    Greek Pita Sandwiches
    You don’t need to head to the Mediterranean or the mall to enjoy a great gyro. These Grilled Pita Sandwiches are packed with flavor and are so easy to make.
    Check out this recipe
    hand holding unwrapped steak pita sandwich with all the toppings.
    Chicken Salad Club Sandwiches
    Sandwich Night will become something super special when you top creamy chicken salad with bacon in this Chicken Salad Club Sandwich.
    Check out this recipe
    triple decker chicken salad club sandwich on board with checked cloth
    Veggie Pesto Sandwich
    A veggie pesto sandwich that’s perfect for packing!
    Check out this recipe
    A close up of a Veggie Pesto sandwich on a cutting board

    What do you think?

    What are your tips and tips and tricks for the best sandwiches? What’s your favorite?

    This post was originally published on July 6, 2016. It has been updated for content and clarity.

    « Best Breads for Sandwiches
    Cold Dinner Ideas & No-Cook Suppers »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karyan

      August 03, 2021 at 9:46 pm

      I laughed out loud at your comment about these not being bologna on white bread sandwiches — my kids think bologna and white bread are both treats! Lol

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        August 04, 2021 at 2:23 pm

        Well, to each his own! 😉

        Reply
    2. Jill

      July 07, 2016 at 11:50 am

      I made a new sandwich today – really a wrap – but it was something I put together with what I had on hand. It was a wrap with hummus, turkey, lettuce and tomato. I also sprinkled it with some Parmesan cheese and pepper. It was a delicious lunch!

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        July 07, 2016 at 1:05 pm

        Sounds great!

        Reply
    3. Stephanie M.

      July 07, 2016 at 9:09 am

      I love sandwiches! I can’t imagine a sandwich I wouldn’t love. Sometimes, I make them for dinner if it’s too hot to cook. Here is one we all enjoy:

      One loaf of crusty Italian bread or some kind of baguette loaf
      1/4 cup salad dressing; I use Italian, but any kind will do
      1 cup chopped celery
      1 cup chopped red bell pepper
      1 cup chopped red onions
      6 oz. deli turkey breast
      6 oz. deli ham
      4 – 6 slices deli American cheese

      Cut off the top of the bread loaf and set aside. Hollow out the inside of the bread bottom and brush with 1/4 cup salad dressing. In a bowl, combine, veggies and mix with 1/2 cup of the dressing. Spoon veggies into the bottom of the hollowed out bread. Then layer slices of turkey, cheese, and ham on top of veggies. Cover with the bread top and cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate till ready to serve.

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        July 07, 2016 at 3:40 pm

        Sounds great. Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    4. erica

      July 06, 2016 at 6:14 pm

      Starbucks used to make a turkey pesto baguette that I loved but stopped carrying it. Now I make it at home for a lot less money and more filling to bread.

      Good bread (always a key!!!)
      sliced turkey breast (I’m loving the stuff that Costco sells that is about 1/4″ thick and is obviously real turkey)
      basil mayo (this is key! just basil and mayo mixed together but so good)
      lettuce
      crannies or homemade cranberry sauce (never from a can!)
      if I have it I add a slice or two of fresh mozerella cheese or provolone

      tomatoes if I’m eating it at home but if I’m packing it to go, no
      the other day I added pickled red onion, not sure if I’m a fan of it on this sandwich but they would be good on other combinations

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        July 07, 2016 at 3:40 pm

        sounds really yummy with the basil and cranberries! yum!

        Reply

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