10 Quick Sandwich Recipes That’ll Make Your Life Much, Much Easier Tomorrow

by Posted on

Sideview of Roast Beef
Serious Eats / Kevin White

I don’t know about you, but the best part of my workday is all of the eating that happens throughout it. (This, of course, said with total respect for and enjoyment of my coworkers!) Breakfast? I’m thrilled! Snack time #1? I’m elated! Snack time #2? I’m buoyed all over again! But lunch? Lunch is always more disappointing than I think it’s going to be. And while I oftentimes try to jazz up whatever I’m squishing together at 6 a.m. for 11.30 a.m.-2 p.m. consumption, I also oftentimes fail.

But I’ve recently realized I don’t have to fail if I go back to basics. Between a few of the below quick-and-painless (and so very good!) sandwich recipes and our 2024 Starch Madness bracket, I’ve found that returning to the straightforward sandwich can absolutely change the trajectory of a work day. Or any day, for that matter!

Below, you’ll find some quick sandwiches that come together quickly, hold their integrity well, and are deeply satisfying despite the lack-of-lift it takes to create them. Happy lunching!

Classic Mayo-Dressed Tuna Salad Sandwich

Tuna salad sandwich served on a plate
Serious Eats / Qi Ai

An all-time top-performing Serious Eats recipe, this bright and easy tuna salad sandwich should be in your rotation once a week.

Ham & Cheese Sandwich

ham and cheese sandwich hero
Serious Eats/Amanda Suarez

Yes, like that ham & cheese. But for grown-ups!

Smoked Salmon & Dill Tea Sandwiches

Side view of tea sandwiches
Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

A quick and sophisticated tea time moment…in edible form.

The Best Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich

Side view of chicken salad sandwich
Serious Eats / Qi Ai

Another all-time great Serious Eats recipe, this chicken salad sandwich comes through in a hearty, nostalgic way.

PB&J Sandwich

Side view of a stack of pb&js
Serious Eats / Jordan Provost

…Yes, like that PB&J. But for grown-ups! Kinda!

The Best Egg Salad Sandwich

An egg salad sandwich, cut in half, with the two halves stacked on top of each other. The sandwich contains egg salad, butter lettuce, and thinly sliced radishes.
Serious Eats / Eric Kleinberg

You’ve never had a creamier egg salad experience. And paired with bread!? And veggies!? Divine.

Pastrami Sandwich on Rye

Close up of a pastrami on Jewish rye sandwich with spicy brown mustard
Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

Assemble a little, enjoy a lot. You’ll be thinking about this sandwich for days.

Kaya Toast

Side view of stack of kaya toast
Serious Eats / Michelle Yip

Once you’ve got kaya jam in your fridge, you’ll exist on it for weeks.

Roast Beef Sandwich

Sideview of Roast Beef
Serious Eats / Kevin White

This roast beef sandwich (1) requires two hands and (2) will have you excited for lunch the night before.

Muffuletta Sandwich

Sliced muffuletta sandwich in an enameled metal tray.
Serious Eats / Mateja Zvirotic Andrijanic

Briny, hefty, and filling, muffulettas made at home are always a good idea.

Published by Staff Reporter