Need good sandwich recipes to create when you're tired of the same old-school sammies? We've got so many ideas, you'll be able to try something new almost every week.
46 Sandwich Recipes That Aren’t PB&J
Updated on Sep. 18, 2024
1/46
Ham and Swiss Sliders
Total Time
55 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My next-door neighbor shared this recipe with me and I simply cannot improve it! You can make it ahead and cook it quickly when company arrives. The combo of flavors makes these sandwiches so delicious. —Iris Weihemuller, Baxter, Minnesota
Ham and cheese is a classic sandwich combo, but these cheesy melts take it to another level. A pan of slider-sized buns is quick to layer, and a glaze of brown sugar, poppy seeds and horseradish tops it all off. They’ll be the first to disappear from the potluck table.
2/46
Reuben Sandwiches
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Reuben sandwiches are shared by Kathy Jo Scott of Hemingford, Nebraska. "My mouth waters just thinking of these sandwiches," confesses Kathy Jo. "I adapted the recipe from one my mother found several years ago."
Reuben sandwiches are shared by Kathy Jo Scott of Hemingford, Nebraska. “My mouth waters just thinking of these sandwiches,” confesses Kathy Jo. “I adapted the recipe from one my mother found several years ago.”
3/46
Turkey Focaccia Club
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family thinks this sandwich is pure heaven thanks to the cranberry-pecan mayo. It's so good that they ask me to make it all year long. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona
A great club sandwich balances savory deli meat, cheese and bacon with sweet-tangy condiments. This top-rated club slathers on mayo, mustard, honey and cranberry sauce to pack a big flavor punch. Though delicious any time of year, this is often best served with leftover cranberry sauce after Thanksgiving.
4/46
Parmesan Chicken Sandwiches
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Coat tender chicken breasts with seasoned bread crumbs and smother in marinara sauce. Served on a hoagie, it’s a real treat! —Sue Bosek, Whittier, California
One brilliant way to create a more exciting sandwich is to borrow fillings from your favorite meals. Here, breaded, saucy chicken Parmesan is served up in a handheld hoagie rather than on a bed of noodles, making it perfect for a quick family dinner.
5/46
Turkey Melt
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When days feel rushed, these sandwiches with turkey and green chiles are one of my favorite standbys. They stack up in about 10 minutes, honestly. —Leah Carter, San Pedro, California
6/46
Pineapple Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These sandwiches are always welcome at lunchtime around our house. Sweet pineapple and crunchy pecans are nice additions to ordinary chicken salad. —Carol Alexander, Midland, Michigan
Chicken salad is surprisingly versatile. Stir in fillings to add texture: crunchy chopped nuts, crisp grapes or sliced apples, chewy raisins, dried spices and fresh herbs. Here, sweet pineapple adds a juicy, tropical slant on your typical sandwich.
7/46
Gourmet Barbecue Beef Sandwiches
Total Time
8 hours 15 min
Servings
12 sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
These beef sandwiches were a tradition in my family on winter vacations after a long day of snow skiing, but they're a hit anytime we make them. Serving the savory barbecue beef on croissants with melty provolone cheese makes the sandwiches a little more special. —Katie Anderson, Vancouver, Washington
Tender, flavorful beef is an easy sandwich filling, if you make it in the slow cooker! While this recipe calls for a fancy sandwich atop croissants, it will be just as tasty on a hard roll or on sliced crusty bread.
8/46
Shrimp Patty Sandwiches
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Quite often when we eat at a restaurant, my husband will try something and tell me that I could make it better at home. That was the case with this shrimp patty. It had very few shrimp and needed more flavor. I made some improvements and now it's one my husband's favorites. — Tina Jacobs, Hurlock, Maryland
Crispy, savory fish patties are a great seafood dish for skeptics. These savory cakes combine shrimp with haddock to maximize flavor without breaking the budget. Serve on burger buns or open-faced.
9/46
California Roll Wraps
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 wraps
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the California rolls I get at sushi restaurants and wanted to capture those flavors in a sandwich I could take to work. I started with the standard ingredients, added a few others and came up with a hit. —Mary Pax-Shipley, Bend, Oregon
Sushi is delicious at a restaurant, but a bit fussy for an everyday meal at home. These simple wraps aim to duplicate the flavor, combining rich imitation crab meat, spicy wasabi mayo and creamy avocado with an array of crisp, chopped veggies. You can use what’s in season or in your fridge.
10/46
Cuban Sandwich Burgers
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom would make these Cuban burgers whenever we visited her in Florida. They are a take on the real Cuban sandwich. My kids love them. My boys could eat two of these monsters in one sitting. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
These burgers nod to the classic flavors of a Cuban sandwich, and they’re a great summertime option when you have the grill fired up. Start with burger patties made from both ground beef and ground pork, then layer ham, cheese and pickles on top of the patties. Finish the burgers by smashing them down with a hot cast iron skillet for extra toasty buns.
11/46
Beef ‘n’ Cheese Wraps
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These make-ahead wraps are delicious, portable and ideal for picnics and tailgates. Enjoy them whole or slice them into 1-inch pieces to serve them as an appetizer. They also make an excellent lunch on the go. —Sue Sibson, Howard, South Carolina
The benefits of wrap sandwiches are plentiful: the tortilla is less bulky, so the sandwich is lighter and the fillings can shine. Wraps are easy to find gluten-free, and they’re quick to, well, wrap up and take on-the-go. You can also slice a wrap into sections, skewer with a toothpick and turn them into appetizers.
12/46
Grandma’s Baked Ham Salad Sandwiches
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is another tried-and-true recipe I found in my grandma's recipe box. I love seeing her handwriting on faded notecards. — Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Need to eat up leftover ham? This old-fashioned ham salad recipe is just the ticket. The simple sandwich filling is packed with flavor but stirs together in minutes. Warm in the oven for a heartier meal or serve cold. Either way, it’s great with potato salad.
13/46
Caribbean Chipotle Pork Sliders
Total Time
8 hours 35 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of our favorite pulled pork recipes combines the heat of chipotle peppers with a cool tropical coleslaw. The robust flavors make these sliders a big hit with guests. —Kadija Bridgewater, Boca Raton, Florida
Our favorite pulled pork sliders combine the heat of chipotle peppers with a cool tropical coleslaw. The robust flavors make these a big hit with guests. —Kadija Bridgewater, Boca Raton, Florida
14/46
Club Roll-Ups
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Packed with meat, cheese and olives, these roll-ups are always a hit at parties. —Linda Searl, Pampa, Texas
The secret to a good roll-up? A good sauce! Tortillas can get very dry if left plain. This recipe combines both cream cheese and ranch dressing for a tart, tangy, creamy base for the meat and cheese filling.
15/46
Basil Chicken Sandwiches
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
"I got the inspiration for this recipe when I knew my parents and in-laws were coming to see our new home," shares Kerry Durgin Krebs of New Market, Maryland. "My mother-in-law has food allergies, my father-in-law has some very specific food preferences and my parents appreciate light meals. I created this chicken sandwich with fresh basil for our lunch."
Easy and elegant, this chicken sandwich is special enough to serve company but simple enough for everyday. Bottled salad dressing does double duty here, seasoning the chicken as it cooks and topping the sandwich buns. Serve with a fresh salad or veggie side.
16/46
Tangy Barbecue Sandwiches
Total Time
8 hours 10 min
Servings
18 sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
Since I prepare the beef for these robust sandwiches in the slow cooker, it's easy to fix a meal for a hungry bunch. The savory homemade sauce assures I come home with no leftovers. —Debbi Smith, Crossett, Arkansas
Prepping a big batch of barbecue beef is simple in the slow cooker. It’s a crowd-pleaser on game day, but it’s also worth making when it’s just the family. Freeze leftovers for a busy week when you want a meal ready-to-go.
17/46
Tuna Melt on Cornbread
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Try our rendition of an open-faced tuna melt. Serve it on cornbread for a quick lunch or dinner. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Sometimes, the best way to make a familiar sandwich feel fresh is to change up the bread. Instead of sticking with white bread, branch out—think crusty rolls, English muffins or even sliced cornbread like this tuna melt recipe.
18/46
Pressure-Cooker Tandoori Chicken Panini
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The tandoori-style spices in this chicken give it a bold flavor that’s so hard to resist. It tastes incredible tucked between pieces of naan, then grilled for Indian-inspired panini sandwiches. —Yasmin Arif, Manassas, Virginia
This Indian-inspired recipe cooks up in a jiffy thanks to the pressure-cooker. While some sandwiches feel too simple for dinner, this one doesn’t; bold spices, sweet chutney and chewy naan make for a satisfying meal.
19/46
Gouda Turkey Club
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With this recipe, two can enjoy the taste of something new and elegant in minutes. All you need to add is the ambiance for a bistro meal at home. —Karen Harris, Littleton, Colorado
The ingredient list for this club sandwich looks simple, but the method deploys a cool trick. Mix mayonnaise with shredded cheese and seasonings. The result is a hearty, flavor-packed dressing that complements the simple sliced turkey and avocado perfectly.
20/46
Beer-Braised Pulled Ham
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To jazz up ham, I slow-cooked it with a beer sauce. Buns loaded with ham, pickles and mustard are irresistible. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
It’s tough to beat hot ham and mustard on rolls, but this recipe gives it a try, slow-cooking the pork in beer to add lots of flavor. Serve on pretzel buns, as suggested, for a Bavarian twist, or go with classic hard rolls.
21/46
Italian Steak Sandwiches
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My sister came up with these quick sandwiches that use minced garlic and other seasonings to bring pizzazz to deli roast beef. Add some carrot sticks or a tomato salad for a fantastic lunch in no time. —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts
No need to cook steak from scratch to make a good steak sandwich. This recipe dresses up deli roast beef with a broth of fresh garlic, herbs and spices. Nobody would guess the beef didn’t braise for ages on your stovetop!
22/46
Cuban Sandwich
Total Time
2 hours 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you want a hearty sandwich that won't overstuff you, then the Cubano is for you. Tangy pickles, tender pork, savory ham, gooey melted Swiss cheese and a hint of mustard are layered between two toasty pieces of bread for the ultimate panini. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
23/46
Creamy Eggplant & Mushroom Monte Cristo
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As a child, I wouldn’t eat veggies. As a parent, I try to include them in creative ways. I'm proud to say this eggplant sandwich is a hit with my son. —Macey Allen, Green Forest, Arkansas
Eggplant is a surprisingly versatile veggie. When thinly sliced and cooked, it becomes silky and dense, the perfect filling for a vegetarian Monte Cristo.
24/46
Italian Meatball Subs
Total Time
4 hours 25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of those recipes you always come back to. A flavorful tomato sauce and mildly spiced meatballs make a hearty sandwich filling, or they can be served over pasta. I broil the meatballs first to quickly brown them. —Jean Glacken, Elkton, Maryland
Savory, hearty meatball sandwiches make a cozy fall or winter dinner. Serve them on top of a bun squishy enough to absorb the tasty tomato sauce.
25/46
Basil-Tomato Grilled Cheese
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The tastes of summer abound in this easy Italian-style grilled cheese sandwich. Not only is it delicious, it's super-fast, so you can get back to those summer outdoor activities. —Sylvia Schmitt, Sun City, Arizona
Grilled cheese is delicious, but it definitely feels like an item on the kid’s menu. Jazz it up with basil and fresh tomatoes.
26/46
French Dip
Total Time
5 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a sandwich with more pizazz than the traditional French dip, give this recipe a try. The seasonings give the broth a wonderful flavor, and the meat cooks up tender and juicy. This slow-cooked version will soon be a favorite at your house too. —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Like everything French, the French dip sandwich feels fancy: rolls piled with seasoned beef and served alongside a dish of sauce. But, like anything from a slow cooker, they’re easy to make. You can prepare the beef a day in advance and gently rewarm before assembling the sandwiches.
27/46
Slow-Cooked Turkey Sloppy Joes
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tangy sandwich filling is easy to prepare in the slow cooker, and it goes over so well at gatherings large and small. I frequently take it to potlucks, and I'm always asked what my secret ingredient is! —Marylou LaRue, Freeland, Michigan
Don’t forget sloppy joes! The sandwich gets associated with cafeteria food, but when made fresh, the saucy sliders are packed with flavor and a great family meal. Serve with snappy green beans or lightly steamed broccoli.
28/46
Bacon & Swiss Chicken Sandwiches
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska
Chicken sandwiches are secretly vehicles for your favorite condiments. Honey mustard lovers, this one is for you!
Also, check our sampled and ranked eight different restaurants list to find out once and for all who makes the best fast-food chicken sandwich.
29/46
Ultimate Pastrami Sandwiches
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This peerless pastrami sandwich was adapted from a menu favorite at Primanti Bros. Restaurant in Pittsburgh. We took the basic ingredients—grilled cold cuts, cheese, fried potatoes and tomatoes—and created a tasty replica that includes our version of their secret coleslaw topping. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Some sandwiches are a labor of love, but worth every bit of preparation. Take this restaurant-inspired pastrami sandwich with its perfect balance of fillings. Homemade cabbage slaw adds a fresh crunch, waffle fries add savory crispness, and the provolone and pastrami are pure comfort. Before you move ahead, get to know the difference between pastrami and corned beef.
30/46
Grilled Goat Cheese & Arugula Sandwiches
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To create a more “grown-up” grilled cheese sandwich, I threw in tangy goat cheese and peppery arugula. I enjoy a similar combination on pizza, and it worked here, too! —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California
Gooey, cozy grilled cheese can absolutely be elegant, and this recipe proves it. Serve this grown-up grilled cheese alongside a bowl of tomato soup (cold in summer, steaming in winter).
31/46
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Total Time
4 hours 10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The slow cooker not only makes this an easy meal, it keeps the pork tender, saucy and loaded with flavor. —Beki Kosydar-Krantz, Mayfield, Pennsylvania
32/46
Chipotle Roast Beef Sandwiches
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Rustic ciabatta bread is the perfect match for tender roast beef and bold blue cheese and chipotle in this easy, tasty recipe. —Andre Houseknecht, Feasterville, Pennsylvania
These savory, slightly spicy sandwiches taste restaurant-worthy, but they’re made with simple deli roast beef! The trick is to toast the buns, which primes them to absorb more of the yummy sauce (which is just jazzed-up mayo). It’s a great summer sandwich for warm nights eating out on the patio.
33/46
Cranberry Turkey Wraps
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fruity and flavorful, these hefty grab-and-go handfuls are quick to assemble, easy to handle and low in calories. We often take them in a cooler to the local stock show and eat them in the stands. Everyone seems to love them! —Bobbie Keefer, Byers, Colorado
It’s easy to make a rich sandwich taste great, but lightening up a sandwich recipe without ending up with a bland, sad sammie is the real trick. This wrap is packed with alternative (and tasty) ideas. Low-fat condiments are an easy switch, and you can add accents to milder meats like dried cranberries, sliced oranges and chopped pecans.
34/46
BLT Waffle Sliders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Craving a BLT for breakfast? Try a deliciously different version that features crisp bacon and fresh tomatoes between two golden cornmeal waffles. Prepare the waffles ahead of time and reheat in the toaster for quick assembly. —Stacy Joura, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania.
It’s hard to beat a good BLT sandwich, but here’s one way: Serve them on waffles! BLTs as the new breakfast food is definitely something we can get behind.
35/46
Savory Beef Sandwiches
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Before heading to work in the morning, I'll get this going in the slow cooker. Then it's all ready to serve—usually with hard rolls and potato salad or another salad—as soon as my husband and I walk in. When my son moved to another state recently, I cut up a beef roast into smaller portions, repackaged it and sent seasonings for a two-person slow cooker as his housewarming present. —Lynn Williamson, Hayward, Wisconsin
The slow cooker is an ideal cooking method for beef, yielding perfectly tender meat every time (plus a potful of sauce). Serve these classic sandwiches with potato salad.
36/46
Chicken Caesar Wrap
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 wraps
From the Recipe Creator:
This classic handheld with tender chicken, Parmesan cheese and chopped Caesar croutons features the perfect amount of dressing for a tasty meal any night. Nancy Pratt - Longview, TX
37/46
Weeknight Chicken Mozzarella Sandwiches
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband is a big garlic fan, so we use garlic bread crumbs and garlic sauce for our baked chicken sandwiches. They are so comforting on a chilly day. —Bridget Snyder, Syracuse, New York
These chicken sandwiches have an easy way of flavoring—instead of dredging chicken breasts in plain breadcrumbs, it calls for garlic breadcrumbs. (Use stale bread leftover from spaghetti night!) It might seem like a simple change, but it’s one that infuses lots of flavor into the crispy chicken.
38/46
Cuban Sliders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These wonderful little rolls are baked until lightly toasted and the cheese melts. The leftover King's Hawaiian ham sliders keep really well in the fridge, and they make a lovely cold snack. Followers of my blog, houseofyumm.com, go nuts for these! —Serene Herrera, Dallas, Texas
Cuban ham sandwiches get the slider treatment in this top-rated, crowd-pleasing recipe. The sliders are easy to make in a 13×9 pan; you don’t even need to separate the package of rolls! Simply slice across, layer on the fillings and bake under a buttery sauce.
39/46
Cheesy Chicken Subs
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been part of the Food Services staff at Appalachian State University for 33 years. One summer we created this flavorful sandwich that combines seasoned grilled chicken, Swiss cheese and sauteed mushrooms and onions. Thousands of students have enjoyed this wonderful sub since then. —Jane Hollar, Vilas, North Carolina
If you’re tired of throwing chicken on a bun, try this inspired sub sandwich. Cook mushrooms and onions until they’re brown and fragrant, then add the chicken, which you’ve dusted with Ceasar salad seasoning. To finish it up, slide the open sandwiches under a broiler to melt cheese on top.
40/46
Makeover Reuben Melt
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This twist on a classic Reuben keeps the corned beef and uses a sauce made with Swiss (and plenty of thousand-island flavor). Fresh slaw on top replaces the sauerkraut. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Love Reubens but not the indulgence? Try these simple sandwiches, which are also quicker to prepare. They swap fresh slaw mix for the sauerkraut, and a homemade thousand island dressing made from low-fat milk. It’s one of our favorite lightened-up comfort foods.
41/46
Chicken & Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese
Total Time
55 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grilled cheese sandwich combines chicken with sweet caramelized onions, red peppers, Swiss cheese and sourdough bread. It’s oh-my goodness. —Kadija Bridgewater, Boca Raton, Florida
Everything is better with caramelized onions! The trick is to go nice and slow, letting the onions cook until they’re truly melted and super-sweet, which takes a good half-hour at least. Go ahead and make more than you need: they keep well in a jar in the fridge, and taste good on sandwiches, salads, burgers, pastas and pizza.
42/46
Turkey & Swiss Biscuit Sliders
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 sliders
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my favorite things to whip up in the kitchen is homemade buttermilk biscuits. Simple sandwiches are a wonderful way to showcase these melt-in-your-mouth treats. —Cindy Esposito, Bloomfield, New Jersey
Another overlooked sandwich base? Biscuits! This recipe calls for making from-scratch biscuits, but of course you can use store-bought dough, or even leftover biscuits.
43/46
Cashew Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I think this is the best chicken salad recipe around! It’s good for you and quick to make, and it has wonderful flavor. —Peggi Kelly, Fairbury, Nebraska
You can’t have enough chicken salad recipes! The secret ingredient in this mix is chopped cucumber, which adds a fresh, summery flavor. Serve with a simple one-step summer side dish.
44/46
Shredded French Dip
Total Time
6 hours 5 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A chuck roast slow-simmered in a beefy broth is delicious when shredded and spooned onto rolls. I serve the cooking juices in individual cups for dipping. —Carla Kimball, Callaway, Nebraska
This top-rated sandwich recipe stars a beef roast so tender it practically shreds itself! Serve on a crusty roll that can stand up to dipping in the savory sauce.
45/46
BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With four small children at home, I need quick yet filling meals. This family-favorite BBQ chicken sandwich filling is a cinch to make. For a spicier taste, eliminate the ketchup and increase the amount of salsa to 1 cup. —Leticia Lewis, Kennewick, Washington
A quick homemade barbecue sauce makes these chicken sandwiches extra special. As a bonus, you can adjust the seasonings to suit your appetite, upping the salsa for extra spice, the ketchup for extra sweetness or adding smoked paprika for heat.
46/46
Cashew Turkey Salad Sandwiches
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
One bite and you'll be hooked on this slightly sweet turkey salad sandwich. It's protein-packed so you can feel good while you munch! —Mary Wilhelm, Sparta, Wisconsin
So-called salad sandwiches aren’t especially healthy, despite their name, but this recipe lightens things up. Tossing cubed turkey (or chicken) in low-fat mayo and plain yogurt maintains all the flavor but less fat. Dried apricots and cashews add pleasant crunch and chew to the mix.
