Deli meat sandwiches are a convenient and tasty lunch option for many people. Whether it’s a classic ham and cheese, roast beef and cheddar, or turkey and swiss, deli sandwiches are a go-to choice for a quick meal on the run. However, deli meat sandwiches can sometimes seem boring and bland. The processed deli meats and sliced cheeses from the grocery store deli counter often lack flavor and texture. Luckily, there are many easy ways to upgrade basic deli meat sandwiches to make them more delicious and satisfying. Read on to learn tips and tricks for taking your deli sandwiches from dull to delightful!
Use High Quality Ingredients
The first step to improving deli sandwiches is to use high quality ingredients. Rather than grabbing pre-packaged sliced meats and cheeses, visit the deli counter and ask them to slice fresh deli meats and cheeses for you. Opt for premium and artisanal varieties whenever possible. Boar’s Head and Dietz & Watson are two reputable deli meat brands that offer delicious gourmet meats like smoked turkey, honey maple ham, and roast beef. At the cheese counter, choose interesting varieties like aged cheddar, jalapeno havarti, or smoked gouda for ample flavor. Be sure to request thicker slices too, as the thin slices can often be skimpy.
Fresh Ingredients
In addition to premium deli ingredients, use fresh produce to add crunch, flavor, and nutrients to your sandwich. Lettuce, tomato, onion, pepper rings, and pickles are classic sandwich toppings to consider. For extra flavor, try arugula, spinach, sprouts, roasted red peppers, or artichoke hearts. If you want some sweetness, add slices of apple, pear, or ripe mango. Herbs like basil, cilantro or dill also give a fresh burst of flavor.
Artisanal Breads
Rather than using plain white sandwich bread, opt for artisanal and whole grain bread varieties. Breads like multi-grain, whole wheat, rye, sourdough, ciabatta, foccacia, and pretzel buns offer more texture and robust flavor. Many grocery stores now have bakery sections with fresh baked bread options. You can also find artisanal breads at your local farmers market from local bakeries.
Get Creative With Ingredients
Think outside the box when it comes to sandwich fillings to make your creation unique and exciting. Here are some ideas for creative ingredients to pile onto your deli sandwich:
- Sliced avocado
- Bacon
- Sliced hard boiled egg
- Hummus
- Pesto
- Sliced apple
- Sundried tomatoes
- Caramelized onions
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Roasted red peppers
- Jalapeños
- Pickles
- Sliced olives
- Cranberry sauce
- Coleslaw
- Feta cheese
Don’t be afraid to combine sweet, savory, crunchy, creamy, and spicy elements to liven up your sandwich. The combinations are endless!
Use Flavored Spreads
Spreading flavored condiments onto your bread before piling on the fillings adds moisture and flavor. Some tasty spread options include:
- Pesto
- Olive tapenade
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Hummus
- Avocado mash
- Horseradish sauce
- Chimichurri
- Tzatziki
- Jams/preserves
- Nut butters
Get creative mixing and matching flavored spreads with your deli meats and cheeses. A smear of your favorite condiment can take your sandwich up a notch.
Toast The Bread
Toasting your sandwich bread adds warmth, crunch and enhances flavor. Using a panini press is ideal to get a crispy toasted exterior. You can also use a toaster oven or regular oven. Brush the sliced bread lightly with olive oil or butter before toasting to get it ultra crisp on the outside. Just be sure not to toast too long or the bread can become dry and brittle.
Try New Sandwich Styles
Branch out from basic sliced bread and explore new sandwich styles to spice up your deli creations:
- Panini – Use a panini press to grill and press your sandwich
- Hoagie -Pile meats and toppings into an Italian roll
- Muffaletta – Fill a round Italian loaf with layers of meats, cheese, and olive salad
- Croissant – Flaky, buttery croissants make gourmet sandwiches
- Wrap – For a lighter option, wrap fillings in a tortilla
- Submarine – Load up Italian bread with favorite sandwich fixings
- Slider – Make miniature sandwiches on dinner rolls
- Open Faced – Omit the top slice of bread for an open faced sandwich
Varying the bread and preparation method helps make familiar ingredients feel totally new!
Add Hot Toppings
Warm, melted toppings like these can transform a cold cut sandwich:
- Sautéed onions
- Sautéed peppers and mushrooms
- Melted cheese
- Crispy bacon
- Fried egg
- Crispy onions
- Jalapeños
- Banana peppers
- Browned ground beef
The mix of hot and cold ingredients adds appealing contrast to your sandwich.
Drizzle Flavored Oils and Sauces
Take your sandwich up a notch by drizzling, dipping or spreading flavored oils, vinegars and sauces onto the top bun:
- Olive oil
- Balsamic glaze
- Honey mustard
- Ranch
- Caesar dressing
- Buffalo sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Pesto
- Chimichurri
- Teriyaki sauce
- Hot sauce
- Cranberry Sauce
A few drops of flavored sauce, oil or dressing provides moisture and a burst of extra flavor.
Consider Grilled and Warm Variations
For new twists on hot deli sandwiches try grilling them or preparing warm melty versions:
- Grilled ham and cheese
- Grilled turkey, brie and cranberry sauce
- Grilled cuban sandwich with pork, ham, swiss and pickles
- Grilled reuben with corned beef, swiss, sauerkraut and thousand island
- Warm open faced roast beef sandwich with gravy
- Warm open faced french dip sandwich with au jus dipping sauce
- Warm croissant with chicken salad
- Warm panini with turkey, pesto and tomatoes
Heating up sandwiches on a grill or oven makes the flavors meld together for a comforting meal.
Handheld Versus Open Faced
Another way to modify your usual sandwich routine is to make it open faced. Simply omit the top slice of bread, pile on your favorite meats and toppings, and eat with a fork and knife. Open faced sandwiches are great for larger portions and layers. They also allow you to add slice meats like turkey breast and roast beef in larger quantities since you don’t have to fit everything between two slices of bread. Open faced sandwiches are also easier to eat as a meal since they aren’t as dense and bulky.
Use Sandwich Skewers
Make sandwiches more fun and visually appealing by skewering with colorful toothpicks or frilly cocktail skewers. Skewers add height and dimension while also helping stabilize layers of fillings. You can arrange sliced meats, cheeses, vegetables, and garnishes on skewers in an appetizing way. Skewers transform sandwiches into a more enticing meal.
Present Sandwiches On Planks
Elevate sandwiches by serving them on decorative wood planks and boards rather than plain plates. Wood serving boards can be found at many stores like Target, Crate & Barrel, and World Market. You can also use a basic wooden cutting board. Arrange the sandwich nicely on the wood board along with any sides like pickles, chips or slaw. The rustic wood presentation instantly makes sandwiches more gourmet.
Include Creative Sides
Pair your deli sandwiches with more exciting side dishes and extras. Instead of plain potato chips or boring coleslaw from the grocery store deli, try these fresh accents:
- Housemade potato chips
- Kettle style potato chips
- Fresh fruit like grapes, berries, or orange slices
- Vegetable crudites like carrots, cucumbers, and celery
- Homemade coleslaw
- Pasta or potato salad
- Quinoa salad
- Cottage cheese
- Fresh greens salad
- Roasted or grilled vegetables
- Homemade dill pickles
- Pickled vegetables
- Soup shot
Interesting sides make your sandwich feel like a full meal.
Pack Creatively For Picnics and Lunches
If you’ll be eating your sandwich on the go, get creative with transport and storage containers to keep it delicious and stable. Here are some tips:
- Wrap in foil or parchment paper to hold structure
- Skewer with frilly toothpicks or bamboo skewers to hold ingredients in place
- Wrap in a cloth napkin to absorb moisture and keep cool
- Pack each half separately so the bread doesn’t get soggy
- Use silicone reusable food containers or beeswax wrap instead of disposable baggies
- Include small dipping cups for spreads, dressings, and sauces
- Tuck in moist towelettes to keep hands and face clean
- Use insulated bags, coolers, and ice packs to keep cold
- Wrap hot sandwiches in foil and towels to retain heat
With smart packing methods, your sandwich will be just a delicious by the time you’re ready to eat it!
Learn Sandwich Making Tips and Tricks
Use these pro tips for constructing better, more stable and tasty deli meat sandwiches:
- Chill sandwich ingredients like meats and cheeses for easier slicing
- Spread a thin layer of condiment on each slice of bread to prevent sogginess
- Layer sliced meat and cheese rather than single thick slices for more even bites
- Pile heavier ingredients like tomato and avocado closer to the middle to stabilize
- Slice rounded sandwiches into triangles for cleaner eating
- Brush buns and bread with olive oil or butter before toasting for delicious crispness
- Use Bamboo skewers to hold ingredients in place for picnics and lunchboxes
- Cut sandwiches on a diagonal for a wider surface area to hold fillings
Learning professional sandwich making strategies helps you construct sturdier, more balanced and flavorful sandwiches every time.
Make Ahead for Convenience
Prepare sandwiches ahead of time when possible for maximum convenience. Here are some tips:
- Slice meats and cheeses a day ahead to make assembly faster
- Mix spread and condiment sauces in batches to have them ready to go
- Chop and prep fresh veggies and toppings in advance
- Toast or grill bread when you have time, then wrap tightly
- Assemble entire sandwiches, individually wrap in plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate overnight
- Bake or grill sandwich halves ahead and heat up right before eating
Making ahead saves you prep time down the road.
Conclusion
Deli sandwiches don’t have to be boring! With high quality meats and cheeses, fresh vegetables and herbs, creative combinations, hot melty fillings, flavored oils and sauces, new preparation methods, and smart storage hacks, you can take your sandwich game from basic to gourmet. Elevate the sandwiches you pack for lunch or serve for dinner by incorporating these easy tips and tricks. Your deli creations will go from dull to delightful in no time. Get ready to become the deli sandwich master!