Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 15 of Our Favorite Sandwich Recipes to Save You From Your Sad Desk Lunch By Betty Gold Betty Gold With more than a decade of experience writing and editing food and nutritional content, Betty Gold is the former senior digital food editor at Real Simple and acting senior food editor at Well+Good. Betty has also spent time working in product analysis at Good Housekeeping and in food production on The Martha Stewart Show. Highlights: * Bachelor of Science in Food Studies & Nutrition from New York University * Industry professional for 11 years * Served on mastheads at Food Network, Bon Appetit, and Good Housekeeping Magazines * Worked in publications department at James Beard Foundation Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 6, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Getty Images Is lunchtime getting a little stale? Turn to these fresh and tasty sandwich recipes for a handheld meal that won't leave you bored—or tempted to order takeout before noon on a Tuesday. Whether you're vegetarian, vegan, or like your Cuban sandwiches with two types of ham, we've included something for every type of sandwich eater that won't pull you away from your desk for long (sorry). Whatever you do, don't forget to use good bread, add an element of acidity, and get creative with your toppings. Looking for a few other easy tips for building a better sandwich from scratch? Check out our guide to sandwich making here. RELATED: 10 Healthy Lunch Ideas That You Can Easily Make at Home 01 of 15 Vegetarian BLT With Shiitake Bacon Get the Recipe Caitlin Bensel This better-for-you take on a BLT uses crispy shiitake mushrooms in place of bacon. To brown them until they're perfectly crunchy, you'll simply toss the mushrooms with olive oil, tamari, salt, and pepper and bake them in the oven. They're so delicious you'll wonder why you ever bothered with real-deal bacon. 02 of 15 Chickpea Salad Sandwich Get the Recipe Alison Miksch Whether you take your chicken or tuna salad in a wrap or sandwich, there's no denying it's a classic lunchtime staple for many. But if you're looking to change things up a bit, or you're upping your plant-based ingredients, this Chickpea Salad Sandwich will give the classics a run for their money. The fact that it's an easy and healthy lunch idea is already a major win, but wait until you taste it. 03 of 15 Caramelized Onion and Sour Cherry Tartine Get the Recipe Victor Protasio Think cherries are only for sweet treats? Think again. This tasty tartine combines sour cherries with tender caramelized onions, sharp white cheddar cheese, and fresh thyme leaves. To turn it into a mouthwatering melty grilled cheese, simply sandwich two tartines together. Add spinach or arugula to really hit it out of the ballpark. 04 of 15 Slow-Cooker Cuban Sandwiches Get the Recipe Greg DuPree Pork shoulder plus deli ham plus salty, briny pickles, melted swiss cheese, and mustard? Sign us up. You'll cook the pork shoulder hands-free in the slow cooker with with garlic, salt, orange zest, orange juice, and stock for seven hours. The result = lunchtime perfection. 05 of 15 Pea-and-Radish Tea Sandwiches Caitlin Bensel These springy sandwiches will brighten up any dreary day. Best part? They only take 15 minutes to make, and they're packed with nutritious ingredients, like chopped radishes, green peas (feel free to use frozen), baby arugula, and fresh tarragon. 06 of 15 Smoked Salmon Salad Sandwich Get the Recipe Danny Kim Mix freshly roasted salmon with smoked salmon for a delicious filling that's not overpowering. Bonus: The salmon mixture can be made up to three days in advance. 07 of 15 Beets, Spinach, and Goat Cheese Sandwich Danny Kim Mild, creamy goat cheese pairs well with the sweet roasted beets and raisins. 08 of 15 Tomato, Bacon, and Garlic Mayo Sandwich Get the Recipe Danny Kim Upgrade a standard BLT with a garlicky yogurt sauce and sliced avocado. 09 of 15 Chicken, Sprouts, and Provolone Sandwich Get the Recipe Danny Kim Warm chicken, melted cheese, and crisp sprouts in a toasted bagel makes a satisfying snack or meal. 10 of 15 French Ham and Cheese Sandwich Get the Recipe Danny Kim A mixture of chopped cornichons, butter, Dijon mustard, and fresh tarragon gives this ham and cheese sandwich a French twist. 11 of 15 Egg, Frisée, and Caramelized Onion Sandwich Danny Kim The slightly runny egg yolk creates a rich, delicious sauce as it mingles with the fig jam. 12 of 15 Eggplant With Peppers and Beans Sandwich Danny Kim Mash cannellini beans with garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil for a delicious Middle Eastern-style sandwich spread. 13 of 15 Roast Beef With Roasted Tomatoes Sandwich Danny Kim Roast the tomatoes with olive oil and rosemary until tender to add an extra dose of juicy flavor. 14 of 15 Turkey, Smashed Peas, and Pesto Sandwich Danny Kim Plain turkey gets a bright lift from mashed peas, tangy onion, and pesto. 15 of 15 Roast Pork and Pickled Cucumber Sandwich Get the Recipe Danny Kim Make quick pickles by combining cucumber, vinegar, oil, brown sugar, salt, and pepper; they give the sandwich an extra zing. 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