Americans eat over 300 million sandwiches every single day. There’s some debate over how the sandwich was born, but no matter who invented it, we’re sure glad they did.
You can put just about anything between two slices of bread and call it a sandwich. But the sandwich toppings are where the magic happens.
No matter what kind of sandwich you make, you can add mouthwatering layers of flavors by piling it with all of the extras.
You’ve heard of lettuce, tomato, and mayo on your sandwich, but there’s a whole world of toppings out there to explore. And there’s no time like right now to get started.
Wondering about the best options for your favorite sandwich? You’re in the right place. Keep reading to find out exactly what you should be layering on your bread.
Sandwich Toppings
Sure, you can slap a slice of bologna on your standard white bread and enjoy lunch. After all, this classic was a staple in our lunchboxes throughout elementary school, right?
But now that you’ve grown up, maybe you want your sandwich to match. Though we won’t tell if you still indulge in bologna, mayo, and a slice of American from time to time.
The options for sandwiches are virtually limitless. The trick is to pair your toppings with the base of your sandwich and you should choose delicious fresh bread to get started.
That means that the best-pulled pork sandwich toppings may not be the same as the best chicken sandwich toppings. Likewise, if you’re making a turkey sandwich versus a roast beef sandwich.
Fortunately, it’s hard to mess up a sandwich, and part of the fun is in mixing and matching your options to create the perfect combination for your palate.
Ready to upgrade lunchtime? Check out these premier toppings that will take your sandwich to the next level.
Addictive Spicy Dill Avocado Pickles
Maybe you’ve had a slice or two of avocado on your sandwich before. But avocado pickles are an entirely new option that is sure to become your newest addiction.
Not only do you get the creaminess of the avocado, but you get the delightful tang of dill and vinegar.
They work wonderfully on burgers, turkey sandwiches, and veggie hoagies. Layer them on the sandwich in slices, or smash them just a bit and use them as a spread.
Tomaten Chutney
What makes this any different than regular tomaten chutney? The addition of lime juice and spices takes it to an entirely new level.
The delightful blend of cinnamon, cumin, ginger, cloves, and cayenne creates a chunky topping that works well with a variety of other sandwich toppings.
Pile your tomato chutney on hot dogs or a cheeseburger. This also happens to be one of the best BBQ chicken sandwich toppings.
Hot Italian Giardiniera
You don’t have to be preparing an Italian sandwich to use this spicy sandwich topping. Some sandwich aficionados call it one of the best brisket sandwich toppings you’ll ever find.
The mixture contains pickled jalapenos and bell peppers, combined with carrots, onions, and cauliflower. There’s also some green olives and garlic in there. The heat comes from red pepper flakes.
While you can’t go wrong piling this on a beef sandwich, it also tastes fantastic on a sausage sandwich. You’ll love it on a hot dog, too.
Chef John’s Eggplant Escabeche
If you’ve never considered putting eggplant on a sandwich, today is the day to change that. This delicious topping has a distinct Mediterranean flair that you won’t be able to get enough of.
The eggplant is enhanced with the flavors of zucchini, garlic, Italian herbs, and vinegar. The result is the perfect balance of tangy and spicy.
This works on just about any sandwich you want to stuff it into. That includes turkey, roast beef, chicken, pulled pork, and grilled cheese. You can’t go wrong!
Taco Slaw
Who doesn’t love tacos? And who wouldn’t want that flavor in a sandwich? The good news is that you can use this taco slaw to turn any sandwich into a south-of-the-border meal.
The slaw combines cabbage and jalapeno with onion, cilantro, and carrots. Its consistency is easy to pair with many kinds of other sandwich toppings and the flavors take your meal to new heights.
Try taco slaw on shredded chicken sandwiches, brisket sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, or a burger. It’s also delicious on hot dogs, sausage, and fried shrimp po’boys.
Quick Pickled Pepper Onion Relish
If peppers and onions are one of your favorite roast beef sandwich toppings, you’re going to love this delightful pickled version just as much.
The blend of pickled peppadew peppers, jalapenos, and onions results in a chunky topping that adds a bit of spice and flavor to your favorite sandwich.
Use it on hot dogs, French dip sandwiches, a cheesesteak sandwich, or a pulled pork sandwich. You’ll love it no matter what.
Pickled Onions
Love onions, but don’t care for peppers? Try a simple pickled onion condiment on your sandwich. You’ll get the spice and the tangy flavor without the peppers.
You can buy pickled onions at most supermarkets, but they’re pretty easy to whip at home yourself. Try different varieties and mix and match them to create your perfect topping.
Use pickled onions on hot dogs and hamburgers. Or layer them onto barbecued chicken, pork, or beef and then sandwich between a bun or two slices of bread.
Condiments
Now that you have some delicious toppings, consider combining them with a condiment or two. This enhances the flavor of your sandwich, but also adds texture to the mix.
There are tons of condiments to choose from and part of the fun is to try them all to find what you love best.
Of course, you should also consider the other items in the sandwich when you make your selection. That way the flavors meld perfectly, rather than competing with each other.
Check out these choices and you’ll be all set to make the perfect sandwich any day.
Cranberry Sauce
Fruit pairs surprisingly well with meat, so it makes sense that it would be a star sandwich condiment. If you love cranberry sauce with your turkey on Thanksgiving, you know how delicious this is.
Don’t stop there though. Cranberry sauce also works wonderfully on a chicken sandwich. Try it on a grilled cheese too. You won’t be sorry.
Guacamole
You can’t go wrong with guacamole. Made from creamy avocados, its flavor pairs well with a huge list of sandwich ingredients.
Slather guacamole on your bread and then combine it with turkey, ham, cheese, or bologna. It also tastes great on hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as pulled pork and sliced beef sandwiches.
Horseradish Sauce
Looking for a bit of heat on your sandwich? Horseradish is where it’s at. With a scrumptious bit of spice, it also has a mild enough flavor to pair with many sandwich ingredients.
Try it on a French dip, a pulled beef sandwich, or a cheesesteak. Horseradish also works well mixed with ketchup and slathered on a shrimp sandwich or hamburger.
Hummus
Hummus isn’t just for pita bread. Though that’s a great choice, it’s a wonderful condiment for creating an exciting sandwich that’s also high in fiber and rich in flavor.
Use hummus on a gyro sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, or a cold-cut sandwich with salami and cheese. Spread hummus on an egg and bacon sandwich or a veggie sandwich too.
Pesto Sauce
Pesto is a tasty blend of basil, garlic, salt, and cheese. It’s something you might be familiar with on pasta. However, you will love what it does to a sandwich too.
Pesto works well on a fried chicken sandwich, a grilled cheese sandwich, or a Caprese sandwich with sliced tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
Relish
Relish is a one-size-fits-all kind of condiment. It can be made in a variety of ways and that means you’re sure to find the combination that you love best.
Relish is a standby for hot dogs, but it also tastes wonderful on burgers, sausage sandwiches, shrimp sandwiches, and barbecue sandwiches.
Vinaigrette
If you love vinaigrette on your salad, you’re going to adore what it can do for a sandwich. Try a store-bought version or get creative and whip up your own blend.
Drizzle vinaigrette on a hot Italian sub sandwich, a veggie sandwich, or a simple turkey and cheese. It’s also great on a bologna sandwich or a grilled cheese sandwich.
Choosing Your Sandwich Toppings
There’s no magical formula for making the right sandwich. Whatever you love best is what should be between your slices of bread.
Part of the fun of sandwiches is experimenting. We suggest mixing and matching the ideas on this list as often as possible. That way you never get bored eating the same sandwich two days in a row.
Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive, so feel free to try something else if it strikes your fancy. No matter who invented sandwiches, we love them and any of these toppings will have you loving them too.
Before you go, order your fresh-baked bread for delivery. Our options will elevate your sandwich to the next level. We can’t wait for you to try it.