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The British Sandwich Association (yes, that’s a real thing) defines a sandwich as two pieces of bread with a filling in between. Bagels and wraps are included in that list, but burgers, sadly, are not. Believe or not, the idea of what makes a sandwich has been hotly debated over the years, and especially in the 21st century. History lesson aside, however, I’m bringing you 100 sandwich ideas for lunch (or any other time of the day) today.
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
100 Sandwich Ideas for Lunch
The most popular sandwich bought in the UK is sausage, bacon, and egg triple sandwich, according to Tesco, who did research into the subject. Triple chicken came in second, with cheese and onion the favourite for vegetarians. There are so many more varieties to enjoy than just those, however. That’s why I’ve gone on the hunt for the best, tastiest, quickest, and easiest sandwich ideas for lunch, dinner, a snack, picnics, the middle of the night, or any other time.
Sandwiches with Beef
Let’s leave bacon, chicken, and sausage behind for just a moment, shall we? It’s time to focus on beef, which isn’t one of the top sandwich fillings, but is a tasty one. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, the recommended beef intake per week is three portions. In total, this should come to no more than 500g per week.
These sandwiches with beef ideas are great for leftovers, special occasions, lunchtime treats, and more. A mixed bag of both cooked (hot) and cold, there are a few that I definitely hadn’t thought of putting together. I’m hoping the same applies to you!
- Steak Sandwich with Carrot Salad by Asda Good Living
- Next Level Steak Sandwich by BBC Good Food
- Steak and Onion Sandwich by Good to Know
- Bavette Steak with Sticky Harissa Onions by GBC Kitchen
- Sourdough Steak Sandwich with Bean Pesto by Tesco Real Food
- Slow-Roasted Balsamic Beef Sandwich with Horseradish Cream by Simply Delicious Food
- Shooter’s Sandwich by Home Sweet Sweden
- Beef Schnitzel with Mustard Mayo, Pickle, and Cucumber by Asda Good Living
- Steak Sandwich with Whipped Goat’s Cheese by Simply Delicious Food
- Roast Beef and Horseradish Sandwich by The Quality Chop House
- Gennaro’s Meatball Sandwich by Jamie Oliver
- Beef and Asparagus Sandwich by Tesco Real Food
- American-Inspired Deep-Filled Beef Focaccia by Asda Good Living
- Pastrami Stuffed Sandwich by Good to Know
- Gruyere and Pastrami Toasties with Chilli Fig Jam by Delicious Magazine
Chicken Sandwich Lunch Ideas
Chicken is one of the most popular sandwich meats, so I think it deserves a section all its own. The dark meat of chicken has a higher calorie count than the white meat, which is a good tip if you’re counting your calories to get healthy or lose weight.
In the United States, chicken, turkey, and ham make up the three most popular meats used in sandwiches. The most popular, according to some reports, is the BLT, also known as a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. Let’s see what else we can come up with…
- Chicken and Bacon Club Sandwich with Cheesy Truffle Chips by Gousto
- Asian-Style Chicken Sandwich by Tesco Real Food
- Cheesy Korean-Style Gochujang Chicken Sandwich by Hello Fresh
- Chicken Salpicao Sub by Jamie Oliver
- Spiced Chicken Ciabatta with Herby Roast Potatoes by Gousto
- Chicken and Avocado Sandwich by Rachel Phipps – GBC
- Chicken and Pickled Veg Baguettes by Pinch of Nom
- Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich by The Big Man’s World
- Pesto Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Sandwich by Hungry Happy healthy
- Crispy Chicken and Onion Gravy Sandwich by Gousto
Pork Sandwiches for Lunch
Here’s a fun fact for you: the most sandwiches ever made in one hour was achieved by a school in South Africa, according to the Guinness Book of Records. Year 12 of King David Linksfield School, in Johannesburg, made 65,595 sandwiches in September of 2022, in what has become an annual ritual.
I doubt you’ll ever find yourself in a position where you need to make more than 65,000 sandwiches in an hour, but just in case you do, here are some pork sandwiches for lunch that might help you with a little inspiration.
- Easy Leftover Ham Breakfast Sandwich by Simply Delicious Food
- Pulled Pork Po Boy with Remoulade by Asda Good Living
- Crispy Bacon and Brie Sandwich with Caramelised Onions by Simply Delicious Food
- BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich by BBC Good Food
- Salami, Mozzarella, and Eggplant Ciabatta by Simply Delicious Food
- Cider Braised Pulled Pork and Creamy Slaw Sandwich by Scrambled Chefs
- Gammon Schnitzel Sandwich with Pineapple Piccalilli by Delicious Magazine
- Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Simply Delicious Food
- English Breakfast Sandwich by Home Sweet Sweden
- Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich by GBC Kitchen
Turkey Sandwich Ideas
According to British Sandwich Week (and yes, it’s a real thing), there are more workers hired through the sandwich industry than there are workers in the agricultural industry in the UK, which completely blew my mind. There are lots of hungry mouths to feed at lunchtime, I suppose!
Sandwiches, in some form or another, have been around for millennia if reports are to be believed, but it was the aristocracy of the eighteenth century that really made them popular in British houses, and even houses around the world. The name ‘sandwich’ comes from the 4th Earl of Sandwich (in the South-East of England), John Montagu, who ate meat between bread whilst drinking and gambling with other men.
Let’s take a look at some turkey sandwich ideas.
- Persian Turkey Sandwich by Unilever Food Solutions
- Christmas Club Sandwich by Good to Know
- Turkey and Avocado Sandwich by Tesco Real Food
- Turkey BLT Sandwich with Jalapeno Mayo by Simply Delicious Food
- Turkey, Mozzarella, and Kale Pesto Panini by Delish
- Leftover Turkey Banh Mi by Jamie Oliver
- French Dip Turkey Sandwich by Tesco Real Food
- Turkey, Ham, and Bacon Club Sandwich by A Pinch of Healthy
- Vietnamese Turkey Sandwich by Good to Know
- Turkey Croque Monsieur by Tesco Real Food
Fish and Seafood Sandwich Ideas
Bánh mì from Vietnam is a sandwich that is filled with both meat and fish, commonly eggs, tofu, pate, and sardines. There are plenty more recipes and ideas to enjoy than just that one sandwich, though. Fischbrötchen, eaten in Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, is, as the name might lead you to believe, a bread roll with fish inside. Usually, herring is used, topped off with onions. And don’t even get me started on fish cake and fish finger sandwiches, which are my personal favourites.
If your mouth is watering at the thought, you’ll be happy to know that I’ve gone on the hunt to find you ten more delicious fish and seafood sandwich ideas to try. (And I can’t wait to hear what you think!)
- Radish Sandwiches with Anchovy and Herb Butter by Helen Graves – GBC
- Prawn Cocktail Sub with Avocado and Tabasco Relish by Delicious Magazine
- Räksmörgås: Swedish Prawn Sandwich by The Petite Cook
- Posh Fish Finger Sandwich with Tartare Sauce by Unilever Food Solutions
- Smoked Eel Sandwich with Onion Pickle by Jeremy Lee – GBC
- Cajun Salmon Po Boy by Jamie Oliver
- Loaded Tuna Sandwich by Hungry Happy Healthy
- Easy BLT Shrimp Rolls by Simply Delicious Food
- Spicy Sardine Sandwich by Recipes from a Pantry
- Smoked Salmon Sandwich by Where Is My Spoon?
Cheesy Sandwich Ideas for Lunch
The most expensive sandwich ever made was a cheesy one, and it is known as the “Quintessential Grilled Cheese.” The record was made back in 2014, and the Guinness Book of Records has the price of the New York-sold sandwich as being $214 or £132.64. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’d want the sandwich to make itself and sing a song at that cost.
There are a bunch of different cheesy sandwich ideas you can have for lunch if you don’t fancy paying more than £100. (I genuinely do not blame you!) Francesinha from Portugal is either steak, sausage, ham, or other meats with a beer and tomato sauce plus melted cheese. Sounds pretty delicious, right? Let’s look at some more…
- Cheese and Chutney Sandwich (Hot) by Good to Know
- Mac n’ Cheese Toastie by Asda Good Living
- Mumbai Sandwich (Herb Chutney, Masala Spices, Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato with Cheese) by Helen Graves – GBC
- Prosciutto, Nectarine, and Thyme Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Tesco Real Food
- Camembert and Roasted Grape Picnic Loaf by Delicious Magazine
- Creamy Grilled Chicken and Cheese Sandwich by Scrambled Chefs
- Goat’s Cheese and Roasted Mushroom Sandwich by Gousto
- Feta, Rocket, and Caramelised Red Onion Toasties by Asda Good Living
- Sage and Onion Cheese Sandwich by Tinned Tomatoes
- Halloumi and Roasted Pepper Sandwich by Hungry Healthy Happy
Gluten-Free Sandwiches
Thankfully, there are plenty of gluten-free bread products on the market these days, so you can make sandwiches without having to worry about cutting out bread. Without the bread, a sandwich is just a mess. That’s my opinion, anyway. (I’m not a fan of open sandwiches if you hadn’t already guessed.)
Speaking of open sandwiches, even the basic foundation of the dish has changed especially over recent years. Subs, ciabatta, focaccia, pocket-style pita sandwiches… you name it, you can eat it. My personal favourite in the bread department right now is the humble tiger bloomer. What’s yours?
- Triple Meat Sandwich by My Gluten-Free Kitchen
- Pulled Pork with Green Chile Slaw Sandwich by Flippin Delicious
- BBQ Grilled Chicken Melt by The Pioneer Chicks
- Avocado, Bacon, and Egg Sandwich by My Gluten-Free Kitchen
- Coronation Chickpea Sandwich Filler by BBC Good Food
Vegan Sandwich Ideas
There are plenty of vegan sandwich ideas these days, and you could also substitute meat in the recipes above with plant-based, meat-free substitutes. You could also take a peek at some vegan sandwich recipes from around the world, such as Roti bakar from Indonesia, which features sweet treats along with toasted bread.
Scallop or scollop butties are common in some parts of the UK, featuring battered and deep-fried potato slices popped in a bread roll with your preference of accompaniments. Vada pav is an Indian dish, chickpea flour-coated potato fritters in either bread or a bread roll. The possibilities are endless!
- Vegetable Pizza Sandwich by Hungry Healthy Happy
- Spiced Chickpea and Carrot Sandwich Filler by Tinned Tomatoes
- Crispy Aubergine Sandwich with Sprout Slaw and Sweet Potato ‘Mayo’ by Tesco Real Food
- Vegan Pulled Pork Sandwiches by Easy Cheesy Vegetarian
- Peach, Portobello, and Avocado Club Sandwich by Asda Good Living
- No-Tuna Chickpea Salad Sandwich by The Petite Cook
- Falafel and Apple Salad Sandwich by Tinned Tomatoes
- Green Goddess Sandwich by Tesco Real Food
- Open Mushroom Sandwich with Salad and Cheese by Hungry Healthy Happy
- Toasted Potato and Beet Sandwich by Tinned Tomatoes
Vegetarian Sandwiches for Lunch
Whether you’re vegetarian or just on one of your meat-free days, these vegetarian sandwiches are easy, delicious, mostly quick, and great for lunch, brunch, or even dinner with one or more side dishes.
Sandwiches without meat don’t need to be boring. These recipes prove that, and I bet you could come up with a few combinations of your own to enjoy. Start with these and work from there:
- Crispy Halloumi and Tartare Sauce Sandwich by Delicious Magazine
- Carrot, Raisin, and Cream Cheese Sandwich by Tesco Real Food
- Tex-Mex Vegetarian Cheesesteak Sandwich by Easy Cheesy Vegetarian
- Caprese Sandwich by BBC Good Food
- Ultimate Mushroom and Pesto Toastie by Asda Good Living
- Pea Fritter and Halloumi Focaccia Sandwich by Delicious Magazine
- Air Fryer Garlic Cheese, Tomato, and Basil Toastie by My Fussy Eater
- Egg in a Hole Breakfast Sandwich by Easy Cheesy Vegetarian
- Japanese-Inspired Onigirazu (Sushi Sandwich) by Tesco Real Food
- Egg and Cress Club Sandwich by BBC Good Food
Sandwich Ideas for Lunch: Others
Finally, we come to the ‘others’ section, where I put the sandwiches that don’t seem to fit in anywhere else. There’s lamb in this list, stuffed baguettes, pizzas made from bread products, and more. That loaf in the bread bin could come in far more useful than you first might’ve thought!
In reality, you could put any kind of fillings you like in between two slices of bread and call it a sandwich. It’s your lunch; you make the rules. Hopefully, though, you’ll have found a little bit of inspiration here today.
- Stuffed Baguette Sandwich by Good to Know
- Apple, Cheddar, and Turkey Panini by Insanely Good Recipes
- Ciabatta, Mushroom, and Pepper Pizzas by Asda Good Living
- Lamb Moussaka Ciabatta by Delicious Magazine
- Griddled Lamb Sandwich by Tesco Real Food
- Spaghetti Sandwich by Tornadough Alli
- Venison Sandwich by Good to Know
- Panuozzo Sandwich (Pizza-Inspired) by BBC Good Food
- Friends Moist-Maker Sandwich by Delish
- Elvis Presley’s Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich by Insanely Good Recipes
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a look at my list of 100 sandwich ideas for lunch. What’s your favourite sandwich? Do you have one? Will you try any from this list? I’m excited to find out.
If you’re in the market for more lunch ideas, or just more recipe ideas in general, why not have a look at some of these: