Are you hungry but just have a few ingredients in your kitchen? Let’s make a sandwich. Aside from it’s an easy meal to do, do you know how you can be more creative between your two slices of bread?

Making a great sandwich is not just about what you put inside but the process of making it. It’s about how you slice, spread, and stack the ingredients that make it taste amazing.

Yes, the process may be simple, but there are tips to make a delicious sandwich. Whether it be a classic deli, a panini, or even a vegan sandwich, you can elevate the taste of your bread.

Because it’s National Sandwich Day, let’s learn how to make something that tastes ordinary to an extraordinary sandwich through a few techniques!

Technique # 1: Slicing

In creating the best sandwich, this first skill is so important. To get used to the skill of slicing, you need to choose your bread, ingredients, and vegetables carefully. 

Selecting Your Bread

The first step before teaching you the different slicing techniques is to choose the right bread for you. Some popular choices are:

  • White Bread – Definitely a classic! You can use it for any fillings. It’s soft and can do for both hot and cold sandwiches.
  • Whole Grain – For those seeking a healthier alternative, this type is the best. It’s kind of nutty, but it also has this rough and crunchy texture to your sandwiches.
  • Sourdough – Perfectly paired with deli meats and savory condiments, this one’s exceptional. It’s pretty firmer than the first two. You can stack up your ingredients.
  • Ciabatta – It comes with a rustic outer layer but is chewy inside. If you love gourmet sandwiches, this is the best pick!

If you’re a lover of stacking up ingredients – the thicker the bread is, the more exciting your sandwich experience can hold up. If you’re more into delicate bread, stick to the thin ones. 

Slicing Your Ingredients

Let’s start off with your meat and cheese options. These two flavors play so much in your sandwich. If you haven’t figured out what suits you best, look at the varieties below:

  • Deli-Thin Slices – This slice works best on turkey, ham, roast beef, and salami. It distributes the flavor in every bite you take.
  • Thick Cuts – A bit wider than the first variety. Pastrami and grilled chicken have these slices to satisfy your heart.
  • Cubed or Shredded – Whether it is pulled pork or seasoned tofu, this slice can add a unique texture and flavor.

Preparing Your Vegetables

Dedicated for all vegans — fresh, crunchy, juicy, and colorful vegetables are a must for your sandwich. What a fun way to elevate your sandwich game with something nutritious. 

A few vegetables you can include are lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other fresh produce – organic or conventional. 

Cutting your vegetables can greatly affect the texture of your sandwiches and how they can blend in to craft a sandwich. For instance:

  • Julienne – Slicing your vegetables into thin matchsticks.
  • Rounds – Slicing circle-shaped vegetables. Perfect for cucumber and radish.
  • Dices – Works best with bell peppers and onions through small squares to even the distribution of taste. 

Technique # 2: Spreading

Making a difference in how your sandwich tastes, feels, and satisfies you is through this second technique.

The art of spreading is not just putting all ingredients and sliding them across the bread – it’s about the perfect balance of how everything works together in every bite. 

To start off, let’s deal with your condiments and spreads. We know that you know the usual! There’s:

  • The Classic Trio – Mayonnaise, Mustard and Ketchup.
  • The Homemade Spreads – Pesto spreads are primarily made with fresh basil, nuts, cheese, and high-quality organic EVOO. Even garlic-infused mayonnaise that’s called aioli.
  • The Unique Twists – Dijon mustard, honey mustard, and sriracha mayo.

With all these condiments, you can perfectly craft a sandwich spread. However, we should not miss the spreading tools.

You may think a regular butter knife would do the job. But, if you want to distribute flavor, use a knife, a spatula, or even a brush. The consistency of these tools allows you to enjoy every bite.

No one wants to be overwhelmed by the flavor of the spreads, right? So let’s aim for a thin and even layer with our best sandwich meal. 

Technique # 3: Stacking

Onto the third step – stacking is something you shouldn’t take lightly when crafting your sandwich. 

You may have been used to stacking up slices randomly, but did you know there’s a method to it? Here are three simple steps: 

1. Layering

We’ve mentioned how bread is so important in slicing, and so is in stacking.

Have you ever wondered why your sandwich seems soggy? That depends on what bread you’re using. If you’re not okay with that, we suggest switching to crusty baguettes and avoiding putting lettuce or spinach at the bottom.

Some of you may love your sandwiches soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. That’s what we call “exciting”! 

Look in your kitchen right now. If you have tender roast beef, pair it with crispy fried onions. Another option would be creamy avocado spreads with crispy bacon! Let us know what you think. 

2. Flavors and Pairings

As much as you want to keep experimenting, some ingredients don’t go well together. You’re lucky if it does create something good.

Think about turkey and cranberry sauce. It does go together for some. The sweet sauce can make the turkey taste even better.

A friendly piece of advice: balance your flavors. Try jalapeños with cucumber or honey mustard with prosciutto to create contrasts. Also, you can use seasonal fruits and vegetables and maximize them at their best.

3. Building the Ultimate Bite

Who even likes a sandwich where one bite is all spread and the other is all veggies? No one. So mix things up so each bite has a bit of everything.

To have the perfect stacking, do not stuff your sandwich so much that it’s so hard to eat. Less can be more. Pick a few flavors in your kitchen and use our three techniques for them to stand out.

Four Inspirations: Sandwiches Around the World

To be a little extra in celebrating National Sandwich Day, you might want to get great ideas from different cultures worldwide. Let’s learn about four famous sandwiches and their ingredients to make your craft more interesting. 

1. Italian Panini

Italy is not only famous for its pasta but also for its panini. It’s a simple sandwich made with good ingredients. Here are three steps:

Step 1: Start with a slice of crusty ciabatta or baguette. The bread should be just thick enough to hold your fillings.

Step 2: Use prosciutto, mozzarella, and basil in your spread.

Step 3: Stack the ingredients together and use a panini press to grill the sandwich ‘til it’s golden and melted together. 

2. Vietnamese Bánh Mì

Bánh mì is a mix of French and Vietnamese flavors. It’s made up of:

  • Sliced crispy baguettes. It is important to achieve a crispy outer layer and a soft inner layer.
  • Fillings: Grilled pork, pickle veggies, herbs, mayonnaise, or pâté.

As you spread the ingredients and stack them well, you’ll taste familiar and exotic flavors. 

3. Mexican Tortas

Torta is a sandwich that’s all about Mexican tastes. It uses a particular roll that’s often toasted. It has bold and spicy ingredients like chorizo, carne asada, and jalapeños.

For spicy lovers, achieving this means balancing the heat with spreads like creamy avocado or crema.

As you slowly and carefully stack your ingredients, you’ll taste the different flavors of Mexico – from rich meats to creamy avocado and crispy lettuce.

4. Italian Beef

All the way from Chicago, this thinly sliced roast beef soaks itself in flavorful juice.

The key to keeping this sandwich tender and tasty is thinly slicing the beef. Then, you spread the juice on the bread to add flavor and soften it. After, you stack the meat generously.

To add, you can add giardiniera for that spicy and tangy crunch to your mouth. 

Wrapping It Up

As we celebrate National Sandwich Day, we encourage you to have fun and be creative when making sandwiches. You can improve your sandwiches using these slicing, spreading, and stacking techniques.

Lacking a few ingredients? No worries! Fresh Farms has a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and more that can turn your regular sandwich into something gourmet.

So, go ahead and craft the best sandwich. Fill your belly and make your taste buds happy!