102 Super Sandwiches

By Text: Jason Horn & Cooking Light Staff
October 25, 2016
Photo by Randy Mayor
Save money and eat healthier with these souped-up sandwiches.
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Herbed Chicken Salad Sandwiches

View Recipe: Herbed Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Pick up a rotisserie chicken from the market, and this Herbed Chicken Salad Sandwich is a snap. That said, if you make the chicken salad a day or so ahead, the flavors will marry nicely as the filling chills.

Mix and Match: Try on a wedge of focaccia, and toast in a grill pan for a chicken salad panini. Or for a sweet touch, try on toasted cinnamon-raisin sandwich bread.

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Indiana Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches with Creamy Corn Relish

Photo: Line T. Klein
View Recipe: Indiana Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches with Creamy Corn Relish

This Midwestern signature sandwich traditionally features a deep-fried pork cutlet that sprawls like the Great Plains over a comically overmatched bun. Our pork is more modestly sized. But the flourish here is creamy-tangy corn relish that makes the sandwich pop.

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NYC Melting Pot Reubens

Photo: Line T. Klein
View Recipe: NYC Melting Pot Reubens

We capitalized on the Big Apple's mash-up cooking, swapping sauerkraut for spicy Korean fermented cabbage. By using a smartly portioned mix of corned and roast beef, we lower sodium and make a sandwich you can enjoy without unhinging your jaw.

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Breaded Fish Sandwiches with Mint-Caper Tartar Sauce

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Breaded Fish Sandwiches with Mint-Caper Tartar Sauce

Spiking tartar sauce with mint and capers improves the classic fish sandwich deliciously. Cutting the fish into a square shape helps it fit the bun better. Be sure to use a sweet onion, and soak it in ice water so that you get the crunch but no harsh bite.

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Mushroom Lentil Burgers

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Mushroom Lentil Burgers

Make homemade veggie burgers in a snap with precooked lentils. Brown lentils can be substituted but tend to be more moisture-dense and may require additional breadcrumbs to help bind the burgers.

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Open-Faced Chicken Sandwiches with Artichoke Pesto

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Open-Faced Chicken Sandwiches with Artichoke Pesto

Be sure to look for artichoke hearts that are canned in brine, not oil.

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Open-Faced Prosciutto and Plum Sandwiches

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Open-Faced Prosciutto and Plum Sandwiches

Sweet fig preserves balance the tartness of the plums. Choose red or purple plums with bright, unblemished skin that are firm and plump to the touch.

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Short Rib Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Short Rib Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Pure hearty goodness: the richness of beefy short ribs napped in Dijon-spiked cheese sauce. You can find thinly cut boneless short ribs in many supermarkets, but especially in Asian markets, where this succulent meat is a popular choice for Korean barbecue and the Japanese dish sukiyaki. If you can't find presliced meat, freeze the short ribs for 30 minutes to firm them up; you'll get thinner slices.

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Cornmeal-Crusted Tilapia Sandwiches with Jicama Slaw

Photo: Nigel Cox
View Recipe: Cornmeal-Crusted Tilapia Sandwiches with Jicama Slaw

This quick, simple, and delicious tilapia sandwich will satisfy your weeknight hunger.

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Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Pickled Squash and Romesco Mayonnaise

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Pickled Squash and Romesco Mayonnaise

The satisfying snap of quick-pickled squash plays well with creamy-smoky red bell pepper mayo, peppery arugula, and savory chicken. Use a mandoline to get perfectly uniform, thin slices of squash. Or for delicate squash ribbons, shave the squash lengthwise with a vegetable peeler.

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Caesar Salad Bagels

Photo: Levi Brown
View Recipe: Caesar Salad Bagels

Maybe we're going too far, thinking of the toasty bagel here as a kind of oversized crouton for the light Caesar salad filling. Maybe not.

To brown-bag, pack sandwich components separately—the leaves and the cheese; a mixture of the dressing and pepper; and the toasted bagel. For the vegetarians in your crew, choose salad dressing that doesn't contain anchovies.

Mix and Match: Toss lettuce, cheese, pepper, and dressing together; tuck into a pita or a whole-wheat flatbread.

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Steak Sandwiches with Pickled Onion and Herb Aioli

Photo: Nigel Cox
View Recipe: Steak Sandwiches with Pickled Onion and Herb Aioli

Herbs, garlic, and lemon juice combine with mayo for a sauce that makes the sandwich.

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Steak Baguettes with Pesto Mayo

Photo: Levi Brown
View Recipe: Steak Baguettes with Pesto Mayo

Grill the steak and toast the baguette over the same flame for a delicious charred effect. This sandwich holds up well, so you can pack it for lunch, fully assembled.

Mix and Match: Try also on a toasted Kaiser roll. Or pile high onto a toasted boule slice for an open-faced, knife-and-fork version.

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Wasabi Salmon Burgers with Edamame-Cilantro Pesto

Photo: Jeff Kauck
View Recipe: Wasabi Salmon Burgers with Edamame-Cilantro Pesto

Tofu binds the ingredients together in this salmon dish. Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) yields a crisp crust on these juicy burgers.

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Grilled Zucchini Caprese Sandwiches

Photo: Levi Brown
View Recipe: Grilled Zucchini Caprese Sandwiches

The classic Caprese salad of juicy tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and fragrant basil makes for a fantastic vegetarian sandwich. We've added grilled zucchini to up the game. Gooey mozza puts it over the top.

Mix and Match: Crunch is key with the bread, but you can sub in a crusty baguette.

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Hoisin-Glazed Salmon Burgers with Pickled Cucumber

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Hoisin-Glazed Salmon Burgers with Pickled Cucumber

Quick-pickled cukes give these burgers tart crunch. Panko and egg white hold the patties together. Use cilantro leaves on the burgers as you would ­lettuce for herby freshness.

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Sautéed Greens, Smoked Turkey, and Provolone Panini

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Sautéed Greens, Smoked Turkey, and Provolone Panini

The crusty grilled exterior gives way to a cheesy, savory interior loaded with earthy kale. Even finicky eaters will find this a delicious way to get their greens.

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Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches

Lean chicken stands in for pork, yielding a light twist on this Asian-inspired sandwich.

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Summer Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Panini with Balsamic Syrup

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Summer Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Panini with Balsamic Syrup

Serve this fresh, ready in 20-minutes panini with sweet potato chips or a simple green salad for an easy and complete meal.

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Buffalo Chicken Panini

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Panini

You don’t need a panini maker for this easy, 5-ingredient hot chicken sandwich. Using a cast-iron or heavy skillet to press sandwiches offers a similar sear and equally great taste.

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Barbecue Pulled Chicken Sliders

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Barbecue Pulled Chicken Sliders

Make these easy barbecue pulled chicken sliders by pairing shredded rotisserie chicken with homemade barbecue sauce for an easy weeknight meal.

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Grilled Ham, Chicken, and Gruyère Sandwiches

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Grilled Ham, Chicken and Gruyère Sandwiches

This ham and chicken sandwich is ready to devour in no time. Enjoy with fresh fruit or a simple green salad for a quick and delicious meal.

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Simple, Perfect Fresh-Ground Brisket Burgers

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Simple, Perfect Fresh-Ground Brisket Burgers

We loved the simple, flavorful patty we got from grinding inexpensive beef brisket. Ask for the flat cut of brisket for the leanest choice. Traditional condiments like ketchup and mustard are an option, but we found this burger so good on its own that all we added was cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

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Open-Faced Blackened Catfish Sandwiches

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Open-Faced Blackened Catfish Sandwiches

This Cajun-inspired catfish sandwich is served open faced and topped with a creamy slaw packed with fresh cilantro.

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Turkey, Apple, and Swiss Melt

Photo: Mary Britton Senseney/Wonderful Machine
View Recipe: Turkey, Apple, and Swiss Melt

Vary the fruit to suit your kids' preferences–use red- or green-skinned apples or pears.

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Shrimp Po'boys

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Shrimp Po'boys

Crusty, well-toasted bread; crispy pan-seared shrimp; and crunchy slaw make this sandwich worth every bite.

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Grilled Veggie and Hummus Wraps

Photo: José Picayo
View Recipe: Grilled Veggie and Hummus Wraps

Make the most of summer's fresh vegetables and grilling by preparing these delicious wraps to take along on a picnic. Serve them with a side of potato or pasta salad.

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Open-Faced Eggplant Sandwiches

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Open-Faced Eggplant Sandwiches

Here's the key to a speedy dinner: While the eggplant broils, toast your bread slices in a toaster oven.

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Parmesan Buffalo Burgers with Balsamic Ketchup

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Parmesan Buffalo Burgers with Balsamic Ketchup

Ground buffalo has fewer calories and half the fat of lean beef but boasts big, meaty flavor. And slow-roasting tomatoes in balsamic ketchup intensifies their sweetness.

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Beet and Brown Rice Sliders

Photo: Nigel Cox
View Recipe: Beet and Brown Rice Sliders

These bite-size sliders will leave you satisfied and craving another. Good news: A serving size of these veggie burgers is two sliders.

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Open-Faced Pimiento Cheese BLTs

Photo: John Autry and Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Open-Faced Pimiento Cheese BLTs

Pimiento cheese is a Southern tradition. We add a little Parmesan to the standard cheddar-mayo mixture for extra savory depth.

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Turkey Panini with Watercress and Citrus Aioli

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Turkey Panini with Watercress and Citrus Aioli

Take your average turkey sandwich to the next level with a citrusy spread and a few minutes on the panini press.

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Bacon and Egg Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions and Arugula

Photo: John Kernick
View Recipe: Bacon and Egg Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions and Arugula

This upscale twist on the traditional breakfast sandwich features sweet, tender caramelized onions and peppery arugula. A fresh fruit salad would be a good accompaniment.

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Cabernet-Balsamic Burgers with Sautéed Mushrooms & Onions

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Cabernet-Balsamic Burgers with Sautéed Mushrooms & Onions

Grilled cheeseburgers get an irresistible upgrade with creamy blue cheese and caramelized onions spiked with jammy red wine and tart-sweet vinegar. A portion of the tender onions are mixed into the patties to help keep the lean beef moist.

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Open-Faced Hummus Sandwiches

Photo: José Picayo
View Recipe: Open-Faced Hummus Sandwiches

These open-faced sandwiches are a quick and easy pick for a filling lunch or light supper. Serve with a side of asparagus.

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Chipotle Chicken Cheesesteaks

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Chipotle Chicken Cheesesteaks

This sandwich packs in gooey cheese, smoky spices, and chunks of chicken for a comforting family-friendly dinner.

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Melty Monsieur