14 Summer Sandwiches for Fast & Easy Meal Ideas

updated Sep 1, 2023

Page URL

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

Credit: Brittany Conerly
The Best-Ever California Sandwich

Making a great sandwich is an art form. Too often we settle for boring stacks of bread, meat, cheese, and veggies. Yes, they are easy to assemble, but you’re likely to get stuck in a rut with your turkey and Swiss, ham and cheddar, or heck, peanut butter and jelly.

Today, we’re here to save you from the sad sandwich scenario. These 14 mouthwatering combinations come together in a flash and make for the perfect summer lunch or lazy dinner. Some are packed with tons of colorful veggies, while others have plenty of the meat you crave. Whichever you choose to make, it’s sure to liven up your summer sandwich routine.

Related: The Sandwich Bread That Kitchn Editors Are Obsessed With

1 / 14

Roasted Veggie Sandwich

This not-your-average veggie sandwich features a crusty ciabatta roll packed to the gills with roasted, briny, earthy, creamy flavors and textures.

Go to Recipe

2 / 14

Tuna Melt

Upgrade your typical tuna salad sandwich with toasted bread and melty cheese.

Go to Recipe

3 / 14

Summer Vegetables Sub Sandwich with Garlic Cream Cheese

Gilded with a flavorful cream cheese and topped with an assortment of fresh and jarred vegetables, this sandwich fuels your travels and keep things tidy.

Go to Recipe

4 / 14

Smoked Turkey Sandwich for a Crowd

The real key in making this sandwich is all about how you prep the bread: Scoop out the soft interior of the loaf after halving the bread, and leave just a thin-walled crust behind.

Go to Recipe

5 / 14

Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

This vegetarian take on tuna salad is made with a base of hearty chickpeas and crunchy vegetables. The real heroes, however, are the fermented pickles and creamy Greek yogurt.

Go to Recipe

6 / 14

Quick and Easy Gyro Wraps

Here, crispy slices of thinly-shaved meat are wrapped in a pillowy flatbread, then drizzled with a cool and creamy sauce.

Go to Recipe

7 / 14

Pressed Broccoli Rabe and Mozzarella Sandwiches

This easy and delicious vegetarian sandwich gets better as it sits, which means it perfect to picnics and beach trips.

Go to Recipe

8 / 14

The Best-Ever California Sandwich

This cool, refreshing veggie sandwich inspired by ones sold in California natural foods grocery stores.

Go to Recipe

9 / 14

Sardine Sandwich with Crunchy Fennel Slaw

Crunchy veggies, canned sardines, and a spicy mayo combine to create a cheap, fast, and protein-packed sandwich that takes just 10 minutes to make.

Go to Recipe

10 / 14

1-Minute Tomato Sandwich

When summer tomatoes are at their sweetest and juiciest, this is really about the only recipe you need.

Go to Recipe

11 / 14

Mozzacado Sandwich

This recipe proves the only way to improve on a classic caprese sandwich is to add avocado.

Go to Recipe

12 / 14

Salmon and Kale Caesar Wraps

If you have leftover grilled salmon from last night's dinner, this is the perfect way to make use of it.

Go to Recipe

13 / 14

Broccoli Reuben Sandwich

Crispy, crunchy broccoli replaces corned beef in this vegetarian twist on a classic reuben sandwich.

Go to Recipe

14 / 14

Ranch Chicken Wraps

What makes this recipe stand out from the crowd is that it bypasses the bottles of store-bought ranch dressing for a super-quick homemade version.

Filed in: