25 Hearty Sandwiches to Make for Dinner

updated Dec 1, 2023

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Credit: Maria Midoes

Somewhere along the line, the sandwich got defined as lunch food. That’s a shame, because if you stuff good bread with enough hearty, flavorful things, a dinner sandwich can be the best meal of all. Maybe it’s something as simple and satisfying as a grilled cheese stuffed with juicy slices of tomato, a hot and indulgent French dip, or a cold sandwich piled high with deli meats and cheeses.

We rounded up our 25 most favorite sandwiches that fit the bill for the evening meal — utensils not required, but you may definitely need a napkin or two.

In This Article

Extra-Meaty Sandwiches
Fish and Shrimp Sandwiches
Vegetarian and Vegan Sandwiches

Extra-Meaty Sandwiches

1 / 10

Chopped Cheese Sandwich

It rivals a classic burger.

2 / 10

Ranch Chicken Wraps

In 15 minutes you’ll have a fresh home-cooked meal so good you might even call it a miracle.

3 / 10

Sirloin Steak Sandwiches

You get this incredible meal and your wallet doesn’t take a huge hit. That’s pretty much all we want from a good recipe!

4 / 10

Apple, Cheddar, & Chicken Melts

These melts, stuffed with chicken, cheddar, and apples, bring together some of the best flavors of the season to satisfy that craving.

5 / 10

Slow-Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

This is a sandwich that rises above all others. Beef is slowly roasted until completely tender, then sliced thinly and tossed with some of the cooking juices.

6 / 10

Cuban Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Miami chef Richard Hales puts his spin on the classic Cuban sandwich.

7 / 10

Italian Chicken Salad

This flavor-packed chicken salad sandwiched is loaded with herbs and wrapped up in tangy Dijon vinaigrette.

8 / 10

Weeknight Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Philly cheesesteak night at our house is super relaxed — clearly we aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel.

9 / 10

Naan Wraps with Homemade Cucumber Raita

They’re filled to the brim with cumin-spiced lamb, shredded iceberg lettuce, and a quick homemade cucumber raita.

10 / 10

Roasted Red Pepper, Chicken & Mozzarella Sandwich

One thing that really makes this sandwich special is heating it up. It’s just a tiny extra step, but those extra minutes in a toaster bring it all together in a way that a cold sandwich just can’t.

Fish and Shrimp Sandwiches

1 / 5

Brown Butter Lobster Rolls

A recipe for brown butter lobster rolls inspired by Eventide Oyster Co. in Portland, Maine.

2 / 5

Tuna Melts with Olive Oil Mayonnaise & Parmesan

The mayonnaise really does most of the work here, but hard-boiled eggs, capers, parsley, and a squeeze of lemon all help to brighten up the final dish.

3 / 5

Smoky Salmon BLTs

This lovely piece of fish, paired with a bakery-fresh croissant, applewood-smoked bacon, and ripe tomatoes make a really nice lunch.

4 / 5

Vietnamese-Style Shrimp Po' Boy

This is the Vietnamese-inspired po’ boy.

5 / 5

Sautéed Shrimp Po' Boys

Serve this sandwich as a hearty lunch or an easy dinner when paired with some salty potato chips and an ice-cold beer!

Vegetarian and Vegan Sandwiches

1 / 10

Garlicky Broccoli Subs

Each bite is a delightful combination of savory and sweet flavors, creaminess from the feta, and the fiery tang of pickled Peppadew peppers.

2 / 10

Best Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwich

The problem is that melty cheese and wet tomatoes make for a very unstable sandwich. By making an open-faced grilled cheese and adding fresh tomatoes that have been patted dry, we can avoid many of the pitfalls that plague what should be a perfect pair.

3 / 10

Mozzacado Sandwich

It is an odd yet sublime mix of avocado smashed on bread, layered with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato, and pesto.

4 / 10

Pesto and Egg Baguette Sandwich

Unlike overstuffed American sandwiches, these usually only have butter and thin layers of ham and cheese.

5 / 10

Bánh Mì with Lemongrass Tofu

Bánh mì literally means “bread,” and the baguette traditionally used for the sandwich is a Vietnamese spin on the French classic.

6 / 10

Vegan Sourdough Portobello Mushroom Sandwich

The sandwich is finished with tender baby spinach leaves and sweet roasted red peppers. It’s colorful, fresh, and satisfying, but won’t weigh you down into a food coma post-lunch.

7 / 10

Boiled Egg, Seared Asparagus & Pickled Onion Sandwiches

This uses hard boiled egg.

8 / 10

Cheesy Vegetable Melts

The familiar comfort of grilled cheese, with a big dose of veggies.

9 / 10

Apple, Brie, and Dijon Baguette Sandwich

A quick and easy vegetarian recipe for an apple and brie sandwich.

10 / 10

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.

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