32 Grown-Up Versions of Classic Sandwiches
Updated: Mar. 27, 2019When you're tired of all the same, boring sandwich recipes, it's time for a twist. You'll love these upgrades to your classic, standby favorites.
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The Best Ever Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Spreading a mixture of mayo and butter on the bread creates a delightfully crispy crust with the well-loved, wonderful flavor of butter one expects on a grilled cheese sandwich. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
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Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich
If you’re looking for a gourmet grilled cheese recipe, your search is over. With five kinds of cheese and fresh blackberries, this sandwich is impressive enough to serve to guests.—Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
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PB&J Pork Sandwiches
There’s no better way to makeover a classic than with this PB&J pork sandwich! Combine the savory flavors of your favorite pulled pork with creamy peanut butter and sweet apricot preserves. 4 / 32
Rotisserie Chicken Panini
This ooey-gooey, melty delight is packed with bacon, chicken, cheese and just enough lemon to tickle your taste buds. Other chicken panini recipes don't compare!—Terri McCarty, Oro Grande, California 5 / 32
Grilled Cheese and Avocado Sandwich
Who doesn’t love a grilled cheese sandwich? This version kicks it up a notch with avocado, tons of cheese and extra-crispy bread. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist 6 / 32
Hot Pineapple Ham Sandwiches
We love the sweet and tangy addition of pineapple to the standard ham and cheese sandwich. It not only makes it taste like my favorite pizza, but using the slow cooker transforms the classic into something warm and cozy 7 / 32
Big Sandwich
Upgrade your favorite deli sandwich by making it significantly bigger! This sandwich is loaded with roast beef, ham, bacon, tomatoes, onions, spicy horseradish, and melted American cheese. It’s so large, you’ll wonder how to eat it! 8 / 32
Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Date-Bacon Jam
This sandwich doubles up on melty cheese, but the star of the show is the sweet and salty date-bacon jam. It makes for a truly grown-up version of grilled cheese. —Kathy Cooper, Tucson, Arizona 9 / 32
Berry Turkey Sandwich
Looking to spruce up your favorite turkey sandwich? Add some berries! The strawberries add a nice, sweet flavor to standard deli turkey, and the combination of cream cheese and chopped pecans is craveably good. 10 / 32
Makeover Reuben Melt
The classic Reuben sandwich gets a makeover when you turn boring slices of Swiss cheese into an ooey, gooey cheese sauce. Top it off with fresh coleslaw instead of sauerkraut for a fun twist. 11 / 32
Prosciutto Egg Panini
With mustard, maple syrup, prosciutto and eggs, this is a yummy twist on the usual bacon-and-egg sandwich. Your family will agree that this is one breakfast worth waking up for! —Erin Renouf Mylroie, Santa Clara, Utah 12 / 32
Fruity Peanut Butter Pitas
Amp up the nutrition of the most classic sandwich combination – peanut butter and jelly – by twisting things up a bit. Lather peanut butter on whole wheat pita pockets before adding on fresh apples and bananas. 13 / 32
Ham and Brie Melts
Make a sweet and savory twist on the classic ham sandwich by swapping out the Swiss cheese and opting for melty brie cheese instead. Add in some apricot preserves and crisp these sandwiches up to make something really special 14 / 32
Turkey Sandwich with Raspberry-Mustard Spread
My hearty sandwich has different yet complementary flavors and textures. It is filled with flavor and nutrients, without all the unhealthy fats, sodium and added sugar many other sandwiches have. And it’s absolutely delicious! —Sarah Savage, Buena Vista, Virginia 15 / 32
Slow-Cooked Reuben Brats
Turn regular-old beer brats into a tangy Reuben-style sandwich. Using high-quality hoagie rolls really elevate the brats, and Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and 1,000 Island dressing makes it taste just like your favorite Reuben! 16 / 32
Cilantro-Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Trade in the regular flavors of pickles and onions for tangy cilantro and creamy avocados in this fun twist. Some simple additions really add some herbacious flavors to this tuna salad! 17 / 32
Grilled Hummus Turkey Sandwich
Who needs mayonnaise when you have leftover hummus? Using hummus as the main spread really adds a nice twist on your favorite turkey sandwich, and the pepperjack cheese brings a punch of spice, too. 18 / 32
Reuben Spread
Using this spread recipe, turn any old piece of bread into a revamped version of a classic Reuben. Use the spread for easy, on-the-go sandwiches, or serve ’em up as appetizer sandwich toasts. 19 / 32
Roasted Sweet Potato & Chickpea Pitas
Turn your favorite gyros recipe into a Meatless Monday celebration. These vegetarian pita sandwiches will even satisfy the meat lovers in your life 20 / 32
Bistro Apple Panini
My family loves panini press recipes. The bacon, apple and tarragon in this recipe go together so well. If you don’t have a panini maker or an indoor grill, you can easily pan-fry or broil these excellent sandwiches.—Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota 21 / 32
Grilled Cheese, Apricot and Jalapeno Sandwich
This grown-up grilled cheese recipe hits the spot with sweet and spicy add-ins like apricot jelly and jalapeno peppers. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist 22 / 32
Curried Egg Salad
Give regular old egg salad a kick of flavor with curry powder. That’ll make these sandwiches slightly spicy and super savory. 23 / 32
Cobb Salad Club Sandwich
Can't decide whether you want a salad or a sandwich? You'll never have to choose again. With generous ingredients piled club-style high, this is a mouthwatering mashup. We affectionately call it the alpha Clobb sandwich! —Carmell Childs, Clawson, Utah 24 / 32
Buffalo Sloppy Joes for Two
Forget everything you knew about regular sloppy Joe’s. With flavors reminiscent of hot wings, this buffalo chicken sloppy Joe recipe is a better tasting twist. 25 / 32
Basil-Tomato Grilled Cheese
The tastes of summer abound in this easy Italian-style grilled cheese sandwich. Not only is it delicious, it's super-fast, so you can get back to those summer outdoor activities. —Sylvia Schmitt, Sun City, Arizona 26 / 32
BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Who needs pulled pork when you have this BBQ chicken sandwich? They have all the flavor of pulled pork but cook up in a fraction of the time. 27 / 32
Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Date-Bacon Jam
Amp up the flavors in your grilled cheese by adding gourmet ingredients. The addition of date-bacon jam goes a long way to making this sandwich fancy! 28 / 32
Tex-Mex Cheesesteak Sandwiches
Combine the flavors of Taco Tuesday with your favorite Philly cheese steak. You may never want to go back to the original sandwich after eating this! 29 / 32
Grilled Cheese and Pickled Onion Sandwich
If you’re looking to add a little bite to your classic grilled cheese recipe, look no further than pickled onions. We love sandwiching a few inside this sandwich for a touch of acidity and some foodie flair. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist 30 / 32
Peanut Butter, Honey & Pear Open-Faced Sandwiches
I work a 12-hour night shift at a hospital, and when I come home in the morning, I don't want to cook a big breakfast. I love these sandwiches because they're versatile; sometimes I use apples instead of pears and different cheeses, such as Brie or grated Parmesan. —L.J.Washington, Carpinteria, California 31 / 32
Blue Plate Open-Faced Turkey Sandwich
Turn your view of turkey upside down by making this open-faced sandwich. It’s smothered in gravy to make it reminiscent of your favorite diner meals. 32 / 32
Grilled Cheese, Bacon and Oven-Dried Tomato Sandwich
Take your grilled cheese sandwich to a place it's never been before with crispy bacon and tangy tomatoes and five—yes, five!—types of cheese. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist Originally Published: March 27, 2019
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