25 Hearty Hot Sandwiches That Are Perfect Any Time of the Day
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Sandwiches are mealtime staples. Often easy to make and short on prep time, the simple formula of two slices of bread, a protein or two, and your favorite condiments can result in so many different dishes. While we love the simplicity of a cold sandwich, there's something to be said for a deliciously satisfying hot sandwich. From protein-packed creations to vegetable melts that will have your mouth watering, we're sharing some of our favorite hot sandwich recipes to elevate your breakfast, lunch, or dinner routine.
Our extensive hot sandwich offerings include recipes featuring chicken, pork, fish, vegetables, and steak. For the steak lover, put together the Steak-and-Avocado Sandwich that's seen here. It features an easy-to-make skirt steak and a homemade bean spread, it's topped with avocado and hot sauce, and it comes together in under an hour. If you're looking for a fish option, look no further than our Grilled Salt-Rubbed Fish Sandwich. Mahi-mahi fillets are rubbed with salt, thyme, and lemon zest before hitting the grill. Homemade tartar sauce and a soft hoagie roll finish off this summertime hot sandwich favorite.
We have plenty of vegetarian sandwiches to choose from as well. Try our Eggplant and Mozzarella Melt for a rich garlic-infused treat. Or make our Portobello, Broccoli, and Red-Pepper Melts for a colorful, quick, and easy meal. It only takes 30 minutes to come together and uses a broiler to caramelize the vegetables and melt the gouda for a delectable recipe.
From classics like the Rueben to newfound favorites like pizza sandwiches, explore some of our top creations that make for a tasty meal, no matter the time of day.
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Eggplant and Mozzarella Melt
An oven-fried version of eggplant Parmesan tops crusty Italian bread to make this satisfying hot vegetarian sandwich. For an extra treat, brush the halved loaf of bread with garlic butter and brown under the broiler before adding the layers of tomato sauce, eggplant, and mozzarella.
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Pulled-Pork Sandwiches
This easy version of pulled pork is made in your slow cooker. Pile the tender meat on crusty rolls with tangy red cabbage slaw.
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Fried-Egg-Topped Sandwich
A delicious iteration of the classic egg and cheese sandwich, ours uses Gruyere, fontina, or mozzarella and a dash of oregano for a delicious hot breakfast.
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Meatball Hero Sandwich
Top hero rolls with mini meatballs and roasted onion, bell pepper, and zucchini to make these hot and hearty sandwiches. The bacon-flecked meatballs can be frozen for up to three months.
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Sloppy Joes
This recipe for Sloppy Joes gets a Southwestern accent from pickled jalapeños, cilantro, and a topping of sliced avocado. Dish them up on hoagie rolls for the adults and mini buns for the kids.
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Monte Cristo Sandwich
To make this sandwich classic, dip ham and Swiss cheese sandwiches in egg batter and pan-fry. Dust the hot sandwiches with confectioners' sugar and serve with strawberry jam on the side if you like.
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Slow-Cooker Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
Savor the flavor of spicy buffalo wings in sandwich form when you simmer boneless chicken breasts and thighs in your slow-cooker with crushed tomatoes and hot-pepper sauce. Serve the shredded chicken on hamburger buns with blue cheese dressing on the side.
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Apricot and Cheddar Chicken Melt
Apricot preserves add a hint of sweetness to these chicken breast, ham, and cheese sandwiches. Before broiling, the chicken is marinated in white-wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and garlic.
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Pizza Sandwiches
Inspired by calzones, these sandwiches are made by folding goat cheese, mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, and soppressata sausage into homemade pizza dough. Tuck a lightly dressed arugula and basil salad into the sandwiches just before serving.
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Cheese Steak Sandwich
To make these Philly-style cheese steaks, melt provolone cheese over sautéed onion and rib-eye or eye-of-round steak. To achieve thin slices, freeze the beef for 30 minutes, then cut with a serrated knife.
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Turkey Sandwich with Apple and Havarti
Homemade peach chutney mixed with Dijon mustard livens up this hot turkey sandwich. Broil turkey cutlets or use leftover roast turkey.
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Croque Montagnarde
This hearty variation of the croque-monsieur—a ham and Gruyere cheese sandwich cloaked in bechamel sauce—includes roasted fingerling potatoes.
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Grilled Salt-Rubbed Fish Sandwich
Mahi-mahi fillets are rubbed with an array of herbs for the perfect summertime hot sandwich.
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Portobello, Broccoli, and Red-Pepper Melts
Your broiler does the work for these open-faced sandwiches, first roasting the broccoli, mushrooms, and peppers, then melting the Gouda cheese over the tops. Spread the bread with garlic mayonnaise before piling on the vegetables.
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Barbecued Chicken on Garlic Toast
Using a rotisserie chicken and bottled barbecue sauce, these irresistible sandwiches are ready in 15 minutes. Use thick Texas toast or regular white sandwich bread to make the garlic toast.
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Balsamic-Glazed Pork Sandwiches
Boil balsamic vinegar and brown sugar down to a rich, thick glaze for brushing roast pork tenderloins. Stack slices of pork and red onion on country rolls.
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Turkey Sausage Sandwiches
Sweet sautéed bell peppers and onions top sweet or spicy Italian turkey sausage. Serve the sausages on hoagie rolls or crusty French bread, topped with mustard if desired.
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Chicken, Onion, and Mozzarella Sandwiches with Roasted Potatoes
Melt fresh mozzarella over pan-seared chicken cutlets and serve on ciabatta rolls with roasted red onion and arugula. You can also make these sandwiches with pork cutlets.
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Roasted Vegetable, Ham, and Turkey Melts
Layer sliced turkey and ham over roasted mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers. Top these open-faced hot sandwiches with Swiss cheese and melt it under the broiler.
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Pork and Beans Sandwiches
The culinary traditions of North and South combine to make one delicious hot sandwich when you braise a pork shoulder with beans and slab bacon in a molasses-rich sauce. Serve the meat and beans on soft potato buns topped with pickled red onions, jalapeños, and shredded cabbage.
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Deli Rueben Sandwich
Spicy brown mustard replaces the usual Russian dressing in this easy version of a classic deli sandwich. Layer corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese on toasted, buttered rye bread and bake until the cheese melts. Serve hot with pickles on the side.
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Hot Ham & Cheese Croissant
Melted Gruyere and Swiss cheese sit atop warm ham in this hot croissant sandwich. It features a test kitchen's favorite DIY condiments—Dijonnaise—equal parts mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.
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Test Kitchen's Favorite Grilled Cheese
The childhood favorite transcends the classic with our delicious iteration. With only five ingredients and a total cook and prep time of 25 minutes, this hot grilled cheese sandwich, which serves four, is sure to leave everyone satisfied.
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Fried Chicken Sandwich
Almost every part of this sandwich is homemade. Our recipe shows you how to make your own fried chicken and tartar sauce, and the result is a truly out of this world hot sandwich.