If you vowed to bring your lunch more often this year but are already getting bored of the usual go-tos, don’t get discouraged. There’s more to weekday lunches than salads and coming up with ideas for leftovers — so. much. more. Take these delicious sandwiches, for instance. They’re gussied up versions of those lunch box sandwiches of school days past, best paired with an apple and a pudding cup. Your #saddesklunch just got happy. Get ready for the sandwich party!
1. Chipotle Pulled Portabello Sandwiches With Feta Cilantro Topping: This riff on a pulled pork sandwich will have you forgetting all about being a carnivore at heart. Portabellos taste wonderfully chewy and delicious in a chipotle BBQ sauce slathered on a pretzel bun. This is the guilt-free BBQ sandwich you’ve been looking for. (via Artful Desperado)
2. Crispy Chicken Sandwich: This crispy chicken sandwich is based on the Japanese chicken katsu sandwich (“katsu-sando”). It’s super tasty thanks to roasted garlic, crispy toasted panko and tonkatsu sauce. You’ll never look at a typical fast food chicken sandwich the same again. (via Just One Cookbook)
3. California Club With Chipotle Mayo: This triple decker club sandwich brings diner fare to your lunchbox. Chipotle mayo and avocado give it a delicious spicy and creamy kick that’s sure to wow your taste buds. (via From Away)
4. Plantain, Black Bean and Havarti Arepas: Arepas — tasty little corn cakes — are a staple of Venezuelan and Colombian cuisine. This one is filled with Latin-inspired ingredients, like sweet plantains, tangy havarti cheese, black beans and creamy avocado. You’ll barely be able to wait until lunchtime to dig in. (via Little Ferraro Kitchen)
5. Mexican BLT: There’s no denying it — traditional BLTs are the bomb! But you know what’s even better? Dressing up your BLT with Mexican-inspired additions like guacamole, chipotle paste and cheese. Introducing the BLTGCC. Okay, maybe that name won’t stick, but you get the picture. (via Brit + Co)
6. Vada Pav: Vada pav is like an Indian deep fried veggie burger. The patty is made of potatoes and then dipped in a chickpea flour batter and deep fried. Green chutney made with fresh cilantro, mint and ginger adds a welcome brightness and acidity. It will transport you to the streets of Mumbai even if you’ve never been. (A Bit Wholesomely)
7. Go-to Turkey Sandwiches With LAY’S® Wavy Ranch Flavored Potato Chips: You don’t need a side of chips when you can put them directly on your sandwich. Wavy ranch potato chips give an already tasty sandwich a beautiful flavor-packed crunch. You might not want to eat a sandwich without potato chips after trying this. (via Brit + Co)
8. Toasted Pan Bagnat With Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Arugula: The simplicity of this sandwich is made possible by the freshness of its ingredients. Juicy, sweet summer tomatoes are ideal for the perfect bite. (via The Bojon Gourmet)
9. Mexican Torta With Eggs, Chorizo and Frijoles: This breakfast torta is so good, you won’t mind eating it for lunch too. Creamy eggs and beans meld together with spicy chorizo for a hearty sandwich that will fill you up for the rest of the day. (via En Mi Cocina Hoy)
10. Green Goddess Sandwiches: Your friends will turn green with envy at the sight of this all-shades-of-green sandwich. It’s a perfect blend of crisp, refreshing greens and homemade creamy green goddess dressing. If there were a sandwich goddess, it would look like this. (via The Bojon Gourmet)
11. Crispy Dill Chicken Sandwich: The way to get your fast food fix and not feel guilty about it is to make it at home. Sure, it’s not necessarily fast, but it tastes a lot better. Plus, you know every ingredient that goes into making it. This crispy dill chicken sandwich with a healthy Greek yogurt ranch sauce is just the not-so-fast food fix you’re craving. (via Yellow Bliss Road)
12. Tofu Banh Mi: This vegetarian banh mi is a healthy alternative to its heavier, meat-centered Vietnamese siblings. Tofu is marinated in ginger, garlic, Sriracha and soy sauce to make it super flavorful and never bland. Daikon radishes give this sandwich a big crunch you’ll keep coming back to. (via Food Fitness Fresh Air)
13. California Rainbow Veggie Sub With Goddess Dressing and BBQ Kale Chips: Radishes, zucchini, sprouts and cherry tomatoes are just some of the colorful vegetables you won’t find at your local sub joint. Instead, make this healthy lunch that you simply need in your life. (via Half Baked Harvest)
14. Smörgåstårta: Leave it to Sweden to create a beautiful cake that’s secretly a sandwich. It’s a tricked-out tea sandwich made with smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber and fresh dill. You might want to raise a cup of tea to this work of sandwich art. (via Ms. Critique)
15. BBQ Portobello Mushroom Sandwich and Smoked Gouda: This vegetarian BBQ sandwich is inspired by a sandwich at Central BBQ in Memphis, Tennessee. It’s a beacon of light of a sandwich for vegetarians in a city of barbecued meat. The best part is that you don’t need to be a vegetarian to fall in love with this delicious treat. (via The Chubby Vegetarian)
16. Trinidadian Doubles: This West Indian sandwich isn’t for the faint of heart. Spicy scotch bonnet pepper sauce is essential in this sandwich made with curried chickpeas and spiced roti. Warning: You’ll want to keep a glass of milk handy. (via Munchin With Munchkin)
17. Savory Corn Beef Brisket and Irish Cheddar French Toast With Kale Pesto Slaw: This extremely hearty sandwich is ideal after a morning workout, or just if you’re really hungry for lunch. It’s on savory cheese french toast, for crying out loud! You earned it! (via Half Baked Harvest)
18. Monte Cristo Sandwich: This sandwich can’t decide if it’s breakfast or lunch, but that’s okay. You can decide for it. The bread in this ham and cheese sandwich is made of eggy french toast, so you can choose to dip in syrup if that’s what you’re in the mood for. It’s the most satisfying combo of salty and sweet. (via She Wears Many Hats)
19. Sabich Sandwich: Though this Israeli sandwich is typically served on pita, you can make it on two slices of quality bread like sourdough. It’s incredibly satisfying even though it’s only made up of four components: meaty eggplant, hard boiled eggs, cucumber and a lemony tahini sauce. (via Big Girls Small Kitchen)
20. Spicy Roasted Shrimp Sandwich With Chipotle Avocado Mayonnaise: This sandwich is just the thing to beat the boring lunch blues. Roasted shrimp gets a spicy seasoning that strikes a balances the creamy chipotle avocado mayonnaise. Pack this for lunch and you’ll be wondering if 10am is an appropriate time to eat lunch. (via Damn Delicious)
21. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Sandwich: Chicken salad gets a healthy makeover with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, which you won’t miss. It’s so good, you’ll want to eat it straight from the mixing bowl. (via Damn Delicious)
22. Spicy Meatball Banh Mi: This spicy meatball banh mi will wake you up from your afternoon daze with a punch of flavor. The meatballs are spicy, umami rich and juicy, so when they’re paired with a bright daikon carrot salad, plenty of fresh herbs and creamy mayo, you’ve got the perfect Vietnamese-style sandwich. (via The Woks of Life)
23. Avocado Crab Rolls: This rich crab roll is a tantalizing daydream that takes you on a trip to a summer day in Maine and back all in one lunch break. (via Food52)
Still dreaming of sandwiches? Check out our Pinterest for more mouth-watering lunch ideas.