Picnic sandwiches are the easiest upgrade to any fun outing! My picnic sandwiches are customizable, craveable and incredibly easy to make (and transport). Simple is simply the best… and that couldn’t be more true in this sandwich story. Keep the ingredients simple, but take your picnic sandwiches to a whole new level with my expert tips and tricks.
When it comes to lake life, we’ve found that planning the same meals weekend after weekend eliminates the need for time-consuming planning, or making a grocery list in what is intended to be a relaxing getaway. These picnic sandwiches are one of the keys to that relaxation! They are deliciously filling for any time of day.
These sandwiches are perfect for parties, picnics, eating on the go and more. Serve them as one of the best picnic food ideas, or a boat snack along with a snackle box for the ultimate day on the water!
Why You’ll Love these Sandwiches
So Simple – You know my motto, sometimes simple is simply the best and these sandwiches are no exception.
Sandwich Shop Quality – This sandwich “recipe” is one that I have been making since college. It’s easy, flavorful and stacks up to any local deli!
Packable – These sandwiches are perfect for parties, picnics, eating on the go and more. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Bread – Your bread choice can make (or break) your picnic sandwiches. For our family, choosing take and bake bread is always the best option. It just tastes so fresh, perfectly soft and crunchy.
- Butter – You’ll use the butter to lightly spread on top of your bread. You can also use olive oil here, but salted butter is our favorite.
- Deli Meat – Again, this is where quality shines. We choose thin sliced deli meat to make every bite delicious.
- Cheese – For these picnic sandwiches, choose a creamy cheese that melts into the bread, like Monterey Jack or Havarti.
- Sea Salt – We love big crunches of salt across the top of our sandwiches. It really makes it taste like a sandwich shop! Fresh cracked pepper never hurts either!
Variations
- Add fresh veggies! Think sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and onion. See more suggestions in the “serving suggestions” category below.
- Sprinkle with seasoning. Try any of our homemade seasoning blends, like our Oregano Seasoning, Chipotle Seasoning or Beau Monde Seasoning.
How to Make
- Bake Bread – Bake the take and bake bread according to package instructions.
- Slice – Slice bread to size (and in equal halves).
- Butter the Tops – Brush on butter or olive oil while the bread is still warm and sprinkle with fresh cracked sea salt.
- Fill – Add cheese, lunch meat and any additional toppings.
- Package and Serve – Roll into waxed paper to prevent any moisture from seeping out. Unwrap and serve for picnics, sporting events, boating, and so much more!
Tools to Use
Tips
- While these sandwiches don’t *need* condiments like mayo or mustard, you can certainly add them! To keep the bread from getting soggy, add condiments between the layers of meats, cheese or any lettuce, onions or tomato slices that you add.
- Packaging these picnic sandwiches like your favorite sandwich shop adds an extra special touch. Wrap in parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for guests for a gorgeous presentation!
- Look for take and bake bread in your grocer’s bakery department.
Serving Suggestions
You can customize these delicious sandwiches however you’d like! Add your favorite condiments and veggies for even more delicious flavor.
More Ideas to Dress your Sandwiches
- Mustard
- Sliced Tomatoes
- Avocado
- Onion
- Lettuce
- Olives
- Cucumbers
- Bell Peppers
Frequently Asked Questions
Use a sturdy bread, like a loaf of Italian bread or French bread, to prevent your packaged picnic sandwiches from becoming soggy. Add any condiments between the layers of meat and cheese (instead of directly touching the bread) to further prevent this.
For best flavor and the ultimate in fresh delivery, make your sandwiches the morning of your picnic lunch. If you must make them ahead of time, limit your timeframe to 2 days before you’re serving these picnic sandwiches.
More Sandwiches
Picnic Sandwiches
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉.
- Slice bread to size and in half, longways, and place on baking sheet. Bake bread 8-10 minutes or according to package directions.
- Remove from oven and immediately add sliced cheese to each sandwich (to make it slightly melted).
- Brush butter onto top of bread while it's warm and sprinkle with fresh cracked sea salt.
- Add cheese, lunch meat and any additional toppings to the sandwich. Close the top and serve or wrap for a picnic lunch.
Julie’s Tips
- While these sandwiches don’t *need* condiments like mayo or mustard, you can certainly add them! To keep the bread from getting soggy, add condiments between the layers of meats, cheese or any lettuce, onions or tomato slices that you add.
- Packaging these picnic sandwiches like your favorite sandwich shop adds an extra special touch. Wrap in parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for guests for a gorgeous presentation!
- Look for take and bake bread in your grocer’s bakery department.
Storage Notes
- Room Temperature – These picnic sandwiches can sit out safely at room temperature for up to two hours. After that, they must be refrigerated.
- Refrigerator – Store them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Hi! I went to Walmart and Publix and they had no idea what take and bake bread is when I asked. I could get garlic bread in the frozen section or a can of Pillsbury bread to bake. Neither bakery had any take and bake type of bread. They did have loaves already baked. Can I just heat that up in the oven? This should be such a simple item but maybe it’s just not available in my town?
Both carry it! At Walmart, it’s Marketside Bake at Home – they sell a French baguette and twin demi baguettes. Publix sells a GreenWise Organic Bake at Home Organic Demi Baguette or Sourdough bread. Enjoy!
Hi Julie,
Can these be made the day before?
I made your crock pot French Dip Sandwiches the were amazing!🌻
SO happy that you loved them. These can be, but are SO good within an hour.
Loved the way you wrapped and tied the
Sandwiches … What did you use and how ???
Great question! Parchment Paper. Sadly tape/stickers don’t work to secure it, so I used some nautical ribbon I saved from a package, but similar is available at Michaels.
They sound scrumptious. And easy. Thanks for sharing.
They are! Let me know if you try them! We’re at the lake and enjoying them again today!
Where do you find the bake your own baguette bread?
Target, Walmart, Trader Joe’s and local grocers all carry it in their bakery section. I’ve yet to find a store that doesn’t carry a brand of it and they’re all really great {what isn’t when covered in butter and salt?}
So is this bread the frozen dough you bake first? Or ready made baguettes already cooked and you just heat them up, I’m confused when you say follow tge directions?
There are several brands of take and bake breads…most are room temperature or you bake at room temperature. We find them at Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s and our local grocery stores. It’s a game changer! Enjoy!