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Learn how to make the ultimate picnic sandwiches that 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 these simple tips and tricks.
Each Saturday and Sunday morning at the lake, I bake a loaf or two of ready to bake baguettes and make sandwiches to enjoy during our day of boating. While we really love them, it never occurred to me to share them with you until…
I hosted a retreat with some of the most inspiring bloggers and friends a girl could ask for. When planning meals for the week, I decided to keep lunch simple, deferring to our standard sandwiches.
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.
The same applies to hosting friends. If you stick to something you’re comfortable with, it’s sure to be a success.
Picnic Sandwiches
I offered up a few choices of lunchmeat (ham, salami and turkey), as well as a condiment or two, of course. But ultimately, we keep these picnic sandwiches pretty basic for boating.
These sandwiches are perfect for parties, picnics, eating on the go and more.
Why You’ll Love It
Ingredients and Substitutions
See printable recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.
- 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!
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!
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.
- Mayo (Learn how to make mayonnaise here)
- Balsamic Glaze
- Aioli
- Basil Pesto
- Mustard
- Sliced Tomatoes
- Avocado
- Onion
- Lettuce
- Olives
- Cucumbers
- Bell Peppers
Frequently Asked Questions
What picnic sandwiches don’t get soggy?
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.
How far in advance can I make sandwiches for a picnic?
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.
How to Store
- 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.
Picnic Sandwiches
The best picnic sandwiches that are customizable, craveable and incredibly easy to make!
Yield
Ingredients
- 1 take and bake loaf French, Italian or your favorite bread.
- 4 tablespoons butter softened, salted
- sea salt
- 1 pound deli meat ham, salami or turkey, thin sliced
- ⅓ pound monterey jack or havarti, slices
Instructions
- Bake bread according to package instructions.
- Slice bread to size and in half.
- Brush on butter while warm and sprinkle with fresh cracked sea salt.
- Add cheese, lunch meat and any additional toppings.
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.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 626kcal (31%), Carbohydrates: 62g (21%), Protein: 38g (76%), Fat: 25g (38%), Saturated Fat: 15g (75%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 100mg (33%), Sodium: 2167mg (90%), Potassium: 394mg (11%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 5g (6%), Vitamin A: 641IU (13%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 342mg (34%), Iron: 5mg (28%)
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Bonnie Schnack says
Hi Julie,
Can these be made the day before?
I made your crock pot French Dip Sandwiches the were amazing!🌻
Julie Blanner says
SO happy that you loved them. These can be, but are SO good within an hour.
Abbie Sandweiss says
Loved the way you wrapped and tied the
Sandwiches … What did you use and how ???
Julie says
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.
Audrey Johnson says
They sound scrumptious. And easy. Thanks for sharing.
Julie says
They are! Let me know if you try them! We’re at the lake and enjoying them again today!
Gina says
Where do you find the bake your own baguette bread?
Julie says
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?}
Cynthia Brewer says
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?
Julie Blanner says
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!