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A picnic basket filled with sandwiches, chips, grapes, and a bottle of beverage, offering some of the best picnic food ideas.
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5 from 2 votes

Best Picnic Food Ideas: Make the BEST Picnic Sandwiches

These sandwiches are perfect for an on-the-go meal! Learn how to make the best picnic sandwiches that are customizable, craveable and incredibly easy to make (and transport)!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time13 minutes
Course: sandwich, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Julie Blanner

Ingredients

  • 13 ounces take and bake loaf French, Italian or your favorite bread
  • 2 tablespoons butter softened, unsalted
  • ½ pound deli meat ham, salami or turkey, thin sliced
  • ¼ pound havarti cheese slices (or Monterey Jack)
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

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.
    13 ounces take and bake loaf
  • Remove from oven and immediately add sliced cheese to each sandwich (to make it slightly melted).
    ¼ pound havarti cheese
  • Brush butter onto top of bread while it's warm and sprinkle with fresh cracked sea salt.
    2 tablespoons butter, ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • Add lunch meat and any additional toppings to the sandwich. Close the top and serve or wrap for a picnic lunch.
    ½ pound deli meat

Notes

  • While these sandwiches don’t *need* condiments, you can 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. Just try not to let the condiments touch the bread - it's such a great trick to avoid soggy packed sandwiches! 
  • 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

Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 1635mg | Potassium: 245mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 400IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 228mg | Iron: 4mg