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50 Money-Saving Sandwich Recipes

Who wants to spend $20 on a sandwich? Here's a ton of brown bag inspo.
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Melted cheese inside a grilled cheese with tomato jam

Produced by Chantal Braganza and Stephanie Han Kim; photography by Christie Vuong; food styling by Haley Polinsky; prop styling by Cailen Speers.

Bringing your own lunch doesn't have to be depressing. Here are sandwich recipes to look forward to.

Roasted Vegetable Sandwich With Pesto and Mozzarella

The amount of veg in this recipe is just a guide. Roast as many of your favourite vegetables as you like on Sunday, and you'll have the base for a week’s worth of sandwiches. Topped with pesto and creamy mozzarella, they make for a hearty and refreshing filling that has been on heavy rotation at my home lately. Get Diala Canelo's roasted vegetable sandwich with pesto and mozzarella recipe.

Kimchi, Egg And Avocado Sandwich

If you haven’t tried kimchi paired with scrambled eggs, you’re in for a treat. The creaminess of the soft scramble goes so well with the spiciness and umami flavour of the kimchi. With this sandwich, you get texture and vibrancy in every single bite—and a filling, protein-packed lunch to boot. Get Diala Canelo's kimchi, egg and avocado sandwich recipe.

A table with a variety of items: a bowl of kimchi, half an avocado, a printed napkin, and a kimchi, egg and avocado sandwich on a blue plate.Produced by Chantal Braganza and Stephanie Han Kim; photography by Christie Vuong; food styling by Haley Polinsky; prop styling by Cailen Speers.

Fish Sandwiches With Tarragon Mayo

Tarragon mayo adds an instant kick, making it a quick and delicious weeknight meal. Get our fish sandwiches with tarragon mayo recipe.

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White plate with fish burger on top and top bun offset to the side.Photography by Erik Putz; Recipe by Irene Ngo

Kimchi Tuna Melt

Long live sandwiches for dinner! These tuna melts by recipe developer Michelle Lucas Larving feature the bright and briny flavour of kimchi. Get her kimchi tuna melt recipe.

A slice of kimchi tuna melt sliced in half, served on a white plate atop a floral yellow surfaceProduced by Aimee Nishitoba, Photo by Christie Vuong, Food Styling by Eshun Mott, Prop Styling by Madeleine Johari.

Mushroom Pulled “Pork” Sandwiches

Craving a sandwich stacked with flavour and texture? Try this plant-based take on a classic pulled pork sandwich. Get our mushroom pulled "pork" sandwiches recipe.

A close-up of a Mushroom Pulled “Pork” Sandwich, where shredded king oyster mushrooms coated in barbecue sauce are piled high on a toasted hamburger bun and topped with creamy coleslaw.Produced by Sun Ngo; Food styling by Ashley Denton; Prop styling by Madeleine Johari

Hot Portobello Mushroom Sandwich With Lemon Aioli

Savoury mushrooms and punchy aioli pair for a veggie sandwich with heft and heart. Get our hot portobello mushroom sandwich with lemon aioli recipe.

HOT PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM SANDWICH WITH LEMON AIOLI on a plate(Produced by Aimee Nishitoba; photography by Erik Putz; food styling by Eshun Mott; Prop styling by Christine Hanlon)

Open-Face Steak Sandwiches With Green Onion Salsa

Steak sandwiches are drizzled with a broiled green onion salsa and served with a tomato and arugula salad. Get our open-face steak sandwiches with green onion salsa recipe.

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Steak sandwich with a tomato and arugula salad.Photo, Erik Putz.

Okonomiyaki Breakfast Sandwich

Bacon + an eggy, savoury, Japanese-style pancake + bun + delicious mayo sauce = a decadent morning treat. Get our okonomiyaki breakfast sandwich recipe.

An okonomiyaki breakfast sandwich on a plate with bacon, with a side bowl of berries and a glass of orange juice(Produced by: Stephanie Han Kim; Photography: Erik Putz; Food styling: Haley Polinsky; Prop styling: Madeleine Johari)

Slow Cooker Lemon Grass Ribs Sandwich

Lemon grass ribs sliders can be prepped the night before: Put the slow cooker on before bed and proceed with the recipe when ready to serve. Get our slow cooker lemon grass ribs sandwich recipe.

slow cooker lemon grass ribs sandwiches for a piece on the best summer slow cooker recipes to avoid using your stovePhoto, Erik Putz.

Cauliflower Chickpea Wraps

This roasted vegetable wrap also makes a great portable picnic dish. Get our cauliflower chickpea wraps recipe.

overhead shot of a whole wheat wrap open-face with white sauce, spinach, red pepper slices, and roasted cauliflower and chickpeasPhoto, Carmen Cheung. Food styling, Ashley Denton. Prop styling, Madeleine Johari.

Plant-Based Lettuce Wraps

Serve lettuce wraps family-style, and let everyone customize to their liking. If you’re not avoiding meat, this recipe also works just as well with ground pork. Get Lindsay Guscott's plant-based lettuce wraps recipe.

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A series of lettuce wraps filled with cooked ground plant-base protein and rice.Recipe by Lindsay Guscott; produced by Aimee Nishitoba; photography by Carmen Cheung; food styling by Ashley Denton; prop Styling by Madeleine Johari.

Tarragon-Chicken Sandwiches With Red Grapes

Not your typical chicken-salad sandwich! We added red grapes and fresh tarragon give this picnic sandwich a fresh look and taste. Get the tarragon-chicken sandwiches with red grapes recipe.

Tarragon-chicken sandwiches with red grapes on a baguette; made with chicken breasts; salt; mayo; fresh tarragon; lemon juice and lemon zest; celery; red seedless grapes; red onion; and romaine lettuce for a post on a tarragon chicken sandwich with red grapes recipe for picnicsPhoto, Michael Alberstat.

Bánh Mì Đậu Hủ Nâm Ngũ Vị (Five-Spice Tofu and Mushroom Bánh Mì)

Taking inspiration from traditional bánh mì, chefs Sara Lee and Rod Dyquiangco continue to expand their menu to include more plant-based options at their contemporary Toronto café, Rustle & Still. In this recipe, tofu and mushrooms soak up a sweet and savoury sauce made from pantry staples including soy sauce and five-spice powder. Get this Bánh Mì Đậu Hủ Nâm Ngũ Vị (Five-Spice Tofu and Mushroom Bánh Mì) recipe.

Woman holding three banh mi sandwiches that are partially open in a trayProduced by Sun Ngô; Photography by Christie Vu’o’ng; Recipe by Sara Lee and Rod Dyquiangco.

Sloppy Joes

Sloppy joes are a classic for a reason. We ditch the store-bought sauce for a passata-ketchup-spice blend. Just be sure to keep napkins handy. Get this classic sloppy joes recipe.

Sloppy Joes recipe

Pinwheel Sandwiches

Instead of the same old sandwich, pack a batch of these fun pinwheels We’ve even made the fillings for these swanky bites a bit more interesting: Egg salad gets a Spanish twist, while our tuna boasts Mediterranean flavours. Get our pinwheel sandwiches recipes.

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Spanish egg-salad pinwheel lunch sandwiches with pimiento-stuffed or manzanilla olives and Mediterranean tuna pinwheel picnic lunch sandwiches for two recipes and a post on how to make perfect pinwheel picnic sandwichesSpanish egg-salad lunch sandwiches (with olive) and Mediterranean tuna lunch sandwich (bottom left) (Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Bánh Mì Xíu Mại (Meatball Bánh Mì)

Bánh mì xíu mại is Vietnam’s very own meatball sub (“xíu mại” means meatballs in tomato sauce). Try this recipe from Joseph Nguyên, the former owner of Tâm, a Vietnamese street-food joint in Toronto open until 2024. Use the meatballs as the main filling for your bánh mì, or take a lesson from chef and turn the recipe into a flavourful spread to accompany a classic bánh mì with cold cuts. Get this Bánh Mì Xíu Mại (Meatball Bánh Mì) recipe.

Image of a banh mi with various condiments surrounding it against a blue tablecloth background

Nordic Shrimp Sandwich

Creamy shrimp, tangy pickled beets and hearty rye bread make for a sophisticated, yet simple sandwich. Get this nordic shrimp sandwich recipe.

A nordic beet shrimp sandwich made with mayo; minced shallot; dijon mustard; sugar; pepper; chopped pickled baby beets; cooked shrimp; on rye bread with arugula next to a bowl of fresh dill and a glass of beer for a post on an easy nordic beet shrimp sandwich recipe(Photo: Erik Putz)

Tomato-Avocado Toast

Take your avocado-on-toast up a notch: roast a whole head of garlic and then mash it up to create a spread, add in the avocados and fresh heirloom tomatoes and voila! A drool-worthy, Instagram-ready lunch. Get the tomato-avocado toast recipe.

tomato-avocado toastPhoto, Erik Putz.

Grilled Cheese With Tomato Jam

We like to spread a layer of homemade tomato jam on our grilled cheese to give it a little kick. Get the grilled cheese with tomato jam recipe.

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Melted cheese inside a grilled cheese with tomato jamPhoto, Erik Putz.

Grilled Pork Bánh Mì

For chef Tara Lê, owner of Bánh Mì Metro in Scarborough, Ont., bánh mì was a lunchtime staple growing up. Of all the varieties her mother used to make, grilled pork was her favourite. This is her mother’s recipe, in which boneless pork shoulder is marinated in a bold and aromatic sauce. Get this Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork Bánh Mì) recipe.

Two banh mi in semi open buns with browned mushrooms and cilantro twigs, placed against a red checkered paper.Produced by Sun Ngo; Photography by Christie Vuong; Recipe by Tara Le.

Lentil Cakes In Pita With Yogurt

These lentil cake pitas take advantage of leftover braised lentil and halloumi and are filled with yogurt, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Get the recipe.

Weeknight dinner plan: Lentil cakes in pita with yogurtPhoto, Erik Putz.

Coconut-Curry Tofu Pita-Pockets

Curry-infused tofu brings the protein while fresh carrots and cilantro bring the crunch in this easy-yet-flavour packed recipe. Get our coconut-curry tofu pita pockets recipe.

Coconut-Curry-Tofu Pita Pockets filled with carrots; fresh cilantro; and tofu for a post on an easy, healthy Coconut-Curry-Tofu Pita Pockets recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Superfood Sandwich

Stack it up! This sandwich takes our grainy brown bread and loads it up with our favourite superfoods. (You have to try it.) Get the superfood sandwich recipe.

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A superfood sandwich made with grainy homemade brown bread; creamy spread with edamame; Boston lettuce; quick pickled red onions; thinly sliced raw beets; thinly sliced raw radishes; sliced avocado; mozzarella and hummus for a post on a healthy, hearty, superfood sandwich recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Modern BLT With White-Bean-Wasabi Hummus

We’ve upgraded a classic by adding cucumber and hummus. modern BLT with white-bean-wasabi hummus recipe.

A modern BLT sandwich with white bean-wasabi hummus; edamame beans and english cucumber on rye bread for a post on an delicious modern BLT sandwich recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Turkey And Prosciutto Panini

Make any day a day-after Thanksgiving feast with this richly flavoured hot sandwich. Get the turkey and prosciutto panini recipe.

Turkey And Prosciutto Panini made with leftover turkey recipePhoto, Sian Richards.

Tomato And Prosciutto Open-Faced Sandwich

Tomato lovers, this one’s for you. Spread toasted sourdough with creamy goat’s cheese mixture, then top with prosciutto and colourful slices of garden tomato. Get the tomato and prosciutto open-faced sandwich recipe.

a tomato and prosciutto open-faced sandwich on rustic bread next to a small bowl of goat cheese with a spreading knife; the sandwiches are made with red beefsteak tomato, sliced into 1/4-in. rounds; yellow beefsteak tomatoes; white balsamic vinegar; olive oil; honey; dijon mustard; garlic; sourdough bread; goat cheese; prosciutto and pepper for a simple open-faced summer tomato sandwich recipe(Photo: Sian Richards)

Creamy Artichoke And Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches

You’ll love these decadent tea sandwiches layered with smoked salmon, watercress and creamy artichoke. Get the creamy artichoke and smoked salmon tea sandwiches recipe.

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Creamy-artichoke and smoked salmon tea sandwiches made with canned artichoke hearts, walnuts, lemon zest, salt, olive oil, parmesan, pumpernickel bread, smoked salmon; chives and watercress for a post on an easy creamy artichoke and smoked salmon tea sandwiches recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Tahini-Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Wrapped in iceberg lettuce cups, and garnished with pickled carrots and tahini sauce, this sandwich gives lunch a creative (and healthy!) boost. Get our tahini-chicken lettuce wraps recipe.

50 Money-Saving Sandwich RecipesPhoto, Roberto Caruso.

Gourmet Grilled Cheese With Bacon, Date Jam And Radicchio

This grilled classic goes gourmet with blue cheese, sourdough, Medjool dates and radicchio. Get the recipe.

Gourmet grilled cheese sandwich with date jam and radicchio, cut in half on a white background(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Bulgogi Steak And Cheese Melt

Build a better steak and cheese with a few fresh ingredients and some creative upgrades. Get our bulgogi steak and cheese melt recipe.

A bulgogi steak and cheese melt with fried onions and swiss cheese on a kaiser for a post on an bulgogi steak and cheese melt recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Ham And Cheese Focaccia With Apricot Mostarda

Update an old go-to lunch sandwich with dried fruit, fontina cheese, black forest ham and mostarda. Get the recipe.

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Ham and cheese focaccia with apricot mostarda(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Chicken Liver Pâté Sandwich

Pâté, smoked prosciutto and brandy-soaked figs take this sandwich to haute heights. Get the chicken liver pâté sandwich recipe.

a charcuterie sandwich made with cornichons, Pâté, smoked prosciutto and brandy-soaked figs(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Gourmet Tuna Salad Sandwich

Topped with roasted red peppers and tangy feta, this is definitely not your average tuna salad. Get our gourmet tuna salad recipe.

A tuna salad sandwich made with roasted red peppers, pecans, and feta for a post on a gourmet tuna salad sandwich recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Swedish-Style Egg, Beet And Dill Sandwich

Rye, spread with dill and horseradish sour cream, topped with boiled eggs and pickled vegetables. Get our Swedish-style egg, beet and dill sandwich recipe.

swedish egg, beet and dill sandwich: boiled eggs; quick-pickled beets and onions over dill and horseradish sour cream with fresh dill on rye bread for a post on an easy Swedish egg beet and dill sandwich recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Decadent Peanut Butter And Banana Sandwich

Bananas coated in a buttery cinnamon-rum sauce? Delicious! Get our decadent peanut butter and banana sandwich recipe.

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A peanut butter and banana sandwich with decadent rum bananas and peanuts(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Coconut-Curry-Tofu Pita Pockets

Curry-infused tofu brings the protein while fresh carrots and cilantro bring the crunch in this easy-yet-flavour packed recipe. Get our  coconut curry tofu pita pockets recipe.

Coconut-Curry-Tofu Pita Pockets filled with carrots; fresh cilantro; and tofu for a post on an easy, healthy Coconut-Curry-Tofu Pita Pockets recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Apple, Ricotta And Pesto Croissant Sandwich

Crisp apple and a richly flavoured ricotta pesto make for a decadent and satisfying sandwich. Get the apple, ricotta and pesto croissant sandwich recipe.

Rosemary-ricotta-pesto croissant sandwich with apple(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Turkey-Apple Sandwich With Cranberry Chutney

We’ve made over the turkey sandwich with cranberry chutney and crisp apple slices — it’s a taste of the holidays, for any time of year. Get our turkey-apple sandwich with cranberry chutney recipe.

This is a Turkey-Apple Sandwich With Cranberry Chutney on a white background(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Chickpea Banh Mi

Turn that can of chickpeas into a quick, no-cook hearty sandwich filling packed with protein and flavour. Get our chickpea banh mi recipe.

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A vegetarian chickpea banh mi sandwich shown from the side, with a vegetarian chickpea filling made with mayo, green onions and canned chickpeas, blended; and topped with quick-pickled carrots; sliced cucumbers; cilantro and sriracha mayo for a post on an easy, no-cook quick chickpea banh mi sandwich recipe(Photo: Sian Richards)

Grilled Cheese And Apple Sandwich

Take your grilled cheese up a notch with aged cheddar, crisp apple slices and and red onion on artisanal bread. Comfort food has never tasted so good. Get the gourmet grilled cheese with apple recipe.

Gourmet Grilled Cheese With Apple And Red Onions cut in half and stacked on a piece of parchment paper on a. wood cutting board in front of a salad bowl filled with parsley salad(Photo: Erik Putz)

French Beef Dip Sandwich With Easy Green Salad

A superstar salad and sandwich combo, this 30-min recipe is an easy option for busy weeknights. (And the leftovers make an excellent lunch sandwich.) Get the French beef dip sandwich with easy green salad recipe.

A French beef dip sandwich made with sliced top sirloin steak and mushrooms on a toasted baguette, served with a small side bowl of au jus for dipping and a simple green-leaf lettuce salad.(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Niçoise Muffuletta Sandwich

Layer Mediterranean ingredients into a hollowed-out artisanal loaf to make this oversized sandwich. Get the Niçoise muffuletta sandwich recipe.

Niçoise muffuletta sandwich on a sheet of parchment paper next to a picnic spread; the sandwich is made with hard-boiled eggs; green beans; tuna; dijon mustard; mayonnaise; kalamata olives; anchovies; garlic; Italian bread; olive oil; arugula; tomato and red onion for a post on an easy nicoise muffuletta sandwich recipe for a picnic(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Easy Shrimp Sandwich

Just toast the bun and toss the ingredients together. This hearty sandwich couldn’t be easier to assemble. Give it a try for your next lunch. Get this easy shrimp sandwich recipe.

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An easy shrimp sandwich, featuring cooked shrimp mixed with mayonnaise, sweet pickles, green onion, and paprika, piled high on a toasted Italian bun lined with leafy lettuce.(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Open-Face Pea And Smoked Salmon Sandwich

During the dog days of summer, when it’s too hot to move, let alone turn on the oven, this smashed pea and smoked salmon sandwich will be your lunch-time saviour. Get the open-face pea and smoked salmon sandwich recipe.

No cook dinner Open-face sandwich: pea and smoked salmon on dark rye bread.Photo, Sian Richards.

Cambozola And Date Grilled Cheese Crostini

Using a baguette instead of sandwich bread makes these mini grilled cheeses the perfect appetizer size. Get this Cambozola and date grilled cheese crostini recipe.

a black marble cutting board with Grilled Cheese Crostini With Dates And Cambozola piled on it, topped with fresh rosemary, next to gold toothpicks and a platter of meatballs and a rocks glass on a pale wood table(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Tomato And Prosciutto Open-Faced Sandwich

Toasted sour dough, goat cheese, juicy tomatoes and prosciutto—this meal is almost too easy. Get this tomato and prosciutto open-faced sandwich recipe.

a tomato and prosciutto open-faced sandwich on rustic bread next to a small bowl of goat cheese with a spreading knife; the sandwiches are made with red beefsteak tomato, sliced into 1/4-in. rounds; yellow beefsteak tomatoes; white balsamic vinegar; olive oil; honey; dijon mustard; garlic; sourdough bread; goat cheese; prosciutto and pepper for a simple open-faced summer tomato sandwich recipe(Photo: Sian Richards)

Italian Tuna Melt

Take your tuna sandwhich to the next level. These open-face sandwiches are topped with mozzarella and artichokes and broiled to perfection. Get the Italian tuna melt recipe.

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An Italian tuna melt open face sandwich made with olive oil; lemon juice; salt; canned tuna; canned artichokes; red onion; arugula; Italian bread and grated mozzarella for a post on an easy Italian tuna melt recipe(Photo: Sian Richards)

Apple, Camembert And Arugula Sandwich

Another take on the classic grilled cheese: this sandwich opts for cheddar’s more sophisticated cousin, camembert, and throws a bit of apple in for good (and delicious) measure. Get the apple, camembert and arugula sandwich recipe.

Apple, camembert and arugula sandwich with mayonnaise; dijon mustard; and honey on toasted French bread on a white plate next to a glass of beer on a red table(Photo: Sian Richards)

Hawaiian Pizza Sandwich

Who doesn’t love Hawaiian Pizza? Try this sandich version of the classic. Get the Hawaiian pizza sandwich recipe.

Hawaiian-pizza sandwich—a grilled cheese with bacon, pineapple, lettuce and tomato—on white bread on a piece of parchment paper on a white cutting board, next to a bowl of watercress salad(Photo: Sian Richards)

Strawberry Tea Sandwiches

Who says sandwiches have to be on the savoury side? These sweet treats are perfect for your afternoon tea (and are oh-so Instagrammable!) Get our strawberry tea sandwiches recipe.

Strawberry tea sandwiches—crustless white bread sandwiches with strawberries and fresh basil—on a blue ceramic tray edged with gold and white scalloped edges on a marble surface next to a cup of tea in a floral cup and saucer with a slice of lemon on a white lace napkin next to fresh strawberries(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

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