12 Sandwich Recipes for Simple Summer Suppers

When it heats up outside, it’s time to cool things down in the kitchen! Nothing says summer like a sandwich. Keep it simple or go big with flavor and toppings. We have the perfect recipe to match your summer sandwich style!

Claudia Cash
Claudia is the Community Manager for Simply Recipes and has contributed numerous articles focused on cooking on a budget, quick and easy meals, and kid-friendly foods.
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Claudia Cash
Published July 02, 2020
Claudia Cash
Three photos of summer sandwiches next to each other. To the left is a Pan Bagnat. The middle photo is Grilled Cheese BLT with bacon, lettuce and tomato visible. The photo to the right is two Cuban sandwiches stacked on top of each other.

As temperatures heat up, my motivation to cook big meals goes waaaay down. I’d rather spend the time outside with my kids, gardening, or going on bike rides than cooking giant meals. I get the feeling I’m not alone!

I find myself coming back to sandwiches when I need to get a meal on the table because they’re just so versatile. You can make them hot or cold, stack ‘em up, pile on meat, and load them up with veggies.

Use up any bread you’ve got hanging around, and slice up some fresh fruit for a side. Sandwiches make a quick, easy and delicious summer dinner.

Make this summer the SUMMER OF SANDWICHES and enjoy yourselves!

  • Pan Bagnat (French Tuna Sandwich)

    Nicoise tuna sandwich
    Sally Vargas

    If you’re looking for a picnic-friendly sandwich, try this Pan Bagnat! It’s filling so it’s perfect for dinner, and the best part is you just make one giant sandwich then cut it into individual portions.

  • How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    Grilled cheese sandwiches cut in half and stacked ontop of each other. Alternating with orange and white cheese with a bowl of tomato soup in the background.
    Alison Bickel

    We put every method to the test and finally discovered the best way to make this classic sandwich. The secret? Choose mayo!

  • Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Mozzarella, Red Peppers, and Arugula

    Recipe for Mozzarella Grilled Cheese with red peppers and arugula
    Alison Bickel

    Now that you’ve mastered the basic grilled cheese sandwich, let’s add in some other ingredients to take things up a notch! The addition of arugula and red peppers makes for one irresistible vegetarian sandwich.

  • Avocado Lettuce Tomato Sandwich (ALT)

    Avocado Lettuce Tomato Sandwich
    Elise Bauer

    Time to meet the vegetarian cousin of the BLT! Swap avocados out for the bacon or keep the bacon and add avocados anyway. Either version is a superb choice for a summer sandwich.

    Continue to 5 of 12 below.

  • Cuban Sandwich (Cubano)

    A grilled cuban sandwich is stacked on top of each other with shredded pork, mustard, cheese and pickles visible. Pickle spears and ridged potato chips are to the right of the sandwich.
    Marta Rivera

    You’ll want a pile of napkins close to you while you eat this scrumptious sandwich. To make an authentic Cubano you’ll need to make this mojo marinated Cuban-Style Pork Roast which does require turning on the oven, but it’s worth it. Serve this sandwich with a pickle and chips!

  • Cauliflower Steak Sandwiches with Red Pepper Aioli

    Easy Cauliflower Steak Sandwich arugula
    Sally Vargas

    The ultimate vegetarian sandwich! The roasted cauliflower steaks are what makes this sandwich so hearty and utterly crave-worthy.

  • Best Ever Tuna Salad Sandwich

    How to make tuna fish
    Elise Bauer

    There are countless variations for a tuna salad sandwich, but what makes ours truly the best is the addition of cottage cheese and capers! If you want to dress it up a little more, we have 4 Great Add-Ins for you!

  • Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

    Grilled Cheese Sandwich
    Nick Evans

    These are for serious meat and cheese lovers. They’re a gooey match made in heaven with three kinds of Italian deli meat, provolone, and buttery bread.

    Continue to 9 of 12 below.

  • Quick and Easy Egg Salad Sandwich

    Homemade egg salad sandwich on a plate with a leaf of lettuce
    Elise Bauer

    Quite possibly one of the easiest sandwiches to ever make! Just chop a little hardboiled egg here, dice some celery there, sprinkle in a dash of salt and pepper for seasoning, and before you know it, a star is born.

  • Apple Peanut Butter Sandwich

    Elise Bauer

    This one is great for kiddos, but adults have been known to sneak a bite or two. The apples add a nice crunch, but you can swap in bananas if you’d like!

  • Grilled Cheese BLT

    Grilled Cheese BLT sandwiches
    Aaron Hutcherson

    This is the beautiful lovechild of two beloved sandwiches and it’s so easy you’ll be making it time and time again this summer.

  • Avocado Tuna Salad

    Tuna Avocado Sandwich
    Elise Bauer

    If you’re into tuna sandwiches but not into mayo, it’s okay. We understand, which is why swapped the mayo for creamy avocados! It’s a real treat for your taste buds.