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My Ham Sandwich recipe is so delicious it'll rival your favorite deli, made right at home! Featuring a perfect blend of flavors and textures, plus an incredible homemade honey mustard sauce, this ham sandwich recipe will transform your at-home sandwich making!
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Ham Sandwich Recipe
If you're like me, you've likely walked out of many delis wondering why their sandwiches seem so much better than the ones you make at home. What's the secret to crafting the best ham sandwich? I've finally uncovered the mystery!
It's all about the balance of flavors and textures. Sandwiches are simple, but in that simplicity lies a subtle complexity that elevates a basic sandwich to something truly spectacular! What makes this ham and cheese sandwich stand out is the combination of salty ham, spicy onion, juicy tomato, peppery greens, smoky cheese, and the creamy, sweet-and-spicy honey mustard.
Good Ham Sandwich Ingredients
- Sliced bread: You can use any bread you'd like for this recipe, or use your favorite roll or bun! Or, roll the ingredients up in a tortilla for an easy ham wrap.
- Sliced ham: I like using leftover sliced ham from a holiday spiral-cut ham! The thick slices are perfect for sandwiches. However, you can also use deli-style sandwich ham, or even turkey or roast beef.
- Red onion: Make sure to slice red onion very thinly so the flavor does not overpower the sandwich.
- Tomato: Thinly slice the tomatoes for best texture and flavor. If you can find them, I highly recommend heirloom tomatoes, which taste so much better than Roma.
- Smoked gouda: Smoked gouda can have a very powerful flavor. For a milder cheese, try mozzarella, plain gouda, Swiss, or muenster.
- Spinach: Pick your favorite fresh greens! I like swapping the spinach out for arugula or romaine lettuce depending on what flavors I want.
- Mayonnaise: Use your favorite mayonnaise!
- Yellow mustard: Plain yellow mustard is an element of the homemade honey mustard sauce in combination with Dijon.
- Dijon mustard: If you don't have Dijon, stone ground mustard, spicy brown mustard, or additional plain yellow mustard will also work.
- Worcestershire sauce: If you can't have soy, don't add the Worcestershire sauce to the honey mustard sauce as it contains trace amounts of soy in the flavoring.
- Honey: Use your favorite honey, but keep in mind that if it's a flavored honey, that will alter the taste of the honey mustard sauce.
- Salt and pepper: I recommend using kosher salt or sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.
Isabel's Top Tip
Use a mandoline or other veggie slicer to make cutting the peppers and onions easy. If you don't have one, make sure to use the sharpest knife you have.
How to Make a Ham Sandwich
- In a small bowl, combine the mayo, both mustards, Worcestershire, and honey, and mix well.
- Spread the honey mustard over one side of each slice of bread.
- Top the slices with sliced onions and tomatoes, then a sprinkle of salt.
- Add a layer of cheese, then sliced ham.
- Crack some black pepper over top and add fresh spinach.
- Top with the last slice of bread, sauce-side-down. Slice, and enjoy!
Ham Sandwiches Tips
- Make the honey mustard dip ahead of time! Doing so will let the flavors meld, resulting in a more flavorful spread.
- If using deli ham, use 5-6 slices. If using thick cut or roast ham, just 1-2 slices is plenty!
- Any fresh green will work for these sandwiches. You can also use arugula, romaine, or watercress.
- Looking for a warm sandwich? Place the assembled sandwich in a skillet with some butter for a few minutes per side over low heat.
Best Cheese for Ham Sandwich
Classic choices for ham sandwiches are Swiss, white cheddar, provolone, and smoked gouda. But any strong, creamy cheese will taste great! Try out brie or camembert for a funky twist, or goat cheese for a fresh tang.
Best Bread for Ham Sandwich
For the perfect balance of texture and flavor, I recommend using a fresh baguette or ciabatta. However, feel free to use your favorite bread, such as whole grain or sourdough. I often don't have anything fancy on hand, and it still tastes delicious!
What to Put on a Ham Sandwich
This is my favorite basic ham sandwich, but there are tons of great ham sandwich toppings to choose from! Take your pick based on crunch and flavor!
- Potato Chips: A secret favorite of mine! Use kettle cooked chips for extra crunch. Seriously, the texture is incredible, and you can choose your favorite flavor. I like dill pickle kettle chips!
- Cucumber: Slices of cucumber add a great juicy crispness. They're perfect if you like juicier sandwiches!
- Carrot: This might sound weird, but outside of the US, carrot is a perfectly normal ingredient on sandwiches! Try it out and fall in love with that crisp crunch!
- Pickles: A few slices of pickles, be they dill, bread and butter, or spicy, can add tangy, juicy flavor. Or, sprinkle some pickle juice on for just that bit of extra zest!
Recipes for Ham Sandwiches FAQ
Absolutely! Both pre-cooked and deli ham work great. For a more gourmet touch, you might try using honey-glazed or smoked ham. My favorite? Leftover spiral-cut ham from a big holiday dinner!
Fresh lettuce, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, or crispy onions are great for adding texture. Don't forget the pickles for a tangy crunch! In my recipe, the crisp, juicy onions add a great crunch while the juicy tomatoes enhance the whole experience. I also recommend sliced cucumbers for crispy freshness in every bite!
Sandwiches are an excellent make-ahead meal! I like making them at the start of the day and wrapping them up in butcher paper for lunch later on. Just don't add in the tomato right away, as it can make the sandwich soggy; I like to leave it to the side, or under the butcher paper.
Make-Ahead Sandwiches
- Make-Ahead Ham Sandwich: You can make these sandwiches ahead by fully assembling them except for the tomato, then wrapping them in paper towel or butcher paper and placing them in a bag in the fridge! I recommend slicing the tomato and storing the slice separately or in a separate bag.
- Storing Leftover Sandwiches: You can store leftovers by wrapping the sandwiches in parchment paper and placing them in the fridge in a plastic baggie. I recommend removing tomato so it doesn't soak the bread.
Sandwich Recipe Ideas
- Italian Sandwiches
- Pot Roast Sandwich
- Philly Pork Sandwich
- Pinwheel Sandwiches
- Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe
Ham Sandwich Recipe
With such a mix of flavors, it's no surprise these ham sandwiches have become a regular lunch in my home! Try it for yourself, and trust me, you'll find a new favorite sandwich, guaranteed. Let me know what you think in the comments below and with a rating!
Ham Sandwich Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 slices Bread - of choice
- 3 slices Ham - or more if using deli ham
- ¼ small Red onion - sliced into thin rounds
- ¼ Tomato - sliced and patted dry
- 1 slice Smoked gouda
- 1 cup Fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Yellow mustard
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the mayo, both mustards, Worcestershire, and honey, and mix well.1 teaspoon Mayonnaise,1 teaspoon Dijon mustard,1 teaspoon Yellow mustard,¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce,1 teaspoon Honey
- Spread the honey mustard over one side of each slice of bread.2 slices Bread
- Top the slices with sliced onions and tomatoes, then a sprinkle of salt.¼ small Red onion,¼ Tomato,¼ teaspoon Salt
- Add a layer of cheese, then sliced ham.1 slice Smoked gouda,3 slices Ham
- Crack some black pepper over top and add fresh spinach.¼ teaspoon Pepper,1 cup Fresh spinach
- Top with the last slice of bread, sauce-side-down. Slice, and enjoy!
Notes
-
- Make the honey mustard dip ahead of time! Doing so will let the flavors meld, resulting in a more flavorful spread.
-
- If using deli ham, use 5-6 slices. If using thick cut or roast ham, just 1-2 slices is plenty!
-
- Any fresh green will work for these sandwiches. You can also use arugula, romaine, or watercress.
-
- If you don't like smoked cheese, any creamy cheese will work.
-
- Bread: You can use any bread you'd like for this recipe, or use your favorite roll or bun! Or, roll the ingredients up in a tortilla for an easy ham wrap.
-
- Cheese: Smoked gouda can have a very powerful flavor. For a milder cheese, try mozzarella, plain gouda, swiss, or muenster.
-
- Spinach: Pick your favorite fresh green! I like swapping the spinach out for arugula or romaine lettuce depending on what flavors I want.
-
- Soy free: If you can't have soy, don't add the Worcestershire sauce to the honey mustard, as it contains trace amounts of soy in the flavoring.
-
- Ham: I like using leftover sliced ham from a holiday spiral-cut ham! The thick slices are perfect for sandwiches. However, you can also use deli-style sandwich ham, or even turkey or roast beef.
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