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These Aren't The Pool Sandwiches From Your Childhood—They're Even Better

Chips stuffed inside are optional (but very much recommended).

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club sandwich layered with tomato, turkey, ham, bacon, and lettuce
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN

Remember when you were a kid at the pool, and you could swim for hours and hours, and never get tired? Really the only reason to get out was when adult swim was called (boooo), OR when it was time for lunch (hurray!). There were always picnic foods like pasta salad or big hunks of watermelon around, but nothing beat a packed-to-the-gills pool sandwich. Now that we’re adults, we might be less likely to engage in rousing games of Marco Polo or pool floor tea parties, but we’re still very into the idea of an incredible sandwich to eat in a deck chair in the sun. Chips stuffed inside are optional (but very much recommended).

We’ve got everything from classic simple sandwiches here, like our club sandwich, our BLT, and our Caprese sandwich, to more elaborate options, like our fried chicken Caesar sandwich, our Cuban sandwich (featuring a shortcut you’ll be obsessed with), or our muffuletta. Want something vegetarian? Our BBQ tempeh sandwich, our ultimate veggie sandwich, and our tofu bánh mì are for you. Feel like sandwiches are too unwieldy? We’ve included a few wraps here too, like our Tuscan chicken wraps and our turkey lavash wraps, because we know that by the pool, sometimes portability is key.

Want even more summer inspiration? Check out our top summer dinners, beach foods, and summer cocktails too.

1

Caprese Sandwich

toasted bread layered with mozzarella, tomato slices, basil, arugula, pesto, and balsamic
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Is there anything more summer-perfect than Caprese salad? We think not, so we decided that a Caprese sandwich should be the official sandwich of summer (or any time you get your hands on some perfect tomatoes).

Get the Caprese Sandwich recipe.

2

Chopped Sandwich

black forest ham, genoa salami, hot soppressata, and provolone cheese, chopped with classic italian sandwich veggies and pesto mayo on a toasted ciabatta roll
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Turns out, running a knife through your sandwich ingredients before piling them into a roll makes the whole ordeal of crushing a big hoagie a lot easier to manage. Not to mention—completely even dressing coverage.

Get the Chopped Sandwich recipe.

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3

Chicken Taco Torta

shredded chicken, veggies, and tortilla chips between two slices of bread
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

If you've had a Mexican torta, you know it's hearty enough to be dinner-worthy. This iteration of the torta is inspired by the Americanized version of the chicken taco, complete with shredded cheese, taco seasoning, and a layer of crunchy tortilla chips as an homage to the hard shell taco.

Get the Chicken Taco Torta recipe.

4

Cuban Sandwich

mojo marinated roast pork, thinly sliced deli ham, melty swiss cheese, and tangy dill pickles piled onto a cuban roll and griddled to golden brown perfection
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

It’s about time we developed a recipe for a shortcut Cuban sandwich. This version is everything you love about the classic—mojo marinated roast pork, thinly sliced deli ham, melty Swiss cheese, and tangy dill pickles piled onto a Cuban roll and griddled to golden brown perfection—but in a fraction of the time.

Get the Cuban Sandwich recipe.

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5

Club Sandwich

club sandwich layered with tomato, turkey, ham, bacon, and lettuce
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN

It may seem like a feat, but this mile-high sandwich is all too easy to make at home once you get your hands on all the ingredients. In 10 minutes, you’ll have a wow-worthy, towering lunch on your hands that we guarantee will make your pool day even better.

Get the Club Sandwich recipe.

6

Fried Chicken Caesar Sandwich

fried chicken caesar sandwich
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Did someone say fried chicken AND Caesar in the same sentence? Yes—you heard correctly. We’ve decided to combine two much-loved recipes to make this lip-smackingly delicious sandwich. Trust us—biting through the buttery, sweet brioche to meet the salty Caesar dressing dripping over crispy chicken is a masterpiece of a mouthful.

Get the Fried Chicken Caesar Sandwich recipe.

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7

Vegetarian Italian Sub

vegetarian italian sub stuffed with eggplant, zucchini and olive salad
PHOTO & FOOD STYLING: ANDREW BUI

The king of sandwiches is the Italian Hero, a sandwich filled to the brim with all manner of cured meat, cheese, and refreshingly crisp vegetables. They’re also the ultimate post-pool food, perfect to pair with chips and a cold beer.

Get the Vegetarian Italian Sub recipe.

8

Classic BLT

classic blt
Emily Hlavac Green

A classic BLT doesn't need much to be good, but we added some special ingredients anyway! Here we really elevate the bacon by brushing it with maple syrup and a little cayenne pepper, and spice up the mayo with some chili powder and paprika for a little kick.

Get the Classic BLT recipe.

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9

Big Mac Crunchwraps

big mac crunchwrap
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Craving fast food come lunch time, but trying to avoid the processed foods (and the lines!)? Make a Big Mac Crunchwrap at home instead. It's everything you love about both fast food treats, all in one.

Get the Big Mac Crunchwraps recipe.

10

Muffuletta

a layered muffuletta sandwich with meat, cheese, and olive salad
PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

The muffuletta was first served at Central Grocery, an Italian deli in Louisiana. Sicilian farmers would stop by the deli in between shifts at the French Market and juggle plates of olives, salumi, and cheese for lunch. To make it easier to eat, the owner slapped the ingredients between two pieces of bread, and the muffuletta was born. The more you know!

Get the Muffuletta recipe.

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11

Ultimate Veggie Sandwich

ultimate veggie sandwich horizontal
Andrew bui

There's something so special and refreshing about a sandwich that is absolutely packed to the gills with veggies. The miso eggplant in here makes this one extra special.

Get the Ultimate Veggie Sandwich recipe.

12

Eggplant BLT

eggplant bacon on a vegetarian blt
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Craving a BLT, but don't eat meat? Eggplant bacon to the rescue. Rich and smoky with just a touch of sweetness, this homemade vegan bacon is the perfect addition to everything from salads to breakfast sandwiches—and it makes a kick-butt poolside lunch.

Get the Eggplant Bacon recipe.

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13

Ham & Cheese Sandwich

ham and cheese sandwich on a light blue plate with potato chips
PARKER FEIERBACH

This ham sandwich is great for many reasons. It's got a beautiful golden crust (thanks mayo!), a quick and simple honey mustard sauce, and briny pickles for crunch. Make it with leftover spiral ham, and you've got yourself a prize-winning lunch.

Get the Ham & Cheese Sandwich recipe.

14

Curry Chickpea Salad Sandwich

curried chickpea salad
Erik bernstein

A good mayo-based “deli” salad is one of life's joys. A well-crafted tuna salad can really hit the spot, and a curried chicken salad is an amazing twist on the classic formula...unless you're vegetarian. Enter this chickpea "tuna" salad that hits all the same notes, without the meat!

Get the Curry Chickpea Salad Sandwich recipe.

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15

Sheet-Pan Italian Subs

sheet pan italian subs
Andrew bui

Need to feed a hungry pool party crew, fast? Nothing better than these packed Italian subs—they're assembled and baked on a sheet pan so everyone can eat all at the same time.

Get the Sheet-Pan Italian Subs recipe.

16

Baba Ghanoush Bagel Sandwich

bagel topped with baba ghanoush, sliced cucumber, arugula, and red onions
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

We've taken all the elements we love from a baba ghanoush mezze platter and made them portable in this open-faced sandwich. The silky eggplant dip is spread on a sesame bagel, then layered with crunchy cucumbers and radishes, peppery arugula, and lemony sumac-marinated onions, then topped with a sprinkle of za'atar.

Get the Baba Ghanoush Bagel Sandwich recipe.

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17

Ham Sandwich

ham sandwich
PARKER FEIERBACH

You're probably thinking, "I don't need a ham sandwich recipe", but this sandwich is worth following a recipe for. Making your own herb mayo—by mixing in a few fresh herbs and some olive oil—makes this sandwich stand above the rest.

Get the Ham Sandwich recipe.

18

Turkey Lavash Wrap

tortilla wrap with turkey, spinach, cucumbers, and red peppers
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This wrap is loaded with bright flavors and satisfying ingredients, making it hearty enough to keep you full until dinner, but not so heavy you require a poolside nap. It's filled with a zingy arugula salad, sliced turkey, roasted red peppers, and crunchy cucumbers, and sealed with a creamy goat cheese spread that might be the best part.

Get the Turkey Lavash Wrap recipe.

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19

Chicken Caesar Wraps

chicken caesar wrap
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Ask a random Delish employee what they’re going to order for lunch from a deli, and at least half of them will respond with a chicken Caesar wrap. And there’s very little question as to why! It’s one of the all-time best salads, tossed into a wrap. It’s simple yet timeless, like many of our favorite recipes are.

Get the Chicken Caesar Wraps recipe.

20

Reuben Sandwich

corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and russian dressing between toasted rye bread
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Here at Delish, the classic Reuben sandwich will always be one of our all-time lunch faves: The salty, cured corned beef balances perfectly with the tart sauerkraut and mild, almost creamy melted Swiss. Plus, it all sits between two slices of toasted rye bread, one of the best sandwich breads of all time (in our humble opinion).

Get the Reuben Sandwich recipe.

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