Sandwiches are, in my humble opinion, kitchen royalty. They’re an easy way to get in multiple food groups, they’re super easy to customize, and you can add so many different fillings that you’ll never really get tired of them. We have tons of sandwich recipes for people looking to branch out a bit, and we also have tips for taking your sandwich to the next level because you’ve surely coveted a diner or restaurant-quality sandwich before. If you’re wondering what sets a restaurant’s sandwich apart from yours, you’re probably not missing much more than a little seasoning.
The easiest way to make your sandwich way more flavorful is to season it, which is kind of hilariously obvious in retrospect, right? You wouldn’t leave your soups, entrees, or side dishes unseasoned, and yet hardly anyone ever seasons their sandwich ingredients. Fortunately, you don’t need an expensive spice rack to get the best seasoned sandwich, so let’s dive into the nitty-gritty on how to season yours.
What sort of seasonings should you go for?
When you’re looking for sandwich seasonings, all you really need are salt and pepper. This is especially true if you’ve got a produce-heavy sandwich. Seasoning your tomatoes with salt and pepper draws out excess moisture and concentrates that bright flavor, all while keeping your bread fresh. A little pepper on your deli meat enhances the taste, and the same goes for your onions, lettuce, avocado, and more. Even just a tiny touch of salt serves as a major flavor booster, so don’t be afraid to add a dash, even if your meats are already seasoned. I suggest laying your ingredients out and seasoning each side with salt and pepper, too, rather than attempting to do so on top of your already assembled sandwich. This guarantees a good spread of flavor across every ingredient, so each bite will pop.
If you want to expand beyond salt and pepper, sprinkle some celery salt on turkey sandwiches and black pepper on ham. Tossing some Old Bay seasoning on shrimp and packing it into a baguette can give you an elevated seafood experience, and curry powder and Kewpie mayonnaise make for a delicious tuna salad binder. If you like spice, chili powder or Sichuan peppercorn may be just the thing your sandwich needs, along with a little dash of chili crisp for moisture. Once you start experimenting with seasonings, you can say goodbye to the old era of dry, boring sandwiches for good.
