Our Best Ham Sandwiches

sl-Grilled Ham-and-Cheese Sandwiches with Strawberry-Shallot Jam

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

If you ever find yourself in a pinch for a good meal, ham, cheese, and bread are there for you. Just because ham sandwiches are simple and ever-so reliable doesn't mean you have to stop at a bare-bones recipe, though. Switching up your cheese, spreading on some jam or even (well, especially) adding a little heat will take your humble ham sandwich to an incredible new level. Who said basic had to be boring?

Start Slideshow

1 of 24

Ham and Dijon Grilled Cheese

Photo: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Ham and Dijon Grilled Cheese Recipe

2 of 24

Ham and Manchego Sandwiches with Tomato Jam

Caitlin Bensel

Ham and Manchego Sandwiches with Tomato Jam Recipe
Notes: Manchego is a firm Spanish sheep's-milk cheese. Make and wrap sandwiches just before packing.

3 of 24

Ham-and-Fontina Sourdough Sandwiches

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Ham-and-Fontina Sourdough Sandwiches Recipe

Bring life back into your lunch with Ham-and-Fontina Sourdough Sandwiches. Deli ham gets dressed up with a pesto-mayonnaise mixture, fontina cheese, and basil leaves.

4 of 24

Grilled Ham, Peach and Cheddar Sandwiches

Photo: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Andrea Steinberg

Grilled Ham, Peach and Cheddar Sandwiches Recipe

5 of 24

Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

tifs

Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches Recipe

6 of 24

Pressed Cuban Sandwiches

Charles E. Walton IV

Pressed Cuban Sandwiches Recipe
A traditional Cuban sandwich packs roast pork and thinly sliced ham. We've switched it up a bit, subbing in leftover ham and turkey. For best results, use two cast-iron skillets or a sandwich press.

7 of 24

Ham and Pineapple Slaw Wraps

Photo: Con Poulos

Ham and Pineapple Slaw Wraps Recipe

8 of 24

Mini Ham Sandwiches

Photo: Johnny Autry and Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Mini Ham Sandwiches Recipe
For a quick appetizer, serve Mini Ham Sandwiches at your next gathering, or serve these simple ham sandwiches as a hearty accompaniment to your favorite soup.

9 of 24

Fancy Ham and Cheese

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Fancy Ham and Cheese Recipe
We raise the bar with our Fancy Ham and Cheese sandwiches adding Gruyere cheese, dried apricot halves, and toasted pistachios.

10 of 24

Ham and Spinach Focaccia Sandwiches

Randy Mayor; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Ham and Spinach Focaccia Sandwiches Recipe
Look for focaccia in the bakery section of your grocery store.

11 of 24

Ham and Swiss Egg Sandwiches

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Ham and Swiss Egg Sandwiches Recipe

12 of 24

Mozzarella, Ham, and Basil Panini

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Mozzarella, Ham, and Basil Panini Recipe

A few special ingredients--like freshly baked ciabatta bread or imported Dijon mustard--make a quick, simple sandwich seem like a treat.

13 of 24

Hawaiian Ham Sandwiches

Gooseberry Patch

Hawaiian Ham Sandwiches Recipe
With the perfect combination of sweet and salty flavors, these Hawaiian Ham Sandwiches are sure to be crowd-pleasers. Serve them during the holidays or during a football party–they are great for any occasion.

14 of 24

Grilled Ham, Muenster, and Spinach Sandwiches

Photo: Oxmoor House

Grilled Ham, Muenster, and Spinach Sandwiches Recipe
Spinach offers a vitamin-rich alternative to lettuce in this sandwich. Chowchow is a mustard-flavored mixed vegetable and pickle relish available on the condiment aisle. Often served alongside pork and cooked greens, here it adds a subtle tang that complements the ham and spinach.

Prep: 7 minutes; Cook: 4 minutes

15 of 24

Ham and Mustard Crostini

Photo: Greg DuPree; Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Ham and Mustard Crostini Recipe

For an elevated spin on classic ham sandwich, top your next crostini with thinly sliced prosciutto (or ham), cream cheese spread, your favorite mustard-mayonnaise sauce, and chive sprigs for a fresh, open-faced toast that are perfect for entertaining.

16 of 24

Ham and Cheese Party Sandwiches

Ham and Cheese Party Sandwiches Recipe
Cut these sandwiches in half or quarters to show off the colorful layers and make them easier to hold.

17 of 24

Dijon Croque Monsieur

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro

Dijon Croque Monsieur Recipe

Instead of your usual ham and cheese, try this sandwich that's enhanced by the zip of whole-grain mustard.

18 of 24

Ham and Mushroom Quesadillas

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Ham and Mushroom Quesadillas Recipe
Serve these quesadillas with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole. Flip them gently so that the filling stays inside. You can keep the quesadillas warm by placing them in the oven at the lowest setting.

19 of 24

Nuevo Cubano

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Nuevo Cubano Recipe
This update on a traditional Cuban sandwich adds a spicy black bean spread and sweet mango, which balances the salty ham. If mango isn't your thing, use low-acid tomatoes.

20 of 24

Prosciutto and Gruyere Strombolis

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke and Celine Chenoweth

Prosciutto and Gruyere Strombolis Recipe

This is no ordinary ham and Swiss. This five-ingredient recipe comes together quickly to yield a tasty Italian sandwich.

21 of 24

Pear-Prosciutto Toast

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Claire Spollen

Pear-Prosciutto Toast Recipe

We fancified the classic ham and cheese sammy with prosciutto, Swiss, and pear. Fig preserves provide the can't-quite-place-it sweetness that elevates this toast; you can sub 1/2 teaspoon honey.

22 of 24

Hoi An-style Oven-crisped Pork Sandwich (Banh Mi Thit Hoi An)

James Carrier

Hoi An-style Oven-crisped Pork Sandwich (Banh Mi Thit Hoi An) Recipe
Notes: This sandwich is a specialty of Hoi An, a charming old fishing village in central Vietnam. Its interplay of textures - cold cuts (pork loin, ham, or chicken; home-cooked or purchased), ground pork, greens, and cucumbers - is distinctive. Choose a sweet baguette with a light, slightly soft interior and thin, crisp crust. You can assemble the sandwiches through step 2 up to 1 hour ahead; cover loosely and let stand at room temperature.

23 of 24

Grilled Ham-and-Cheese Sandwiches with Strawberry-Shallot Jam