How to Keep Your Sandwiches From Getting Soggy (2024)

Kelli Foster

Kelli FosterSenior Contributing Food Editor

Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.

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Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn

Andrea Rivera WawrzynAssociate Food Editor, The Kitchn

Andrea is the Associate Food Editor at The Kitchn. She is a lifelong chef and full-time clog enthusiast. Her passions include grabbing more books at the library than she can read in the time allotted and the relentless pursuit of the perfect burrito. She lives in Salem, MA with her husband and two cats.

updated May 29, 2024

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How to Keep Your Sandwiches From Getting Soggy (1)

When it comes to packing a quick and easy work lunch in advance, I find sandwiches are one of the best options. Sure, there’s an art to choosing the right ingredient combo, but the real key is knowing how to make a sandwich that’s just as good at lunch as it was when you assembled it (read: avoiding the dreaded soggy bread!). These seven tips will help you prevent soggy sandwiches for good.

Don’t be shy with spreads and condiments.

It may seem counterintuitive, but slathering on a layer of mayo, mustard, pesto, or hummus plays a crucial role in keeping sandwich bread intact and sogginess at bay. Condiments and spreads act as a barrier between the bread and meat, cheese, or veggies that make up the sandwich, and keep excess moisture from seeping into the bread.

Slather on the butter, too.

That same principle also applies to butter. Whether you brush a thin layer of melted and cooled butter over the inside of each slice of bread or slather on some softened butter (go for the good salted stuff!), it makes a big difference in keeping bread fresh — and provides extra flavor, too.

Pat damp ingredients dry.

Some ingredients are guaranteed to add extra moisture to your sandwich. Pat wet ingredients like sliced tomato and cucumber with paper towels to minimize dampness.

Use crusty bread, a roll, or tortillas instead of sliced sandwich bread.

If you want some extra insurance that your sandwich won’t be soggy when lunch rolls around, start with something super sturdy. Instead of sliced sandwich bread, go for a heartier option like a crusty baguette, ciabatta, or a roll.

Toast the bread.

If you insist on sliced sandwich bread, consider toasting it first. While its crunch won’t keep, toasting dries out the bread, which curbs its ability to soak up as much moisture and prevents soggy bread.

Avoid making a sandwich with warm ingredients.

If your sandwich includes cooked ingredients, let them cool completely before assembling your sandwich. Warm ingredients tend to give off condensation (which can make bread soggy), so cold or room-temperature ingredients are your best bet for sandwiches that will keep.

Consider ingredient placement.

In addition to using a slather of condiments to protect the bread, be thoughtful about the positioning of ingredients. For example, keep wetter ingredients like tomatoes towards the center of the sandwich, so they’re not in direct contact with the bread.

Our Favorite Sandwich Recipes to Pack for Lunch

How to Keep Your Sandwiches From Getting Soggy (2024)

FAQs

How to Keep Your Sandwiches From Getting Soggy? ›

Use crusty bread, a roll, or tortillas instead of sliced sandwich bread. If you want some extra insurance that your sandwich won't be soggy when lunch rolls around, start with something super sturdy. Instead of sliced sandwich bread, go for a heartier option like a crusty baguette, ciabatta, or a roll.

Will mayo make a sandwich soggy overnight? ›

Put the condiments in the middle

The moisture in those condiments will, inevitably, soak into the bread, leaving you with a mushy mess. (And yes, we know about the mayonnaise barrier theory (Chef Jeffrey abides by it), but our experience says that mayo, too, makes for soggy bread.)

How to keep PB&J from getting soggy? ›

"Use the proper amount of jelly, but don't spread it on the whole slice," the commenter said. Then, when you're ready to eat, gently push the middle of your sandwich so that the jelly spreads out. This cuts down on the jelly-to-bread exposure time, which is what makes the bread go soggy.

How do you keep food from getting soggy? ›

Keep Food Loosely Wrapped

If you have to wrap food before putting it in a container, be careful not to wrap it too tightly. You may think that a tight wrap will keep the food fresh, but all it does is seal in moisture and ensure that it will be soggy if it isn't eaten quickly.

How do you keep sandwiches from drying out? ›

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Tinfoil is great for keeping your sandwich from drying out, and it's also good for keeping warm sandwiches warm.

How do you make ahead sandwiches that don't get soggy? ›

Use. Parchment paper checks all the boxes: It's slightly porous and absorbs some moisture that other materials don't. Be sure to employ the double-wrap technique: Wrap your sandwich in one layer, cut the sandwich in half through the parchment paper, and then wrap it again for extra security.

How to keep sandwiches fresh for a party? ›

Cover with cling film, then place in the fridge ready for your party. When your guests arrive, simply pull out the sandwiches and remove the clingfilm to serve. Easy! Ideally, you should aim to make your sandwiches as close to the day of your party as possible for the best flavor and freshness.

How to make tomato sandwiches not soggy? ›

First, simply reduce their moisture by resting or patting tomato slices with a paper towel before sprinkling them with a pinch of salt. Next, add the tomato slices last when constructing your sandwich. This trick can also be applied to other wet ingredients, such as pickles.

What is the best bread for make ahead sandwiches? ›

Take tips from these classic sandwiches for a meal that's ready when you are. The bread: The key to keeping your sandwich together is to use bread that's crusty on the outside but soft on the inside, like a baguette or hard Portuguese roll.

How long can a sandwich with mayo sit? ›

You can let an opened jar of mayonnaise sit out at room temperature for up to 8 hours, says the United States Department of Agriculture, but the official recommendation for the sandwiches themselves is actually 2 hours at normal room temperature. It would be best to use a cooler that's as cold as you can do.

How do you reheat a sandwich so it doesn't get soggy? ›

Mild heat will prevent you from burning your food, so don't get impatient and use the highest setting available. Once you've turned on your toaster oven, cover your sandwich in aluminum wrap and place it inside for up to 10 minutes.

How to stop a sandwich from going soggy? ›

Toast the bread.

If you insist on sliced sandwich bread, consider toasting it first. While its crunch won't keep, toasting dries out the bread, which curbs its ability to soak up as much moisture and prevents soggy bread.

How do you make a sandwich the night before? ›

I often do them the night before and keep in the fridge, wrapped. No issues with anything going dry. You can make them days before. Wrap them in brown greaseproof paper then into a zip lock bag in the freezer.

Do you refrigerate peanut butter and jelly after opening? ›

According to The National Peanut Board, an unopened jar of peanut butter can last six to nine months at room temperature. Once opened, they say that it can last two to three months in the pantry before you should move it to the fridge, where it can maintain quality for another three to four months.

How far in advance can I make sandwiches? ›

It depends how you make it and what you put into it, but commercial sandwiches go soggy after about eight hours in the fridge.

How do you keep bread from getting soggy in the refrigerator? ›

The paper bag absorbs the moisture, while the plastic bag you slide over it and the bread will prevent it from getting stale. You can do the same thing at home by wrapping your loaf with paper towels or a tea towel, and then storing it in a sealable freezer bag or other container.

How do you add moisture to a sandwich? ›

Adding spreads and condiments to your sandwich makes a significant difference in its texture, not only by preventing it from being uncomfortably dry but also by elevating the overall taste. Some popular condiments to try are Dijon mustard, hummus, cranberry sauce, guacamole, barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, and pesto.

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