Top 20 easy sandwich filling ideas

Got some cooked chicken that needs using up? Our savvy suggestions for the cheapest sandwich filling will help you to turn your leftovers into our easy coronation chicken, you can make it in just five minutes. This simple sandwich filling is packed with curry spices and a touch of sweetness from a dollop of mango chutney. It's also delicious on top of a humble jacket potato or as part of a green salad. Find more coronation chicken recipes and try madeover versions like our coronation pies.

2. Ploughman's sandwich

You can't go wrong with a cheesy classic. Try a traditional ploughman's sandwich, filled with ham, cheddar and plenty of tangy pickle. Upgrade your mayo with a spoonful of wholegrain mustard and add some crunch with thin slices of fresh apple. Top with peppery rocket and enjoy!

3. Club sandwich

Layer up a gastro pub classic and curb your cravings with a chunky club sandwich. It's hard to resist a towering treat made with strips of crispy bacon, chicken and all the trimmings. Or, try our delicious veggie alternative packed with creamy hummus, avocado and sweet cherry tomatoes. This doorstop green club sandwich will keep you going until dinner time. Hosting a party or having a few friends over, delight your guests with our spread of buffet sandwich ideas, designed to cater to every taste.

4. Crab & cucumber

Make your sandwiches a little bit special with our lemony crab & cucumber clubs. Combine soft white crab meat with mayo, chives and fresh lemon zest, alongside slices of crisp cucumber. They made a delicious celebratory treat or afternoon tea plate. Try our best ever crab sandwiches for a substantial mix of brown and white crab meat with plenty of spices and seasoning.

5. Chicken Caesar

Whip up something filling and healthy with our speedy Caesar pitta. Make a quick yogurt dressing with a few simple ingredients, then add plenty of salad, seasoning and tender chicken for a winning lunch. It also works well with leftover turkey. Go from prep to plate in just 10 minutes and give everyone in your house food envy at the same time.

6. Smoked salmon and avocado

Layer up hot smoked salmon, peppery rocket and slices of buttery avocado in our salmon club sandwich. This indulgent triple-decker is the perfect balance of flavours and textures. Serve with any leftover rocket as an easy side salad. Serving a bigger family? Try our salmon & egg wraps with moreish mustard mayo.

7. Herby chicken gyros

Indulge in a pitta full of glorious Greek-inspired flavours with our herby chicken gyros. Get a taste of the summer with sweet peppers, homemade tzatziki and garlicky chicken breast. You can also sub in a bit of lean steak as a healthy swap for chicken.

8. Schnitzel sandwich

Layer up parmesan-coated chicken schnitzel with crisp little gem lettuce to make a sandwich that will be the envy of all of your colleagues. Sriracha or another chilli sauce of your choice provides the cherry on top. Discover more schnitzel recipes.

9. Next level steak sandwich

Treat yourself and a loved one to this next level sandwich oozing with a horseradish and Dijon mustard mayo to offset tender slices of grilled sirloin steak. It's a winner. Try more sirloin steak recipes to impress.

10. Spiced chicken & onion bhaji sandwich

Ring the changes at lunchtime with a towering creation made from tandoori-spiced chicken, crisp onion bhaji and a tamarind mayo. Sliced cucumber and tomato add balancing coolness for an undeniably fabulous sandwich.

11. Arepa reina pepiada (chicken, mayo & avocado)

Take your tastebuds on a trip to Venezuela with this popular street food snack. Make your arepa dough with white or yellow harina (available online) which is then griddled until light and fluffy. Tear them open and stuff with the tangy avocado and creamy chicken mayo filling. Feeling inspired? Try more street food recipes.

12. Air-fryer cheese & ham toastie

Is there anything an air-fryer can't do?! The classic ham and cheese toastie filling is taken to the next level with generous hunks of sourdough bread along with gruyère cheese. Discover more oozy cheese toastie inspiration.

13. Fried chicken waffle sandwich

For a lunch of champions, upgrade standard bread to homemade pancetta waffles. Garlic sauce, chicken tenders, rocket and sliced tomatoes complete the winning combination. Try more fried chicken ideas.

14. Bánh mì

Make an authentic Vietnamese sandwich from home with honey and lemongrass baked chicken, coarse pâté and pickled carrot & daikon. Top with obligatory fresh coriander leaves and sliced red chilli if prefer a little more heat. For a plant-based version, try our vegan banh mi.

15. Best ever Christmas leftovers sandwich

For some, a Christmas leftovers sandwich is even better than Christmas dinner on the big day itself. This one definitely makes itself a veritable contender with stacked up thick slices of leftover roast turkey, pigs in blankets, a pickled red cabbage to cut through the richness. If you've got any leftover gravy use this for dunking. Find more inspiration for your leftovers at Christmas.

Vegetarian sandwich fillings

16. Egg & cress

Take some inspiration from an afternoon tea favourite and try a simple and summery egg & cress club sandwich – kids and adults alike will wolf these down. Toast the bread for a little extra texture and bite. These hefty handfuls are great for picnic lunches or a simple storecupboard lunch.

17. Vegetarian club sandwich

Stack up a meat-free marvel in a flash with our vegetarian club recipe. This vibrant veggie meal uses crunchy grated carrot, super-smooth hummus and juicy tomatoes. Even hardcore carnivores will be converted by this wholesome toasted treat. Get stuck into even more vibrant vegetarian lunch recipes.

18. Smoky beetroot, feta & hummus focaccia with crunchy seeds

Nail the veggie sandwich with the perfect balance of crunchy seeds, smoky beetroot and creamy feta, all enveloped in thick slices of focaccia. Find more vegetarian sandwich ideas.

Vegan sandwich fillings

19. Beetroot, hummus & crispy chickpeas

Add a pop of colour to your plate with our vegan beetroot, hummus & crispy chickpea sub sandwich. Load up crusty ciabatta with hummus, pesto and golden fried chickpeas to keep hunger at bay. For more wraps, soups and salads to satisfy your stomach check out our vegan lunch recipes.

20. Vegan meatball focaccia subs

Vegans need not miss out on thick slices of focaccia goodness, especially this one loaded with vegan meatballs and cheese. It serves four and keeps for 24 hours, so you and a special someone can enjoy its moreish temptations for two days on the trot.

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What's your favourite go-to sandwich filling? Leave a comment below...