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26 Healthy Sandwich Ideas That Aren’t Turkey or Tuna

Tired of turkey and cheese on white? Same. Enter these nutritious recipes that will bust you out of your lunch rut pronto. From a protein-packed wrap with a secret (psst: it’s store-bought rotisserie chicken) to a multicolored masterpiece with all the veggies, these meals are sure to make you the envy of the breakroom. Here are 26 healthy sandwich ideas that will change how you see lunchtime forever.

RELATED 10 Clean-Eating Sandwich Recipes That Are Actually Filling


1. Rainbow Collard Wraps With Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce

Your work friends are going to be super jealous. Especially if you let them taste the sweet chili-peanut butter sauce.

2. Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich

Substitute mayo with creamy avocado and Greek yogurt for a light take on a classic. It’ll also be a hit at your next cookout.

3. Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches With Balsamic Beets

A childhood favorite that’s all grown up and super sophisticated. We’re talking balsamic-beet purée, nutty rye bread and tangy goat cheese.

4. Buffalo Chicken Wraps With Blue Cheese And Celery

The kids will be psyched to find these in their lunch boxes. Rotisserie chicken and store-bought buffalo sauce make them a cinch to put together.

5. Oven-baked Chicken Kofta Wraps

See ya, tortillas. Keep the carbs to a minimum by using butter lettuce to wrap up the seasoned chicken, fresh veggies and lemon-garlic aioli.

6. Roasted Cauliflower Sliders

Yup, they’re totally vegetarian. Roast the cauliflower slices in the oven or grill them on the barbecue. We’ll take extra Sriracha yogurt, please.

7. Salmon Blt

Lemony salmon never goes out of style. Use light bread and turkey or veggie bacon to bring down the calories.

8. Grilled Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Grated ginger. Minced lemongrass. Sesame oil. Sweet chili sauce. No bread required. Just squeeze on some fresh lime and dig in.

9. Green Goddess Wraps

Welcome to veggie heaven. Think broccolini, cucumber, green pepper, avocado and basil dressed in an umami-rich, creamy dressing.

10. Rainbow Vegetable Sandwich

Roy G. Biv would approve. Get your fill of alfalfa sprouts, carrots and purple cabbage in every bite between layers of herbed cream cheese.

11. Smashed Chickpea, Avocado And Pesto Salad Sandwich

Who knew our three favorite things played so nicely together? You only need 10 minutes and six ingredients to get a taste.

12. Roasted Sweet Potato Sandwich With Apples, Pesto, Kale And Blue Cheese

A vegetarian queen that boasts fresh produce, salty blue-cheese crumbles and easy store-bought pesto. Where do we sign?

13. Charred Corn And Goat Cheese Avocado Toast

Prep two pieces and boom: It’s an open-faced sandwich. Char the corn on the stove or fire up the grill if you have the time. It’ll be well worth the extra work.

14. Miso Mango Chicken Salad Cabbage Wraps

Give lettuce a break and meet its low-carb cousin. Miso paste, diced mango and coconut milk create a salad that’s destined to become your new go-to.

15. Chickpea Gyros

This pita sammie is packed with protein-rich chickpeas and tons of fresh veggies, so feel free to go ham with the homemade tzatziki. We definitely will.

16. Crock-pot Chicken Salad Sliders

Introduce your favorite gluten-free rolls to this GF gem. Make a batch on Sunday night and you’ll have lunch for the whole week.

17. 10-minute White Bean Artichoke Basil Toast

It’s healthy, easy and vegan. What’s not to like? Jarred artichoke hearts spike the salad with a vinegary brine while lemon juice brightens up earthy greens and white beans.

18. The Green Thumb Sandwich

They’re your childhood tea party finger sandwiches…turned up to 100. Layer cucumber, green pepper, avocado, alfalfa sprouts and tangy yogurt dressing atop a schmear of herbed goat cheese.

19. Mexican Avocado Egg Salad Collard Green Wraps

Spice up your favorite fruit with roasted green chiles, jalapeño peppers, cumin and paprika. Go extra decadent and creamy with a spoonful of vegan mayo.

20. Mediterranean Grilled Cheese Sandwich

You’re seven ingredients away from your new favorite comfort food. Pile on feta, red onion, and black olives before grilling between slices of hearty bread.

21. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Sandwich

We’re bored of mayonnaise. Substitute plain Greek yogurt for a creamy, 15-minute staple full of apples, grapes, dried cranberries and slivered almonds.

22. California Rainbow Veggie Sub

This baby’s big enough to share with a friend. Go the extra mile and bake a batch of easy chipotle-BBQ kale chips to munch alongside it. See ya, spuds.

23. Hummus Veggie Wraps

Our favorite part about this recipe is how customizable it is. Pick and choose your veggies and wrap, then use whatever hummus you have on hand. Better yet, try making your own.

24. Simple Cottage Cheese Sandwich

Sometimes less really is more. All you need are bread, cottage cheese and whatever veggies are hiding in your crisper drawer (we like cucumber and avocado).

25. Avocado Caprese Wrap

The only thing that could make this beloved salad better? Sliced avocado. We just might throw in some grilled zucchini too, just for fun.

26. Microwave Egg And Vegetable Breakfast Sandwich

OK, we’re about to blow your mind. If you put egg whites in a ramekin and microwave them, they cook into a round patty just about the size of a bagel. You’re welcome.

RELATED 9 No-Brainer Wrap Sandwich Ideas



taryn pire

Food Editor

  • Contributes to PureWow's food vertical
  • Spearheads PureWow's recipe vertical and newsletter
  • Studied English and writing at Ithaca College