The Secret Ingredient To The Perfect Sandwich Is Something You Don't Even Have To Buy

Building the perfect sandwich is, in many ways, in the eye of the beholder. Whether you prefer cold cuts to grilled chicken, romaine over iceberg, or mayonnaise more than mustard is entirely up to you. However, besides building layers of flavor with all your favorite ingredients, there is one secret element that all bread-bound meals should have in order to give the dish that perfect balance and mouthfeel: texture. It's one of those simple things that can easily elevate the typical lunch meat sandwich.

Adding different textures to your sandwich is imperative for a better bite and increasing its overall appeal. If you leave a saucy sandwich too long, the whole thing becomes soggy and unenjoyable. The same goes for the reverse: Overly toasted bread impairs the sandwich's texture and can even hurt to eat. That's why careful layering, thinking about ingredients, and choosing the right bread are all essential parts of building the best sandwich. You should know how to pack it, too, to make sure that everything stays intact if there is time between when you make it and eat it.

Every element of a sandwich matters, but you don't have much of a sandwich until you decide what bread to put it on. What would happen if you put a crispy grilled hot dog on a toasted bagel instead of a fluffy bun? It probably wouldn't feel right when you bite into it. Choosing the best bread to accompany your ingredients is step one, and there are plenty of options.

If you're using mostly soft ingredients, such as tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, and fresh herbs, then consider pairing that Caprese-style interior with the crunch of a toasted baguette or ciabatta loaf. The heartier exterior crust will act as a nice contrast to the softer ingredients. If you're making a BLT, that crunchy bacon and softer tomato need something in between, such as lightly toasted white bread or Japanese milk bread (which also makes great French toast). Keep in mind the bread's thickness, too, and how you want it to factor into the sandwich. If you prefer strong, savory flavors like prosciutto and pesto, then don't be afraid to pair it with the loftier crumb and rich bite of something like focaccia.

If you're eating the sandwich as soon as you make it, then you have a little more freedom with layering because there isn't as much time for anything to get soggy. This changes if you're packing it to-go since you want any crunch to remain in its original form until you eat it. To prevent toasted bread from getting soggy, add a big piece of lettuce in between each bread slice and the toppings; this prevents the sauces, tomato slices, or other soggy ingredients from damaging the bread's structure. The lettuce will also help secure other ingredients, keeping the fillings from falling out of the sandwich.

If you want to add texture with potato chips or bacon, you have a couple of options: Either separate them from the wetter ingredients with lettuce or sliced cheese or pack the crispy ingredients in a bag and then add them to the sandwich just before you eat it to ensure maximum interplay between crunchy and soft. Consider packing sauces on the side, too, which will also reduce potential sogginess. Finally, don't forget to season your layers, which means more flavor in every bite.

Not every sandwich calls for something crunchy, but if possible, it's best to incorporate crisp ingredients to build a bigger bite. One quick and delicious example is to rethink the classic PB&J by using toasted bread like Ina Garten – you'll be amazed at how much that little bit of extra texture contributes to the sandwich (especially if you prefer smooth peanut butter).

Romaine adds volume to all kinds of sandwiches (and arguably makes them prettier), but for the most crispness, stick with iceberg; it's one of the few truly crunchy leafy greens. Of course, bacon and potato chips are always solid options, but if you're making a chicken salad sandwich, for example, consider adding walnuts or pistachios right into the mix as well, which will help balance the salad's softer components. Vegetables such as red onions and radishes not only add vegetal crunch but also bring a little peppery freshness to the sandwich; freshly sliced jalapeños contribute a good dose of heat while also providing some textural contrast. Ultimately, though, no matter how you build your ideal sandwich, as long as you keep texture top of mind, your hoagies, heroes, and all the rest should all be handheld hits.