Why Your Sandwich Should Have Condiments On More Than Just The Bread

Building a sandwich is like building a house: Both require a strong foundation — and room for fun, quirky details. A sandwich needs a hearty, toasty bread base to gently cradle the proteins and vegetables that are inevitably piled high on top. But a great sandwich also demands space for condiments to roam, meld, drip, and ooze all over — much more than the bread alone allows. If you're building sandwiches that restrict mayo, butter, mustard, ketchup, or any other condiment to just the bread slices, I beg you to reconsider. Otherwise, it's in danger of becoming a sandwich no one wants to eat.

Condiments are the much-needed magical detail that transform your basic bite into a flavor-packed, lip-smacking nosh that leaves you craving more. It's why they belong between layers of sliced cheese, crunchy vegetables, and your favorite proteins. Besides adding acidity, flavor, texture, and tang, condiments play a role in retaining moisture, adding color, and offering an element of surprise. When it comes to condiments, you can never have too many on your sandwich.

Condiments unleash creativity and playful personality, turning a mundane meal into a festive celebration. Breakfast sandwiches benefit from sweet-and-savory duos like an herby cream cheese paired with a fruit chutney or a homemade honey butter (or another compound butter). Turkey clubs get a boost from green goddess dressing and an apricot barbecue sauce.

The next time you make a sandwich, allow your imagination to take over. Think about salty-spicy combinations, like olive tapenade with a grainy mustard, or creamy-crunchy duos like garlicky hummus and tangy giardiniera. Or, throw together a chipotle mayo and a citrusy avocado spread for something totally unexpected. A word of warning: Balance heavier condiments, like a thick smear of port wine cheese, with even distributions of lighter sauces, oils, or spices. The goal is to challenge yourself to slather on multiple condiments that complement each other in every bite.