Make Ahead Picnic Deli Sandwich Recipes

MAKE-AHEAD SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the ketchup, pickles, salt, pepper, garlic powder and pepper sauce; heat through. Stir in cheese. , Place about 1/3 cupful on six buns; serve immediately. Cover and refrigerate remaining meat mixture until cool. , Fill the remaining buns; wrap individually in heavy-duty foil and seal tightly. Freeze for up to 3 months. , To use frozen sandwiches: Bake in foil at 400° for 30-35 minutes or until heated through.

MAKE-AHEAD PICNIC DELI SANDWICH

Steps:

• Using a serrated knife horizontally slice about 1-inch off the top of the bread loaf.
• Pull the soft center from bottom half of the loaf, making a shell with about 1/2-inch thick walls (reserve the soft bread for another use).
• In a bowl mix the vinaigrette dressing with chopped cucumber, tomato and chives.
• Brush or spoon about half of the mixture evenly over the interior of the bread shell, also spooon enough dressing on the cut side of the loaf to moisten.
• Layer the cheese slices, then bell pepper slices, turkey, salami and onion in the shell.
• Sprinkle with black pepper if desired.
• Drizzle any remaining dressing over the filling.
• Set the bread top over filling.
• Wrap the sandwich in plastic wrap and chill for a minimum of 3 hours or up to 1 day.
• Unwrap and slice into desired portions.

MAKE-AHEAD HAM AND CAPRESE PICNIC SANDWICH

Steps:

• Add the olive oil, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Then add the tomato and coat in the dressing. Set aside.
• Slice the loaf of bread in half through the center and open it like a book, cut side up. Remove some of the crumb from the bread and use for something else.
• Spoon 3 tablespoons of the tomato dressing over the bottom half of bread. Place the ham on top of the bottom half of bread in an even layer. Top the ham with the mozzarella and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Layer the tomatoes on top of the mozzarella. Top the tomatoes with the basil. Drizzle the remaining tomato dressing on the top half of the bread. Place the top on and wrap the sandwich tightly with plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate the sandwich for 3 to 4 hours. Unwrap and cut into 6 pieces when ready to serve.

LAYERED PICNIC LOAVES

Steps:

• Cut loaves in half horizontally; hollow out tops and bottoms, leaving 1/2-in. shells (discard removed bread or save for another use). , Combine oil and garlic; brush inside bread shells. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Layer bottom of each loaf with a fourth of each: roast beef, mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, salami, artichokes, salad greens, chicken and onion. Repeat layers. Season with salt, pepper and remaining Italian seasoning. , Drizzle with remaining oil mixture if desired. Replace bread tops; wrap tightly and refrigerate at least 1 hour before slicing.