15 Things You Should Never Put in a Sandwich

When it comes to making the perfect sandwich, the right ingredients can make all the difference. At the same time, some items might sound like a fun idea to throw in, but not all of them work well between two slices of bread. Some can make your sandwich soggy, overpower the flavors, or clash with the other ingredients. Here are 15 things you should never put in a sandwich.

Raw Onion Slices

Most people like to put raw onions to add flavor to a sandwich, but they can quickly overwhelm your taste buds. The tangy bite of raw onions is way too strong for the soft texture of bread; the taste lingers for hours, and you’ll likely end up with onion breath that’s hard to shake. Try caramelizing onions to get the same flavor without any kind of punchy aftertaste (or bad breath). 

Hard Boiled Eggs

If you’re thinking of making a healthy sandwich by adding hard-boiled eggs, do not bother because that crumbly texture does not mix with bread and feels like you’re chewing chalk rather than enjoying a creamy filling. Scrambled or poached eggs are way better as they mix well with the bread, making the whole sandwich much more enjoyable.

Mayonnaise and Mustard Mix

Mayonnaise and mustard are two classic sandwich spreads that pretty much everyone knows and loves, but putting them together in one sandwich can be a bit too much for your taste buds. The tangy kick from the mustard combined with the smooth, creamy mayo can easily overwhelm the other flavors in your sandwich. Instead of mixing them, it’s a good idea to pick one, depending on what’s inside your sandwich. 

Sliced Watermelon

Do we even have to explain this? Watermelon might be one of the most refreshing fruits out there, but it’s not for sandwiches. As you bite into the sandwich, the juice from the watermelon will leak out and soak into the bread which will turn it mushy. If you’re craving something fruity in your sandwich, try slices of firmer fruits like apples or pears. These hold up better and won’t leave you with a soggy bite. 

Crispy Bacon

Everyone loves to put bacon in their sandwiches, but the crispy type can be more of a hindrance than a help. It can be too tough to bite through easily (especially if you overcook it), and the crispy bits can fall out and leave you with crumbs everywhere. If you want bacon, go for a softer and chewier version instead. This will give you all the flavor and texture you’re after without the hassle of trying to bite through brittle strips.

Avocado Toast

While avocado is one of the most popular (and pricier) sandwich ingredients, when you mash it too much, it can create a greasy filling that doesn’t work well with bread. The soft texture of avocado combined with soft bread makes for a sandwich that feels heavy and falls apart quickly. Rather than mashing it into oblivion, try slicing the avocado thickly. This way, it adds texture and creaminess without making your sandwich too wet or messy.

Canned Tuna

Canned tuna is a first choice for many when it comes to making sandwiches, but it doesn’t always turn out as great as you might hope. The canned version is usually pretty watery and has that strong fishy smell that can easily overpower the other ingredients in your sandwich. It tends to turn your bread very soggy, which can make it hard actually to enjoy your meal.

Coconut

Coconut has a great flavor in certain dishes, but it’s not the best pick for a sandwich. The flaky texture doesn’t go well with soft bread, and the sweetness can mess with the savory ingredients. If you want that tropical twist, add some slices of pineapple or mango as it will give you that tropical vibe but have a firmer texture that works way better with the other ingredients.

Chili

Chili is one of those dishes that’s comforting and delicious, but trying to put it in a sandwich is honestly a terrible plan. The liquid in chili soaks into the bread far too quickly, turning it soggy and making it almost impossible to enjoy. On top of that, the spices and heat from the chili can overpower all the other flavors and make the whole thing way too intense.

Chocolate Bars

While chocolate is amazing on its own or in desserts, it’s not something that you should mix with savory sandwich fillings. As soon as it starts to melt, it turns your sandwich into a messy and overly sweet mess. If you’re craving something chocolatey, try using Nutella spread, as it’s much smoother and works better in a sandwich.

Peanut Butter and Jelly

We know many of you love it, but the peanut butter can make your sandwich tough to bite into, while the jelly can drip everywhere, so you have to deal with a sticky mess. If you’re in the mood for this combo, use thinner layers and consider adding some fresh fruit or a sprinkle of granola to add crunch. It’ll help balance out the sticky and smooth textures, making it more enjoyable.

Ice Cream

It might seem fun to add ice cream to a sandwich, but it doesn’t work out. Ice cream melts fast, and when it’s between two slices of bread, it makes everything soggy. The cold, creamy texture just doesn’t go with soft bread and soon you’ll have a messy, sticky sandwich. If you’re craving something sweet, try a cookie sandwich instead. It’s a much better choice and won’t fall apart.

Blue Cheese

If you’re into blue cheese, you should know it can easily take over the whole flavor of your sandwich. Its strong, pungent taste tends to clash with milder stuff like turkey or lettuce. But if you still want to add it, just go easy on the blue cheese and pair it with things that work well with it, like grilled veggies or a mild protein so it doesn’t completely overpower the rest of your sandwich.

Pickled Herring

Pickled herring might be a favorite in some places, but it’s not great in a sandwich. The salty, strong flavor and the strong smell can easily overpower everything else. Plus, the slippery texture makes it hard to eat without making a mess. If you like pickled herring, it’s better on its own or with rye bread, not in a sandwich. It’s just too much for something simple.

Spaghetti

Spaghetti and sandwiches are two things that simply don’t go well together. First, spaghetti is too messy. The long noodles slip around and don’t hold up well between slices of bread, and the sauce will inevitably drip everywhere (especially on your face and dress). Bread quickly gets mushy, and then you’re stuck holding a dripping messy sandwich.