What cheese goes best with a ham sandwich?

We love muenster or munster cheese for its sharp but buttery flavor and smooth, creamy texture. It doesn't overwhelm the rest of the ingredients but isn't a shrinking violet either. If you don't like muenster, consider a mature Cheddar or Colby Jack.

What kind of ham is best for a ham sandwich?

This ham sandwich recipe calls for a classic deli smoked ham. Black Forest ham would make a great option. Honey ham may be too sweet when paired well with the honey mustard, and not blend well with the rest of the sandwich.

Can I make a ham sandwich ahead?

You could, but ham sandwiches really are meant to be enjoyed as soon as you put on the second slice of bread. If you need to make this ahead for lunch at the office or a picnic, we suggest leaving off the tomato—that's the biggest threat for moisture and a soggy sandwich. Don't skip it entirely though. Just put it in a separate bag. Then, add salt and pepper to the slices just before you put them on the sandwich.

Ham Sandwich Recipe

Name: Ham Sandwiches With Smoky Honey Mustard
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1 1/2 Tbsp. prepared mustard; 1 1/2 Tbsp. honey; 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika; 8 slices hearty sandwich bread (such as Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse multigrain); 4 (1-oz) slices meunster cheese; 8 thin tomato slices (from 1 small); 1/4 tsp. kosher salt; 1/4 tsp. black pepper; 12 oz. thinly sliced deli smoked ham; 16 bread-and-butter pickle slices; 1 1/3 cups efes

What You'll Need To Make This Ultimate Ham Sandwich

A ham sandwich recipe has to be easy—that's the point—so really it's just about picking the right ingredients so that everything blends together perfectly.

Mayonnaise, mustard, honey, and paprika: This recipe calls for you to make a sweet-and-tangy homemade honey mustard. It's by far the hero, and it's proof that with just a few classic pantry ingredients, you can take a sandwich from good to great. You were going to use mayo and mustard anyway, right? So make this spread instead, and you'll never go back.
Hearty sandwich bread: A thin, flimsy bread just won't do. This bread needs to stand up to this towering sandwich.
Muenster cheese: We like the slightly nutty, buttery, pungent flavor of muenster. It blends well with the rest of the sandwich, but doesn't shrink behind the big flavors of the pickles or honey mustard spread.
Tomato slices: Sprinkle with salt and pepper to pull out the tomato's best flavor and wonderful natural juices.
Deli smoked ham: Get this from the deli counter at the grocery store if you can. They'll slice it thin, the perfect, fluffy texture for this sandwich.
Bread-and-butter pickles: The tangy but slightly sweet flavor of these pickles pairs with the honey mustard without being too tart. But you can go with dill chips if you like.

Arugula: We like delicate arugula more than lettuce leaves because they contribute a hint of peppery bite and don't overwhelm the sandwich with moisture.

Southern Living ingredients for ham sandwich — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How To Make a Great Ham Sandwich

We don't have to tell you: A ham sandwich is really easy to make. So do you need instructions? Probably not. But here you are, so we'll offer them anyway.

If you're making this sandwich for lunch later, don't put the tomato slice on just yet. It could make the sandwich a bit soggy, so save it in a separate bag, then salt and pepper it just before adding it to the sandwich.
Spread the honey mustard on both slices of bread. It acts like a glue to hold the sandwich together. Plus, it's so good, the more you have the better.
Don't skimp on the bread. This is one opportunity to use that hearty, grainy bread you love. This sandwich needs a bread with heft as it towers tall with ingredients.

Other Classic Sandwiches

While you have the sandwich-making line going, try one of these next:

ham sandwiches being built — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Ingredients

1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 Tbsp. mustard
1 1/2 Tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
8 slices hearty sandwich bread (such as Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse multigrain)
4 (1-oz.) slices muenster cheese
8 thin tomato slices (from 1 small)
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
12 oz. thinly-sliced deli smoked ham
16 bread-and-butter pickle slices
1 1/3 cups arugula

Directions

Make honey mustard spread:

Stir together mayonnaise, mustard, honey, and paprika in a small bowl.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Spread mayonnaise mixture evenly over each bread slice.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Add cheese and tomato slices:

Top each of 4 bread slices, mayo side up, with 1 cheese slice and 2 tomato slices; sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over tomatoes.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Add ham and pickles:

Top each sandwich with 3 ounces ham, 4 pickle slices, 1/3 cup arugula, and 1 bread slice, mayo side down.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Frequently Asked Questions

What cheese goes best with a ham sandwich?

We love muenster or munster cheese for its sharp but buttery flavor and smooth, creamy texture. It doesn't overwhelm the rest of the ingredients but isn't a shrinking violet either. If you don't like muenster, consider a mature Cheddar or Colby Jack.
What kind of ham is best for a ham sandwich?

This ham sandwich recipe calls for a classic deli smoked ham. Black Forest ham would make a great option. Honey ham may be too sweet when paired well with the honey mustard, and not blend well with the rest of the sandwich.
Can I make a ham sandwich ahead?

You could, but ham sandwiches really are meant to be enjoyed as soon as you put on the second slice of bread. If you need to make this ahead for lunch at the office or a picnic, we suggest leaving off the tomato—that's the biggest threat for moisture and a soggy sandwich. Don't skip it entirely though. Just put it in a separate bag. Then, add salt and pepper to the slices just before you put them on the sandwich.