9 Satisfying Sandwiches to Keep Summer Meals Easy & Cool

From beach picnics to hot August nights when you don't feel like cooking, summer sandwiches come to the rescue. And while you can grab old standbys like PB&J or a club sandwich, you don't have to! The great thing about sandwiches is just how creative you can get when you make them. From crisp summer veggies to savory seafood, these are the summer sandwiches you'll love to make to beat the heat.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 pound bay shrimp (cooked with tails off)
• 1 celery rib, minced
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 bunch chopped, fresh chives
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 hotdog buns, toasted (or small brioche buns, split)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

1. In a skillet, melt the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter on medium high. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Drain the shrimp, allow it to cool, and put it in a large bowl.
2. Add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, celery, chives, and salt and pepper. Mix well.
3. Brush the toasted buns with the melted butter. Fill with the shrimp mixture.

Ingredients

• ¼ unsalted butter, melted
• 1 small garlic clove, through a press
• ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup Boursin garlic & herb cheese, softened
• 1 pound lump crab meat
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and the garlic.
3. Brush the cut side of the baguettes with butter and place them on a rimmed baking sheet.
4. In a bowl, combine the lump crab meat with the soft cream cheese and the Boursin cheese.
5. Spoon onto the prepared baguettes.
6. Top each with the cheddar cheese.
7. Bake for 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Ingredients

• 2 slices of your favorite bread, toasted
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 4 slices fresh tomato
• 2 pieces of crisp lettuce
• 4 slices bacon, cooked to crispy
• Half an avocado, sliced

Instructions

1. Brush the toasted bread with the melted butter and spread with the mayonnaise.
2. Add the tomato, lettuce, bacon, and avocado slices and top with the other piece of bread.

Ingredients

• 2 pieces bread of your choice, toasted
• 1 tablespoon blue cheese salad dressing
• 1 tablespoon honey mustard salad dressing
• 1 4-ounce piece grilled chicken breast
• ¼ cup chopped tomatoes
• ¼ cup chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 soft-boiled egg, peeled and chopped
• 2 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
• Half an avocado, peeled, pitted, and chopped
• ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese

Instructions

1. Spread one piece of bread with the blue cheese dressing and one piece with the honey mustard.
2. Top one piece of the bread with the chicken breast.
3. Top with the lettuce, tomatoes, crumbled bacon, chopped eggs, crumbled blue cheese, and chopped avocado.
4. Top with the second piece of bread.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon capers, chopped (or to taste)
• 1 tablespoon chopped, fresh dill
• 1 ciabatta roll, split in half lengthwise
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 1-2 lettuce leaves

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, dill, and capers.
2. Spread on the ciabatta rolls.
3. Top one half of the ciabatta with the salmon, lettuce, and tomato.
4. Add the second half of the ciabatta.

Ingredients

• 2 slices sourdough bread
• 2 tablespoons basil pesto
• 2 slices mozzarella cheese
• 2 slices tomato
• 5-10 fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Spread both pieces of bread with the pesto.
2. Top one piece of bread with the tomato, mozzarella, and basil leaves.
3. Top with the second piece of bread.
4. Grill the sandwich, if desired, until the cheese is melty and the bread is toasted.