20 Low-Calorie Sandwich Recipes Perfect for Summer

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.

These low-calorie sandwiches are fresh, tasty and nutritious ways to enjoy the warm weather. Each recipe contains 575 calories or fewer per serving for something that's filling yet light to help you meet your nutrition goals. From delicious summer produce like avocado, spinach and tomatoes to lean and healthy proteins like beans, tuna and chicken, these sandwiches pack a flavorful punch. Recipes like our Cucumber-Avocado Sandwich or our Tuna Niçoise Melt are satisfying and energizing choices for lunch or dinner.

01 of 20

Cucumber-Avocado Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.

This creamy, crunchy sandwich layers salty feta, crisp cucumber and silky avocado between slices of whole-wheat toast. A simple yogurt-feta spread adds richness and tang, while spinach and red onion bring freshness and bite, perfect for a quick lunch.

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02 of 20

Portobello “Philly Cheesesteak” Sandwiches

Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.
Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.

Cheesesteaks are a Philadelphia classic, known for thinly sliced beef piled high and smothered in a gooey cheese sauce. This meat-free twist swaps in meaty portobello mushrooms, capturing all the savory flavor and satisfying texture of the original, no steak required.

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03 of 20

Tuna Niçoise Melt

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.

This sandwich brings together the elegance of a Niçoise salad with the comfort of a classic tuna melt. It combines tuna with briny olives, chopped hard-boiled egg and tomato, all piled onto crusty sourdough bread and topped with melted fontina cheese. The flavors are rich and savory, with a hint of creaminess mixed into the tuna. It’s perfect for a hearty lunch or casual dinner.

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04 of 20

Veggie Sandwich with Garlic-Herb Cheese

Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.
Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.

The creamy spreadable cheese in this veggie sandwich adds flavor while holding everything in place. This colorful, well-balanced sandwich is crispy from the cucumber and peppers, sweet from the tomatoes and beets, and tangy from the banana peppers.

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05 of 20

Cucumber-Spinach Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This cucumber-spinach sandwich is light and refreshing, combining crisp cucumbers with tender spinach for a fresh, green bite. Layered on whole-grain bread with a creamy spread, it’s both simple and satisfying. Perfect for a quick lunch at work or at home, this sandwich is a no-fuss option.

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06 of 20

Grilled Cheese with Spinach & Tomato

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.

​​This grilled cheese with spinach and tomato is a flavorful twist on the classic sandwich, cooked to golden perfection on the stovetop. Wilted spinach is infused with plenty of garlic. Juicy tomato slices add color and a fresh bite to the melty mozzarella filling. This sandwich makes for an easy lunch or dinner and pairs well with tomato soup or a simple green salad.

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07 of 20

Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This avocado tuna salad sandwich is the mash-up you’ve been waiting for! It takes classic tuna salad and adds a creamy twist with ripe avocado for a fresh, buttery flavor and texture. It’s the ideal upgrade to your usual tuna salad, and it’s sure to become your new favorite lunchtime sandwich for work or home.

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08 of 20

Cucumber-Avocado-Tomato Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This tomato, cucumber and avocado sandwich is the perfect light and easy lunch. With a few fresh ingredients, you can have a satisfying meal in just 10 minutes. Creamy avocado and hummus provide plant-based protein and healthy fats, while juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers bring refreshing crunch and flavor. Layer it all on whole-grain bread for an extra boost of fiber, and you’ve got a quick and wholesome sandwich at the ready!

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09 of 20

Broccoli Melts

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

These broccoli-cheese melts combine crisp-tender broccoli with a layer of melted cheese inside two crispy pieces of bread for a sandwich that’s rich and creamy. These 20-minute cheese melts are the ultimate comfort food—satisfying and packed with that cheesy goodness everyone loves. We crisp up these sandwiches on the stovetop, but if you have a sandwich press, you can use that instead.

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10 of 20

Cucumber Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
Credit: Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

This creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese–yogurt spread complements the crisp refreshing cucumber, while the whole-wheat bread holds everything together with hearty flavor and texture.

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11 of 20

The Only High-Protein Veggie Sandwich Formula You Need

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

From beans to tofu to tempeh bacon, this high-protein veggie sandwich formula can help mitigate blood sugar spikes and keep you feeling full until your next meal.

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12 of 20

Rotisserie Chicken Salad Melt

Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist Tucker Vines
Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist Tucker Vines

This classic chicken salad melt features a dressing lightened up with yogurt and shredded rotisserie chicken for ultimate convenience. We cook the sandwiches two at a time on medium-low heat to crisp up the bread and melt the cheese without having to worry about burning. If you have a sandwich press, you can skip Step 3 and use your press set on medium heat instead.

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13 of 20

Cucumber & Tomato Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
Credit: Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

This herby cucumber and tomato sandwich is crisp and refreshing, making the most out of summer’s produce bounty. Chives add a delicate onion flavor to the cream cheese, but dill or basil can be used in their place.

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14 of 20

Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomato & Cucumber Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Lauren Odum
Credit: Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Lauren Odum

This protein-packed hummus sandwich features a topping of crisp veggies, feta cheese and sweet, tangy sun-dried tomatoes. Sun-dried tomatoes in oil have a soft texture that's perfect for sandwiches. You can use dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes in their place, but you may have to rehydrate them in water to soften them first.

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15 of 20

High-Protein Tuna & Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This zesty tuna sandwich gets an extra boost of protein from chickpeas. Smashing some of the chickpeas into the tuna enhances the texture and helps hold the filling together. The combo of garlic and Sriracha adds a delightful kick, but feel free to opt for an alternative hot sauce of your preference or skip it altogether for a milder flavor.

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16 of 20

The Best Tomato Sandwich to Make All Summer Long

Credit: Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Anna Kelly, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
Credit: Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Anna Kelly, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

This classic tomato sandwich features a lovely combination of sweet juicy tomatoes and herby cream cheese. You can make a big batch of the cream cheese mixture and have it on hand to spread on bagels or crackers. For a boost of protein, add smoked salmon or sliced turkey or chicken.

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17 of 20

Caprese Sandwich

Credit: Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely
Credit: Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely

This caprese sandwich is fresh from the basil and hearty from thick, crusty ciabatta. The sun-dried tomatoes deepen the flavor. Topping the bread with a layer of basil leaves and using toasted bread helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy if you need to make it a few hours ahead.

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18 of 20

Open-Face Goat Cheese Sandwich with Tomato & Avocado Salad

This simple lunch comes together in just 10 minutes, making it a great option for busy days.

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19 of 20

White Bean & Avocado Sandwich

White beans mash seamlessly into a creamy protein-packed spread for a satisfying healthy sandwich that makes for an easy lunch or dinner. Mix it up by trying it with canned chickpeas or black beans. This vegetarian sandwich recipe is also a fiber superstar: avocado, beans, greens and whole-wheat bread team up to give it 15 grams of fiber, more than half of what most women should aim for in a day.

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20 of 20

Chicken & Cucumber Pita Sandwiches with Yogurt Sauce

Cucumbers do double duty in this healthy Greek-inspired chicken pita recipe—they're grated to lend a refreshing flavor to the quick cucumber-yogurt sauce and sliced to provide cool crunch tucked into the pita. Serve these sandwiches for a healthy dinner or light lunch.

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Original Source:

https://www.eatingwell.com/low-calorie-summer-sandwich-recipes-11978032