America’s Favorite Sandwiches Revealed — Where Do Your Top Picks Land?

Grilled cheese, chicken and turkey rule the sandwich category, according to a recent survey.

The survey of 2,000 Americans in the general population revealed their favorite sandwiches, how preferences vary and even some secret sandwich hacks.

According to the results, Americans’ favorite sandwiches are: grilled cheese (42%), chicken (40%), turkey (30%) bacon (27%) tuna (24%), egg (21%), PB&J ( 21%) ) and meatball sandwiches (19%).

Commissioned by Buddig in honor of National Sandwich Day on Nov. 3 and conducted by Talker Research, the survey found that sandwiches make up an average of 30% of Americans’ diets.

In fact, nearly half (46%) found they could live on sandwiches for the rest of their lives.

Americans eat, on average, six sandwiches a week, and it takes people an average of 10 minutes to assemble the perfect sub.

Fifty-eight percent of respondents said they are “sandwich pragmatists” and care more about making a sandwich quickly than getting it “right.” As long as they have most of what they want in a sandwich, they are satisfied.

In contrast, 42% are “sandwich cooks”. They like to take their time to make the perfect sandwich. For them, it is vital that they have all the right ingredients. If they don’t have every element and ingredient they want in a sandwich, they will be disappointed.

Getting to the heart of a perfect sandwich, respondents said high-quality meat (64%), airy bread (55%), using all the right spices (54%) and fresh vegetables (40%) ) are the most critical.

And three-quarters (74%) said they always keep the ingredients to make a sandwich on hand so they can make a quick sandwich at a moment’s notice.

However, 40% reported cutting back on their sandwiches overall, using fewer ingredients to make them go further, due to rising food prices.

“In a value-driven economy, consumers are looking to stretch their dollars when grocery shopping and meal planning,” said Ben Buddig, fourth-generation owner of Carl Buddig and Company. “Lunch meat provides a good source of protein and we’re proud to offer affordable options for families on a budget.”

Most (68%) choose to highlight the bread when making a sandwich and a fifth (19%) still like to cut the crust.

Thirty-two percent cut their sandwiches into rectangles, 35% cut them into triangles, and 33% prefer their sandwiches whole and uncut.

Gluttonous lovers are more likely to eat whole sandwiches (44%) and toasted lovers are more likely to cut their sandwiches into triangles (37%).

However, those who prefer toasted bread eat more sandwiches overall, compared to those who prefer toasted bread (32% vs. 24%).

Most (60%) said sandwiches are a staple in their diet. Popular reasons for this include that you can eat them hot or cold (54%), it’s easy to change the ingredients so you don’t get tired of eating the same type of sandwich (43%) and that sandwiches don’t require some cooking. (42%).

Although nearly half (46%) said it’s just because they taste amazing.

And while sandwiches may seem like simple, straightforward fare, many are taking it to the next level.

Thirty percent have a secret sandwich recipe and, interestingly, meatball (39%) and chicken (32%) sandwich lovers are more likely to have a secret formula or trick up their sleeves.

Fortunately, respondents were generous enough to share some of their secrets, such as adding chips inside for an extra crunch and marinating the meat overnight.

Other interesting additions include ripe bananas, jalapeno jelly, cinnamon and even raisins. And many simply agreed, it’s all about getting enough of the right sauce.

“For National Sandwich Day on November 3rd, we wanted to get to the heart of America’s love of sandwiches,” said Buddig. “And whether Americans prefer toast to unbaked, triangles to rectangles or grilled cheese to bacon, the results show that sandwiches are indeed a menu staple that are here to stay.”

AMERICA’S FAVORITE SANDWICHES

Grilled cheese sandwiches – 42%

chicken sandwiches – 40%

turkey sandwiches – 30%

ham sandwiches – 27%

Tuna sandwiches – 24%

egg sandwiches – 21%

PB&J sandwiches – 21%

meatball sandwiches – 19%

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans evenly divided by region; The survey was commissioned by Buddig and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between September 25 and September 30, 2024.