17 Easy Sandwich Spread Recipes to Level Up Lunch

Up your sandwich game with these sandwich spread recipes!

Mayo and mustard are fine. But there’s nothing like a homemade spread to elevate your sandwich.

Having the same old boring lunch can get monotonous. That’s where these spreads come into play.

They’re a quick fix to take your usual sandwich from mundane to grand.

Creamy avocado, tuna, or chocolate cream, all of these toppings amplify your fillings. 

Many of them work as an appetizer, too. Some don’t even need extra fillings at all!

From vegan to meaty, there’s a spread here for every type of sandwich.

1. Southern Pimento Cheese 

Pimento cheese is a Southern delicacy. Some use it as a dip, but I just love it on a sandwich. 

You can sandwich it between two slices of bread and call it a day. You can also grill it for an epic grilled cheese. 

Another worthy use of this spread is on a BLT. It will certainly take it up a notch!

2. Jalapeño Bean Sandwich Spread

This oil-free sandwich spread is two-fold. 

First, it tastes incredible. Second, it adds an extra helping of protein.

The bulk of the spread consists of pinto beans, pickled jalapenos, and corn. 

All that with the spices gives it a Mexican flair. And I think it will taste great as a seven-layer sandwich. 

I’m thinking of cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, olives, and a good smear of this spread. Does anyone else want me to make them one? 

3. Creamy Tuna Spread

Have you ever thought about using a spread to make your tuna sandwich? Neither had I until I stumbled upon this. 

Canned tuna melds with capers, garlic, lemon, dill, shallots, and olive oil for a mayo-free spread. 

If you like your food a little spicy, add a few dashes of hot sauce to the mix.

4. Tofu Sandwich Spread

I’m sure you’ve had tofu on a sandwich, but have you tried it as a spread? It’s like the vegan version of a tuna sandwich. 

You mix baked tofu with vegan mayo and celery. It doesn’t get more simple than that!

Although, I do like the add-ons of scallions and nutritional yeast. 

5. Carrot and Cheese Spread

This Russian-style cheese spread is a great way to sneak more veggies into your lunch.

It’s made out of shredded carrots, two types of cheese, garlic, and mayo. 

It goes well with lunch meats too like turkey and pastrami, or dare I say, bologna. 

6. Creamy Avocado Sandwich Spread

This avocado spread is more unique than you might think.

It’s sort of like a hybrid that lands somewhere in between a crema and mayo.

The ingredients call for lemon, hard-boiled eggs, cream cheese, dill, and two avocados. 

I like to make extra so I can slather it on my morning toast. As for my sandwich, there’s more than plenty left over. 

7. Cranberry Mayo Spread

Leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches, meet your new spread. 

Sweet, tangy, and creamy, this five-ingredient spread will add a special flavor to your sandwiches. 

And don’t just stop at turkey. It’s vegan, so you can use it on meat-free sandwiches, too.

8. Spicy Hot Pepper Spread

Spicy food lovers, here’s your new hot addiction. It’s a type of Italian spread made with Calabrian peppers. 

The base isn’t all chilies, though. There’s eggplant, mushrooms, bell peppers, garlic, and other seasonings in there too.

Ingredients like that are best paired with a sandwich piled to the high heavens with meat and cheese. 

After all, you need something that can match the bold flavor and the heat. 

9. Garlic, Tomato, & Herb Sandwich Spread

This four-ingredient aioli is like mayo on steroids. It’s all beefed up, ready to give your sandwiches a big flavor. 

I know it’s tempting just to use mayo and call it a day. But this spread only takes you 5 minutes, making it worth the extra effort. 

Try it on a muffuletta or an Italian sub. Both are equally great. 

10. Chocolate Cream Spread

Chocolate and sandwiches aren’t something you hear too often in the same sentence. And yet, the two work well together. 

Think of it like peanut butter’s alternative to jelly. The only difference is it’s extra indulgent. 

It combines dark chocolate and unsweetened cocoa with milk and condensed milk. 

Pair it with Nutella and banana slices for a sweet treat.

You can also up the decadence factor by making the bread cinnamon sugar toast. 

The kids will love it either way!

11. Artichoke Tapenade

This is one of the easiest vegan artichoke recipes you can incorporate into your diet. 

Salty and bold, this spread has some bite. 

While it’s great as a party dip, it’s an excellent sandwich spread.

Try it on a roasted veggie sandwich for a plant-based meal.

If you can eat dairy, add thick slices of fresh mozzarella, too.  

12. Homemade Pesto

Pesto is bright, herby, and loaded with yummy garlic goodness. And it’s super easy to make at home.

This recipe uses a mix of pine nuts and walnuts to keep it budget-friendly. And if you want it to go even further, you could mix it with soft cream cheese!

Put this in your next grilled cheese and you’ll swoon.

13. Salmon Sandwich Spread

Savory, lemony, and slightly spicy, this salmon spread is mouthwatering. 

You use canned salmon, so there is no cooking required. It’s also a great source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids. 

Those are both two things I think we could all use more of in our diet.  

Smear it on sourdough for a quick and tasty open-faced sandwich. I also like to add arugula and tomato slices to mine. 

14. Ground Bologna Spread with Pickles & Onions

Everyone might not agree on bologna. But before you take a hard pass, hear me out about this spread. 

It’s a comforting mix of creamy, savory, briny, and oniony flavors. What’s not to love about that?

This Midwest delight will change your mind about bologna. Just give it a try!

15. Mayo Egg Sandwich Spread 

The egg salad sandwich is a classic that also works as a spread. 

It includes standard ingredients like hard-boiled eggs, mayo, and mustard.

What makes it unique are the gherkins, pickle juice, and sweet pepper. 

Pile it on bread with parsley and lunch meat. Or skip the extra fillings and eat it as is. 

I also like to smear it on crostini for an appetizer. 

16. Tomato and Basil Spread

Do you have a can of tomato paste stashed in the cupboard? It’s time to bust it out!

This Italian-inspired spread has bold flavors. 

It’s obviously very tomato-forward in flavor. There’s also garlic, fresh basil, and Greek yogurt, too. 

It’s an easy way to enhance a typical lunch meat sandwich. I think it will also be sensational on grilled cheese. 

17. Cucumber Sandwich Spread

This is one of my favoirte cream cheese sandwiches. Seriously, cucumber spread is what your green goddess sandwich has been missing. 

The cooling cucumber and dill make it the ultimate fresh spread. While cream cheese and mayo make it even more delish. 

Say, you know what else this would be good on? A breakfast bagel sandwich with lox, tomato, and capers.