Cheapism is editorially independent. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site.

Food & Drink / Recipes

15 Simple, Tasty Sandwiches That Cost $1 or Less to Make

Published March 23, 2018•Updated July 5, 2023

•

By

Focus on two hands putting avocado, tomatoes, and herbs on a slice of bread for a sandwich, on a wooden cutting with more slices of bread, on a wooden table, ingredients and vegetables blurred in the foreground and on sides, window in background blurred
fotostorm/istockphoto

Sandwiches are comfort food, and the nostalgia evoked by classics such as simple grilled cheese makes them all the more delicious. These days, bread is dressed up with everything from imported oil-packed sardines to air-dried wagyu beef to, of course, the much-hyped fried chicken sandwich, but sandwiches are still generally budget-friendly. Plenty of tasty sandwiches can be made for less than $1.

Related: 17 Best Fried Chicken Sandwiches in America

Egg (70 to 95 Cents)

Egg sandwich with tomato on a brown-rimmed white ceramic plate, selective focus, on a wooden table with edge of table blurred in the background
farbled/shutterstock

Whether you prefer scrambled, fried, or poached, one egg (30 cents) sprinkled with salt and pepper and sandwiched between two slices of toasted bread (40 cents) makes an excellent start to the day or a quick afternoon snack. There’s even room to dress it up with a smear of mayo (5 cents) or slice of cheese (20 cents) and stay under $1 a serving. (Frugal tip: Check out these ways to put stale bread to use.)

Ham and Cheese (90 Cents)

Ham and cheese sandwich, cut in half, on a white porcelain plate, on a white table with another white porcelain plate with a half of ham and cheese sandwich
MSPhotographic/shutterstock

This classic sandwich can be enjoyed with cold cuts straight from the fridge, at room temperature, or heated up in the toaster for a crunchy exterior and slightly melty interior. To make, layer one thick slice of deli ham (30 cents) and one slice of cheese (20 cents) between two slices of bread (40 cents).

Nutella Banana Panini ($1)

Nutella banana panini, cut in half, piled on a wooden cutting board with a knife on the left with a blurred background of a light wooden table
SherSor/shutterstock

This sandwich makes a decadent snack, dessert, or breakfast for those who crave sweets in the morning. While it is delicious at any temperature, toasting it lightly creates a warm treat with a slight crunch. To make, spread an ounce of Nutella (30 cents) onto a slice of bread (20 cents), add sliced banana (30 cents) and top with another slice of bread (20 cents). (Here are a bunch of banana recipes, each offering its own appeal.)

Fluffernutter (75 Cents)

Closeup of fluffernutter cut in half, selective focus, on a green-lined white porcelain plate with flower motifs, with a blurred background of a table in the top right
Fanfo/shutterstock

A combination of peanut butter and Marshmallow Fluff hits all the right flavor receptors with its sweet and salty profile. To make, simply spread an ounce each of peanut butter (20 cents) and marshmallow creme (15 cents) on two slices of bread (40 cents). (Peanut lovers might enjoy some of these easy, nutty recipes, too.)

White Bean Arugula (88 Cents)

Half of white bean arugula sandwich on one slice of bread, selective focus, on the left-center, on a partially blue painted rustic wooden table
CatchaSnap/shutterstock

This lunch or snack is sophisticated enough to be cut into fours and served as an hors d’oeuvre with wine. A drained can of white beans ($1) blended with dried or fresh Italian herbs (20 cents) and the juice of a lemon (70 cents) makes enough filling for five sandwiches. Spread evenly on five slices of toasted bread ($1) and top with sea salt and a small handful of fresh arugula (50 cents), then top with toasted bread ($1). (Here are a dozen more recipes that celebrate the humble bean.)

Trending on Cheapism

Grilled Cheese ($1)

Two halves of grilled cheese sandwich on a purple and orange ceramic plate, selective focus, on a wooden table
Olga Miltsova/shutterstock

Just two pieces of bread (40 cents) with two slices of cheese (40 cents) and an ounce of butter (20 cents) griddled, toasted, or melted in the oven is a combination that adds up to more than the sum of its parts. There are few simple, cheap meals as satisfying as melted cheese between lightly toasted or grilled bread.

Cucumber (81 Cents)

Several cucumber sandwich pieces piled as a pyramid on an avocado green ceramic plate, selective focus, an avocado green checkered napkin on the left and a light blue table on the right, blurred in the background
Elena Shashkina/shutterstock

These delightful tea sandwiches are light, refreshing, and perfect for sharing. Spread half an ounce of cream cheese (13 cents) on a piece of bread (20 cents) and layer slices of cucumber (15 cents) with salt and pepper, then top with another slice of bread (20 cents) also covered with cream cheese (13 cents). They’re even more budget-friendly in summer when cucumbers are in season.

Tuna Salad (94 Cents)

One tuna salad sandwich cut in half on a brown paper napkin with sliced pickles on a white wooden table
Foodio/shutterstock

Add some mayonnaise, carrots, celery, onion, and pickles ($1 worth) to a can of tuna ($1) and it’s easy to make four sandwiches from one batch. Divide among four pieces of toasted bread ($1.60), add a leaf of crunchy lettuce (15 cents), and top with more toast for a heart-healthy meal. (Frugal tip: Check out these simple kitchen hacks that save food and money.)

Hummus (95 Cents)

Top-view of hummus in a dark brown terracotta low-rimmed bowl, an herb leaf in the center, on a rustic wooden table on the left
Brent Hofacker/shutterstock

Using hummus that you make at home can bring the cost of a hummus sandwich down dramatically, but even those who prefer to save time with pre-made hummus can enjoy this sandwich for pennies. Spread 2 tablespoons of a preferred store-bought hummus (55 cents) between two pieces of toasted bread (40 cents) for a simple, savory snack.

Cheddar Apple (95 Cents)

Cheddar apple sandwich cut in half, lined behind one another on a white rectangle porcelain plate, selective focus, white tablecloth and bread blurred in the background
freeskyline/shutterstock

This crunchy, sweet, and savory sandwich is healthy and tasty any time of day. Slice one-quarter of an apple of any variety (25 cents) and layer with 1 ounce of cheddar cheese (30 cents) between two slices of bread (40 cents) to enjoy this farmer-style snack. (Here are some more creative apple recipes to consider.)

Balsamic Roasted Veggie (97 Cents)

Three halves of balsamic roasted veggie sandwich on a rustic serving board with a spoon on the left with sauce, surrounded by ingredients, on a rustic white wooden table
casanisa/shutterstock

Pack flavor into vegetables by roasting or grilling them with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. One tablespoon of vinegar (10 cents) is enough for a small onion (30 cents) and bell pepper ($1). Once cooled, use the veggies to make three sandwiches by dividing them over three slices of bread (60 cents). Smear a half-ounce of creamy cheese such as boursin or chevre (30 cents) on three more slices of bread (60 cents) and combine.

Egg Salad (90 Cents)

Two halves of egg salad sandwich piled on a fancy white porcelain plate, selective focus, on a white tablecloth, a green and clear glass and herb leaves blurred in the background
Lesya Dolyuk/shutterstock

A simple and comforting classic, an egg salad sandwich is easy, cheap, and satisfying. To make, simply combine a hard-boiled egg (30 cents), a half rib of diced celery (5 cents), a tablespoon or two of mayonnaise, and salt and pepper to taste (15 cents). Put the egg salad between two pieces of bread (40 cents), whether soft and fresh or toasted for crunch. Adding curry powder can be a nice twist. (Here are some more easy egg recipes to nibble on.)

Pizza Sandwich (80 Cents)

Pizza sandwich on a white porcelain plate, selective focus, herb sprinkled on the plate, surrounded by ingredients and a stainless steel bowl of a salad, blurred background of a white table in the top
Thammaratt Jtmr/shutterstock

Take the basic elements of pizza and repurpose them into a scrumptious, easy-to-eat sandwich built with a quarter-cup of marinara sauce (20 cents) and a thick slice of mozzarella (20 cents) between two pieces of bread (40 cents). Place in a hot oven or toaster until the cheese melts and the flavors combine. Marinara sauce can also be easily made at home, too.

Avocado, Lettuce, and Tomato ($1)

Closeup of two avocado, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches on top of each other on a brown napkin on a wooden table with another avocado, lettuce, and tomato sandwich blurred in the distance, a black background
kay roxby/shutterstock

A riff on the classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, this version replaces the bacon with heart-healthy avocado for a creamy, rich flavor. The avocado also stands in for mayonnaise, making this a vegan-friendly option. With a fork, mash a quarter of a large Hass avocado (40 cents) onto two toasted pieces of bread (40 cents) and top with salt. Layer on a thick slice of tomato (10 cents) and crunchy lettuce (10 cents).

Peanut Butter and Jelly (70 Cents)

One half of peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a dark beige ceramic plate, a jar of strawberry jelly and a small glass bowl of peanut butter behind it on the top, on a rustic white wooden table, blurred in the background
baibaz/shutterstock

A list of inexpensive sandwiches wouldn’t be complete without this classic. Satisfying at any age, salty peanut butter with fruity and sweet jelly on soft bread is an easy-to-pack sandwich that also couldn’t be easier (or cheaper) to make: Spread an ounce of peanut butter (20 cents) on a slice of bread (20 cents) and an ounce of jelly (10 cents) on another slice (20 cents), then combine.

Meet the Writer

Tess Rose Lampert

Tess Rose Lampert is a New York City-based writer, beverage educator, and lover of savings. With a background in academic philosophy and nearly a decade in the alcoholic beverage industry, she strives to enhance consumers’ everyday experiences with food and beverage through dynamic and interactive writings, educational seminars, and events. Always on the lookout for creative ways to save, she is a regular contributor to Cheapism.com.

More posts from category