I think it's safe to say that most people think of bread when craving a sandwich. Whether loaded with meat or piled high with veggies, one thing that stays the same is the fact that all the yummy fillings are held together by bread. With the increase in popularity of the Keto and Paleo Diet, many people are looking for new ways to enjoy their favorite food without sacrificing flavor. While both of these diets focus on decreasing daily carb intake, everyone has their reason for deciding to eat fewer carbs. So whether you're following the Keto or Paleo Diet, hungry for new food combinations or just interested in what a breadless sandwich looks like, check out the list below for 9 alternatives to this popular lunch food.
Apple
Yes, we're starting off with apples. While it might seem a little strange at first, it's almost the same thing as dipping apples in peanut butter. Except now your peanut butter is sandwiched between two apple slices. This fruit works great with sweet or savory sandwich ingredients.
Avocado
You might have seen this Avo Bun Sandwich while scrolling through your Instagram feed. With the avocado craze, everyone is looking for new ways to incorporate avocado into every single dish – smoothies, pizzas, and even brownies. So I think it's no surprise for avocado to make an appearance on this list. While I love the idea behind avocado buns, I'm just curious as to whether one would eat it with a fork and knife or with their hands.
Bell Peppers
Simple as one, two, three. This Pepper Bell Panini takes very little time and effort.If you're not a fan of grilled bell peppers, you also can use fresh ones and stuff them with tuna salad, spinach artichoke dip, and whatever other ingredients you enjoy in a sandwich.
Collard Greens
Okay, I know there's a lot of debate over whether wraps count as sandwiches or not, but for the sake of this list, let's say they do. Collard greens, like other leafy green vegetables, are packed with vitamins and nutrients. Replace your standard tortilla wrap and pita bread with collard greens for some extra fiber and calcium. Go ahead and give this Hummus Collard Wrap a try. It might just convince you that eating your vegetables doesn't have to be boring.
Cucumbers
Looking for the ultimate crunch factor? Cucumber subs are the answer. Fresh, crispy cucumbers are the perfect vessel for your favorite sandwich ingredients. Plus these Stuffed Cucumber Boats are a great way to start the summer season.
Egg
Whether fried, poached, scrambled, or baked, it's obvious that eggs are very versatile. But I bet most of you haven't thought of using eggs as a substitute for bread. Eggs buns are very simple to make and are another easy way of getting protein into your diet. Sauté some spinach and top these egg buns with loads of cheese or try this Keto Sausage and Egg Breakfast Sandwich.
Portobello Mushroom
Mushrooms tend to get a bad rep, but they're actually a very versatile ingredient especially portobello mushrooms. Portobello mushrooms have a rich meaty taste to them, making them a perfect substitute for meat in burgers. But why not use them as buns? These mushroom caps will hold all of your favorite ingredients and take your burger to a whole new level. For a vegetarian-friendly burger, try out this Portobello and Halloumi Burger recipe.
Rice
Forget about using utensils to enjoy chicken katsu because now you can enjoy this meal as a Chicken Katsu Rice Burger. Imagine a savory breaded piece of chicken slathered with homemade curry and sandwiched between two rice buns. Mhmm, I'm drooling just thinking about it.
Sweet Potato
If you love sweet potato fries, you should definitely try this Paleo Sweet Potato Bun Burger recipe. Rather than have fries on the side, the sweet potatoes buns hold all the delicious ingredients together, allowing you to get a perfect bite. But, hey, if you decide to make some homemade sweet potato fries as a side dish to this meal, I wouldn't judge.
While some of these breadless sandwiches may seem a bit strange, you won't know if they work until you try them. There're so many tasty combinations to create, plus you'll get some extra veggies, which is always a good thing. Whether you agree or disagree that the recipes from above count as sandwiches, I think their taste will win you over.