From white bread for BLTs to potato loaves for PB&Js, these are the best breads for sandwiches.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Learn more.
Sandwiches have always been one of my favorite foods. So much so that my love for them probably lands somewhere between “enthusiastic” and “Joey Tribbiani.” A sandwich can be exactly what you need in any situation—a quick lunch between meetings, something satisfying at the end of a long day, or an excuse to use up whatever is left in the refrigerator.
Working from home means lunch is usually whatever I can assemble between deadlines, and more often than not, that’s a sandwich. Add to the equation two kids who pack school lunches every day and a husband who’s just as enthusiastic about good food as I am, and it’s safe to say I’ve become very selective about which loaves make the best breads for sandwiches.
Because not all sandwich bread is created equal. The bread aisle is packed with options, and they’re not all trying to accomplish the same thing. Some loaves prioritize softness, while others focus on nutrition or flavor. Some slices dissolve the moment they meet a slice of juicy tomato. The trick is finding the right bread for whatever sandwich recipes you’re making each week. The best loaves are soft but sturdy, flavorful without stealing attention from the fillings, and capable of holding everything together until the last bite.
These are the store-bought sandwich breads that have earned repeat appearances in my kitchen over the years. Whether you’re building a towering turkey club, packing up PB&Js or making an epic grilled cheese, these are the loaves worth buying.
Best White Bread: Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White
Best for: Turkey sandwiches, BLTs and everyday lunches
White bread isn’t particularly fashionable right now, which feels unfair. Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White makes a strong case for bringing it back. The slices are thick and substantial without feeling heavy, which means they can stand up to juicy tomatoes, generous layers of turkey and whatever condiments happen to be lurking in your refrigerator door. The texture is soft, the flavor is pleasantly buttery, and it somehow manages to feel both familiar and a little elevated. It also toasts beautifully, developing crisp edges while staying tender in the middle.
If I could keep only one sandwich bread in my kitchen, this would probably be it.
Best Wheat Bread: Oroweat Oatnut Bread
Best for: Chicken salad sandwiches, turkey sandwiches and tuna melts
Some breads develop devoted followings. Oroweat Oatnut Bread is one of them. I’ve bought countless loaves over the years, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it.
Traditional wheat breads often occupy a sweet spot between white bread and heartier whole-grain loaves. They offer a little more flavor and substance than white bread while hanging onto the soft texture that many people prefer for everyday sandwiches.
Unlike some wheat breads, which can feel dense enough to qualify as building materials, Oatnut stays soft and easy to eat. The oats add texture, while a gentle sweetness rounds everything out without turning the bread into dessert. Toasting it brings out that nutty flavor even more, which is probably why I find myself reaching for it at breakfast as often as lunch.
Best Whole Grain Bread: Dave’s Killer Bread 21 Whole Grains and Seeds
Best for: Veggie sandwiches, tomato and avocado sandwiches, and loaded lunch creations
Some whole-grain breads seem more interested in being virtuous than delicious. This loaf proves that those two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Unlike traditional wheat bread, which tends to prioritize softness, whole-grain breads embrace texture. Dave’s Killer Bread 21 Whole Grains and Seeds does it particularly well. Packed with grains and seeds, it has a hearty texture, subtle sweetness and enough substance to stand up to ambitious sandwiches without overwhelming them.
The nutty flavor pairs especially well with vegetables, turkey and sharp cheeses. It’s also excellent toasted, since all those grains and seeds become even more flavorful.
Best Sprouted Grain Bread: Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread
Best for: Veggie sandwiches, avocado toast and hearty lunches
Not every sandwich calls for sprouted grain bread, but when you’re in the mood for it, nothing else quite compares. Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread has a denser texture than many of the other loaves on this list, but that’s part of its appeal. Made with sprouted barley, lentils, millet, soybeans, spelt and wheat, it has a hearty, earthy flavor that feels distinctly different from other types of bread.
I especially like it toasted with simple toppings—avocado, hummus, sliced tomatoes or a swipe of peanut butter—where its flavor has room to shine.
If you’ve never tried sprouted grain bread before, Ezekiel is the loaf most likely to win you over.
Best Sourdough Bread: San Luis Sourdough
Best for: BLTs, grilled sandwiches and deli-style lunches
San Luis Sourdough has been my favorite grocery store bread for as long as I can remember. In fact, it’s the bread that made me fall in love with grilled cheese sandwiches as a kid. My mom used it almost exclusively, and at some point between all those golden, buttery grilled cheeses and bowls of tomato soup, I became a lifelong devotee.
The loaf has everything I want from a sourdough sandwich bread: a gently tangy flavor, a sturdy texture, and slices that toast perfectly without turning tough. It’s substantial enough to support generous fillings without being overbearing.
San Luis is especially popular in California, where I grew up, and I admittedly have a slightly harder time finding it now that I live in Oregon. So whenever I spot a loaf, it goes straight into my cart.
Best Rye Bread: Pepperidge Farm Jewish Rye
Best for: Reubens, pastrami sandwiches and corned beef
Some sandwich pairings are suggestions. Rye bread and pastrami are not—they just have to go together. Pepperidge Farm Jewish Rye delivers that distinctive rye flavor along with subtle caraway notes that pair beautifully with classic deli meats. The slices are generously sized, and the texture stays pleasantly soft.
When a sandwich leans toward New York deli territory, this is the bread I want. A good rye should support the fillings without disappearing into the background, and this one strikes that balance.
Best Potato Bread: Martin’s Potato Bread
Best for: PB&Js, ham sandwiches and lunchbox favorites
Potato bread occupies a very specific corner of the bread universe. It’s soft, slightly sweet and almost impossible to dislike. Martin’s Potato Bread does that better than just about anyone. The slices are pillowy and tender, yet they still hold together in a packed lunch or when overstuffed.
If this list were to be voted on by my kids, Martin’s would probably win. This is their preferred bread for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and after packing approximately three thousand PB&Js over the years, I understand the appeal. Some breads are chosen because they’re practical. This one earns its spot because people genuinely look forward to eating it.
Best Butter Bread: Nature’s Own Butter Bread
Best for: Grilled cheese, peanut butter sandwiches and comfort-food classics
Nature’s Own Butter Bread is soft, rich and just buttery enough to make a simple sandwich feel a little more special. It shines in comfort-food classics like grilled cheese and peanut butter sandwiches, where the bread itself takes center stage.
It also browns exceptionally well in a skillet, developing that golden, crisp exterior every grilled cheese deserves. When the weather turns gray and lunch needs to be comforting, this is the loaf I want in the pantry.
Best Gluten-Free Bread: Canyon Bakehouse Heritage Style Honey White
Best for: Any classic sandwich
Gluten-free bread has come a long way from the dry, crumbly slices some of us might remember. Canyon Bakehouse Heritage Style Honey White offers larger slices than many gluten-free competitors, making it feel much more like traditional sandwich bread. The texture is soft without being gummy, and its mild flavor works with everything from salami to peanut butter.
Like many gluten-free breads, it becomes even better after a quick trip through the toaster. If you need a gluten-free option, this is one of the few grocery store loaves that feels like sandwich bread first and specialty product second.
Related:
