Alright, how many of you have actually sat around on a Saturday and wondered how to wrap a sandwich without tape or a baggie? It’s just not one of those “need to know” kind of things. That is, until you learn the right way to do it, and then you’ll be hooked!
If you learn how to wrap a sandwich without tape you will be the hero with the “green” crowd at a picnic or tailgate. You’ll be your kids hero with his/her lunchbox, you with your bento box and everyone on a road trip.
We used to visit my in-laws in Princess Anne, MD most Thanksgivings. And without fault, my mother-in-law would be up before dawn to make turkey sandwiches for our long 12-hour drive back to Atlanta. The sandwiches were all wrapped neat and tidy in wax paper, it was like watching an artist at work. And no baggie or tape to be seen.
Well Johanna, it’s time you share your secret with me. We sat down one Saturday and I learned how to wrap a sandwich Johanna style. The first few sandwich wraps were sloppy. But once I got the technique down I love it. Suddenly my sandwiches looked gourmet, even the peanut butter and jelly ones.
Look for a future post on how to fold a chip bag. I know, I like weird things. But how often do your chips go bad because they aren’t stored properly. You roll down the top of the bag and it immediately rolls back up. I’ll share that secret later.
Why Learn How To Wrap A Sandwich?
I’ll admit, while I admired Johanna’s handiwork I never gave it much thought to learning her method. I just threw sandwiches in a zip lock baggie and called it a day. So WHY learn how to wrap a sandwich neat and tidy? Because:
- The wrap keeps the sandwich looking just like you want it to. Because the sandwich is snug against the paper and doesn’t move around like it does in a baggie.
- Paper and foil are more eco-friendly than plastic.
- The sandwich wrapping keeps your food from direct contact with plastic. My youngest says he can taste the plastic when I put the sandwich in a resealable baggie.
- The sandwich doesn’t get as soggy as the impermeable plastic bag.
- With the tucks and folds you can literally toss the sandwich in the air and it will still stay intact. Really, try it.
- Because it just plain looks cool. Your homemade sandwich, sub, brat or whatever food looks like you bought it at that upscale deli everyone else goes to and pays 10X the price for what you have.
What Kind Of Material To Use To Wrap A Sandwich, Hamburger, Hot Dog, Brat, Waffle…….
I like to use parchment paper. In fact, you can buy precut 10” X 15” pieces of parchment that come flat, so no more rolling or curling parchment paper. You can also use these sheets on your cookie trays too. If you do buy the roll of parchment, then when you cut the paper, lay the side that keeps curling upside down to keep the paper from doing its own rolling act.
If your sandwich is oily you may want to opt for wax paper or butcher paper, otherwise the oil might leak through the parchment paper.
If you have a hot sandwich, then foil will keep the warmth in. It may steam the sandwich but that’s the way restaurants and food-to-go places do it and I like the bread steamed anyway. What would a Chick-fil-A sandwich be if the bun wasn’t steamed?
You can also buy parchment bags and foil lined bags where you just drop the sandwich, hamburger or whatever into the bag and fold the bag down a few times. Not quite as sturdy as the technique I’m about to teach you but easy, easy, easy.
10” X 15” size of parchment paper works great for standard size sandwich bread, 6” sub, hot dog, brat or hamburger. If you have more than 10” in length it will be hard to tuck into the crevices. If you are having a hard time tucking, then simply cut the ends down just like you do when wrapping a package.
How To Wrap A Sandwich Without Tape 101
Start with a 10” X 15” inch piece of parchment paper (or wax paper, butcher paper or foil).
Bring the two short ends (the end closest and farthest from you) together above the sandwich. Now fold down in about 1” increments, creasing each time you fold until you are level with the sandwich.
When you get near the sandwich tug on the folds to make the sandwich snug. Now press down on the paper ends on each side of the sandwich.
This is where it gets a little confusing but where the magic happens. You want to take one of the loose ends and fold the top piece under the sandwich and between the bottom piece of parchment, you’ll need to take a look at the picture. It helps to tug on the bottom loose end as you tuck the top end under the sandwich.
Repeat on the other end flap.
Now in that same crevice you are going to tuck the bottom loose end into the the same crevice.
Repeat on the other side and wala! You have made your own upscale baggie, just like the deli wraps the sandwich.
If you want to cut the sandwich in half, do this after you’ve wrapped the sandwich. With a sharp knife, cut the sandwich in half through the paper, perpendicular to the fold. You can stop here, or you may want to wrap a second piece of parchment paper to keep the halves together.
How To Wrap A Sandwich That Is Long Like A Hot Dog, Brat or Sub
It’s the same as above. Make sure to lay the sandwich so that the ends of the hot dog or sub are pointing toward the long ends of the paper (the right and left side when looking down on the sandwich). It will look like there won’t be enough paper left to tuck, but it works.
If the paper is too long it’s hard to tuck into the crevice. It’s like when you wrap a package and if you leave too much wrapping paper on the ends your package looks messy. Just snip off any excess the tuck away.
What If I Want To Add A Pickle or Have Wet Ingredients?
Doesn’t everyone love a pickle with their sandwich? But how to wrap a sandwich with a wet pickle you ask? Use two pieces of parchment paper. I got this idea from Panera bread.
Lay two pieces of parchment paper on top of each other. Lay your sandwich in the middle. Then in between the two sheets of paper place the pickle flush against the sandwich but with a layer of paper separating them. Then wrap the sandwich as described above.
You can use the same idea with wet ingredients like tomatoes so they don’t make the sandwich soggy. If you are eating the sandwich the same day I don’t think it’s necessary to separate them. But if you are preparing sandwiches for the week then keeping tomatoes and pickles off of the sandwich and in between the two pieces of paper makes sense.
How To Wrap A Sandwich Like The Deli Guy
Ever wonder how to wrap a sandwich like the deli guy? It’s easy and has so many advantages over plastic baggies, and so much more eco-friendly.
Instructions
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1. Start with a 10” X 15” inch piece of parchment paper (or wax paper, butcher paper or foil).
2. Lay your sandwich in the middle of the paper. Bring the two short ends (the end closest and farthest from you) together above the sandwich. Now fold down in about 1” increments, creasing each time you fold until you are level with the sandwich.
3. When you get near the sandwich tug on the folds to make the sandwich snug. Now press down on the paper ends on each side of the sandwich.
4. This is where it gets a little confusing but where the magic happens. You want to take one of the loose ends and fold the top piece under the sandwich and between the bottom piece of parchment, you’ll need to take a look at the picture. It helps to tug on the bottom loose end as you tuck the top end under the sandwich.
5. Repeat on the other side.
6. Now in that same crevice you are going to tuck the remaining loose end into the crevice.
7. Repeat on the other side and wala! You have made your own upscale baggie, just like the deli wraps the sandwich.
8. If you want to cut the sandwich in half, do this after you’ve wrapped the sandwich. With a sharp knife, cut the sandwich in half through the paper, perpendicular to the fold. You can stop here, or you may
Recipe Notes
Type of paper to use: I favor parchment paper, it’s the sturdiest. If you have a “wet” sandwich with oil you may want to opt for wax paper or butcher paper so that the oil doesn’t leak through the parchment paper. If you have a hot sandwich like a hamburger or chicken sandwich then foil will keep the sandwich hot.
You can buy pre-cut 10″ X 15″ pieces of parchment paper that makes it easier than measuring and cutting the pieces yourself.
You can also buy parchment bags or foil lined bags that makes this process SUPER easy!
See the post for other tips and tricks.
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My mom used to wrap our sandwiches in wax paper. I loved how neat it kept them. Somehow, I think they tasted better. Thanks for sharing how to do this. I’ve been trying to reduce the number of disposable plastics I use, and wrapping sandwiches in paper is a great first step.
My mother in law used to wrap the sandwiches in wax paper. I asked her for the method for this post. Somehow sandwiches do taste better wrapped that way.
Great post! I cannot locate your parchment foldable chip bag though…
That was awesome. I’m a bbq guy and I want to use paper for sandwiches instead of styrofoam. But my wrapping skills need work. I just wrapped a sandwich for my son this morning, unfortunately I didn’t read this until after 🤣. Question though, how do I adjust if I plan to cut it diagonal ?
This tutorial is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for specifying type and size of paper to use and the step by step photos. Very helpful!