Freezing sandwiches can help save time and money, says K-State food scientist

Blakeslee reminds lunch makers to keep tips for freezing sandwiches in mind

At a glance: With school back in session, many parents are packing school lunches every day. Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee said a great way to save time is to freeze sandwiches ahead of time.

More information: Karen Blakeslee, kblakesl@ksu.edu

Related: You Asked It!, Rapid Response Center

Freezing sandwiches can be a great technique for parents packing lunches.

 

Sept. 8, 2025

By Madeline Drake, K-State Extension news service

MANHATTAN, Kan. — With school back in session, many parents are packing school lunches every day. Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee said a great way to save time is to freeze sandwiches ahead of time.

The benefits of freezing sandwiches are numerous, she said, as they can help save time and money throughout the week. Some leftover meals can be turned into sandwiches to reduce food waste.

When considering freezing sandwiches, Blakeslee recommends using a hearty bread or day-old bread to withstand freezing temperatures.

“Keep nutrition in mind and choose whole wheat or whole grain bread,” she said. “Also, pack toppings such as tomato, lettuce and pickles separately without freezing.”

Blakeslee shared common sandwich fillings that freeze well, including:

• Peanut and other nut butters.

• Canned tuna and salmon.

• Cooked roast beef chicken and turkey.

• Natural or processed hard and semi-hard cheeses, such as Swiss or cheddar.

Some fillings don’t freeze as well. “Freezing toughens hard-cooked eggs, and jelly or jam can soak into the bread and make it soggy,” Blakeslee said.

Another factor Blakeslee said to consider is the dressing or spread. “Salad dressings, such as Miracle Whip, work better as a binder than mayonnaise because mayonnaise tends to separate on thawing.”

Blakeslee recommends experimenting with different spreads before making a freezer full of sandwiches.

When preparing these sandwiches, it’s important to keep in mind food safety practices.

“Wash your hands before preparing the sandwiches. Put frozen sandwiches in the refrigerator the day before to thaw in their sandwich bag,” Blakeslee said. “When packing in a lunch box, use an insulated lunch bag with a small frozen gel pack. If a refrigerator is available, that is a good choice to keep foods cold.”

More food safety tips are available online from the Rapid Response Center for Food Science. Blakeslee also publishes a monthly newsletter, called You Asked It!, with timely tips for safe food in and out of the home.

More information is also available at local extension offices in Kansas.

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K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.