If you're looking to cut carbs or calories, but love the ease and convenience of sandwiches, try ditching one slice of bread.
Open-faced sandwiches have the same flavor as traditional sandwiches, but using only one piece of toast saves you carbs and lets you load up on the best part: the fillings. Plus, opting for an open-faced version can be your answer to getting over that post-meal slump.
Try these high-protein open-faced sandwich recipes for breakfast, lunch or dinner that won't disappoint.
You'll want to wake up to this creamy open-faced sandwich every morning. "Subbing in avocado for mayo here will result in an egg salad with added fiber, potassium and monosaturated fats," Nicole Rodriguez, RD, says. Not to mention, egg whites are one of the most bioavailable sources of protein.
While there's nothing wrong with a little mayo every now and then, swapping for olive oil-packed tuna will increase the content of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, Rodriguez suggests.
When you're in a pinch, layer this savory sandwich for an on-the-go meal. If you want to up the protein here, use plain, low-fat cottage cheese instead of the ricotta, Rodriguez says.
"Beef is an excellent source of protein, iron and zinc," Rodriguez says. "For balance, serve alongside plenty of leafy greens."
Adding raw walnuts to your chicken salad, like in this recipe, adds heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. "Feel free to increase the celery and apple for more crunch and fiber," Rodriguez suggests.
Black beans are rife with fiber, and this recipe clocks in at 10 grams of fiber per serving. Just be sure to look for no-salt-added black beans to control sodium levels.
For a vegan version of an egg salad, mash tofu into bite-sized pieces and mix it with your other ingredients, including mayo, mustard and tarragon. This plant-based tofu sandwich is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable and has powerful antioxidant properties, Rodriguez says. It's also low in calories, so feel free to bulk up on this veggie.
All you need to do is layer four ingredients, besides bread, to make this open-faced sammy: tuna, cherry tomatoes, avocado and buffalo sauce. Avocados help with satiety and absorption of lycopene, a potent antioxidant in the tomatoes, Rodriguez says.
If you make your own pesto, try replacing half of the herbs with beet greens. This will bulk up the nutrient density of this creamy spread.
This olive salsa here is a great addition for boosting flavor without loading on extra calories. The blend of olives, pine nuts and fresh parsley take this tuna sandwich to the next level.
"On average, a 3-ounce serving of beef provides 39 percent of the daily value for zinc, which helps maintain a healthy immune system," Rodriguez says. Serve this sandwich with a side of green veggies or a side salad.
Black beans and tuna make this open-faced sandwich full of protein. Add more cilantro, if you'd like, for even more fresh flavor without extra calories.
Ideal for meatless meals, this recipe uses canned beans to amp up the protein. "Canned beans are an easy, budget-friendly source of fiber and protein and can also help control blood sugar and lower cholesterol," Rodriguez says.
Great for brunch or lunch, this open-faced sandwich is simple but delicious. To make it dairy-free, swap the goat cheese for mashed avocado.