The Best Ham Sandwich You’ll Ever Eat

Creamy goat cheese, spicy jam, salty ham, and peppery arugula are combined in the best ham sandwich you’ll ever eat.

Packed with delicious fillings, this is not your ordinary ham sandwich recipe. I typically pile the fillings on a long French baguette and then slice it into small finger sandwiches. However you make this, it won’t last long.

I serve this ham sandwich for holiday get-togethers, family movie nights, easy lunches, and snacks throughout the year.

We’ve made this amazing sandwich so many times over the past couple of years, I wanted to share it again, to make sure you’ll have the recipe fresh in your memory and at your fingertips when you have leftover ham in the house after Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.

Best Ham Sandwich

While visiting Sioux Falls with The National Pork Board a few years ago, Chef Neel built a similar sandwich and he called it the “best ever ham sandwich.”

This post was originally sponsored by The National Pork Board and this ham sandwich recipe was inspired by that trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota a few years ago.

While I expected the sandwich to be tasty, I’m reluctant to ever label anything the “best” of its kind. I took one bite and was sold. This was, indeed, the cream of the crop of deli ham sandwiches.

The creamy goat cheese and savory ham are a perfect combination. A spoonful of spicy pepper jam took the whole thing to sigh-worthy heights.

Ham Sandwich Recipe

I knew right away I’d be making my own version of that sandwich after I returned home again. The recipe I’m sharing with you today is one you’re going to want to make over and over again.

To make this ham sandwich, I followed Chef Neel’s lead and started with a fresh French baguette. I picked mine up from the bakery section at my local grocery store, but I’m sure a homemade baguette would taste fabulous as well.

After slicing the loaf in half lengthways, I spread each side with a thick layer of whipped goat cheese. Arugula and thin slices of deli ham are piled on next.

The sandwich is made complete with a dollop of hot pepper jelly spooned on top.

One baguette’s worth of sandwich can be sliced into sections to feed four people for a lunch. This is also the perfect party sandwich. Slice it into eight sections to serve as an appetizer.

Amazing Ham Sandwich

My family can never get enough party foods and snack ideas, so this sandwich is perfect for us. I’ve made it many times now and my kids still keep asking for “the fancy ham sandwich.”

You can make this on classic French bread, on a baguette, on hoagie rolls, on toast, or on whole-grain wheat bread, the possibilities are endless here.

Make the sandwich as hearty or as light as you like simply by adjusting the amounts of each ingredient. When I’m making these sandwiches for a quick dinner, I pile them high with plenty of ham slices.

As an appetizer or party snack, I’ll be a little lighter on the meat. I love how adaptable this recipe is for any occasion.

Be warned that you just might sigh when you bite into this sweet and savory sandwich. If you’re a ham lover (or even if you’re not!) this sandwich truly deserves the name “The Best Ham Sandwich You’ll Ever Eat!”

Creamy goat cheese and spicy pepper jam add up to make this the ultimate ham sandwich recipe. As a party food or an easy lunch or dinner, this sandwich is always a hit.

I almost can’t believe I’m this excited about a ham sandwich–but I promise you it’s worth the hype. Right now, I admit I’m pretty sold on making these sandwiches just about as often as I can.

For more amazing recipes for party sandwiches, I highly recommend both these Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders and these Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches. I also have this Cajun Cheesecake Sandwich recipe on my list of party sandwiches to make next.

I have a well-known love for ham and you can see that evidenced all over this website. Check out all of these ham-filled recipes! Better Than Take-Out Ham Fried Rice is a kid-friendly favorite that’s easier and faster than take out.

There’s nothing else like Ham Balls served on their own or in a Sweet and Sour Ham Ball Stir Fry. (Skeptical? I promise that once you try the ham ball stir-fry, you’ll be a fan too!)

Ham and Cheese Waffles (grab and go or drizzle with syrup at the table) and Ham and Vegetable Pasta Skillet are frequently requested by my kids.

Ham and Cheese Biscuits and Slow Cooker Potato Ham Chowder never disappoint. Serve the biscuits with the chowder for a real treat!

{originally published 10/24/17 – recipe notes and photos updated 12/23/22}