Ham, Cheese & Pickles Recipe

Bring ingredients together

Remove bread and cheese from refrigerator so they come closer to room temperature (10–15 minutes). This helps the butter spread evenly and the cheese soften slightly for better melt if toasting.

If using whole pickles, slice into 8 even lengthwise or round slices about 2–3 mm thick. If pickles are very wet, pat briefly with a paper towel to avoid soggy bread.

Lay out 4 slices of bread, face up. On each, spread 1/2 tablespoon mayonnaise evenly (2 tablespoons divided between 4 slices).

On the opposite 4 slices of bread, spread 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard on each (2 tablespoons divided between 4 slices).

On each mayonnaise-spread slice, place two slices of smoked ham, arranging them to cover the bread leaving a small border.

Top the ham on each sandwich with one slice of cheddar cheese.

Arrange two dill pickle slices on top of the cheese for each sandwich (8 pickles divided across 4 sandwiches). If using thin round slices, stack evenly.

If using lettuce or tomato, add one leaf of lettuce and one tomato slice on top of the pickles now.

Close each sandwich by placing a mustard-spread slice of bread on top, mustard side down.

Lightly butter the outside faces of each sandwich with the softened unsalted butter, dividing the 2 tablespoons evenly (about 1/2 tablespoon per outside slice). Sprinkle a light grind of black pepper across the buttered faces.

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat until hot but not smoking (about 3–4 minutes). If you prefer a pressed sandwich, preheat a panini press to medium.

Place the buttered sandwiches in the skillet (butter-side down) and cook 3–4 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. While cooking, press down gently with a spatula to help the cheese melt evenly.

Flip each sandwich and cook the second side another 2–3 minutes until golden and the cheese is melted. If cheese needs more melting, cover the pan with a lid for 30–60 seconds to trap heat.

If using a panini press, cook for 3–5 minutes or until bread is golden and cheese is melted.

Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board. Let rest 1 minute, then cut each sandwich in half diagonally. Serve immediately.