How To Slice Bread Like You Work At A Sandwich Shop

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Although sandwiches are one of the world's most popular homemade meals, we often aspire to make them taste as good at home as they do at restaurants. When exploring the great chains that excel in Italian subs, one sneakily important factor in a sandwich's quality is how it is masterfully cut. Of all the techniques that make sandwiches better, slicing your bread correctly improves the bread-to-filling ratio of each bite you take, offering a more enjoyable experience. A restaurant-quality knife can make or break this technique.

We spoke to self-taught chef and content creator Owen Han, who has mastered the deli-style creations and shared this expertise in his book, "Stacked: The Art of the Perfect Sandwich." He revealed that using a serrated knife is an absolute must when making the aforementioned perfect sandwich. "Look for a harp serrated bread knife since it will grip the crust without crushing the crumb," Han said. "From there, a simple sawing motion with minimal pressure (avoid squashing!) always works well. Cut atop a cutting board to avoid any slippage."

If the use of a serrated bread knife is the optimal tool for cutting into sandwiches, what is the worst? While a dull knife will always make this task difficult, chef Owen Han noted one type that can make cutting sandwich bread even trickier. "Avoid a chef's knife unless you want to crush your bread," he warned. Instead, let your serrated knife do the work and consider sharpening or upgrading if it's not performing optimally. "That means using the whole blade, from tip to base, and seeking out a lengthier — my go-to is 12 inches — versus a shorter knife," Han said.

Beyond using the right knife, there are other key aspects of slicing bread that deserve attention. Just like how many believe there is a best way to cut a sandwich, subs also benefit from being sliced in specific, precise ways. Most notably, cutting a sub unevenly can make it more difficult to bite and hold. Standing your loaf of bread on its side can help you make a precise, symmetrical cut.