Tea Party Planning: How to Make Party Sandwiches Ahead of Time

Summer is a fantastic time of year for entertaining. The longer days and warmer weather make for beautiful days filled with your favorite people. Tea sandwiches, finger sandwiches, and dessert teas are perfect choices for gatherings this time of year. 

Read on for some tips for when you’re considering how to make party sandwiches ahead of time for your next event.

Can You Make Tea Sandwiches the Night Before?

Yes, you can! Making tea sandwiches (also called finger sandwiches or party sandwiches) the night before is a great way to save time and keep your gathering stress-free. 

Whether it’s a casual garden tea party, picnic, or some friends over for a light summer lunch, the less time you have to spend on the day preparing food, the more time you have to spend with the people who matter most. That means preparation before party day is key!

Just prepare the sandwiches carefully, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and store them in the refrigerator so they stay fresh, soft, and ready to serve. Let’s look at how to do this the right way.

Tip #1: Determine How Many Finger Sandwiches

Prior to making your sandwiches, you’ll need to think about how many you want to make and what varieties. Ensure you have all your ingredients ready to go and get making. Sandwich prep is also a task that is easy to delegate or get a production line going with some of your good friends. In preparation for events, my family has done this, and it makes for happy memories and laughter. The prep time goes much faster, too, with loved ones to help you out!

If you’re hosting a large event, sandwiches are great because you can make them the day before the event. They’re a crowd pleaser, versatile, and cost effective (depending on your fillings). If you’ve got a large party, it can be easier to make one or two varieties of sandwich. For smaller events, you might have more time and consider making three or four varieties. It’s up to you, and the versatility of sandwiches is part of what makes them such a great and easy food.

Along with the sandwiches, you might want to do a little party math to figure out how much beverage to serve at your event, too.

Tip #2: Consider the Weather

When you’re making party sandwiches ahead of time, keep in mind the weather and conditions your sandwiches might be exposed to. Think about the time between when you’ve made the sandwiches and when guests will eat them when selecting your ingredients.

If you’re creating sandwiches to take to a garden party outside, where they will be unrefrigerated for a period of time, consider steering clear of some ingredients that may spoil quicker. Egg sandwiches are often very nice, but if you make them too far in advance and expose them to hot weather in transit to your event, you could risk your guests becoming ill from eating them. Not quite the lasting memory you want them to have from your event.

Good Outdoor Sandwich Options

Instead, consider salad sandwiches, such as a nice cucumber and cheese sandwich. Tomatoes, cured meats, and chutneys all make great sandwich filling options when you’re faced with the elements of the outdoors. If you have access to cooling for your event, you have the opportunity to include a broader range of ingredients without the risk of spoiling.

Fruity tea sandwiches would be perfect for an outdoor garden party or picnic. I really like fruits in sandwiches for something a bit different! They pair wonderfully with some delicious English tea biscuits as well.

Tip #3: Pay Attention to Sandwich Construction

A soggy sandwich is not particularly nice. The flavors bleed into other ingredients, and the bread can become mushy in your mouth and hands. It can be a mess — one most people have experienced at least once!

By constructing your sandwich with moist ingredients in the center — away from the bread — you can reduce the risk of a soggy sandwich. If you’re making a sandwich with chutney, jam, or flavored butter, place your dry items such as lettuce or cold meats against the bread, then spread your chutney against those ingredients rather than directly onto the bread. This also applies to ingredients such as tomatoes that can make the bread soggy. This way, the meat or salad acts as a barrier between the moist ingredients and your bread.

Ham and cheese tea sandwiches and tomato tea sandwiches can be delicious additions to your party when you construct them carefully.

Toasted Sandwiches to Try

Toasted sandwiches are generally better suited for smaller events where you and your guests can enjoy them while they’re still hot. As a bonus, you don’t have to worry quite so much about sogginess or staleness in your preparation, as they will crisp up as they cook. Try delicious Monte Cristo tea sandwiches or crunchy apple slaw sandwiches.

Tip #4: Make the Sandwich Presentation Pleasing

Depending on the type of party you’re hosting, you might like to play around with how you present your sandwiches. You might be thinking, "There’s not much to think about with a sandwich," but how you present your sandwich can really play into the overall feel of your event. 

For example, little touches like handwritten menus on tea stained paper can add a charming, vintage feel to your table.

For more formal high tea parties, you might like to cut your sandwiches into ribbons or small triangles. For picnics or garden parties, you might just like to have them whole or in halves.

Don’t Underestimate a Decorative Plate

You can have a bit of fun with the plate you present your sandwiches on. China platters or stands are a popular choice. There are lots of pretty patterns to choose from, and you can really personalize as much or as little as you want. For an outdoor rustic event, it could be fun to serve up a selection of sandwiches on a wooden platter.

How to Keep Sandwiches Fresh Overnight

If you’re making sandwiches for your party in advance, you need to keep in mind how you are going to keep your sandwiches looking their best while they’re waiting to be eaten. By using cling wrap or placing them into storage containers in the fridge before the party (particularly if you make them the night before!), your ingredients should stay as fresh as possible. 

4 Tips to Avoid Soggy Sandwiches 

1. For the best storage, I would suggest an airtight container. Clingfilm has the potential to gather moisture if you haven’t sealed it well enough, depending on your refrigerator settings. This can lead to the dreaded soggy sandwiches.

2. If you need to transport your sandwiches, pack them in a cooler or insulated bag to keep them fresh until serving time, to maintain their freshness.

3. If you feel like you want convenience more than anything else, assemble your sandwiches and place them on the plate or tray you plan on presenting them on. Cover with cling film, then place in the fridge ready for your party. When your guests arrive, simply pull out the sandwiches and remove the clingfilm to serve. Easy!

4. Ideally, you should aim to make your sandwiches as close to the day of your party as possible for the best flavor and freshness. I recommend making your sandwiches no more than 48 hours in advance for the best flavor come party time.

So there you have it! My top tips for how to make party sandwiches ahead of time.

Looking for more options? Check out these other sandwich ideas.

Best Tea Sandwiches to Make Ahead, Plus Tea Pairings

When you’re planning a tea party, it’s important to choose sandwich fillings that will hold up well overnight without getting soggy or losing flavor. Simple, sturdy ingredients work best for make-ahead tea sandwiches. Here are some great options:

• Cucumber and cream cheese: Pairs beautifully with a light loose leaf black tea or a refreshing dessert tea like a peach tea or strawberry blend.

• Smoked salmon and herbed butter: Goes well with a bold Earl Grey black tea.

• Ham and sharp cheddar: Tastes delicious alongside a full-bodied breakfast black tea.

• Chicken salad with light mayonnaise: Matches nicely with a floral tea, such as a soft chamomile or a cup of your best rose tea.

By picking the right fillings and matching them with a thoughtful tea selection, you can create a beautiful and stress-free menu that will leave your guests happy and well-fed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance can you make party sandwiches?

You can make party sandwiches up to 24 hours in advance if you store them properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How to make sandwiches ahead of time without getting soggy?

Layer dry ingredients like lettuce or meats against the bread and keep moist fillings, like tomatoes or chutneys, in the center to prevent sogginess.

How do you keep sandwiches warm for a party?

Wrap the sandwiches tightly in foil and keep them in a warm oven or insulated food carrier until you are ready to serve them.

What sandwiches can be made the day before?

You can make sturdy sandwiches like ham and cheese, chicken salad, cucumber and cream cheese, and smoked salmon sandwiches the day before without them losing their freshness.