The Best Sandwich Spread, Ranked

Sandwich spreads are weirdly satisfying. If you’ve never bought a jar or bottle of one, you might be surprised to learn they even exist. (Admittedly, before this ranking, I kinda forgot they were a thing.) These mayo-based, relish-studded spreads are sweet, tangy, and creamy, and they give a plain bologna sandwich major egg salad vibes. 

How we sourced the best sandwich spreads

I looked at major grocery chains and online stores to find every product that actually calls itself “sandwich spread” on the label. Since the selection isn’t that wide and varied, I also went a little rogue. There are plenty of tangy, pickle-y, mayo-based sandwich spreads that we’ve tried over the years that aren’t specifically labeled “sandwich spread,” but they still deserve a little recognition. So I included those, too. 

What we looked for in the best sandwich spreads

For classic sandwich spreads, I wanted to find the perfect balance of creaminess and tang, ideally with a gentle sweetness and satisfying texture from chopped veggies like pickles or pimentos. The biggest question on my mind was whether they would actually elevate your deli meats, or if you’re better off sticking to mayo, pickles, and relish as separate ingredients in your sammies. So without further ado, these are the best sandwich spreads that made the (cold) cut.

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Best Sweet

Signature Select Sandwich Spread

Vons

Albertsons

If you love a sweet, nostalgic sandwich spread and find yourself torn between Kraft and Signature Select Sandwich Spread in the grocery aisle (a problem only relevant to those who shop at Albertsons-owned grocery stores), personally, I’d go with Signature Select. Both are pretty similar in terms of taste—they lean sweet over tangy, with a heavy, thick mayo base. I do think Kraft has a little more crunch and relish flavor going for it, which is nice, yes, but Signature Select skips the high fructose corn syrup. It’s one of the few jarred “sandwich spreads” I’ve found that goes without it, actually. Go with your heart, but if you want a sweet sandwich spread to complement your more savory deli meats, Signature Select will get the job done.

Credit: Merc / Vons

Rating:

6.5/10

Sporks

Best for Fried Chicken

Newman’s Own Dill-ight

Amazon

Newman’s Own

No, this isn’t your typical sandwich spread. I’m going rogue and throwing Newman’s Own Dill-ight on the list because it might just be one of the sandwich spreads for a fried chicken sandwich I’ve ever tried. It has a strong, bright cucumber-dill flavor that surprisingly isn’t too tart or tangy. The light garlic finish really elevates it, too. While I have to dock some points on this ranking simply because it’s probably not what many people are looking for in the best sandwich spread, it’s worth being on your radar. (I also think it’d be great in tuna salad. Just sayin’.) 

Credit: Merc / Newman’s Own

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Pickle Spread

Ayoh Foods Dill Pickle Mayo

Ayoh Foods

Now, if you want a bold, tangy, briny pickle mayo, please look no further than Ahoy Foods. The crunchy bits of fresh dill pickle in this are truly life-changing. The consistency is basically half-creamy, half-chunky, so every bite has a serious crunch factor. With fresh dill, black pepper, and a touch of dijon mustard, it’s honestly like something that you’d buy at a farmer’s market for ten bucks a jar. I’m craving a smash burger with this spread, but I’ll settle for a turkey sandwich made with ingredients from our office fridge.

Credit: Merc / Ayoh Foods

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Runner Up

Nando’s Perinaise Sauce Hot

Walmart

For some of you, Nando’s Perinaise Sauce is a pantry staple. I’d never tried it before now (sorry!), but I’ll definitely buy it in the future! It has a subtle smoky sweetness that gives way to a light kick of heat. Made with African bird’s eye chilis, Nando’s famous peri-peri sauce is overall still creamy and mild enough to use pretty generously. If you’re making a grilled chicken sandwich, you need this. (Though personally I’m taking it home to spice up my breakfast sammies.) Bonus: It squeezes out in a little star shape. It’s the little things, y’all.

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Dietz & Watson Sandwich Spread

Amazon

Instacart

Okay, here it is, folks: the perfect classic sandwich spread, just like the jar you remember from grandma’s fridge. Dietz & Watson is everything you want from a creamy, tangy, pimento-infused spread, without being too sweet or lacking in crunch. (The most common pitfalls from this taste test by far.) It has a thousand island dressing vibe going for it, thanks to the pickle relish and just a hint of tomatoey sweetness. If you want the best sandwich spread for simple bologna sandwiches and turkey clubs, this is the one, guys. 

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other sandwich spreads we tried: Kraft Sandwich Spread, Great Value Sandwich Spread, Blue Plate Mayonnaise Sandwich Spread