Funeral sandwiches are savory ham and cheese sliders, basted in a delicious butter sauce, and baked to hot and melty perfection.
This funeral sandwich recipe coined its iconic name because it is perfect for serving a crowd, such as family members at memorial services. But appropriately enough, these decadent sandwiches are loaded with enough cheese and butter to put you one step closer to the grave...
Oh, but they are worth it!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Deli ham - Any thinly sliced ham is great to use. You can substitute roast beef or any leftover ham.
- Swiss cheese - Cheddar cheese is a great substitution.
- Yellow mustard - Dijon mustard would also work really well.
- King's Hawaiian rolls - Sweet buns are best, but you can substitute any slider buns.
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Poppy seeds - Sesame seeds can be substituted.
- Optional - Pickles can be added to the sandwiches. A dash of onion powder and garlic powder can be added to the butter sauce, if desired.
How to make it
To make funeral sandwiches, first slice the Hawaiian rolls in half with a serrated knife, placing the lower half into the bottom of a baking pan or small casserole dish. Then assemble the sandwich by adding a layer of ham, Swiss cheese slices, mustard, and then top with the upper half of the buns.
Make the sauce by combining the melted butter, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in a small dish. Then paint the butter mixture over the bun tops.
Cover your baking pan with aluminum foil and place in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Then discard the foil, sprinkle with poppy seeds, and bake for an additional ten minutes, until golden brown.
Remove the baked sliders from the oven, slice into individual servings, then serve.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Funeral sandwiches are great to make in advance and can easily be stored in your refrigerator for up to three days when covered in plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container. Leftovers can be stored for up to a week, but the texture of the buns will suffer.
If making funeral sliders in advance, simply assemble the sandwiches and skip baking until you are ready to serve them. However, if you have leftovers, they can be covered in foil and re-baked for 20 minutes, or until heated through, whenever you wish to enjoy them again.
Funeral Sandwiches
Equipment
- 7x11 Baking Pan
Ingredients
- ¾ pound deli ham (thinly sliced)
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
- 2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
- 1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls (12 count package)
- ½ cup butter melted
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Slice the package of Hawaiian buns in half and place the bottom half in the baking dish. Top with the ham, slices of cheese, a thin layer of yellow mustard, and finally cover with the top half of the buns.
- In a small bowl mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Then generously brush the sauce mixture over the tops of the sandwiches.
- Cover your baking pan with aluminum foil and place in the oven for 20 minutes. Then remove from the oven, discard the foil, and sprinkle poppy seeds over the buns.
- Place the sandwiches back in the oven for 10 minutes, or until the tops are nicely browned and the cheese has melted. Then slice into individual sandwiches and serve.
Elaine Williams
Ohh....! looks delicious. This would be good for game night. Would pass on King Hawiian bread - I am one of those odd balls who does not like it.