Subway is the largest fast-food sandwich chain in the world, with over 40,000 locations across more than 100 countries. Known for their made-to-order subs piled high with fresh ingredients, Subway serves over 7 million sandwiches every day. But what happens when you can‘t finish that foot-long in one go? As a sandwich connoisseur and former Subway employee, I‘m here to share my professional tips for reheating your Subway sandwich to perfection.
Why Proper Reheating Matters
According to a survey by the American Restaurant Association, 32% of restaurant meals are eaten off-premises, either delivered, carried out or via drive-thru. For Subway, where many people grab sandwiches to go, that number is likely even higher.
But a reheated sub is often a disappointment compared to a freshly made one. The bread gets soggy or dry, the fillings are cold in some spots and overcooked in others, and the whole thing just tastes…off. However, with the right reheating techniques, it‘s possible to revive a day-old Subway sandwich into something pretty close to its original glory.
Storing Your Sandwich for Later
Proper reheating starts with proper storage. How you store your Subway leftovers will have a big impact on the taste and texture later on. Here are my expert tips:
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Refrigerate your sandwich within 2 hours of purchase. According to the USDA, perishable foods like deli meats and cheeses should never be left at room temperature for longer than that due to the risk of bacterial growth.
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Wrap your sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This prevents the bread from drying out and keeps the fillings fresh. For best results, wrap the two halves separately.
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If your sandwich has a lot of wet toppings like tomatoes, cucumbers, or drippy sauces, consider removing some before refrigerating. Store toppings in a separate container and add them back just before reheating to prevent sogginess.
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Eat refrigerated sandwiches within 3-4 days for best quality and food safety. Sandwiches with drier fillings like turkey and ham will last a bit longer than those with wetter ingredients like tuna salad or meatballs.
The Best Ways to Reheat a Subway Sandwich
Not all reheating methods are created equal. Some will leave your sub soggy and steamy, while others will dry it out or heat it unevenly. As a self-proclaimed sandwich scholar, I‘ve tested all the popular methods. Here are my top picks, ranked:
1. Toaster Oven
The toaster oven is my go-to for reheating Subway sandwiches. It combines the gentle, even heat of an oven with the speed and crispiness of a toaster. Here‘s how to do it:
- Preheat toaster oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Loosely wrap each half of the sandwich in foil.
- Place on baking sheet and heat for 7-10 min, turning once.
- Unwrap for last 2 min for a crispier exterior.
The low temperature warms the fillings gradually while the foil prevents moisture loss. Unwrapping at the end gives the bread a nice toasty crunch.
2. Oven
If you don‘t have a toaster oven, a regular oven is your next best bet. The process is similar, just slightly slower:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Wrap each half loosely in foil, place on baking sheet.
- Heat for 12-15 min, turning once halfway.
- Unwrap for last 3-4 min of heating for crispiness.
This method is especially good for sandwiches with thicker fillings like meatballs or steak that need more time to warm through.
3. Air Fryer
If you have an air fryer, it can work reheating magic on a sad, soggy Subway sub. The circulating hot air crisps up the bread while gently warming the fillings. Here‘s how:
- Preheat air fryer to 300°F (150°C).
- Wrap halves separately in foil.
- Place in fryer basket, heat for 4-5 min, shaking once.
- Remove foil, heat 1 min more for crunch.
This method works best for sandwiches that are a bit drier to begin with. For wetter fillings, leave them out until after reheating to avoid steaming.
4. Microwave
I‘ll be honest, the microwave is my least favorite way to reheat a Subway sandwich. The high heat tends to turn the bread tough and rubbery while making the fillings soggy. But in a pinch, it‘ll do. Some tips for better microwave results:
- Wrap sandwich in a dry paper towel to absorb moisture.
- Use 50% power and heat in short 20-30 sec intervals.
- For best results, toast bread separately first, then microwave fillings and reassemble.
Expect a 6-inch sub to take 1-2 min total in the microwave, while a footlong may need up to 3 min.
How Reheating Affects Ingredients
Every ingredient in your Subway sandwich reacts differently to reheating. Understanding how toppings change when warmed will help you strategize your reheating approach:
| Ingredient | Reheating Notes |
|---|---|
| Bread | Denser breads like Italian or Parmesan Oregano reheat better than soft breads. Toasted subs tend to revive better than untoasted. |
| Deli Meats | Heat can cause deli meats to become tough or rubbery if overcooked. Low and slow is key. Aim for max internal temp of 165°F. |
| Cheese | Cheese that‘s not fully melted when first served (like Swiss) tends to reheat better than softer cheeses like American. |
| Veggies | Watery veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce release a lot of moisture when reheated. Remove before reheating if possible. Drier veggies like onions, peppers and pickles do better. |
| Sauces & Dressings | Mayo-based sauces and oily dressings tend to separate when reheated. Go light on these if you plan to save some of your sub for later. Mustard and vinegar-based sauces reheat okay. |
Being strategic about your toppings and condiments will give you a leg up in the reheating game. When in doubt, leave off wetter ingredients and add them back cold after reheating the rest of the sandwich.
Subway‘s Official Reheating Instructions
I reached out to Subway HQ to get their official position on reheating sandwiches. Here‘s what they said:
"We recommend reheating Subway sandwiches in a toaster oven for the best results. Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F and reheat the sandwich for 4-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Be sure to remove any vegetables that may not reheat well, such as lettuce and tomatoes."
There you have it, straight from the source! Validation that the toaster oven method really is top notch.
Troubleshooting Common Reheating Problems
Even with the best methods, reheating a Subway sandwich isn‘t foolproof. Here are some common issues and how to solve them:
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Soggy Bread: The enemy of a good sandwich! To avoid, store wet toppings separately and toast the bread before reassembling. You can also wrap the sandwich in a dry paper towel when microwaving to absorb moisture.
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Dry, Tough Bread: Usually a result of overheating. Stick to lower temperatures and keep the sandwich wrapped in foil for most of the reheating time to prevent moisture loss. A little sprinkle of water on the bread before heating can also help.
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Unevenly Heated Fillings: Fillings heat at different rates, often leading to cold spots in the middle. Avoid this by reheating lower and slower, and flipping the sandwich halfway through. Separating fillings and bread works even better.
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Overcooked Meat or Eggs: Proteins can get tough and rubbery when reheated, especially in the microwave. Use low heat and short times, and aim for a max internal temp of 165°F to keep things moist and tender.
With a little know-how and finesse, you can overcome most Subway reheating challenges. It just takes practice and a willingness to customize your approach.
Creative Serving Suggestions
Eating a reheated Subway sandwich straight up is perfectly delicious. But if you want to get creative, here are some fun ways to repurpose those leftovers:
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Subway Sandwich Panini: Butter the outside of the bread and press the reheated sub in a panini press or skillet for an extra crispy treat.
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Subway Salad: Chop up the sandwich fillings and serve over a bed of greens with your favorite dressing. Great for low-carb!
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Subway Melt: Open-face the reheated sub on a baking sheet. Top with extra cheese and broil until bubbly and golden.
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Subway Breakfast Scramble: Chop up leftover meat and veggies and scramble with eggs for a hearty breakfast. Stuff into the toasted sub roll if you want!
The only limit is your imagination. Don‘t be afraid to switch things up and experiment with reheating your Subway faves.
Key Takeaways for Reheating Perfection
I know we‘ve covered a lot of ground here, so let‘s review the most important points for achieving Subway reheating perfection:
- Store your sandwich properly to preserve quality. Wrap tightly and refrigerate within 2 hours.
- Choose your reheating method wisely. Toaster ovens and regular ovens work best. Microwaves are trickier.
- Go low and slow with the heat to warm fillings gently without drying out the bread.
- Customize your toppings for reheating success. Leave off wet ingredients like tomatoes until after if possible.
- Get creative with your leftovers! Repurpose that sub into paninis, salads, melts and more.
Armed with this knowledge, you‘re ready to tackle any Subway reheating challenge that comes your way. And while reheated subs might never be quite as perfect as freshly made, these tips will get you pretty darn close.
Now if you‘ll excuse me, I have a date with a toaster oven and a day-old Spicy Italian that‘s calling my name. Until next time, my fellow sandwich lovers!
