Butter the bread and put the wet stuff in the middle

The fix for soggy lunchbox sandwiches is building a moisture barrier between the bread and whatever’s dripping.

Fat is the answer. Butter, mayo, cream cheese, even hummus — spread it on both slices. It’s not just for flavor; water physically can’t get past it.

Then think in layers, not piles. Bread, fat, dry stuff, and the wet stuff goes dead center, buried. Tomatoes, pickles, cucumber — tuck them in the middle and surround them with meat, cheese, or greens. Leafy greens double as a shield, so put a leaf between the bread and the tomato.

Two extra rules: pack sauces on the side if the filling is genuinely juicy, and never assemble with hot fillings. Warm patties and eggs steam the bread even without touching it. Lightly toasting the bread is a good insurance policy too.

Soggy sandwiches are a choice. Stop making it.