• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sweet Little Bluebird
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Crazy Cakes
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Crazy Cakes
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » depression era sandwich

    Peanut Butter, Mayonnaise and Lettuce Sandwich

    by Mary Neumann · 107 Comments

    587 shares
    • Facebook
    Yes, you read that right…Peanut Butter, Mayonnaise and Lettuce Sandwich. How can something that sounds so wrong, taste so right.
     
    (Often made with Miracle Whip instead instead of mayonnaise – my personal favorite)

     

    I grew up on this and haven’t had one since I was about 10 years old. This was one of my grandparents’ favorite sandwiches.  I was told this sandwich was born during the Great Depression and became a family favorite.

     

    I did a little research and found a great list of meals on The Survival Mom, that were born during the Great Depression. It’s a fun read.

     

    What strange family food did you grow up with?

     

    This afternoon I took a trip down memory lane and made one. It was pretty darn good, but could never compare to the ones made in my grandparents’ kitchen.

     

    Thanks so much for stopping by!
    Cheers!

    More depression era sandwich

    • This is a photo of the salad served in a large white serving bowl.
      Best Salad Ever (My Most Requested Salad Recipe)
    587 shares
    • Facebook

    Dinner Made Easy with Slow Cooker

    Tried-and-true recipes to make cooking in your slow cooker simply & delicious!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle A Coomes

      April 05, 2014 at 6:06 pm

      Growing up my brother & I used to eat these. Wanna know why? PeeWee Herman made these on his show & so if it was good enough for PeeWee, we had to try it. And we both still love them!

      Reply
    2. Abigail

      March 27, 2014 at 7:50 pm

      My favorite sandwich growing up was peanut butter, mayo, and mustard. after it was pickles in place of mustard, with lettuce and tomato if we happened to have it. Might have to have one this weekend if I get around to making some bread….

      Reply
    3. Anonymous

      March 23, 2014 at 6:18 am

      My foster mother had a awesome sandwich she wanted me to try, still like to this day. Mayo, on one side of the bread, butter on the other with cucumbers and red onions. Thought it sounded wierd when she first told me about it, but it was good. ♥ & miss you momma Kelder.

      Reply
    4. Carol Bond

      March 16, 2014 at 8:49 pm

      My family has always eaten pineapple and mayo sandwiches, and my great-grandparents used to eat onion and mayo sandwiches. My Gram introduced me to them and I actually like them too.

      Reply
      • David Harper

        November 03, 2014 at 4:51 am

        Onion and mustard sandwiches at my hoise

        Reply
      • Anonymous

        April 30, 2015 at 11:07 pm

        Lol me too. Onion sandwiches are awesome.

        Reply
      • Dawniey

        March 21, 2016 at 9:12 pm

        This is so my hubby! He swears by them but I just can't get myself to taste it.

        Reply
    5. Amy Terry

      February 09, 2014 at 11:52 am

      As a kid growing up, my mom would make jam or jelly and cheese sandwiches. Usually strawberry jam with American cheese on white bread, but I also love grape or apple jelly with cheddar on wheat. Still one of my favorite snacks.

      Reply
      • mel

        February 01, 2015 at 11:09 pm

        Try it on a lightly buttered onion bun or everything bagel with strawberry jam.

        Reply
    6. bev medcalf

      February 04, 2014 at 7:17 am

      i'll do you one better for weird sandwiches! my whole family eats peanut butter and miracle whip sandwiches but my grandma would make peanut butter, miracle whip and sweet pickle sandwiches! i still eat them to this day.

      Reply
      • K Taylor Allerton

        March 01, 2015 at 6:35 pm

        Ok, we're getting closer – I'm finding my people here.
        Peanut butter, pickle relish, onion and mayo!

        Reply
    7. Anonymous

      January 24, 2014 at 5:21 pm

      We always had BLTs with peanut butter. I was shocked when I went to college and people thought it was gross!

      Reply
    8. Anonymous

      January 19, 2014 at 2:04 am

      Ok, so I guess I am not odd for feeding my kids pb & fried egg sandwiches. Poor is the reason we discovered it, like was why we had them often

      Reply
      • David Harper

        November 03, 2014 at 4:53 am

        I eat one every Saturday. With jam and bacon as well

        Reply
    9. Christina Cole

      November 26, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      I grew up on peanut butter and mayo on wheat. I still love it to this day, but I add bananas to it, too. Oh! It's so good! Then just the other day my husband fried or grilled similar to a grilled cheese, but it was a pb&J and he even added bacon to some. "Oh my goodness! It was delightful"! Both are a must try in my book! My grandmother, always use to say, "Don't knock it!, Until you try it"! 🙂

      Reply
    10. Anonymous

      November 08, 2013 at 5:51 pm

      My dad madge this sandwich with chedder cheese on it too. Sounds disgusting but is an awesome sandwich. If you can afford the calories and fat!

      Reply
    11. Anonymous

      October 26, 2013 at 12:04 am

      When I was in college a friend introduced me to PBLT sandwiches – BLTs with peanut butter on the bacon side of the sandwich and mayo on the tomato side. Lettuce in the middle. So yummy!

      Reply
    12. Anonymous

      August 07, 2013 at 2:17 am

      My husband recently introduced me to Mayo/banana sandwiches. I was gagging at the thought but he insisted I tried it. Its one of my new favorites. I am pregnant, and I will be trying your sandwich this weekend!
      Have you ever tried cranberry sauce and mayo? That is one of my favorite Thanksgiving Leftover sandwiches. Maybe throw in a little bit of leftover turkey.

      Reply
    13. lorrie

      May 03, 2013 at 2:57 pm

      I will try this. For years my family has stared at me with doubt as I relished a tomato sandwich (wonder white bread, mayo, beefy slice of ripe tomato, salt…yum!), which I grew up with. A few months ago my husband finally took a bite of mine and said, "Holy cow!". I had to make him one, then another. ;)By the way, another favorite that doesn't sound like it goes together, but is amazing is bacon and peanut butter. And I do know that back east it's common to have a lobster bake and have lettuce sandwiches with it (iceberg lettuce, white bread and mayo).

      Reply
      • Anonymous

        April 30, 2015 at 11:03 pm

        I was raised not only on tomato sandwiches but also onion sandwiches. Butter, bread, and sliced yellow onion.

        Reply
      • Roz

        June 11, 2015 at 2:08 am

        I love tomato and miracle whip on toast. Or mashed avocado on toast

        Reply
      • Terry

        January 22, 2016 at 6:38 am

        Love tomato sandwiches! I add a little salt, a lot of black pepper, and sometimes a thin slice of onion.

        Reply
    14. Anonymous

      May 03, 2013 at 2:15 am

      They are yummy, have you tried replacing the lettuce with cucumber?

      Reply
    15. Val in MN

      May 02, 2013 at 8:47 pm

      I've always loved PB and and a slice of cheese. The fam thinks I'm nuts! I think the lettuce would add some cool crispiness.

      Reply
      • Anonymous

        February 21, 2015 at 11:59 pm

        Add pickles!!

        Reply
    16. abrowncow

      April 19, 2013 at 8:30 pm

      peanut butter, bacon and mayo sandwiches are a favorite of mine. i do like a nice pressed peanut butter and banana sandwich too. i'll have to try it with some lettuce the next time i whip one up.

      Reply
    17. Sheryl

      April 17, 2013 at 2:31 am

      Peanut butter and dill pickle sandwiches were my go to after school snack in junior high. And I'm adding pickles to my grocery list now. Thanks for reminding me of that lovely yumminess!

      Reply
    18. Anonymous

      April 11, 2013 at 8:35 pm

      As kids, we ate these with bacon too. The warmth of the fresh cooked bacon makes the PB melt. So good. My mouth is watering just thinking about them. Even better on toasted bread!

      Reply
    19. Anonymous

      April 09, 2013 at 3:37 am

      Great with bacon..a "BLP"

      Reply
      • Gayle Eaton

        February 24, 2014 at 4:19 am

        My best friend grew up on peanut butter, jelly and bologna sandwiches.

        Reply
    20. Anonymous

      March 22, 2013 at 4:43 pm

      I grew up on these and still eat at least one/month for lunch. It's a great sandwich and sticks with you…satisfying. Everybody gets grossed out when I mention it and they never even try it…what's up with that? Their loss…

      Reply
    21. Deanna Schiesser

      March 19, 2013 at 4:05 am

      My sister once made a peanut butter, mayo, and oatmeal sandwich when we were kids and she said it was good.

      Reply
    22. Bruised Orange

      March 10, 2013 at 2:08 pm

      We ate peanut butter, Mayo and pickle sandwiches (known as dorm room sandwiches). I only ever ate them drunk, but they were awesome.

      Reply
    23. Bruised Orange

      March 10, 2013 at 2:01 pm

      We ate peanut butter, Mayo and pickle sandwiches (known as dorm room sandwiches). I only ever ate them drunk, but they were awesome.

      Reply
    24. jamiewhitewyatt

      March 06, 2013 at 12:58 am

      Add bananas, and you have one of my childhood favorites!

      Reply
      • Mary

        March 08, 2013 at 4:54 am

        Jamie, Yum, I will! Thanks for the tip! And thanks for this visit! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

        Reply
    25. It's All Connected

      September 10, 2012 at 4:50 am

      I'm laughing at this because I like peanut butter and lettuce sandwiches. No mayo for me, but the lettuce cuts the stickiness of the peanut butter. Going over to check out that site! ~ Maureen

      Reply
      • Mary ~

        September 15, 2012 at 12:12 am

        Hi Maureen ~ Always nice to see you here! I love the crunch of lettuce of the with the sandwich, and your right, it does help with the stickiness! I hope you have a wonderful week! *I hit the wrong place to reply…so I copied & pasted my reply from earlier. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

        Reply
      • Norm

        October 05, 2014 at 8:57 am

        I love peanut butter and bread and butter pickle chips….the bread and butter pickle chips add a nice crunch to the sandwich.

        Reply
      • latter-daymom

        November 03, 2014 at 4:25 pm

        One of my favorites is peanut butter and sweet pickles with miracle whip. My husband, who loves pb won't even try it, and others think I am crazy, but too bad for them!

        Reply
      • Anonymous

        November 06, 2014 at 5:46 am

        My older sister introduce this sandwich to me, but she also added jelly or jam and sliced bananas. I think she might have made these at a restaurant that she worked in the mid 1940's. Might sound not so good, but I still make one once in awhile.

        Reply
      • Anonymous

        February 21, 2015 at 11:58 pm

        Peanut Butter , Pickles, & American Cheese

        Reply
      • Laurie Krous

        February 21, 2016 at 8:50 am

        My mother-in-law always ate
        White bread
        Peanut butter
        Mayonnaise
        And….
        Dill pickle!
        She got about 1/2 of her friends to try it 1 day & they all liked it. About 3 out of 7 of her kids love it as well.

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I’m Mary, the face behind the food blog Sweet Little Bluebird. I am a Michigan girl, born and raised in Flint, and currently living outside of Atlanta, Georgia. I am married to a great guy from Northern California, together we have two sweet girls.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Four image collage showing a photo of each recipe featured this week — Southern Potato Salad, Ham and Dill Pickle Roll Ups, Fresh Cherry Pie with Crumb Topping, and Flank Steak Pinwheels.
      Southern Potato Salad — Weekend Potluck 733
    • Four image collage showing a photo of each recipe featured this week — Fire and Ice Pickles, Butterscotch Coffee Cake, Easy Vegetable Salad, and Pound Cake Banana Pudding.
      Fire and Ice Pickles — Weekend Potluck 732
    • Four image collage showing a photo of each recipe featured this week — Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas, Dr Pepper Brownies, Chewy Oatmeal Cookies, and Bakery Style Blueberry Muffins.
      Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas — Weekend Potluck 731
    • Four image collage showing a photo of each recipe featured this week — Sugar Cookie Peach Cobbler, Rotel Chicken Pasta, Sheet Pan Taco Pizza, and Oatmeal Cream Pie Bars.
      Sugar Cookie Peach Cobbler — Weekend Potluck 730

    Amazon Associates Disclosure

    Mary Neumann of Sweet Little Bluebird is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Accessibility Statement

    Copyright © 2011-2026 · Mary Neumann · Sweet Little Bluebird · All Rights Reserved
    Copyright Protected Under The Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Any And All Use Of Photos Is Prohibited Without Written Permission.