Sabich Sandwich

Let me introduce you to your new favorite sandwich.

I’m convinced Sabich is one of the best sandwiches out there. This popular Israeli street food is packed with creamy eggplant, tomatoes, egg, pickles, and cilantro, all stuffed into a warm pita slathered with baba ganoush. The unique combination of ingredients creates a well-balanced sandwich that’s both hearty and satisfying without feeling overly heavy. It’s a fantastic option for vegetarians, quick to make, and completely customizable. If you haven’t tried it yet, put it on your must-make list!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR SABICH SANDWICH

• Eggplant – Standard globe / purple eggplant works for this. These are going to be sliced and roasted (yes sometimes fried eggplant is added to the sandwich but we are simplifying this). Now before you groan about roasting sliced eggplant, there is a way to get it to a super creamy texture. Which I list below, because trust me I know just how unappealing a rubbery dry eggplant is.
• Hard Boiled Eggs – You want the eggs to be fully hard-boiled, which usually takes about 10 minutes of boiling, depending on the heat level.
• Tomato
• Middle Eastern Pickles – Sometimes called Israeli pickles, these are much different than the standard dill pickles you find in the supermarket. Often sold in cans, these pickles can be found in a Middle Eastern specialty market, or if you have a decent khosher section at your local supermarket. Strangely enough I have seen them at Target.
• Cilantro – Not parsley. The fragrant herb adds brightness to the sandwich.
• Baba Ganoush – Normally, tahini sauce would go on this sandwich, but truth be told, I can’t stand straight tahini. So, we’re swapping it out for creamy baba ganoush. Good baba ganoush is hard to come by, which is why I recommend making it at home using my Baba Ganoush recipe on the site. However, if you can find a good store-bought option, feel free to use that. You can also substitute it with plain hummus. Need a recipe? Check out my Creamy Hummus.
• Harissa (optional) – This sandwich screams for a touch of heat, and there is no better option that will add a ton of flavor than harissa. A little goes a long was so start with a schmear and add from there.
• Pita Bread – You want to buy pita pockets and not just the pita flatbread.
• Optional: Red onion or Israeli salad / cucumber salad.

HOW TO MAKE SABICH SANDWICH

Prep the Eggplant – I hate to tell you this, but there’s a bit of prep work involved to ensure the eggplant turns out soft and creamy instead of dry and rubbery. Start by slicing the eggplant into 1/4-inch slices (do not peel them). Place the slices on a sheet tray or large plate. Sprinkle both sides with salt, and let them sit for at least 15 minutes. Sometimes, I do this an hour ahead or even in the morning if I’m preparing them for lunch. If you plan to let them sit for an extended period, cover them with foil or plastic wrap. During this time, the eggplant will release its moisture.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. One by one, pat the eggplant slices dry and gently squeeze them between paper towels to remove excess moisture. Placing on the sheet tray, generously (and I mean generously) drizzle olive oil, then quickly coat the eggplant slices. You’ll likely need 2-3 tablespoons of oil, as eggplant tends to soak it up quickly, so ensure you give them a thorough coating before that happens. Arrange the slices in a single layer on the sheet tray and roast for approximately 20-25 minutes, flipping them at the 15-minute mark. The eggplants will be fork tender when done.

Kitchen Hack! Sometimes the eggplant likes to stick to the pan. Spray the sheet pan with a non stick spray to make sure that they are easy to flip over and remove.

Prep Ingredients- While the eggplant is roasting prep the other ingredients. You should have plenty of time to slice, cut, and clean the rest of the components as well as boil the eggs.

Assembly- Slice open a toasted pita (bonus points if you heated the pita over the stove IYKYK). Place a generous amount of baba ganoush and optional harissa. Layer in the sliced tomato, sliced hard boiled egg, roasted eggplant, and sliced pickles. Stuff with desired cilantro and enjoy!

STORING/REHEATING

Sabich sandwich components can be prepped in advance for easier assembly. If you don’t mind eating is cold (best eaten warm), everything can be made in advance. Store components separately in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.