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Copycat Big Boy Slim Jim Sandwich
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Big Boy is an iconic restaurant well known for their giant statue of a boy in overalls holding a Big Boy burger. Their Slim Jim sandwich, which is a grilled ham and swiss sandwich, originated at Shoney's which is a Big Boy franchise. It's also known as the Buddie Boy at other franchises.
serves/makes:
ready in:
under 30 minutes
under 30 minutes
6 reviews
1 comment
ingredients
6 ounces thinly sliced Virginia baked ham
3 ounces thinly sliced natural Swiss cheese
1 (6- or 8-inch) hoagie or sub-style sandwich roll
4 thin tomato slices
shredded lettuce
sandwich sauce or Thousand Island salad dressing
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
directions
Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium-high heat. Butter the inside of the sandwich roll, both top and bottom, and lightly brown on the griddle. Remove bread from griddle. On the bottom of the sandwich roll arrange (in order) ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato. Spread the top of the roll with sandwich sauce and place on top of the assembled sandwich.
Place sandwich on griddle (bottom down) and weight with a heavy metal pan lid. Grill sandwich until the cheese melts. Cut in half, garnish with a dill pickle spear and serve with potato chips or hand-cut french fries.
added by
supersalad
recipe tips
Add a slice of onion or a few pickles inside the sandwich.
For a crispy texture, press down the sandwich while grilling until the bread is toasted.
For a healthier version, use whole wheat rolls and low-fat cheese.
If the sandwich is too dry, add more sauce or dressing.
Try adding a slice of bacon or avocado for a different twist.
To help the cheese melt evenly, cover the sandwich while grilling.
Always be gentle when flipping the sandwich to prevent the filling from falling out.
common recipe questions
Can I use a different type of ham?
Yes, you can use any type of cooked ham, but Virginia baked ham is recommended to get the closest flavor to Big Boy's sandwich.
What can I use instead of Swiss cheese?
You can use provolone, mozzarella, or any cheese that melts well. Again, Swiss cheese is what is on the Big Boy sandwich.
Is there a substitute for a hoagie or sub-style sandwich roll?
You can use any large sandwich roll or even a baguette, cut to the desired size.
What is sandwich sauce?
It is a creamy spread like Durkee's. You can also use miracle whip.
Can I make this sandwich without the sandwich sauce or Thousand Island dressing?
Yes, but the sauce adds flavor and provides moisture. You can use mayonnaise, mustard, or any other preferred condiment.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
It's best enjoyed fresh, but you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 day and reheat in a skillet or oven.
Can this sandwich be made in advance?
It's best made fresh, but you can prepare the components in advance and assemble just before serving. Assembling it too far in advance will make the bread soggy.
tools needed
Griddle or Large Skillet: For grilling the sandwich roll and melting the cheese in the Slim Jim sandwich. If you don't have a griddle, a large skillet can be used as an alternative.
Butter Knife: For spreading the butter or margarine on the inside of the sandwich roll before browning on the griddle.
Heavy Metal Pan Lid: To weigh down the sandwich while grilling, ensuring even heating and melting of the cheese.
Knife: To cut the Slim Jim sandwich in half before serving. It's also handy for slicing the tomatoes and shredding the lettuce.
nutrition data
789 calories, 38 grams fat, 44 grams carbohydrates, 62 grams protein per serving.
Please note:
This is a copy cat recipe submitted to CDKitchen by a third-party. This recipe is not an original recipe unless specifically stated and is considered only to be an acceptable "clone" to the original for the home cook to attempt to duplicate. Please also note that many nationwide restaurant chains vary their menus and ingredients by region so the version provided may not be similar to what you may have tried before. All trademarks referenced are property of their respective owners.
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reviews & comments
March 21, 2018
I always refer to this recipe when I want to make slim jims. I buy ore ida crinkle french fries so we can have sort of authentic big boys and big boy fries. Yummm!
I'm makin' this today! Will lightly grill the ham and use homemade sauce ala' pg57's recipe. Thanks!
August 21, 2014
Made these for 8 hungry pre-teen boys. They thought they were "da bomb". Just used deli ham not virginia ham. Made mock sandwich sauce by mixing mayo with ketchup and a spoonful of pickle relish.
May 7, 2014
it tased good
November 6, 2013
I used Durkee's sauce instead of dressing. Delicious. Do yourself a favor and make two because after you finish one you'll wish you had a second sandwich.
July 28, 2013
Never been to a Big Boy but this is a great ham and cheese sandwich!
January 20, 2011
I love the Slim Jim sandwich made at the Elias Brothers Big Boys in Michigan and since moving to the south have been looking for a copy cat recipe of the sandwich. This recipe was right on, with one exception. I grill the ham for a minute to heat the ham as they do in the restaurant back home. The sauce for the Elias Brothers is an easy tarter sauce recipe, using Mayo, pickle relish and chopped onions. This sandwich was perfect and needed no adjustments.