A “struggle sandwich” is a sandwich on a low budget. It might be two slices of bread with a condiment in the middle, or with ice cubes in the middle. The term appears to have originated in 2010, although the concept is much older.
     
“that’s a struggle sandwich” was posted on Twitter by relly on August 5, 2010. “Lmao @ struggle sandwich” was posted on Twitter by Young Demogorgon on August 5, 2010. “Now… This is how I’m livin… Smh. Struggle sandwiches” was posted on Twitter by Young Demogorgon on October 7, 2010. “i definitely just made a peanut butter and some jelly sandwich. that shit was a #struggle sandwich b. jesus” was posted on Twitter by “OlDirtyDennis.eth/.tez” on November 7, 2010.
     
”struggle sandwich A sandwich on a budget. Typically consisting of bread and condiments (ketchup & mustard) or bread and ice. Considered a last option meal during tough economic periods for people” was entered in the Urban Dictionary on May 16, 2013.
   
         
Twitter
relly
@rellyOnSMASH
Replying to @thatmanbutta
that’s a struggle sandwich RT @thatmanbutta Welp folks, this is looking like my lunch. A bread sandwich. http://twitpic.com/2bvqsz
2:05 PM · Aug 5, 2010·Twittelator
 
Twitter
Young Demogorgon
@thatmanbutta
Lmao @ struggle sandwich
2:08 PM · Aug 5, 2010·Twitter for iPhone
 
Twitter
Young Demogorgon
@thatmanbutta
Now… This is how I’m livin… Smh. Struggle sandwiches. No contents http://twitpic.com/2vir5f
7:34 PM · Oct 7, 2010·Twitter for iPhone
     
Twitter
OlDirtyDennis.eth/.tez
@OlDirtyDennis
i definitely just made a peanut butter and some jelly sandwich. that shit was a #struggle sandwich b. jesus.
12:56 AM · Nov 7, 2010·TweetDeck
 
Twitter
Timothée
@peoplescrtic
Replying to @Ro55man
@Ro55man @s3als @cemsema @alyssagrows
@stardziner I know people are tapped from xmas. We can just have struggle sandwiches
8:41 PM · Dec 23, 2010·TweetDeck
   
Twitter
MANHATTAN
@UNIverse_island
niggas thrive off struggle sandwiches…
12:48 PM · Dec 26, 2010·Slandr Mobile Twi tter
     
Twitter
Moe Rawls
@Moe_ses
If you’ve never had a “struggle sandwich” or “poorman’s soup”, I don’t envy you.
8:40 AM · Mar 9, 2011·erased734497
 
Twitter
4RE$T
@4REST_JOB
Half a paycheck. Good thing I know how to be broke. *starts making struggle sandwiches*
3:32 PM · Apr 8, 2011·erased734497
   
Twitter
Ooh, she Pfizer fine
@CruelNtentions_
2 slices of bread, with just a condiment in the middle- deluxe struggle sandwich
10:22 PM · Jul 11, 2011·Twitter Web Client
 
Twitter       
Kenny
@iamkingkent
Spam and bologna sandwiches were epic struggle sandwiches back in the day
8:26 PM · Aug 13, 2011·Plume for Android
   
Twitter
🌴 FlaSummer 🌴
@FlaSummerEvents
She said, “This a struggle sandwich.  No ham or turkey”.. IM OUT lmaooo
11:22 PM · Oct 25, 2011·Tweetlogix
 
Twitter
Original Before Digital
@BrokeJackjonson
Ahhhh the “wish sandwhich” trinity. RT @Orig_Glamazon: Syrup…keychup…mayo… top three struggle sandwiches
1:42 AM · Nov 14, 2012·TweetCaster for Android
 
Twitter
John King
@wtfisajohnking
I eat struggle sandwiches.. It’s bread with ice cubes on them…
11:59 PM · Dec 26, 2012·Twitter Web Client
 
Twitter 
P2AN 👾
@kiddmistro
Struggle sandwiches = bread with ice cubes in the middle
4:06 AM · Dec 29, 2012·Mobile Web (M2)
   
Twitter
BeeTeaW ✨🧙🏾‍♂️
@BeeTeaW
Well ya’ll. the definition of a “Struggle Sandwich”, is bread with ice in the middle.
12:19 AM · Dec 30, 2012·Twitter for iPhone
 
Twitter 
DeAndre Roberson
@Rashad_79
We eating struggle sandwiches over here bread and ice cubes my nigga you don’t know what struggle is till you eat that
1:27 AM · Dec 31, 2012·Twitter for Android
 
Urban Dictionary
struggle sandwich
A sandwich on a budget. Typically consisting of bread and condiments (ketchup & mustard) or bread and ice. Considered a last option meal during tough economic periods for people.
Man I’m dead broke and won’t get paid for another two weeks. Guess it’s a struggle sandwich for dinner.
by Basedgawd May 16, 2013
   
Twitter
Maicol
@MistaMike_
A struggle sandwich is when you eat a sandwich with ice cubes inside it cause there’s nothing else to put
2:29 AM · Aug 19, 2013·Twitter for iPhone
   
Twitter
Joey
@JoeyxParmesan
I just ate two struggle sandwiches and now my stomach hurts. (For me a struggle sandwich is ketchup and mustard on old bread)
12:23 AM · Apr 17, 2014·Twitter for iPhone
 
Twitter
Jasmine Pierce
@jasmine_dawn23
Struggle sandwich: bread and cheese.
Tara- “it’s just a raw grilled cheese”
10:31 PM · Sep 29, 2016·Twitter for iPhone
   
Cassius
November 3, 2017
TIMES ARE HARD: THE BEST STRUGGLE SANDWICHES OF ALL TIME
In honor of #NationalSandwichDay, we honor the cult classics that don’t get the recognition they deserve.
By Cory Townes, Associate Entertainment Editor
     
Twitter
The_4th_HOKAGE🈲🏁
@Im2GoodOfAGent
Replying to @seeheard
Wtf 😂😂 that’s funny everyone knows a struggle sandwich is just bread and syrup 🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️
12:54 AM · Mar 21, 2020·Twitter for iPhone
 
Twitter
chianti cherry 🍷🍒
@AngelRomero510
Pb&j sandwiches are a classic struggle sandwich as an adult.
9:10 PM · Jul 26, 2022·Twitter for iPhone