I Tried the Famous Gene Kelly Leftovers Sandwich and It's Fluffy, Crispy, Buttery and Pretty Much Perfect

What do you get when you combine salty, buttery French bread, leftover mashed potatoes and the genius of dancer and actor Gene Kelly? The Gene Kelly Man Sandwich, of course. A delightfully indulgent creation that’s not only delicious but super easy to throw together with a few key leftovers, the “Man Sandwich” or Leftover Sandwich as it’s also referred to, is one that’s perfect for the holiday season. 

Known for his show-stopping dance moves in Singin’ in the Rain, Kelly apparently had a soft spot for a carb-loaded, no-fuss snack (I mean, with all that dancing, what do you expect?). This sandwich is a simple yet decadent approach to leftovers, and as we joined Redditors in exploring this nostalgic taste of the past, we couldn’t help but wonder: would it live up to the hype? We grabbed the simple list of ingredients and put it to the test.

Get the recipe: Gene Kelly’s Man Sandwich

What Is the Gene Kelly Man Sandwich?

The Gene Kelly Man Sandwich starts with French bread, sliced lengthwise (or sandwich bread of your choice) and generously slathered with butter and mayo. From there, leftover mashed potatoes are layered on (“as thickly as your mouth can get around” per his recipe), seasoned with plenty of salt and pepper, topped with thinly sliced red onion, and then broiled until warm and toasty. 

Related: The Secret Ingredient for the Best-Ever Mashed Potatoes, According to Oprah

Ingredients for the Gene Kelly Man Sandwich

To whip up this old-school delight, you’ll need French bread (or any crusty sandwich bread you have on hand), butter, mayonnaise, leftover mashed potatoes, thinly sliced red or white onion and salt and pepper.

How to Make the Gene Kelly Man Sandwich

Begin by prepping your bread. If you’re using a loaf of French bread, cut it in half lengthwise. Spread the bread generously with butter and mayonnaise (I did butter on one half and mayo on the other since the recipe didn’t specify). Add a generous layer of leftover mashed potatoes (plan ahead or make extra!), then season with salt and plenty of black pepper. Top with thinly sliced red onion. Broil for a few minutes until the bread is golden, the butter starts to melt, and the onions soften slightly.

Related: The Unexpected Sandwich Jeff Goldblum Can’t Stop Talking About

My Honest Thoughts About the Gene Kelly Man Sandwich

At first glance, the Gene Kelly Man Sandwich seemed like an oddball creation—essentially a mashed potato sandwich. I mean, carbs on carbs is never bad, right? But say “leftover mashed potatoes” and “sandwich” around this time of year and I also expect turkey to be in there too (and cranberry sauce and stuffing). But I digress. 

Once I took my first bite, I got it. The red onion—softened slightly by the broiler, and charred around the edges—added just the right bite. The French bread turned golden and crisp, with the salted butter dripping over the edges. The mashed potatoes (which I heavily peppered, Gene-style) formed a fluffy, crispy-topped layer that melted into the mayo. It felt like biting into a buttery cloud. While Kelly recommended pairing it with a mug of beer, I opted for a plain seltzer—and trust me, it was just as delicious.

A Thanksgiving sandwich with all the fixings is always a winner, but this simple creation stands out in its own right. Turns out, I’m not alone in loving this sandwich. Redditors agree it’s a winner. 

One fan shared a Danish twist, saying, “In Denmark many years ago I ate a smørbrød that was rye bread, mashed potato (or leftover sliced, cooked potato), topped with a squiggle of mayonnaise and crispy onions, plenty of salt and fresh pepper. I still have it sometimes now, but this looks pretty delicious too.” 

Another Redditor humorously noted, “Guarantee eating these will not give you a body like Gene Kelly, but can confirm it’s delicious. Gonna be singin’ and dancin’ in the rain all night to work this one off.” True, but isn’t that what winter sweaters were made for? 

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