Martha Stewart has built a career around exquisite taste, gourmet cooking and refined living, yet when she revealed her favorite late-night sandwich in a throwback video on her Instagram page, food lovers everywhere took notice. With access to some of the world’s finest ingredients and the ability to whip up anything she pleases, one might expect her ultimate sandwich to be something elaborate. Instead, her go-to is a humble combination that’s also appreciated by many other culinary greats.
James Beard, one of the most influential figures in American cuisine, adored it. Jacques Pépin, the legendary French chef, shared that his wife loved it, too. And in Martha Stewart’s own life, it was a special treat she shared with her father during late-night Scrabble games.
For me, one of the culinary greats in my life was my mamaw, and she loved this sandwich, too! Read on to learn more about the allure of the onion sandwich.
Related: I Tried Martha Stewart’s One-Pot Pasta That Has ‘Taken the Internet By Storm’
😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳🍔
How to Make Martha Stewart’s Onion Sandwich
The onion sandwich is a study in simplicity. The components are basic, but together, they create a satisfying and flavorful experience.
Martha’s onion sandwich, which was her father’s favorite as well, is super simple. In the video, she spreads butter on soft white bread, adds thin slices of “pungent white onion” and closes the sandwich with another slice of bread. That’s it!
“Everyone has a favorite sandwich, and some of us like things that are a little off-beat,” she says in the vintage video. “We ate these in the middle of the night when we were in a great big serious Scrabble tournament.” Can you imagine being at the table with Martha and her siblings (there were six kids in the family) with everyone eating onion sandwiches?
Related: How to Make Popcorn 10x Better, According to Martha Stewart
How to Make James Beard’s Onion Sandwich
In the James Beard version, which Jacques Pépin says he liked to make for his wife, things are a bit fancier. Start by cutting out a round of white sandwich bread with a cookie cutter or the top of a water glass, like Pépin does. (Keep the crusts for making fresh breadcrumbs.)
Instead of butter, Beard preferred mayo, so that’s spread on both slices of bread, followed by thin rounds of white onion. Assemble the sandwich, then spread some more mayo around the edge of the sandwich. Roll the edge in chopped fresh parsley or chives for a fresh, herby finish and a fancy tea party-worthy presentation.
If you want to make an onion sandwich like my mamaw, instead of leaving the sandwich completely plain, sprinkle the onion slices with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. To elevate it further, she toasted the bread, adding a crisp contrast to the creamy butter and crunchy onion. This small tweak transformed it into something even more comforting and delicious.
Related: Martha Stewart’s ‘Guilty Pleasure’ Foods Are Shockingly Relatable
Why is the Onion Sandwich So Popular?
So why is this simple sandwich so beloved? The appeal comes down to a few key factors. First, there’s nostalgia. Many who grew up eating onion sandwiches remember them as a staple from childhood—an easy, affordable meal that packed plenty of flavor. For people like Martha Stewart, it’s tied to warm memories of family and tradition.
Second, it’s a celebration of the beauty of minimalism in food. In a world where sandwiches can be loaded with dozens of ingredients, there’s something refreshing about one that relies on just three elements. It’s proof that quality ingredients, even the most basic ones, can create something deeply satisfying.
Third, the onion sandwich taps into a love for bold flavors. Onions are naturally sweet and pungent, with a crisp texture that makes every bite interesting. When paired with creamy butter (or mayo) and soft bread, the contrast is both simple and sophisticated.
This sandwich may not be for everyone. Raw onion has a strong taste, and some might shy away from the idea of biting into a slice of uncooked onion. But for those who love it, it’s a reminder that food doesn’t have to be complicated to be good.
Whether you enjoy it plain, with a bit of seasoning like my mamaw did or even experiment with variations (like adding a slice of cheese) this sandwich has earned its place in the pantheon of simple yet unforgettable foods.
So the next time you find yourself craving a late-night snack, consider taking a cue from Martha Stewart, James Beard and generations of onion sandwich lovers before them. Sometimes, the simplest things really are the best.
Up Next:
Related: The Classic Comfort Dish That Martha Stewart Calls Her ‘Favorite Food’
