A Sandwich so French that it Earned the Moniker Le Parisien.

This one is for all of you who say my recipes are too complicated. All you need is bread, butter, and ham; it doesn’t get any easier than this! Jambon-beurre (or Le Parisien) is a simple classic French sandwich that celebrates quality ingredients: a classic crusty French baguette, delicious salty butter, and savory slow-cooked ham. The jambon-beurre is the second-most purchased sandwich in France (more than 3 million are sold every day), recently being de-throned as the most-sold sandwich by hamburgers in 2018. 

Of course, you can gussy these up with some accoutrements. Some like to add a thin layer of dijon mustard, cheese, and cornichons. I added some brie which made this a supremely rich sandwich, and I recommend going with the more classic gruyere. The cornichons help offset all of the richness with their tangy acidic bite. You could even add some greens if you like…but then is it really a jambon-beurre?

Jambon-beurre

The key for this sandwich is to use very high-quality products. I wish I would’ve ventured into the city to grab an amazing baguette from Bread Alley. But, if you can only grab a supermarket baguette, throw it in a 400 degree oven for about 10 minutes until the exterior is browned and crisped. Slice open and allow it to cool so it won’t melt the butter.

• French baguette

• French or European-style butter (at room temperature)

• Sliced ham

• Thinly-sliced gruyere cheese

• Cornichons

  
  

Slice open half a baguette lengthwise.

Generously lather the interior with butter. I’m talking like a whole stick worth of butter here, roughly 8 tablespoons.

Layer sliced ham on the bottom half of the sandwich. 

Add a few slices of gruyere and cornichons.

Close the sandwich, cut in half, and enjoy.

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