I Tried Martha Stewart's Unexpected "Favorite Sandwich" That Calls for Just 2 Ingredients

What’s your favorite sandwich? From New Orleans’ muffaletta and Indiana’s pork tenderloin to Philly’s cheesesteak and Chicago’s Italian beef, options abound. And that’s not even taking into account universal American staples like the PB&J and hamburger.

In a flashback clip shared recently on Martha Stewart’s Instagram page, the entertaining icon says, “everyone has a favorite sandwich, and some of us like things just a little bit offbeat. It was really my father’s favorite sandwich,” Martha continues. “We ate these in the middle of the night when we were in the middle of a serious Scrabble tournament.”

“These” are onion sandwiches. Before you run to grab a breath mint and wonder, “is it April 1?!” keep in mind that onion sandwiches are also a classic tea sandwich option in the South, according to our friends at Southern Living. Plus, according to a fan who chimed in via the comments: “I’m from Martha’s hometown of Nutley, New Jersey. This is actually a really common local favorite sandwich. It can be found at almost every restaurant in town. Most places call it a crying Louie, but when you use red onions they call it a crying Louise! Don’t knock it.”

As someone who was raised in loose meat sandwich territory, where unexpected combos like and chili with cinnamon rolls also reign supreme, I certainly wouldn’t knock it without trying it—so I hustled over to the kitchen.  

How to Make Martha Stewart’s Onion Sandwich

You need just 2 main ingredients and 60 seconds to make this easy sandwich recipe. The simplicity makes it ideal to assemble between Scrabble turns—or any time you’re in the mood for an “offbeat” snack. Here’s how to make it:

• Prepare the onion. Wash and peel an onion, and cut it into thin slices.
• Assemble the sandwich. Spread one side of two slices of white bread with sweet butter. Top one of those pieces of buttered bread with a few slices of onion, evenly distributed over the surface, then invert the other buttered bread slice on top. 

What Does This Onion Sandwich Taste Like?

Martha Stewart’s onion sandwich recipe, which she admits in her video is her favorite, too, tastes a lot like you might expect: onions. So I suggest selecting your type of onion accordingly. Since I had studied up on Southern Living and learned about how many folks prefer their onion tea sandwiches with sweet Vidalia onions, I opted for that instead of Martha’s suggested “pungent onion.” I did follow Stewart’s lead with sweet butter (Kerrygold Irish butter for me) and fresh white bread.

With this remix, I found it intriguing how the sweet butter and bread tames the delicate bite of the Vidalia onion. The crunch of the allium is actually quite satisfying alongside the squishy bread. That said, since I didn’t grow up on a steady diet of raw onion sandwiches, I couldn’t help but dream about how incredible this might be griddled with some cheese and cooked, caramelized onions inside. (French onion grilled cheese anyone?)

Tips For Making an Onion Sandwich

As we mentioned, Martha is far from the only one who is fond of raw onions as a sandwich ingredient. I went on a quest to learn more about how other onion-adorers assemble their sandwiches, and also chatted with our Test Kitchen for some pro tips.

• Layer on mayo. Culinary icon James Beard shared a similar hors d’oeuvres recipe in his 1965 book Menus For Entertaining. The main difference between his version and Martha’s? The addition of a thick layer of mayo. According to Barry W. Enderwick, creator of Sandwiches of History, Good Housekeeping’s Woman’s Home Cookbook (circa 1909) had a recipe for a butter and onion sandwich that called for mayonnaise dressing (aka Miracle Whip) mixed with chopped onions. If you like, try either creamy condiment in your onion sandwich instead of, or in addition to, butter.
• Try peanut butter. Writer Ernest Hemingway was reportedly a fan of peanut butter-onion sandwiches, which rose in popularity as a budget-friendly option during the Great Depression. Inspired by that combo, our friends at Allrecipes have a popular “Poor Man's Sandwich” featuring peanut butter, chopped onion, mayo, and dill pickle slices. Apparently, the fat and a specific amino acid in the nut butter act as a nice complement to the onion. Try it yourself to see if you’re nuts about it as well—or if you’d rather stick with jam or jelly as your preferred PB pairing.
• Go wild with garnishes. After tasting this onion sandwich, I can confirm that a pinch of flaky sea salt would be a welcome addition. Or follow the lead of James Beard and Southern cooks, by slicing off the crusts and coating the edges in chopped fresh parsley. For an extra hint of onion flavor, feel free to follow the lead of Jacques Pépin and jazz up your onion sandwich with chopped fresh chives.

The Verdict on Martha Stewart’s Favorite Sandwich

While it is a polarizing combo, Martha Stewart’s butter and onion sandwich recipe is a quick and ultra-easy option for those seeking what Reddit calls a “recession meal.” For a tamer variation, try Vidalia onions, and if you like, customize your creation with fresh herbs, nut butter, mayo, or salt. 

Admittedly, this won’t be a hit with every diner, but for more folks than you might expect, as Martha might say, “it’s a good thing.”