Sometimes the best sandwich is the one that barely needs a recipe. Good bread. Really good butter. Fresh radishes.
This Normandy-inspired sandwich takes its cue from the classic French combination – radis au beurre – crisp, peppery radishes paired with creamy butter and good bread. I’ve added cool cucumber, fresh greens, and a little olive oil and balsamic to bring some modern, Mediterranean brightness to the mix.
It’s simple, fresh, crunchy, creamy, and deeply satisfying.
A Simple Garden-Fresh Sandwich for Summer
I often think of it as the Gardener’s Sandwich. In my mind’s eye, I see generations of French women coming in from the garden with a bunch of freshly pulled radishes, a beautiful baguette sitting on the counter, and zero interest in making lunch complicated.
Slice. Butter. Assemble. Eat.
That’s the spirit of this sandwich.
A Fresh Lunch Idea for Back to School and Work
The impetus for our International Sandwiches series on Peace Love and Butter, taking inspiration from around the world and putting new flavours between two slices of bread. Consider it a little motivation for a cold dinner on a hot night, and the back-to-school / back-to-work lunchbox—because sandwiches are foundational fare.
Butter Matters
For this sandwich, I don’t spread the butter—I slice it.
There is something wonderfully indulgent about getting a bite of cold, creamy butter with a crisp radish and chewy bread. Spreading butter gives you a coating; slicing it gives you a moment. And when butter is this central to the sandwich, I want to taste it.
This is where buying good butter makes sense. Think about it the same way you think about buying a good cheese: if you’re going to build a dish around it, choose something with character.
In Canada, there are some excellent butters worth seeking out. Cow’s Creamery in Prince Edward Island makes a beautifully rich, cultured-style butter that’s especially lovely. I also like Costco’s Kirkland Signature Organic Butter, an excellent butter option with a clean, creamy flavour. Look for butter with a higher butterfat content when you can; it makes a noticeable difference when the butter isn’t hiding behind other ingredients.
You don’t need expensive butter for every recipe. But when butter is one of only three or four major ingredients, good butter isn’t a luxury—it’s part of the recipe (in case you needed a reason to make that butter investment).
Packing It for Work or School
If you’re making this sandwich ahead, I might suggest to dress your greens and hold them separate from the bread until you’re ready to eat. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy.
Pack your butter, on the bread with your radishes and cucumber wrapped together, then add your dressed greens as you assemble the sandwich shortly before eating.
For maximum crunch, keep everything, including your butter, chilled until lunchtime.
Why I Love It
This sandwich is a reminder that simplicity is the core of great cuisine. Butter softens the peppery bite of the radishes. Cucumber brings cool crunch, while the greens add freshness and texture. A little olive oil and balsamic give the greens just enough acidity and richness to make everything taste complete.
And then there’s the bread.
Use a really good baguette, sourdough, or country loaf and let it do what good bread does best: make simple ingredients taste extraordinary.
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French Butter Radish Sandwich
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: serves 3 to 4 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A true gardener’s sandwich, French Butter Radish Sandwich puts a modern twist on classic radis au beurre with crisp radishes, creamy butter, cucumber, fresh greens, olive oil, and balsamic on crusty bread.
Ingredients
- 1 small baguette or crusty country loaf
- 3 - 5 tablespoons salted butter, softened
- 8 - 12 radishes, thinly sliced
- 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 cup tender salad greens, arugula, or baby lettuce
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- Flaky sea salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Slice the baguette or bread lengthwise.
- Spread or layer both sides generously with softened butter.
- Layer the sliced radishes over the butter.
- Add the cucumber slices.
- Top with greens, dress the greens directly on the sandwich; drizzle with olive oil and balsamic.
- Finish with a little flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Close the sandwich and gently press together.
- Cut into portions and serve immediately.
Notes
Make It Your Own. Once you’ve got the basic combination down, there are plenty of ways to play with it. Try adding:
• Fresh dill
• Chives
• Tarragon
• Microgreens
• Watercress
• Pickled onions
• Avocado
• Thinly sliced apple
• Soft goat cheese
For a more substantial lunch, add sliced hard-boiled egg, smoked salmon, or thinly sliced chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Chopping
- Cuisine: French
