Martha Stewart’s Onion Sandwich Is Going Viral—Would You Try It?

Martha Stewart has made some elaborate meals in her time, but her latest viral recipe is as simple as it gets. On March 25, Stewart posted a nostalgic throwback to an old episode of her cooking show, Martha Stewart’s Cooking School, where she whipped up an “onion on white bread” sandwich—an unconventional favorite that she and her father enjoyed during late-night Scrabble tournaments. The clip quickly surpassed a million views as fans reacted to the delightfully old-school snack.

Martha Stewart’s surprisingly simple sandwich

“Every one of us has a favorite sandwich, and some of us like things just a little bit off-beat,” Stewart says in the clip. “It was really my father’s favorite sandwich.” To make it, she starts with slices of soft white bread, spreads each piece with sweet butter and then adds thinly sliced pungent white onion. And that’s pretty much it, though the clip shows her seasoning with salt and pepper before enjoying. Holding up the sandwich, she declares, “My favorite sandwich for late-night Scrabble.”

In her Instagram caption, Martha doubled down on her love for the simple recipe. “Don’t knock it ‘til you try it!” she wrote, inviting her followers to give it a chance. And while some were intrigued, others had plenty to say.

Fan reactions

The Reel sparked a lively debate in the comments. “Ok, I need to try it—I’ve also seen that it was made famous by James Beard, and was loved by Jacques Pépin!” one fan wrote, pointing out that the combination has a history in the culinary world.

Others were a bit more skeptical. “Martha getting us ready for another recession,” one user joked, referencing the sandwich’s budget-friendly ingredients. Another suggested a modification: “Now if it was caramelized… gimme a whole plate, bowl, pan.”

And of course, many pointed out the most obvious downside: “Y’all breath must’ve been kicking around that Scrabble table.”

Tips for making Martha’s onion sandwich

If you want to give Martha Stewart’s onion sandwich a try, here are a few tips to make it the best it can be:

• Use high-quality ingredients: Because this sandwich is so simple, the quality of each ingredient matters. Opt for fresh, soft white bread, real sweet cream butter and a pungent white onion for that classic flavor.
• Season to taste: If you’re worried about the intensity of raw onion, a sprinkle of salt can help mellow the sharpness.
• Experiment with add-ons: While Martha sticks to tradition, you can elevate the sandwich with a slice of cheese, a drizzle of honey or even caramelized onions if raw isn’t your thing.

How to slice an onion like a pro

Since onions are the star of this sandwich, slicing them correctly is key. A thick-cut onion could overpower the sandwich, so aim for paper-thin slices. A mandoline slicer can help get that perfect texture. Here’s a quick method:

1. Peel the onion and cut off the top.
2. Slice in half through the root end and lay the flat side down.
3. Use a sharp knife or mandoline slicer to make thin, even slices.
4. If the onion is too strong, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes to tone down the bite.

Martha Stewart’s onion sandwich recipe

For those feeling adventurous, here’s how to make Martha’s favorite sandwich at home:

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of white bread
• 1 Tbs. sweet butter, softened
• ¼ white onion, thinly sliced
• Salt and pepper, to taste (optional)

Directions:

• Total time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 sandwich

1. Spread the softened butter evenly over one side of each slice of bread.
2. Layer the thinly sliced onion on one slice of bread.
3. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
4. Top with the second slice of bread and enjoy!

While it may not be the most glamorous sandwich Martha has ever made, it’s certainly one of her most memorable. Whether you’re up for a Scrabble night or just curious about trying an old-fashioned snack, this sandwich is worth a taste (bad breath and all!)