Jambon Beurre

By Florence Fabricant

Published November 29, 2022

  • Mark Weinberg for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Yossy Arefi.
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
20 minutes
Rating
4(559)
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Unlike ham and cheese, a sandwich that’s ubiquitous across the globe, jambon beurre (ham butter) is strictly French. Though it’s a seemingly sparse construction — simply baguette, cooked ham and butter — the ingredients for this interpretation from L’Ami Pierre in New York require careful selection. High-quality baguettes are now sold in many bakeries. High-butterfat butter enhances the sandwich, providing more fat than 80 percent supermarket standard, and the ham, preferably silky jambon de Paris, a cooked ham sliced, in the finer shops, from a bone-in joint, can make it or break it. French-style or similar cooked ham is available in many areas; to avoid are boneless, often waterlogged deli hams. Like most sandwiches, this one is designed as a treat for one, but, cut into smaller sections and served on a platter, it can enhance a buffet, even at holiday time.

Featured in: The Proustian Ideal of a Ham Sandwich

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Ingredients

Yield:1 serving

  • 1 (10-inch) section fresh baguette

  • 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter (preferably 85 percent butterfat), softened

  • 4 ounces thinly sliced cooked ham, preferably jambon de Paris or prosciutto cotto, at room temperature

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (1 servings)

156 grams carbs; 125 milligrams cholesterol; 1190 calories; 10 grams monosaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 15 grams saturated fat; 34 grams fat; 7 grams fiber; 4870 milligrams sodium; 64 grams protein; 14 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 275 degrees. Place baguette in oven and bake 10 minutes, just until the outside crisps. Remove from oven, split in half horizontally and allow to cool to room temperature.

  2. Step 2

    When bread has cooled, spread butter on both sides. Pile on the ham. Close the sandwich, cut in half on an angle and serve.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
559 user ratings
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Comments

Janet H.

I have made this alot for my husband, who used to live in France. Anyone who has visited or lived in France - and ate this sandwich - would understand why this article and recipe were worth publishing. Here is my attempt at trying to be helpful for those still who look to Notes for actual tips and helpful advice: Many delis and even good supermarkets in the northeast sell French-canadian ham from Montreal that comes very close to the french version. A good baguette is more challenging.

Colin

I've always had a jambon beurre with cornichons. Is that inauthentic (not that I really care, frankly, just curious)? I think the pickle cuts through the ham and butter nicely.

Claire

Had this first in a smoke filled bar when I was about 24 and too young to understand what it was. Ordered in puzzlement (“why is butter listed as an ingredient?”) Saw that the baguette was covered with *slices* of butter and took all except one of them off in horror. Took a bite of the end that still had the butter on - and was transported. Carefully replaced all of the butter and ate the rest. For anyone asking – in this instance, the cornichons were served on the side.

NJFoodie

At Le Petite Vendôme in Paris I often see this sandwich made w cornichons and Cantal cheese, a cows milk cheese that I have not been able to find here. Although it’s made with sheep’s milk the texture and mildness of Manchego is, to me a good substitute. With or without the accoutrements, this sandwich transports me back to Paris with every bite.

Ace

Followed this recipe to the letter, but instead of baguette I used seafood linguini, and instead of ham I used Hershey’s chocolate syrup, and instead of butter I used Ted Danson reciting ancient Greek poetry. Came out terrible!

dimmerswitch

Starting with great quality ingredients for all three items, this is a simply perfect sandwich! For another "seems related" option (a second cousin in America perhaps :-) ) try the Ham Jam Sam recipe (Ali Slagle) on NYT Cooking. Also delicious. https://body-change.today/recipes/1023211-ham-and-jam-sandwich%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cdiv class="noteactions_noteActions__VlyP0">

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Credits

Adapted from L’Ami Pierre

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