Sponsored by Branston
Ploughman’s Open Sandwich is a fusion of a British Ploughman’s lunch and a Danish open sandwich. A marriage of flavours that work incredibly well!

Happy National Sandwich Day everyone! I had no idea there was such a day (3rd November) until the good people at Branston got in touch and asked me to create a sandwich to celebrate!
So taking inspiration from my Anglo/Danish roots I decided to do a mash-up of a Ploughman’s Lunch which has always been a favourite of my dad’s and a Danish Open Sandwich which of course my mum is an expert at making
Growing up there was always a jar of Branston Pickle in our fridge and if you were having cheese it was unthinkable not to have some without it!
These days, there is a much wider variety of pickles and chutneys on the market but Branston has remained a staple in our fridge over the years.
Danish open sandwiches are often made on a bed of lettuce but, I decided to make this Ploughman’s Open Sandwich on a bed of watercress as I love the pepperiness it brings and it’s so tantalizing on the taste buds!
The joy of open sandwiches is that they are lower in calories as you only have one slice of bread and the “filling” becomes the star of the show and is visually much more appealing and appetising.
If you’re having a friend over for lunch impress them with an open sandwich as they are so easy to make!

To say this fusion was a success would be a total understatement, my family were blown away by this sandwich combination which I would never have thought to make but it works so well with the flavours complimenting each other beautifully.
From the sweetness of the Branston Pickle to the sourness of the cocktail gherkin and all the other components in between this sandwich stands out from the crowd!
Best of all it takes no time at all to put together so do give it a try!
For more Sandwich Day inspiration why not check out Branston’s Facebook page!
More Sandwich Ideas!
Once you’ve tried my Ploughman’s Open Sandwich do try the following sandwiches too:
- Egg and Prawn Open Sandwich with Lemon Mayonnaise
- Avocado Stuffed French Toast
- Micro Quail Egg & Smoked Ham Danish Open Sandwich
- Carrot, Hummus and Avocado Sandwiches
- Viking Rib Eye Steak Bagel
- Halloumi Sandwich with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Rocket
Leave a comment and rating below when you’ve made this recipe; I love getting your feedback! You can also share your pictures by tagging @FabFood4All over on Instagram.
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NB: This post has been commissioned by Branston and all opinions are my own.
Ploughman’s Open Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 Slice rye bread buttered (has to be butter)
- 2 tsp (heaped) Branston Pickle
- 1 handful watercress + extra sprig to garnish
- 1 Slice good quality ham
- 1 Slice Five Counties cheese or Cheddar
- 2 Slices vine ripened tomato
- 2 Slices cucumber
- A good squeeze of mayonnaise
- 1 – 2 Cornichons (cocktail gerkins) sliced and fanned
Instructions
- Spread the Branston Pickle over the buttered rye bread and then top with the watercress, ham and cheese.
- Next layer on alternate slices of cucumber and tomato and then drizzle with a good squeeze of mayonnaise.
- Finish with a fanned cocktail gherkin and a sprig of watercress.
- Enjoy!
Britney
This looks delicious!
Camilla
Thank you, it really is. I must remember to make this again-)
Leila Benhamida
Very appetising indeed and full of goodness.
Camilla
Thanks Leila:-)
Martina Evans
Fab combination of ingredients. I too like Branston pickle & rye bread!
Marion Weir
I love the rye bread
Kirsty Fox
I love a good ploughmans, I always choose one when we have a pub lunch.
Jane Davies
Looks lovely, rye bread sounds interesting too !
emmamed
oh that looks super scrummy, I could eat it right now.
Kaci Soderstrom
Yummy. The most classic sandwich but open..
Maya Russell
That looks SO good! I’m definitely going to try it. I like the consistency of rye bread too.
Camilla
Thanks, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it:-)
Emily @amummytoo
Looks like a nice, traditional sandwich. I can only handle a smear of pickle though, and I’d swap out the ham for some Quorn 😀
Camilla
Thanks Emily:-)
Jane Middleton
The pickle makes this sandwich, great for a summer picnic
Camilla
Thanks Jane:-)
kris
cant beat a good ploughmans!
Paul Wilson
I particularly like the rye bread idea.
Camilla
Great:-)
Kate @ Veggie Desserts
Lovely! My son insists on having a cheese and pickle sandwich every day. So much so that his best joke (he’s 4) is about a cheese and pickle sandwich flying around the room. He’s obsessed! Gotta love good old Branston!
Camilla
Thank you Kate:-) It’s a classic isn’t it, your son has good taste!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
Sometimes I just crave a good sandwich! Cheese and pickle is such a classic, I love your ploughman’s-style variation!
Camilla
Thanks Becca and of course vegetarians could leave out the ham:-)
Nazima
lovely idea Camilla- I like open sandwiches too. This looks fab though I would do it without meat (I rather like a veggie ploughmans myself!)
Camilla
Thanks Nazima:-) Yes extra cheese without the ham is equally lush:-)
Jan @GlugofOil
I’m hungry now – Camilla this sandwich looks amazing!
Camilla
Thanks Janice:-)
Jeanne Horak-Druiff
There are few things I love more than a ploughman’s – whether as a platter or as a sandwich, Yours looks heavenly!
Camilla
Thanks Jeanne! I haven’t actually had a traditional Ploughman’s for years – probably because I don’t go to pubs very often now but really should do them at home!
Niori
Branston pickle. Has to be branston. This looks so yummy
Camilla
Thank you Mandy:-)
Paul Wilson
Looks delicious!
Anne Dalzell
Your ingredients look so fresh and tasty. Branston pickle is amazing isn’t it?!
Camilla
Thanks Anne, yes top quality ingredients are key:-)
Karen
A fabulous sandwich Camilla and one that I would really enjoy being a fan of Ploughman’s lunch! An open sarnie is also good for fewer calories too! Karen
Camilla
Thanks Karen, yes the lower calories is an added bonus:-)
William Gould
Can’t bet a bit of Branston – Corned beef and Branston is a favourite sandwich of mine!
Camilla
Funnily enough that’s the suggestion my husband came up with!
William Gould
Obviously a man of great taste! lol
Maddy
I had something very similar for my lunch today 🙂
Camilla
Excellent:-)
Heather Haigh
Oh yum, what a lovely combination.
Camilla
Thank you Heather:-)
Ursula Hunt
I love a good sandwich with traditional ingredients
Camilla
Thank you Ursula:-)