Famous Peruvian Butifarra Sandwich

Butifarra Sandwich

Lawton, Becky / Getty Images

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 sandwiches

An essential Peruvian sandwich, a butifarra is filled with slices of savory jamon del país, Peruvian country-style seasoned ham, and the wonderful sweet onion relish called salsa criolla. Traditionally it is served on rosetta bread, a round roll with a flower-like appearance, but French bread rolls are also common.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to find the jamon del país in your local grocery store, but if not, a Latin food market would be your best bet. You can also make your own, just keep in mind it will take a few hours. The salsa is a simple combination of red onion and aji or jalapeno peppers in a marinade of cilantro, lime juice, and vinegar and is easy to put together. Radishes, lettuce, and chilies were also part of the sandwich originally, but now ingredients vary depending on taste—except for the ham and salsa criolla, which make the sandwich what it is.

These sandwiches have become so much a part of Peruvian culture—they are sold by street vendors, in sandwich shops, and are available any time of day. Butifarras are commonly served at birthday parties, in school cafeterias, on food carts, and at sangucherías, the Peruvian version of a diner. Peru regards pisco, a grape brandy, as its national drink, so go ahead and have your pisco drink of choice with this masterpiece of a sandwich.

Ingredients

  • 4 French bread sandwich rolls

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise, optional

  • 1 pound jamon del país, sliced

  • 2 cups lettuce

  • 1 cup salsa criolla

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Split the French rolls in half lengthwise and spread the inside lightly with mayonnaise, if using.

  3. Divide the jamon among the four rolls and place inside the rolls with the lettuce.

  4. Add 1/4 cup salsa criolla to each roll.

  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  6. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Variation

This is the basic recipe for a butifarra, which means you can add or swap out an ingredient or two, except for the ham and salsa. 

  • Change it up with mustard instead of mayonnaise.
  • Add aji amarillo sauce for extra heat.
  • Serve on ciabatta rolls instead of French bread.

Tip

If you cannot find jamon del país and do not want to make your own, you can replace it with slices of peppered ham or roasted turkey.

What Is the History of the Butifarra?

The word butifarra is the name of a Spanish sausage from Catalan. During the many years Peru was a Spanish colony, eating butifarra became part of the culture. Although the name may have changed, the sandwich itself has stood the test of time. It was an ancient type of fast food served during bullfights as a hand-held meal or snack, and its convenience is what helped the sandwich build and retain its popularity in Peru.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
197 Calories
5g Fat
12g Carbs
25g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 197
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 7%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 51mg 17%
Sodium 2107mg 92%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 25g
Vitamin C 39mg 194%
Calcium 43mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 621mg 13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)