This Pan Bagnat sandwich for a picnic is delicious! You allow all the juices to soak into the bread before you eat it. Pan Bagnat is the essential picnic sandwich!
Grab a blanket, a basket, some sunscreen and bug spray! #SundaySupper is having a picnic!! I made some tasty Pan Bagnat sandwiches for our picnic. It’s a HUGE virtual picnic to celebrate your national day of choice: Independence Day for the US or Canada Day for the our neighbors to the north. Being as I’m part both, I’m celebrating BOTH! YAY for me!!
Here’s the story. I’m sitting in the waiting room of the podiatrist and Nigella comes on the television. Hm…don’t think I’ve seen one of her shows before. This should be good!
*confession*
No. I haven’t ever seen a Nigella show. Honestly. My days of Food Network and Cooking Channel are limited these days. S and I usually have other items to watch when we’re home. And on days off, sometimes I have it on as background noise, but I don’t recall any of her shows coming on.
So, there I sit, waiting to be called watching this program on bread. She did French toast, pan bagnat, and a bread pudding, I think? Anyway, the pan bagnat looked amazing!! So, when #SundaySupper announced a picnic I knew I was going to tackle this amazing and perfect for picnic sandwich.
Just look at all those tasty ingredients!! No, I didn’t go with a fresh tuna and sear it. I didn’t even do an albacore white. This sandwich is made with chunk light, which is S’s favorite type of tuna. I didn’t want this to be a snobby sandwich. It has a fancy name, but that doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. Please, do make this with your tuna of choice.
But seriously. Look at all those COLORS!! Tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, artichoke hearts, olives, red onions, yum!
Now, the purpose of this sandwich is for it to meld together. The dressing softens the bread, the peppers, artichokes, olives all throw a huge party together, and the eggs and tuna are the caterers. They bring the meat and potatoes to this party in a sandwich.
This is definitely a “make ahead” sandwich which is contrary to most sandwiches. Those *coughOTHERcough* sandwiches you have to make almost right before you eat them or the bread gets icky and soggy, the cheese gets, well, weird. You know what I’m talking about, right? This one has none of those issues! The longer it sits, the better it gets. So, yeah, make these the night before and let them party in the fridge before you pack for your picnic.
Make sure to scroll all the way down and see what other tasty treats the #SundaySupper crew has brought to the picnic.

Pan Bagnat
This delicious Pan Bagnat sandwich is MADE for picnics! You allow all the juices to soak into the bread before you eat it. Pan Bagnat is the essential picnic Sammie!
Ingredients
- 1 baguette
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 small head butter lettuce, torn
- 1 medium red onion, thinly ssliced
- 1 large tomato thinly sliced
- 1 cup sliced roasted red peppers
- 1 cup chopped, marinated artichoke hearts, drained
- 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives
- 4 large hard boiled eggs, sliced
- 10 ounces tuna in water, drained
Instructions
- Slice the bread in half lengthwise and then in quarters. Slightly hollow out the bread bottom and top to allow room for the ingredients to sit. Rub the inside of the bread with the garlic clove. Set aside.
- Combine the mayonnaise and next five ingredients (Dijon through parsley) in a small bowl with a whisk until incorporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.
- Spoon 1 teaspoon of the dressing on each side of the bread. Layer with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, red peppers, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, and hard boiled egg slices. Top with the tuna. Spoon the dressing evenly over the sandwiches and season with salt and pepper.
- Place the tops on the sandwiches and wrap tightly in parchment paper tied with twine and refrigerate until ready for your picnic. Slice before serving.
Beverages
- Orange Blossom Iced Tea by girlichef
- Red, White, and Blue Sangria by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Rosemary Nectarine Sparkling Cocktail by Food Lust People Love
- Best Picnic Wines by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Appetizers
- Baked Garlic Parmesan Wings by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls by Daily Dish Recipes
- Peppadew Dip by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
Mains
- Asparagus and Cheddar Quiche by Mess Makes Food
- London Broil with Caramelized Red Onions by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Stilton Potato and Stilton Pies by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
Sides
- Mushroom and Gruyere Cheesecake by Peaceful Cooking
- Scotch Eggs by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Salads
- Caprese Pasta Salad by La Bella Vita Cucina
- Farro & Walnut Salad by Foxes Love Lemons
- Fruit Tortellini Salad by Jelly Toast
- Gluten Free Potato Salad by Gluten Free Crumbley
- Japanese Noodle Salad by Noshing With The Nolands
- Kale and Quinoa Tabbouli by Healthy. Delicious.
- Layered Chicken Salad by Nosh My Way
- Lightened Up Macaroni Salad by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Loaded Potato Salad by Granny’s Down Home Sassy Southern Cooking
- Mexican 3 Bean Salad by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Old Fashioned Potato Salad by Life Tastes Good
- Orzo Salad with Kale Pesto by Cooking Chat
- Pizza Pasta Salad by Curious Cuisiniere
- Red, White and Blue Fruit and Cheese Salad by Shockingly Delicious
- Tomato Bean Salad by Family Foodie
- Tuna Noodle Salad by Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
- Vegetable Salad by Magnolia Days
- Veggie Pasta Salad by Pescetarian Journal
- Watermelon and Feta Salad with Verjus by The Wimpy Vegetarian
Sandwiches and Wraps
- Pan Bagnat by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Panino con la Salamella by Manu’s Menu
- Roast Beef Wraps by Cookin’ Mimi
Sweets
- Banana Pudding Cheesecake by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- Berry Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups {#glutenfree option} by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Cherry Chip Blossom Cupcakes by NinjaBaking.com
- Cherry Pie Crumb Bars by The Girl In the Little Red Kitchen
- Chocolate Chunk Brownies by What Smells So Good?
- Chocolate Syrup Brownies by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake by Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies by Alida’s Kitchen
- Flag Cake by Pies and Plots
- Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies by Feed Me, Seymour
- Red, White, and Blue Berry Angel Food Cake Parfaits by Neighborfood
- S’mores Crumb Bars by The Redhead Baker
- Stained Glass Jello with Coconut Milk Panna Cotta by Simply Gourmet
- Strawberry Banana Oat Muffins by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Nibbles By Nic says
CONGRATS!!!! Your lovely dish is being featured this week as a NIBBLES BY NIC favorite!!!! xo Nic
Kimberly Lewis says
Oh my gosh! This looks so good! I love this. Pinned. We truly love you being a part of our party. I hope you get chance to stop by tonight at 7 pm. It wouldn't be a party without you! http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Karly Campbell says
Such great flavor in this sandwich! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Heidi's Wanderings says
It looks tasty! And I love all the colors.
Jess says
This looks so delicious!
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
Christy @ Confessions of a Culinary Diva says
Great Pan Bagnat. I love how you made it so adaptable for everyone. Isn't it great to have doctor appointments that actually let you enjoy something you normally don't have time to indulge in!
Sherron Watson says
Sounds delightful. The ingredients on the sandwich are some of my favorites. Thanks for sharing.
Heather King says
I'm a huge fan of sandwiches and salads that taste better the longer they sit. This one is so brightly colored and looks amazing!
Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
What a lovely sandwich! It looks amazing!
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Serena!
Foodie Stuntman says
Never heard of this type of sandwich but it looks good. I also like the 'make-ahead' nature of it so you don't have to fool around with food prep during the actual picnic.
Christie Campbell says
That's the one thing I don't like to do at a picnic; fool around with fire and cooking. It's usually hot and I want nothing to do with fire or heat.
Life Tastes Good says
I love this is make-ahead so all the flavors can mingle! That's a great looking sandwich 🙂
Christie Campbell says
Thanks! It was really tasty even though I couldn't wait for it to marinate. LOL I'll have to try again and see what it tastes like after the flavors meld. LOL
Cheryl King says
I love it! Can't wait to give it a try. I had never heard of this until today, thanks for sharing what you learned from Nigella. HUGS
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Cheryl! Please let me know how it turns out for you!
Bobbi Burleson says
I love these sandwiches and I had to chuckle a bit because I usually have those channels on as background noise too 🙂
Christie Campbell says
Bobbi, I have to have background" noise. My mind wanders when there's silence. Honestly, if there's nothing as background noise, I will distract myself into oblivion.
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
I love Nigella. I'm always inspired to get in the kitchen after I watch her shows. I love that these are good made ahead of time too. That's a great option for picnics!
Christie Campbell says
Seriously!! I love the make ahead status of these! When you're planning for a picnic, as much make ahead as you can do is SUPER helpful!
Liz Berg says
Your pan bagnat looks divine!!! I love all the ingredients…and together they must taste amazing!
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Liz! It was a stuff yourself silly sammy. I ate almost every bite it was so tasty!!
Tara Noland says
I just made a version of this coming soon to my blog, great sandwich for a picnic!!
Christie Campbell says
Tara, I can't wait to see how yours turned out! It's the best summer sammy!
Marlene Baird says
I love this sandwich and you are right, no other sandwich can beat this one.
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Marlene. It truly is the best picnic sandwich!