This Monte Cristo Sandwich recipe features leftover Thanksgiving turkey, deli ham, swiss cheese and dijon mustard layered between two pieces of thick brioche bread! The bread itself is dipped in a creamy egg mixture that when cooked turns it into the most gorgeous golden brown color.

Several sandwiches are stacked on top of one another on a white plate.


Monte Cristo Sandwich

A great way to use up leftover thanksgiving turkey, holiday ham or just that lingering lunchmeat you over ordered in this weeks grocery order. This easy Monte Cristo is the lifesaver of leftovers hanging out in the fridge.

This Monte Cristo Sandwich recipe is here to save the day! Leftover turkey, or ham, is sandwiched between two crispy, golden toasted pieces of bread with swiss cheese, deli ham, and dijon mustard. Oh, and don’t forget about the cranberry sauce! You’re bound to have some of that leftover as well, so feel free to add some sweetness to this savory sandwich by serving it on the side as a makeshift jam option.

What is a Monte Cristo?

Think of this Monte Cristo recipe as a grilled cheese that’s all dressed up with Thanksgiving ingredients and a golden brown crust. The crust is created by a creamy egg mixture that the bread gets dipped into before it’s cooked, and you just can’t call a sandwich a Monte Cristo without it. That would be like calling something spaghetti with no noodles… It just doesn’t work. Plus, dipping the bread is so easy to go and yields the best crispy consistency and color! You won’t want to miss out on it.

The ingredients for a monte cristo sandwich are placed on a white surface.

How to Make a Monte Cristo Sandwich

Grab your ingredients and let’s get to work on your new favorite sweet and savory sandwich!

  1. Assemble the sandwiches. Spread the dijon mustard on the bread, then layer it with cheese, ham, turkey, then more cheese. Add the bread on top of that final cheese layer.
  2. Dip the bread. Whisk together all of the egg mixture ingredients. Dip each side of the sandwich in it so both slices of bread are evenly coated.
  3. Cook the sandwich. Place the sandwich in a griddle pan with melted butter that’s heated over medium heat. Cook on both sides for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.
  4. Enjoy! Cut your sandwich in half and sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Serve with some leftover cranberry sauce on the side.
Sandwiches are being sprinled with powdered sugar.

Why is it called a Monte Cristo?

It’s not exactly known, but many historians speculate that this sandwich is inspired by the French novel The Count of Monte Christo by Alexander Dumas. This sandwich has French origins… How exactly the sandwich correlates with the novel, I’m not quite sure. But it’s still a fun fact I like to mention when serving this sandwich to friends!

Tips for the Best Sandwich

  • Need a good cranberry sauce recipe? My easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce is tried and true! And if you prefer canned cranberry sauce but still want to make it at home, enjoy the best of both worlds with Jellied Cranberry Sauce.
  • You’ll need thick, sturdy bread that won’t fall apart with the creamy egg mixture. If you really want to go above and beyond, make my favorite Homemade Brioche Bread! And of course if you don’t have time to make your own bread, store-bought bread from the bakery section will work just fine.
  • I highly recommend not skipping the powdered sugar on top. It adds the lightest touch of sweetness to this savory sandwich that’s seriously mouthwatering!
A sandwich is being held above a plate with cranberry sauce.

The day after Thanksgiving is the best when your leftovers are this good!

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Several sandwiches are stacked on top of one another on a white plate.

Get the Recipe: Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

Yield: 2 sandwiches
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
A little sweet, a little savory, this Monte Cristo Sandwich is made with your favorite leftover ham or turkey. Serve with cranberry sauce for dipping or your favorite jam!
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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 4 slices of bread, I used Brioche
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
  • 8 slices swiss cheese
  • 6 slices deli ham or leftover cooked ham
  • 6 slices sliced turkey breast
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup half and half
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
  • Powdered sugar

Equipment

  • 1 skillet

Instructions 

  • Melt the butter on a griddle pan over medium heat.
  • Lay the bread slices out on a flat work surface and spread one side of each slice with the dijon mustard. Top a piece of bread with two slices of cheese.
  • Layer three slices of ham on the cheese and top with three slices of turkey. Top the turkey with two more slices of cheese and then place a piece of bread on top to create a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining bread.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, half and half, nutmeg, salt and pepper until combined. Dip one side of the sandwich in the egg mixture and then turn to dip the remaining side.
  • Place the sandwich on the griddle pan and repeat with the remaining sandwich.
  • Cook the sandwich until golden brown, approximately 4 minutes. Turn the sandwich over. Continue to cook until golden brown and the cheese has melted, 4-5 minutes.
  • Cut the sandwiched in half and sprinkle with the powdered sugar. Serve immediately with the cranberry sauce.

Notes

Monte Cristo Sandwich is best served soon after cooking.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 533kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 43g, Fat: 38g, Saturated Fat: 18g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 138mg, Sodium: 1793mg, Potassium: 459mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 593IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 629mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Dinner, lunch
Cuisine: French