Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe (2024)

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posted by Amy Johnsonon December 27, 2017 (updated Dec 17, 2021) 157 comments »

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This recipe for a Monte Cristo sandwich will have you craving them morning, noon, and night. It’s an easy twist on the basic ham and cheese combination and oh so very satisfying. Plus, it’s the perfect place for leftover ham.

Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe (1)

When you have leftover ham, you make sandwiches. At least we do. And not just any sandwich, a Monte Cristo. Yeah. That’s what I’m talking about.

If you’ve never enjoyed a Monte Cristo, well, we’ve got to change that. What is a Monte Cristo, you say? Basically, it’s just the best ham and cheese sandwich ever! And it’s so cosmopolitan-ish sounding too.

A variation of the Croque-monsieur, the Monte Cristo is made with ham, cheese, a bit of mustard, and mayonnaise, then it’s dipped in egg and cooked just like french toast. Say whaaat?!? Yep, no joke. It’s kind of crazy, isn’t it? Crazy town is what it is. We’re walking on the wild side with this sandwich, people.

How to make Monte Christo sandwich?

  1. Place two slices of white bread on a flat surface. Spread mustard on one slice and mayonnaise on the other.
  2. Add thin slices of ham shredded gruyere cheese on top of the mustard and cover the cheese with the other part of the sandwich. In a nonstick pan over medium heat, add butter to melt.
  3. In a shallow bowl, add the eggs and whisk them until the egg whites and yolks are incorporated. Carefully dip the sandwiches in on both sides. Once the butter has been melted, fry on both sides for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe (2)

The Monte Cristo isn’t just for lunch or dinner either. Talk about a great breakfast sandwich. Sometimes the Monte Cristo is served with preserves and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, so I think breakfast is totally appropriate, don’t you? We also enjoy these sandwiches with a small bit of honey. This sandwich really does make the most perfect savory and sweet combination with a just a bit of sweet added.

Tips and variations:

  • To make a Monte Christo sandwich ahead of time, fill the sandwiches with mustard, mayo, ham, and cheese, then wrap those in a foil. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Once you are ready to eat, dip the sandwiches in the egg, fry in butter and enjoy!
  • You can reheat the sandwich back in the pan over low/medium heat. Or also in the microwave.
  • For crunchy and golden brown outside, make sure to use a cast-iron skillet or nonstick pan and have it preheated over medium heat.
  • A light dusting of sugar or a little bit of honey gives this sandwich a delicious (and easy) gourmet chef’s touch.

Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe (3)

Of course, this sandwich is on the decadent side, so it’s not an all-the-time sort of thing. But if you plan a brunch, or have leftover ham in need of a job, give this Monte Cristo a try. I think you’ll be glad you did.

Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe (4)

More delicious breakfast and sandwich recipes you will enjoy:

  • Ham and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
  • Easy Sausage Cheese Breakfast Casserole
  • Mozzarella Basil Sandwich
  • Yogurt Pancakes Recipe
  • Hash Brown Casserole

Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe (5)

Monte Cristo Sandwich

Yield: 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Ham and cheese never looked so good. Try this easy Monte Cristo Sandwich for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • pinches of salt and pepper
  • 4 slices sturdy white bread (or white bread of preference)
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1/2 pound thick sliced baked ham
  • 1/2 ounce, weight shredded gruyere cheese
  • additional salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  1. Beat eggs in a shallow dish (large enough to fit a sandwich) along with a few pinches of salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Assemble sandwiches, with mustard, mayonnaise, ham, cheese, salt and pepper to personal preference. Slightly compress sandwich.
  3. Heat skillet over medium heat. Add butter; allow to melt.
  4. Dip and coat each sandwich in beaten egg, and place in skillet. Cook sandwiches 2-3 minutes on each side, until browned to liking and cheese has melted.

Originally published January 9, 2014.

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originally published on December 27, 2017 (last updated Dec 17, 2021)

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Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe (9)

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157 comments on “Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe”

  1. Sherry BelisleReply

    In New England, we top it with maple syrup

  2. NatalieReply

    That doesn’t seem like a lot of cheese. Is it really just 1/4 ounce per sandwich?

  3. GwynethReply

    Great recipe. Made this for dinner last night and it turned out great. Do not soak the sandwich too long in the egg dip do it very quickly.

  4. Louise YoungReply

    My Mom made these when she came back form vacation. She did not use Mayo or mustard she but pepper jelly on them.

  5. Laura AllenReply

    Great way to jazz up a boring ham sandwich. I used honey mustard instead of yellow. Don’t skip the powdered sugar! It makes a delicious difference!

  6. ElizabethReply

    Raspberry Jam is a must for the Monte Cristo! You dip the sandwich in the jam before you take a bite!

    • Wesley

      Yes!! the raspberry jam is essential. So is the powdered sugar. Ive been getting them this way at the Felix cafe in Wilmington NC for several years. they do them deep fried there🤤

  7. Marcia BrittonReply

    I love Monte Cristo sandwiches. They made them with turkey and cheese in the Walnut Room at the former Marshall Field store in Chicago. It was a treat as a young Chicagoan when my parents took me and my sister. It is now a Macy’s. I really now shop at Bergdorf Goodman now.

  8. Kristine SReply

    Very delicious!

  9. PJReply

    Every Monte. Cristina recipe I have encountered (the best , quartered, picked , and batter dipped ,&deep fried the BEST ! & ya .there was turkey involved, ((don’t care for)). Batter dip. & df is the best!! Been doing this for 40 years. Try!!

    • Carla

      How do you make your batter? That is the way I like them. Do you use a pancake mix and thin it out a bit

      What restaurants have these on the menu?

  10. K wareReply

    I put a little hot pepper jelly on mine to add some sweat heat.

    • Amy Johnson

      That sounds fabulous! I do love some hot pepper jelly.

  11. NekaReply

    Didn’t have any of that cheese in the recipe so use cheese sauce. My husband about lost his mind eating this, its really good! I also made a dipping sauce out of the ham juices. Thanks for sharing!

  12. LisaReply

    I didn’t have any left over ham but used thin sliced deli roast beef with swiss and my son; who never likes anything new; fell in love with this version. He won’t eat it any other way now. 😊

  13. GarrettReply

    will this recipe still work well if i switch out the ham for salami and pepperoni?

    • Amy Johnson

      I’ve never tried that combo, Garrett, but let me know if you do.

  14. Sheryl MastaglioReply

    I made this with a few changes due to what I had in my refrigerator. I used honey mustard and Santori cheese. It was delicious. I served with cranberry relish like I had served in a restaurant.

  15. JanReply

    I have made this sandwich for years. I just called it a grilled cheese and ham, but nice it will be called a montie cristo

Leave a comment »

Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does a Monte Cristo sandwich contain? ›

I love a Monte Cristo! It's a fried sandwich with ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, and mustard dipped in beaten egg and pan-fried until golden and gooey for a delicious alternative to your usual ham and cheese sandwich. Great with berry jam on the side.

What is the difference between a Monte Cristo and croque monsieur? ›

A Monte Cristo sandwich is a variation of the croque monsieur, but with the addition of sliced turkey added the ham and Swiss cheese. Also, this sandwich is dipped in an egg batter, like French toast, and pan-fried instead of grilled, until golden brown.

What is the Cristo made of? ›

The statue, made of reinforced concrete clad in a mosaic of thousands of triangular soapstone tiles, sits on a square stone pedestal base about 26 feet (8 metres) high, which itself is situated on a deck atop the mountain's summit.

Why is my Monte Cristo sandwich soggy? ›

To avoid a soggy grilled sandwich: Don't dunk the sandwich in the egg mixture for too long. The bread will absorb too much batter and become soggy, which could also cause the sandwich to fall apart. Aim for about 5 seconds per side. Heat the skillet before dipping the sandwich.

What is a Tony Montana sandwich? ›

The Tony Montana Sandwich⚡️Pork Shoulder, Thick-but bacon, Swiss, Mayo, Mustard, Pickles w/frites or greens.

What is a godfather sandwich? ›

The Godfather. Great sandwiches are not born great — they are built great. Layered with Capicola ham, Genoa salami, and soft provolone cheese, The Godfather will send the traditions of Italy flowing through your veins after the very first bite. With such a great sandwich comes great responsibility.

What nationality is a Monte Cristo sandwich? ›

The Monte Cristo sandwich likely originated around 1910 as a variation of a similar sandwich called a croque monsieur. It was invented and initially served in Paris cafes but gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1930s. It appeared in many American cookbooks under names like “French Sandwich” or “Toasted Ham Sandwich.”

What does Monte Cristo mean in Italian? ›

Around the middle of the fifth century AD, the caves of the island became home to several hermits escaping from the Vandals of Genseric, the most important of whom was St. Mamilian. They christened the island Mons Christi ("Mountain of Christ"), from which the modern name is derived.

What is the original Monte Cristo? ›

While the Monte Cristo sandwich tends to vary from restaurant to restaurant or from deli to deli, the general blueprint consists of two slices of white bread containing ham, turkey, or chicken, and slices of Swiss Cheese which are dipped in beaten egg and fried in butter.

How tall was Jesus? ›

In her 2018 book What Did Jesus Look Like?, Taylor used archaeological remains, historical texts and ancient Egyptian funerary art to conclude that, like most people in Judea and Egypt around the time, Jesus most likely had brown eyes, dark brown to black hair and olive-brown skin. He may have stood about 5-ft.-5-in.

How would you describe a Monte Cristo sandwich? ›

A Monte Cristo sandwich is an egg-dipped or batter-dipped ham and cheese sandwich that is pan or deep fried. It is a variation of the French croque monsieur.

Who invented the Monte Cristo sandwich? ›

The precise origin of the Monte Cristo has been lost to history, but here's what we know: It's a variation of the classic French croque-monsieur, a grilled-cheese-with-ham combo with a literary history of its own (it first popped up in Proust).

What is in Cheddar's Monte Cristo sandwich? ›

Smoked ham, smoked turkey, two cheeses, battered and fried until golden, with raspberry preserves and dusted with powdered sugar.

What is the best way to reheat a Monte Cristo sandwich? ›

Toast in a skillet to crisp up the exterior again by melting some butter in a skillet over medium heat and cooking for a couple minutes. Re-warm in oven: alternatively, you can warm the Monte Cristos in the oven by wrapping in foil and baking at 350 degrees F for 5 to 7 minutes.

Will making a sandwich the night before make it soggy? ›

A sandwich can generally be made the night before and stored in the refrigerator to be eaten the next day without becoming too soggy or stale. To prevent sogginess, you can also consider packing wet ingredients separately or using ingredients that are less likely to release moisture, such as lettuce or tomato.

What is the official sandwich of Alabama? ›

Alabama: Pulled Chicken with White Sauce.

What is the name of the famous sandwich in New Orleans? ›

A muffaletta is a famous italian sandwich invented in New Orleans with cured meats (ham and salami), provolone cheese, olive dressing and great bread.

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