Monte Cristo Sandwich (2024)

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Posted: 07/26/2021

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

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This is the ultimate make at home Monte Cristo Sandwich – with turkey, ham and cheese in a sandwich that is cooked French toast style. If desired, serve with powdered sugar and raspberry jam. It’s a sweet and savory combo that will convert even a skeptic!

PIN IT FOR LATER!

If you love sandwich night as much as we do, you also need to check out the recipes for this Club Sandwich, Egg Salad BLTs, or Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

If you are a regular reader, you know that I am a huge fan of the sweet and savory combination. And now, looking back, I’m starting to wonder if this love started off with a Monte Cristo sandwich long ago.

I’ve been eating these sandwiches for a long time. It wasn’t my mom who made them when I was younger, but my brother. And I’ve grown to love and appreciate this sandwich – maybe more than any other.

WHAT IS A MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH?

So now you might be asking – what is a Monte Cristo sandwich?

If you’ve been do Disneyland, you probably know. They serve their famous Monte Cristo that you can get at Cafe Orleans is a deep fried sandwich with ham, turkey and cheese. Then it is served with berry jam and dusted with powdered sugar.

But Disneyland wasn’t the first to make these sandwiches.

It is believed that the Monte Cristo started off as the French Croque Monsieur, a grilled cheese sandwich with Gruyere and ham. Then, starting in the 1930s, more variations of this sandwich started to show up cookbooks, then in the 1950s, it made its way onto a menu in a southern California restaurant under the name of Monte Cristo. It then made its debut at Disneyland in 1966.

INGREDIENTS

There are many versions out there, but this is what I think you need to make the perfect Monte Cristo. My version is grilled instead of fried, which makes it much easier, and less messy, to make at home.

White Bread – I’m usually a wheat bread kind of girl, but you need white bread for these sandwiches.
Deli Sliced Meat – You’ll need both ham and turkey. I like to get it super thin sliced at the deli counter, but even pre-sliced meat will work.
Provolone Cheese – I just buy this sliced, as it is way easier. You can also use Swiss, which is more traditional.
Milk, Eggs, Butter – your traditional batter mixture. You’ll make the batter from the milk and eggs, then cook the sandwiches in the butter.

HOW TO MAKE A MONTE CRISTO

Whisk the eggs and milk in a shallow pan.
Melt the butter in a large skillet.
Make the sandwiches by layering a slice of bread, cheese, ham, another slice of bread spread with mayonnaise, turkey, cheese, and then another slice of bread. Press it down to make sure it all sticks together.
Dip each sandwich in the milk and egg mixture, then transfer to the hot skillet.
Cook until the sandwich is toasted on both sides and the cheese is melted.
Serve dusted with powdered sugar and with raspberry jam on the side.

More Variations on the Monte Cristo

Monte Cristo Crepes
Italian-Style Monte Cristos
Monte Cristo Sandwich Loaf
Monte Cristo Waffle-Wiches
Monte Cristo Style Croque Monsieur

Helpful Tools

I like to use a good nonstick skillet to cook these sandwiches, although a cast iron pan would give some good color to the sandwiches.
A small ramekin or cup for jam is super helpful if you want to dip your sandwich.
If you serve with powdered sugar, it’s helpful to have a small strainer so that you don’t get big clumps of powdered sugar all over.

Monte Cristo Sandwich

4.94 from 16 votes

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 sandwiches

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

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Ingredients

▢ 2 eggs
▢ 1/4 cup milk
▢ 2 tablespoons butter
▢ 12 slices white bread
▢ 1/4 cup mayonnaise
▢ 1/4 lb deli sliced ham
▢ 1/4 lb deli sliced turkey
▢ 8 slices Swiss or Provolone cheese
▢ Powdered sugar and raspberry jam for serving

Instructions

In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and the milk.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Lay 4 pieces of bread down and top with 1 slice of cheese on each piece of bread. Place 1/4 of the ham on top of each piece of cheese.
Take 4 more slices of bread and spread about 1/2 tablespoon of mayonnaise on one side. Place the mayonnaise side down on top of the ham, then spread another 1/2 tablespoon of mayonnaise on the opposite side of the bread. Repeat with the 3 remaining sandwiches.
Place 1/4 of the turkey on top of each sandwich, then top with another slice of cheese. Place the last 4 slices of bread on top of each sandwich.
Press down on each sandwich firmly to press together slightly.
Dip each sandwich quickly into the egg and milk mixture. They need to be coated, but not soaked.
Place the sandwiches in the skillet with the butter. Cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese on the side against the skillet is melted, then carefully flip the sandwich over and cook the other side.
Slice the sandwiches in half to serve, and serve dusted with powdered sugar and a side of raspberry jam for dipping, if desired.

Recipe Notes:

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline. Nutritional information does not include powdered sugar or raspberry jam.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1sandwich, Calories: 697kcal (35%), Carbohydrates: 48g (16%), Protein: 40g (80%), Fat: 37g (57%), Saturated Fat: 17g (106%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g, Cholesterol: 189mg (63%), Sodium: 1998mg (87%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 6g (7%)

Keywords: monte cristo, monte cristo sandwich, sandwich recipe

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Meet Deborah

Welcome to Taste and Tell. Here you will find easy, fast and family friendly recipes. I am a believer that anyone can cook and that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. Come join me in my kitchen! Read More

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Comments

Jo says
January 18, 2024 at 3:25 pm
How do you make 4 sandwiches with 8 slices of bread if each sandwich uses 3 slices. I think someone forgot to proof read.
Reply
- Deborah says
  January 18, 2024 at 4:12 pm
  Hi Jo – the recipe calls for 12 slices of bread.
  Reply
Gary says
January 7, 2024 at 4:02 pm

Good recipe! in 1964 when I was 10 my uncle was a lounge piano player at the coco palms hotel on the island of Kauai . I had the most wonderful sandwich ever… yes it was the Monte Cristo!!! By the way while there I was beaten and robbed by older kids. I never went back.
Reply
- Deborah says
  January 8, 2024 at 11:14 pm
  Oh my – but what a story you have to tell now! I’m glad that you still love Monte Cristo’s even if your experience was not the best at that hotel!
  Reply
Katie says
July 31, 2023 at 4:37 pm

It’s so hard to find a good monte cristo recipe, but this is hands down my favorite! I feel like there are 2 ways to make a monte cristo: one that tastes like a dessert sandwich and one that tastes like a savory lunch sandwich. This recipe gets you the former. For a little extra sweet, I recommend using honey wheat bread instead of white bread and using plain Greek yogurt instead of mayo. I am so grateful I stumbled across this recipe!
Reply
Gina says
April 25, 2023 at 4:39 am

This is a great recipe, I made it for my daughter who loves these sandwiches after having one at a restaurant a few months ago. We will be putting this in our rotation, I did use the Brioche bread from the grocery store because it was thicker Texas Toast cut bread would also work they were out.
Reply
- Deborah says
  April 25, 2023 at 7:44 am
  I love the idea of using brioche! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
  Reply
Hayley C says
February 5, 2023 at 8:54 am
As a chef, have prepared this more times than I can count. I like that you grill is, its how its made. No Monte Cristo sandwich is prepared with mayo or mustard, and no jam either. Its served with powdered sugar and maple syrup.
Reply
- As A Chef... says
  April 1, 2023 at 2:01 pm
  You might be a chef, and are correct about NO mustard/mayo on a Monte Cristo, but the original recipe circa 1967 from Disneyland’s Blue Bayou Cafe paired the sandwich with both raspberry and blackberry jelly. Easy enough to verify…
  As a chef, and eater, I have been enjoying this deliciousness with raspberry jam for over 30 years.
  Reply
Jessica says
January 24, 2023 at 10:36 am

We’ve made these several times now. Definitely a family favorite!!
Reply
Wendy says
See Also
Blueberry Muffins With Streusel Crumb Topping
December 19, 2022 at 9:56 am

We loved this recipe! All the flavors just explode in your mouth! Thank you for sharing your recipe!😋
Reply
- Deborah says
  December 19, 2022 at 11:50 am
  I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
  Reply
Molly Simms says
November 16, 2022 at 2:42 pm

Omgggg. I had never had a Monte Cristo Sandwich until my stylist recommended it to me. What a scrumptious combination!!!! I used Gruyere Cheese instead and I am sure any cheese would be fine!!!
Reply
Sheena says
September 2, 2022 at 6:55 pm

I made this for my family for the first time. My family enjoyed them even my picky kids. I served them with maple syrup. I wasn’t sure how to dip them without getting them soaked so after toasting each side I threw them in the oven to cook the rest of the egg. They were wonderful! Thank you!
Reply
Wayne Collins says
March 19, 2022 at 10:13 pm

I loved this recipe but put egg on both sides of the bread. Once flipped I added the cheese ham and Turkey. Used keto bread and had to skip the powdered
Sugar, but had some no sugar strawberry.preserves that made this awesome!! Thanks for the help
Reply
TK says
March 10, 2022 at 5:53 pm

I dreamed of this sandwich two nights ago. Looked up the recipe yesterday and cooked and served this eve. I cooked a fried egg and placed in the middle of the sandwich for my hubby. He was totally thrilled with it!
Reply
- TK says
  March 10, 2022 at 5:55 pm
  Oh and I used homemade Blackberry preserves with mine and no powdered sugar.
  Reply
Deborah says
February 12, 2022 at 7:01 pm
These are dipped in an egg mixture (like French toast) 🙂
Reply
Roganna church says
February 11, 2022 at 3:45 am
I worked at a Greek restaurant and they made monte Cristo but they didnt put powdered sugar and jam with it they put thousand island dressing and they were delicious to so I’m going to try yours and see which I like better ty
Reply
J Austin says
January 15, 2022 at 5:13 pm

Made the monte Cristo. Delish! Subbed spicy mustard for the mayo and used sourdough bread. 5 stars!
Reply
Wayne Ventresca says
November 30, 2021 at 8:45 am
Very good. Do you have any tips on how to flip the sandwich over without it falling apart.?
Reply
- Deborah says
  December 9, 2021 at 3:23 pm
  I would just keep it as close to the skillet as possible, and don’t be afraid to use your hand to help keep it together.
  Reply
Paul Olsen says
August 31, 2021 at 3:08 pm
Deep fat fried is the only way to do this
Reply
Dona Hope East says
August 21, 2021 at 7:59 am

I was passing through a tiny little town and stopped at a tiny little restaurant. I ordered a Monte Cristo sandwich. That’s when the heavens opened up! They were served with the absolute thinnest slices of apples cooked in the middle of the sandwich. I came home determined to learn how to make them for myself. Yours are pretty darn wonderful!
Reply
Steve says
April 24, 2021 at 10:14 pm

I’ve never had a monte cristo before! These are delicious! Simple and easy recipe!
Reply
Dustin Juedemann says
February 5, 2021 at 9:21 pm

This sounds so good, can’t wait to see how it goes!
Reply
Mr. Danny Miller says
February 1, 2021 at 4:07 pm
I realize that there are many recipes for the Monte Cristo sandwich. I’m sure they’re all tasty. Nevertheless, the REAL Monte Cristo is as follows: Quartered (3 slices of bread each) Club Sandwich, dipped in batter, deep fried ’til the batter is browned. Simple. Correct.
Reply
- Ellie says
  February 12, 2022 at 3:14 pm
  
  The REAL Monte Cristo is whichever one you love. I love this recipe, so for me, this is the real deal. Simple. Correct.
  Reply
Bob says
December 7, 2020 at 9:10 pm

I made these for my family during quarantine, any got rave reviews. I used Gruyere cheese and found less is more with the meats. The first one i made was a bit overstuffed, and did not press together well. It fell apart on the griddle. Just a slice or two of each meat was sufficient, and stayed together better. The sandwiches compressed nicely, and the meat didn’t overpower the other succulent flavors. Great recipe! Raspberry jam topped it off. Thank you!
Reply
Julie says
May 22, 2007 at 7:48 pm
I was just thinking about a monte christo the other day. It has been ages since I have had one. I use to always order this when we went out for lunch.
Looks wonderful
Reply
Lis says
May 6, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Deborah – DUH! It was YOUR blog (I’m SUCH A DORK) that gave me the craving! I should have made them like you did.. just dipped in a egg batter and fried. They look and sound so much better than mine. =)
xoxo
Reply
Freya and Paul says
May 2, 2007 at 3:25 pm
I’ve never seen this before – I must give it a go!
Reply
Brilynn says
May 2, 2007 at 1:59 am
My roommate introduced me to scrambled eggs with jam. I didn’t think that would work either, but then I tried some and I loved it!
Reply
- Dianne says
  July 31, 2023 at 3:32 pm
  
  My mother used to make us jelly omelets when we were kids. Yummy!
  Reply
Kristen says
May 1, 2007 at 8:51 pm
This looks like a flavorful sandwich!
Reply
Lis says
May 1, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I heart these sammiches. But I always forget about them! Thanks for the reminder and the fabulous photos.. we’ll be having these this week for dinner now!
xoxox
Reply
Cheryl says
May 1, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I really do like this combination of flavors too. I may need to try this one day for lunch.
Reply
Meeta says
May 1, 2007 at 10:40 am
An intriguing combination – I like the pairing of savory and sweet. The pics are great too!
Reply