Classic Monte Cristo Sandwich

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

This Monte Cristo sandwich is a classic French toast-style sandwich. Now you don't have to wait for a trip to a local diner to get your craving fulfilled. You can make your own. The sandwich filling is a combination of sliced ham, turkey or chicken, and cheese, along with mustard or mayonnaise. The assembled sandwich is battered in an egg mixture and then it's browned on both sides.

You can use sliced, boiled or baked deli ham and turkey or leftover sliced ham in the sandwich. While the classic cheese is Gruyère or Swiss, feel free to try other favorites such as havarti cheese. The bread should be a sturdier sandwich bread with even slices and same sized pieces. Presliced white bread will work, just don't overfill your sandwich. Choose whatever mustard you like best. Dijon is, of course, the classic for this sandwich, but you could opt for a more grainy mustard, honey mustard, or any combination of mustards. 

Classic Monte Cristo sandwich

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For a more complete meal, serve this sandwich with a cup of tomato soup or a fresh, bright green salad. You'll want a slightly acidic dressing to balance the richness of the sandwich. Or serve the sandwich as is or alongside a handful of potato chips. If you have leftover sandwiches, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator. The Monte Cristo can be reheated in a warm oven (be sure to place it on a baking sheet since the cheese will likely melt and drip) or in a hot pan on the stove. ​

Ingredients

  • 18 slices bread

  • Unsalted butter, to taste

  • 6 slices ham

  • 6 slices turkey, or chicken

  • Mustard, to taste, optional

  • Mayonnaise, to taste, optional

  • 12 slices Swiss cheese, or Gruyère cheese

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1/3 cup milk

  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for classic monte cristo sandwich
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  2. For each sandwich use 3 slices of bread. Butter one side of bread first.

    Butter on bread
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  3. Then cover with a slice of ham and a slice of turkey or chicken.

    Ham on bread
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  4. Butter both sides of the second slice of bread and spread with a little mustard or other mayonnaise, if desired.

    Butter on both sides
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  5. Place the bread slice on top of turkey or ham slice and top with 2 thin slices of cheese.

    Swiss cheese on bread
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  6. Butter the third slice for top; press sandwich lightly and trim crusts.

    Cut crust off
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  7. Cut each sandwich into halves diagonally and secure with toothpicks.

    Cut into triangles
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  8. In a medium bowl, beat eggs with milk and salt.

    Beat eggs with milk
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  9. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add butter to coat the pan.

    Heat a skillet
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  10. Carefully dip the sandwich halves into the egg mixture. 

    Egg in sandwiches
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  11. Brown the sandwiches on all sides, adding more butter to the pan when necessary.

    Toast the Monte Cristo sandwich
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  12. Remove toothpicks before serving and serve immediately while still hot and crispy.

    Remove toothpicks
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  13. Pair with homemade french fries, a side salad, and a pickle, and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
680 Calories
30g Fat
51g Carbs
49g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 680
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 30g 39%
Saturated Fat 14g 71%
Cholesterol 227mg 76%
Sodium 2122mg 92%
Total Carbohydrate 51g 19%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 49g
Vitamin C 4mg 21%
Calcium 740mg 57%
Iron 5mg 30%
Potassium 597mg 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.)

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