Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

These Monte Cristo Sandwiches are the classic diner sandwich dressed up as a fancy appetizer! Griddled sandwiches filled with ham, turkey and fontina cheese, with a side of homemade jam for dipping!

This is the BEST Monte Cristo Recipe

If you’ve ever enjoyed a Monte Cristo sandwich at a Bennigan’s restaurant or another diner, you know that the combination of savory ham, turkey and cheese and sweet jam is pretty irresistible. Plus, a sandwich griddled like French toast sounds a little weird, but is actually super delicious.

I’d argue that my homemade version is actually better than anything from a restaurant. Although you’re welcome to use store-bought jam or preserves, I offer a recipe for a quick homemade stovetop jam that includes a splash of red wine to turn this comfort food classic into something with gourmet appeal.

What is a Monte Cristo Sandwich with Jam?

A Monte Cristo is a really unique sandwich that usually features layers of ham, turkey and Swiss cheese. The entire sandwich is dipped in an egg batter and then griddled until golden, kind of like French toast. It’s sometimes sprinkled with powdered sugar, but not always.

Monte Cristo sandwiches are generally served with a side of jam (typically raspberry or strawberry) for dipping or spreading.

Monte Cristo Recipe Ingredients

• bread – you’ll need something that will hold up to the French toast treatment the sandwich is getting. See “What is the Best Bread for a Monte Cristo Sandwich?“ below for more info.
• eggs – for creating the custardy outer coating on the bread.
• Dijon mustard – adds a tangy kick to complement the savory meats and sweet jam.
• ham – thinly sliced deli ham works great.
• turkey – thinly sliced deli turkey works great.
• cheese – Swiss is traditional but I like Fontina for its creamier texture and great meltability.
• raspberries – for making the homemade jam, if you want to.
• sugar – to sweeten the jam and help thicken it.
• red wine – to add depth of flavor to the jam. I like Malbec but any red wine will work.

What is the Best Bread for a Monte Cristo Sandwich?

In my opinion, either challah or brioche bread is the best choice for a Monte Cristo. They’re both slightly sweet but sturdy enough to hold up to the French toast treatment.

How to Make a Monte Cristo

1. MAKE JAM. This is totally optional, or you can just use store-bought raspberry or strawberry preserves. But, if you’re making the jam, you’ll stir the raspberries, sugar and wine together in a saucepan and cook until the mixture has reduced to, well, a jam.
2. BUILD SANDWICHES. Spread each bread slice with mustard, and then layer on the ham, turkey and cheese.
3. DIP AND GRIDDLE. Dip each sandwich in beaten egg and then place on a hot griddle. Cook until the bread is golden brown and the fillings are warm.
4. SERVE. Cut each sandwich into quarters and serve with the jam.

Monte Cristo Recipe Variations

• CHEESE – Experiment with different cheeses like Gruyere, brie or provolone.
• MEAT – Feel free to use all ham or all turkey if you prefer one over the other.

How to Serve Monte Cristo Sandwiches

I like to cut each sandwich into quarters for easier eating, which almost turns it into a party bite. However, you can simply cut each sandwich in half for a more traditional way of serving. Always serve with a side of jam!

How to Store a Monte Cristo with Jam

Monte Cristo sandwiches are best eaten immediately after making. However, if you have leftovers, transfer them to a storage container and place them in the fridge uncovered for a few hours until they are fully chilled, then cover them with the lid and keep in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

Monte Cristo Sandwich with Jam FAQs