Turkey Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches

Jump to Recipe

Turkey Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches are a great way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers in a hearty, grilled sandwich!

Update: This recipe was originally shared in November 2017. The recipe and photos have been updated and republished in November 2021.

Crispy sandwich, showing off the powdered sugar topping, is sliced in half and standing upright to reveal ingredients inside.

I think of all the recipes I've made to use up Thanksgiving leftovers, these turkey cranberry sandwiches are hands down my favorite. If you love French toast and turkey sandwiches, then this turkey cranberry monte cristo sandwich is perfect for you!

Halved sandwich, dusted with powdered sugar, is standing upright to show turkey, cheese and cranberry sauce inside.

What is a turkey cranberry monte cristo sandwich?

Let's start with a monte cristo sandwich, which is which is traditionally a ham, turkey and swiss cheese sandwich, dipped in an egg/milk batter and pan fried to golden perfection. It's served with a berry jam.

In this version, cranberry sauce is slathered onto the bread along with turkey and cheese and it's dipped in an egg and milk batter and then pan-fried. The sandwich is sprinkled with powdered sugar once it's done cooking.

I think it's a great way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers and is perfect for brunch or lunch the day after. But if you're craving this sandwich at any other time, deli turkey and canned cranberry sauce work just as well!

ingredients for the sandwich sit on a wooden background.

Ingredients for this recipe

sliced turkey - leftover from Thanksgiving or deli turkey
cheddar cheese
thick sliced bread
cranberry sauce
eggs
milk or cream
butter
powdered sugar

Instructions for this recipe

First, prepare the bread. Spread cranberry sauce on both sides of each sandwich, then top each slice of bread with cheese.

Process shot- two slices of bread, cranberry sauce spread on each, cheese on top.

Then, add on the turkey. If using leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, warm it up slightly before adding to the sandwich.

process shot - turkey added to the sandwich,

Next, whisk up the eggs and milk. In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs and milk.

Then, dip the sandwich into the batter. Dip the sandwich into the batter and flip it over to do the same to the other side.

Process shot - Sandwiches dipped in egg and milk batter waiting to be pan fried.

Finally, pan fry the sandwich. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches into the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown.

Note: Serve your turkey cranberry monte cristo sandwiches immediately for best results!

Cooked sandwich, sliced in half and stacked on top of each other to show the ingredients inside.

Substitutions and Serving Suggestions

Cheese: you can use cheddar, swiss, American or any melty cheesy that you like
Cranberry sauce: if you aren't a fan, I also like to use strawberry or raspberry jam instead
This is a heavy, hearty sandwich so I recommend a green salad, a vinegar based salad like my Healthy Cucumber Vinegar Salad, some fresh veggies or even a dill pickle to enjoy with this sandwich.

FAQ's for this sandwich

What is a Monte Cristo Sandwich?

The sandwich was named for the Count of Monte Cristo and it's believed to be a French version of a Croque Monsieur. The sandwich is meat and cheese and is dipped in a French toast batter before being pan-fried.

What's the difference between a Monte Cristo and a Croque Monsieur sandwich?

The Monte Cristo is a variation of a Croque Monsieur. A Croque Monsieur is toasted sandwich made of ham, gruyere cheese and a bechamel sauce.

What to serve with a Monte Cristo Sandwich?

The sandwich is hearty, heavy and filling so I'd suggest a green salad, a vinegar based salad, some fresh veggies or even just a dill pickle to cut through the heaviness of the sandwich.

Why is a monte cristo not a panini?

A panini is usually made with Italian bread, with butter brushed on the outside slices and then it's cooked on a press, which flattens the sandwich. While this is similar, this monte cristo sandwich gets a French-toast style batter and is cooked in a skillet, leaving it a thick sandwich.

Halved sandwich, stacked on top of each other shows ingredients inside and the crispy, powdered sugar covered top.

I love finding creative ways to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. In addition to this sandwich, you should also check out my Recipes Using Thanksgiving Leftovers!

Want to save this recipe for later? Follow me on Pinterest! Rather watch a video? See if I've made this recipe by following me on Tiktok!

Recipe

Print Recipe

No ratings yet