Are you tired of eating the same old turkey dinner after Thanksgiving or Christmas? Well, I’ve got a solution for you! Transform your leftover turkey into a next-level deliciousness with these Leftover Turkey-Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches. Trust me, you’ll almost jump out of bed the next day to make them!
Planning Ahead for Leftovers
It’s never too early to start planning what to do with your leftover turkey. Before the football games start the next day, make sure you grab all the extra ingredients you need while you’re shopping for Thanksgiving or Christmas. This way, you’ll already have a plan and won’t have to rush back to the market after cooking a feast. And let’s be honest, the ultimate Thanksgiving turkey should give you enough leftovers for several meals!
Why Is It Called A Monte Cristo Sandwich?
The name “Monte Cristo” for this sandwich doesn’t have a clear origin, but most food experts see it as a variation of a French dish called Croque Monsieur. It’s a grilled cheese sandwich made with Gruyere cheese and lean ham. The Monte Cristo Sandwich gained popularity in the 1960s when Disneyland added it to their menu at the Blue Bayou and Tahitian Terrace restaurants in New Orleans Square.
How to Make Leftover Turkey-Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Making these sandwiches is as easy as making French toast. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 20 thin slices of very soft French Bread
- 1-1/2 cups cranberry sauce
- 10 thinly sliced (about 12 oz) Muenster Cheese (have your deli slice)
- 20 oz thinly sliced leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4-6 tbsps butter
- confectioners’ sugar
Instructions:
- Spread each slice of bread with cranberry sauce. Feel free to add as much or as little as you like.
- To build each sandwich, take a slice of cheese and tear it in half. Top the bread with half a cheese slice, turkey, and the other half of the cheese slice. Top with another slice of bread, cranberry sauce side down.
- In a shallow pie plate, add eggs and milk. Beat the mixture with a fork until combined.
- Soak each sandwich in the egg and milk mixture for about 30 seconds per side. You want the bread to be saturated but not soggy.
- In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, melt a couple tablespoons of butter. Add a few sandwiches and cook until the bottoms are golden brown (about 3-4 minutes). Flip the sandwiches and cook the other sides until golden. Add more butter as needed to cook the rest of the sandwiches.
- Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving. Enjoy these sandwiches warm!
Recipe Tips
- Use soft and fluffy French bread from the bakery for the best results.
- You can use homemade or store-bought cranberry sauce.
- Muenster cheese is recommended for the authentic taste, but you can use the American version of Munster cheese as well.
- Make sure to soak the bread in the milk and egg mixture, but don’t over-saturate it to the point of sogginess.
Look at how amazing these sandwiches look! To round out your meal, serve them with fresh fruit. And if you’re looking for more recipes using Thanksgiving leftovers, make sure to follow my Thanksgiving Leftovers Pinterest Board for lots of great ideas.
Also, don’t forget to join our NOBLE PIG FACEBOOK GROUP for a more in-depth look at recipes, cooking tips, and other member contributions.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 524
- Fat: 19.7g
- Cholesterol: 123.2mg
- Sodium: 936mg
- Potassium: 77.2mg
- Carbohydrates: 59.2g
- Protein: 29.9g
- Vitamin A: 38.8IU
- Vitamin C: 3.4mg
- Calcium: 38.9mg
- Iron: 17.4mg
Don’t let your leftover turkey go to waste! With these Leftover Turkey-Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches, you can turn your leftovers into a meal that everyone will love. It’s a delicious and unique way to enjoy your Thanksgiving or Christmas feast. So go ahead and give it a try!
