This Monte Cristo salad is everything you love about the classic ham, Swiss and turkey grilled cheese sandwich, this time in salad form!
This recipe for Monte Cristo salad is one of the ways I ease myself from the lazy hazy days of summer into the shorter crisper days of fall (and it also works great in reverse!)
It’s got all the scrumptious comfort food elements of my favorite grilled cheese sandwich…the ham and turkey, the Swiss cheese, the sweet taste of French toast…but in a lighter salad form.
It’s like having one foot in summer and one in fall, lunch-wise. This is the time of year when even though there are some summery temps here and there, you realize that your days of this are pretty much over for the season….
Side note: Ann Patchett is magical. MAGICAL.
So these are the days that I transition us from our steady diet of grilled chicken and tomato salad and corn and basil everything into the warmer comfort foods of early fall.
What Does Monte Cristo mean?
If you aren’t familiar with the classic Monte Cristo sandwich that was the inspiration for this salad, it is a kicked up grilled cheese that features ham, turkey and Swiss cheese sandwiched between two pieces of French toasted bread.
It is every bit as glorious as you think it is, and also, well, FILLING.
My salad version keeps all those flavors, but lightens them up a little. Little cubes of ham, turkey and Swiss cheese make up the basis of the salad.
The sandwich bread is transformed into little French toast croutons. All that deliciousness is tossed with chopped romaine lettuce and a light maple syrup dressing.
Ingredients You Need To Make Monte Cristo Salad!
Here’s How You Make Monte Cristo Salad!
STEP 1: Preheat your trusty oven to 375 and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
STEP 2: Toss bread cubes with butter and sugar and spread in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake until golden and crispy, about 10 minutes.
STEP 3: Put all dressing ingredients in a small jar, put top on securely and shake until well-combined.
STEP 4: Put ham, turkey, cheese, lettuce and croutons in a bowl. Drizzle with dressing, toss and serve it up!
More Tips For Making Monte Cristo Salad!
Go to the deli counter at your favorite grocery store and ask for “dinner slice” amounts of these three items – or simply say you would like a 1/2 inch thick slice.
Yep! Keep the dressing separate, and toss it in at the last minute. It’s a great picnic dish!
And there you have it – one of the world’s best sandwiches, in cool and easy salad form!
It’s what’s for early and late summer supper! (Or really any time you have a Monte Cristo craving!)
PrintMonte Cristo Salad
This Monte Cristo salad is everything you love about the classic ham, swiss and turkey grilled cheese sandwich, this time in salad form!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup challah or other soft bread, cut into small cubes
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 pound ham, cut into small cubes
- 1/4 pound cooked turkey, cut into small cubes
- 1/4 cup Swiss cheese, cut into small cubes
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, torn into small pieces
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Toss bread cubes with butter and sugar and spread in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake until golden and crispy, about 10 minutes.
- Put all dressing ingredients in a small jar, put top on securely and shake until well-combined.
- Put ham, turkey, cheese, lettuce and croutons in a bowl. Drizzle with dressing, toss and serve.
Notes
Need to add something to your kitchen equipment to make this recipe? Below are some of the items we used in the Framed Cooks kitchen to help cook this up. These are affiliate links to things we use and love, which helps to pay for all that bacon I keep buying (without any extra cost to you)! Thanks for using them to keep our kitchen cooking…xoxo!
Adina says
The Count of Monte Cristo was one of my favorite books when growing up, I must have read it at least 5 times… I never knew there was a sandwich or salad called like that. Sounds good, I like salads made with bread.
Amanda says
Ann Patchett! I’m nerding out. I need to read that book.
You have the most delicious looking salads. Who wouldn’t want this for lunch? There’s never a reason to have a boring old salad again!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
This is a perfect salad to transition to fall! Not only that….but it’s just a perfect salad for anytime! I love all the flavors of ham, swiss cheese….and those little crunchy bits! Yum!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Oh yum! What a yummy dressing and such a great looking salad combo, Kate! I have never had monte cristo sandwiches, but I know I will love them. And this twit sounds like a genius idea. PS: That picture by the pool is pretty awesome! :)
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Kate, you know I always love your salad remixes of sandwiches. This salad is no exception! I love that you kept it filling, but helped lightened it up (because: Holiday lol). And that pic of you by the pool… ah… the last bits of summer. Enjoy! :)
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
While I’m super sad to see summer go, I am excited for fall weather! But I’m not ready to dive head first into all things hearty and heavy in the food department… I mean it is still HOT here. So this salad is totally winning for me, Kate! SO creative to turn the monte cristo sammie into a salad!!! This looks absolutely delicious and I’m seriously putting this on my “must make” list immediately! Pinned! Cheers, friend! xo
grace says
i’m loving this idea! all of those cubes are very aesthetically pleasing and fun. :)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Oh my, I love everything about this salad Kate! Those challah croutons and that dressing! YUMMMM!
Kylie says
Love salad recipes! This looks like a great one to try, thanks for the share!
I’m so glad you like the look of it! :)
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
I do love Fall, so I am pretty excited! Love that you converted a classic sandwich into salad form! I could eat salads every day, especially ones that look this good :) P.S. Love your new boots! They’re gorgeous! They will definitely make your transition into Fall a little easier, I’m sure :)
La Torontoise says
Kate, I just did this salad! Loved it! I used olive oil and did not add the sugar, to keep it more complian with my diat.
But where the name Monte Cristo comes from?
There is a famous 19 century book of Alexandre Dumas, a famous French writer, with this title: -) is it from there?
The book talks about the South of France… so, I was wondering if this salad is from that region?
You know, I’m not sure where the name originated – I need to look that up. But I’m so happy you tried the salad, and that you liked it! :)
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Oh this is such a great salad combo, Kate! I love monte cristo sandwiches, so in salad form sounds even better. Such a fun twist!
Mir says
I miss summer, but I’m a teacher. So yeah, nothing in the world will reconcile me to getting less sleep. Still, you make beautiful salads that make the transition to fall a lot easier!
Stephanie | The Foodie and The Fix says
Kate! That dressing sounds absolutely delicious and this is such a fantastic idea for a summer-to-fall transition salad ;-) I’ve always loved monte cristos, sometimes I even make them for breakfast!
Vivian | stayaliveandcooking says
I’m so with you, Autumn food is great but it’s a bit too early for pumpkin! I’m not ready to let go of Summer yet… Anyways, this looks delicious! Love the crunchy looking croutons, I can definitely see myself eating a salad like this :) Have a great week!