A Monte Cristo hot dog may sound crazy but it is actually incredibly delicious! A perfect balance of sweet, salty, and ooey-gooey cheese.
Every so often I discover a recipe that surprises me. The idea of putting strawberry jam on a hot dog just sounds gross, doesn’t it? How about adding the nutty taste of Swiss cheese into the mix? Who would do that? Geniuses, that’s who! It tastes amazing!
Seriously, you may not believe me, but you should try it. Loaded hot dogs don’t need to only be dressed in ketchup, mustard, relish, and hot dog chili. But does it really taste good though? Yes! The saltiness from the hot dog balances perfectly with the sweetness of the jam and the mild taste of Swiss cheese adds a nice gooey mouthfeel without competing with the flavors. These would also taste phenomenal with my smoked hot dogs too!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Beef Hot Dog - You specifically want to find jumbo hot dogs, such as quarter-pound beef franks, because these will be large enough to butterfly. I like beef hot dogs for this recipe, but you can substitute your favorite large hot dog.
- Brat Buns - A traditional hot dog bun is too small for this recipe, go up a size and grab brat buns instead. A pretzel bun would be a great substitute.
- Swiss Cheese
- Strawberry Jam - Raspberry preserves or jam is a great substitute.
- Butter
Special Equipment Needed
12” skillet – Since the quarter pound hot dogs are butterflied open they take up more room so you will want to use a large pan for this. I like my cast iron skillet since it holds heat well and creates a nice sear, but any large pan will suffice.
How to make them
Begin making this Monte Cristo hot dog recipe by butterflying open the hot dogs. You want to ensure you don't cut all of the ways through them so the two halves stay connected when folded open.
Set your skillet over medium heat and melt one tablespoon of butter in the skillet, then add your hot dog. Cook until the hot dog is warmed through and a nice sear has formed on the meat, then top with a slice of Swiss cheese. Cover the hot dog with a lid to allow the cheese to quickly melt.
While the hot dog is cooking butter the inside of your brat buns. Then place the bun butter-side down and toast in the skillet until the bun is golden brown. Remove the bun from the skillet and spread jam over the upper side of the bun and add your hot dog, then serve your Monte Cristo sandwich immediately with picnic favorites such as homemade apple cider vinegar cole slaw.
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Monte Cristo Hot Dog Recipe
Equipment
- Large skillet
Ingredients
- ¼ pound Beef Hot Dog
- 1 Brat Bun
- 1 slice Swiss Cheese
- 1-2 tablespoons Strawberry Jam
- 2 tablespoons Butter
Instructions
- Butterfly hotdog and melt one tablespoon of butter in a skillet set over medium heat.
- Pan fry hotdog on both sides until cooked through and a nice sear is visible on the meat.
- Place Swiss cheese over the top of the hot dog and cover with the lid until the cheese has melted.
- While the hot dog is cooking, butter the inside of the bun with the remaining tablespoon of butter and then toast the buttered bun in the skillet until it turns golden brown.
- Spread jam on the interior of the bun and top with the hot dog.
Nutritional Information
This recipe was originally published on FoxValleyFoodie.com on March 2, 2015.
Gina
I did not have swiss cheese nor strawberry jam. I used Havarti cheese and Four Fruits preserves. The result was delicious. My husband wasn't so sure at first but after the first couple of bites, he really enjoyed them. I loved them since sweet and salty foods are my favorites. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Don Leary
I tried this Monte Cristo hot dog sandwich with some temerity and invited some friends to try it with me. We were all pleasantly surprised.
If I had not told my friends all the ingredients beforehand, I think they would have been less skeptical going in and a little less surprised after a couple of bites. This is a nice combination of flavors.
Thanks for sharing this recipe.