Taylor Ham, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
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If you’re from New Jersey, you already know the glory of a Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese sandwich – also known as a pork roll, egg, and cheese. This iconic New Jersey breakfast sandwich layers crispy slices of Taylor Ham (or pork roll) with a fried egg and gooey American cheese on a soft roll. While you might spot it at a few delis in New York or Pennsylvania, it’s truly a Jersey staple (and widely debated whether to call it “Taylor Ham” or “pork roll.”) For me, it’s not just the ultimate hangover cure, it’s the best breakfast sandwich ever. Growing up in New Jersey, it was part of my morning routine, and when I moved to California for college, my mom would even bring some with her so I’d never have to go without. If this recipe hits the spot, you’ll definitely enjoy this steamed egg patty sandwich or this egg, cheese and crispy prosciutto breakfast sandwich on a pretzel roll.
Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll
It’s kind of similar to spam and is a delicious salty, meat that tastes great crisped up and added to this breakfast sandwich with American cheese and egg on a kaiser roll. It was originally called “Taylor’s Prepared Ham” by it’s creator, John Tyler though he was forced to omit “ham” due to changing definitions by the FDA changing the name to “pork roll”.
Taylor ham and pork roll are the same thing. What you call it depends on where in New Jersey you live:
North Jersey = Taylor ham
South Jersey (and Philadelphia) = pork roll
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- An iconic New Jersey classic. Whether you call it Taylor Ham or pork roll, this sandwich is the Garden State’s most beloved breakfast.
- The ultimate comfort food. Crispy pork roll, melty American cheese, and a runny fried egg come together in one perfect bite.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Taylor ham – Taylor ham or pork roll is a processed pork product made with a mixture of spices and a salt and sugar cure with a flavor most comparable to Spam. It’s served cut into thick slices like Canadian bacon. Some grocery stores like Bristol Farms and Wegmans carry packaged Taylor ham though it has to be hand sliced. If you are in NJ then I recommend stopping at your local deli and asking them to slice it for you. The slices should be fairly thick, not shaved.
- American cheese – American cheese may be processed but it is a classic on a breakfast sandwich like this one. It has superior melting ability and texture.
- Eggs – When it comes to cooking eggs for breakfast sandwiches, I opt to cook them over medium rather than over easy or sunny side up, so the yolk is more jammy than runny and it doesn’t get as messy. Another option is to break the yolk just as the whites are set and right before you give the egg a flip, so the yolk remains jammy but doesn’t spurt out when you bite into the biscuit!
- Kaiser roll – A kaiser roll, also called a Vienna roll or a hard roll is a deli-style roll typically used for breakfast sandwiches. These crusty, round rolls have a plush interior. They come plain or with poppy or sesame seeds. I cut them in half and toast them in a bit of butter before assembling the sandwiches.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
pro tip
Scoring the Taylor ham before adding it to the pan keeps the slices flat as they cook and prevents them from curling up. This way they remain flat as they are added to the breakfast sandwich.
Swaps and Substitutions
- Taylor Ham (Pork Roll) → If you can’t find Taylor Ham outside New Jersey, try Canadian bacon, thick-cut ham, or even bacon for a similar salty, smoky flavor.
- Eggs → Fried eggs are traditional (I like over medium), but scrambled eggs work great too.
- American cheese → Cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack can be swapped in depending on your flavor preference.
- Kaiser roll → A bagel, English muffin or brioche bun can stand in for kaiser rolls if you don’t have the classic. While heartier, a Taylor ham, egg and cheese is great on an everything bagel.
- Condiments → Ketchup, hot sauce, or mustard are popular add-ons. One of my favorite spots in NYC serving a TEC, Fedoroff’s, adds sriracha ketchup!
How to Make a Taylor Ham, Egg & Cheese (Step-by-Step)
Score the edges of the pork roll slices in 4 places. This will keep the slices flat and prevent them from curling as they cook.
Heat a large sauté pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Add the Taylor Ham slices in one layer and brown on both sides, about 2 minutes on each side.
Arrange a stack of three slices of ham and add a slice of cheese over the top, continuing to cook until melted.
Add butter to a sauté pan or griddle and allow to melt. Place rolls cut-side down on the griddle. Cook until toasted, about 2 minutes. Add to plates and place the cooked ham and cheese stacks over the top of the bottom buns.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and crack the eggs onto the cooking surface. Cook the egg to over-medium, about 3 to 4 minutes total. Add and egg to each sandwich.
To serve, season with pepper and serve with ketchup if desired. Close each sandwich, then cut each breakfast sandwich in half and serve.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Taylor Ham, also known as pork roll, is a processed pork product developed in New Jersey in the 1850s. It has a smoky, salty flavor that’s similar to Canadian bacon or Spam but with its own unique taste.
This is a long-standing New Jersey debate! Northern New Jersey tends to call it Taylor Ham (after the original brand), while South Jersey calls it pork roll. Both refer to the same product. It was originally called “Taylor’s Prepared Ham” by it’s creator, John Tyler though he was forced to omit “ham” due to changing definitions by the FDA changing the name to “pork roll”.
A classic kaiser roll is traditional, but bagels, English muffins or a brioche bun work great too.
American cheese is standard because it melts perfectly, but cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack are great alternatives.
Some specialty delis in New York, Pennsylvania, and along the East Coast carry it. If you’re further away, you can often order it online from New Jersey-based shops. Otherwise I recommend swapping it for bacon, thick cut ham or Canadian bacon.
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwich recipe, I recommend checking out some of these other breakfast sandwich ideas:
- Porchetta, Egg and Cheese with Calabrian Chili Ketchup
- Egg, Cheese & Crispy Prosciutto Breakfast Sandwich on a Pretzel Roll
- Sweet and Savory Prosciutto, Egg and Gruyere Breakfast Biscuit
Taylor Ham, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
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Ingredients:
- 12 pieces sliced Taylor Ham™, (also known as pork roll)
- 4 Kaiser rolls
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 large eggs
- Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
- Ketchup (optional)
Instructions:
- Score the edges of the pork roll slices in 4 places. This will keep the slices flat and prevent them from curling as they cook.
- Heat a large sauté pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Add the Taylor Ham slices in one layer and brown on both sides, about 2 minutes on each side.
- Arrange a stack of three slices of ham and add a slice of cheese over the top, continuing to cook until melted.
- Add butter to a sauté pan or griddle and allow to melt. Place rolls cut-side down on the griddle. Cook until toasted, about 2 minutes. Add to plates and place the cooked ham and cheese stacks over the top of the bottom buns.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and crack the eggs onto the cooking surface. Cook the egg to over-medium, about 3 to 4 minutes total. Add and egg to each sandwich.
- To serve, season with pepper and serve with ketchup if desired. Close each sandwich, then cut each breakfast sandwich in half and serve.
Notes:
Nutrition:
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We made these the day after Christmas — couldn’t have been easier and we’re also a little less bummed that the holiday season is over. Will be making again soon!
I’m so glad they were a hit!!!