How to Make Ross Geller’s “Moist Maker” Sandwich
Updated: Nov. 04, 2020
Learn how to make Ross' infamous sandwich from the classic Friends episode.
“Just a sandwich? Look, I am 30 years old, I’m about to be divorced twice and I just got evicted! That sandwich was the only good thing going on in my life!”—Ross Geller
This is a strong statement to make about a sandwich, but once you take a bite of this heavenly beast of a sandwich loaded with all the best flavors of Thanksgiving, you’ll understand why Ross Geller flipped when someone at work ate his beloved “Moist Maker” sandwich. The exact recipe for this sandwich isn’t divulged on the show, but we think we’ve created a pretty fantastic adaptation that Friends fans will love.
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a Friends-obsessed friend, check out this Friends gift guide.
What Is the Moist Maker?
“My sister makes these amazing turkey sandwiches. Her secret is, she puts an extra slice of gravy-soaked bread in the middle; I call it the Moist Maker.”—Ross Geller
Made famous by the episode of Friends appropriately titled The One With Ross’ Sandwich, the Moist Maker is a special recipe Monica makes every year using Thanksgiving leftovers. What’s unique about this sandwich? It contains an extra slice of gravy-soaked bread nestled between other layers of tantalizing Thanksgiving ingredients.
It’s not possible for a sandwich to BE any more delicious!
This version is loaded with warm roasted turkey, stuffing, tender sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, mixed greens and, of course, the essential moist maker layer. Additionally, while Ross doesn’t mention mayonnaise, we like to imagine that the chef in Monica would feel compelled to whip up a special homemade sauce to compliment the flavors and make her sandwich extra fancy. Therefore, we slathered the outer toasted bread slices in homemade buttermilk-herb mayonnaise. It’s totally optional, but totally delicious if you have the ingredients on hand.
How to Make a Thanksgiving Sandwich Like Monica Geller
Yield: 1 sandwich
Ingredients
- 3 slices quality artisan bread (We used hearty, multi-grain sourdough bread, but any crusty bread with some body will do.)
- 1/2 cup turkey gravy
- 4-6 ounces leftover turkey meat, shredded
- 1/4 cup leftover sweet potatoes
- 1/4 cup leftover stuffing
- 1/4 cup leftover cranberry sauce, canned or homemade
- 1/4 cup mixed greens, baby spinach or green leaf lettuce
Buttermilk-Herb Mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh sage, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh chives, minced
Editor’s Note: There are no hard and fast rules about what type of sweet potatoes, stuffing or cranberries to use. Ultimately, use the Thanksgiving recipes you love for this sandwich. The real trick to making this sandwich great (besides the moist maker layer) is to create a good balance of the various sweet, savory and tart flavors that are often found on a plate at Thanksgiving.
Instructions
Step 1: Make the buttermilk-herb mayonnaise
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and buttermilk until smooth. Add the fresh minced herbs and fold in to incorporate. Set aside.
Step 2: Toast the bread
Next, toast your slices of bread. It should be no surprise that this sandwich has a lot of moisture. Toasting the bread helps it hold up and not fall apart as you eat it.
Step 3: Prepare the moist maker layer
Warm the gravy in the microwave (or on the stovetop) until steaming. Then transfer the gravy to a shallow bowl or plate with a rim. Dredge one piece of bread in the gravy on both sides and then let it continue to soak in the gravy until ready to add to the sandwich.
Step 4: Reheat ingredients
While the moist maker layer soaks, reheat the turkey, sweet potatoes and stuffing until steaming.
Step 5: Assemble
Begin by laying down one piece of toasted bread on a cutting board. Next, spread a layer of cranberry sauce over the bread. Top with a generous amount of stuffing and then layer slices of warm turkey over the stuffing.
Top the turkey with the gravy-soaked bread (aka the moist maker). Next, add a layer of warm sweet potatoes followed by more turkey. Finally, top the turkey with some fresh greens or lettuce and top everything off with the final slice of toast slathered with a generous amount of the buttermilk-herb mayonnaise.
Step 6: Protect your treasured sandwich
Don’t laugh. We’re serious! If you’re planning to take this bad boy to the office, it needs serious protection from your coworkers’ ravenous appetites. Just write something better than Ross. For the record, “Knock-knock. Who’s there? Ross Geller’s lunch. Ross Geller’s lunch, who? Ross Geller’s lunch, please don’t take me. Okay?!” has been proven to be an ineffective message for warding off hungry sandwich stealers. You’ve been warned.
Tips for Eating a Moist Maker Sandwich
This bad boy is a two-handed sandwich. Once you pick it up, you’re in a committed relationship with it until it’s completely devoured. If you doubt your abilities (or appetite), carefully cut it in half. We recommend securing the corners with toothpicks, like a club sandwich, to help the layers stay together. While Joey doesn’t share food, but it should be noted that this monster can easily serve two people. Therefore, once cut in half, grab a friend and indulge together. After all, we’d hate to see ANY of this rather large sandwich end up in the trash (cue epic freakout from Ross).
If you love Friends, then you’ll love this collection of other Friends-inspired recipes. Don’t worry, the trifle recipe we’ve included has been approved by our Test Kitchen, and we can confirm our version does not “taste like feet.”
