Few things capture the heart of Mexican comfort food like a freshly made torta de jamón. This humble ham sandwich, typically served on a crusty telera or bolillo roll, is a nostalgic favorite for many who grew up enjoying it in lunchboxes, at markets, or as a quick after-school snack.
While its ingredients are simple, the torta de jamón delivers big on flavor and texture. The bread is slightly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, providing the perfect base for layers of savory goodness. Traditional versions begin with a generous slather of mayonnaise, followed by thinly sliced ham. From there, the sandwich becomes a canvas for personal taste.
Classic toppings include lettuce, tomato, avocado, sliced onion, and pickled jalapeños for a bit of kick. Some variations add a smear of refried beans, while others include a slice of cheese or even a fried egg for extra richness. A dash of hot sauce or a squeeze of lime often brings everything together with a bright, tangy finish.
The beauty of this sandwich lies in its versatility. It’s quick to prepare and adaptable to whatever you have on hand, which makes it a go-to option for busy weekdays or impromptu meals. Despite its simplicity, a well-made torta de jamón can be deeply satisfying.
In many parts of Mexico, you’ll find tortas sold at street stalls or casual eateries, often wrapped in paper and served warm. They’re perfect for grabbing on the go, yet comforting enough to enjoy at the table with a cold drink or a side of chips.
Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or revisiting a childhood favorite, the torta de jamón is a reminder that the best meals are often the simplest. It’s a sandwich with soul, layered with flavor, and made with love.

Ingredients
- 6 slices Ham
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 slices Cheese
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Chop the onion and garlic finely.
- In a pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until golden brown.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the sliced ham to the pan and cook for a few minutes until heated through.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, flour, and baking powder.
- Add the onion, garlic, and ham mixture to the egg mixture and stir to combine.
- Grease a baking dish with butter and pour the egg mixture into the dish.
- Arrange the cheese slices on top of the mixture.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Slice and enjoy!
5/5! My grandma used to make this back in the day. Brings back memories!
I loved my grandma’s cooking too! This recipe definitely sounds similar. Can’t wait to try it out! 😍
This Torta de Jamón is AMAZING! I made it for brunch and everyone loved it. Will definitely make again.
So good!
This torta is absolutely delicious! My family devoured it in minutes!
Looks good but I kinda doubt my kids would eat it. They can be picky.
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s one of my family favorites too.
This was easy peasy! I didn’t have onions so I used chives instead.
Yum! I just love cheese and ham together! My kids gobbled it up.
I was skeptical at first, but it turned out better than I thought. Will make again!
Not bad, but I think it could use some more spices or something. Just a bit bland for me.
Why put eggs in a Torta? Sounds wrong. I stick to the traditional recipe. 🤷♂️
I don’t like onions. Can I leave them out? Or will it ruin the whole thing?
Very easy recipe! My kids loved it. I added some veggies too, like spinach. Gonna try with turkey ham next time.
Sounds good, but I think turkey ham might change the flavor too much. Ham is ham, right? But I guess veggies are cool if you like them. 🤷♂️
That’s great to hear! Adding veggies sounds like a tasty twist. My kids also enjoy it with extra ingredients. Definitely gonna try the turkey ham next time too!
So good! I swapped the ham for turkey bacon, and it was bomb!!
What is a Torta? Is it like a cake? I’m confused. But I wanna try it.
A torta, in this case, is more like a savory dish rather than a sweet cake. It’s kind of like a frittata with ham and cheese! Sounds delicious!
Why do we bake it? Isn’t this just a frittata? I don’t get it.
Yum! I want to make this again but my oven is busted. Can I use the microwave?
Too much ham for my liking, I would reduce it next time. 😕
This is a fantastic recipe! So easy and delicious. I added some bell peppers for a pop of color!
I’m not sure about this… my friend said she made it and it flopped. Maybe I’ll try it anyway.
The ham gets super chewy cooked like this. Not my favorite. I prefer it fried first.
Chewy ham? No way! Sounds nasty. I think frying first would make it better like you said. Gonna try your way next time.
I totally get what you mean! Frying it first does add a nice texture. Have you tried it that way? Would love to know how it turns out!
Tried it yesterday and it was a hit with my family! Will definitely make again. Thanks!
This was super easy to make! My family loved it!
I’m glad your family loved it! It’s a great recipe for a quick dinner.
Super easy? I bet it was just a lot of mixing. Not sure if my kids would eat ham though.
Y’all, this is super good. Can’t believe how easy it was. My kids ate it all!
I accidentally used sour cream instead of milk, but it still turned out pretty decent. Go figure!
Looks good but I don’t have any baking powder. Can I use baking soda instead? Help!
Was okay, but I prefer my eggs scrambled. This was weird to me.
No thanks. I don’t like mixing meat and eggs! Gross! 🤮
Tasted fantastic! I added some jalapeños for a kick. Will make again!
Sounds delicious! Adding jalapeños is a great idea. I’ll have to try that next time!
I don’t think adding milk to a torta is a good idea… it turned out kinda soggy.
I think the milk is just to keep it moist! Maybe try reducing the amount next time? 🤔
I tried making this but the eggs turned out weird. Maybe I did something wrong? Too much milk, I guess.
Do you really need that much cheese? Seems like overkill. I might skip it next time.
I think the cheese is what makes it delicious! Can’t skip the flavor, right?
What even is a torta? I thought this was a cake recipe. So confused!
The baking time was off for me. Mine took almost an hour! 🙁
Only 6 slices of cheese? I think that’s not enough! 😄
This torta is amazing! My family loved it and it was so easy to make.
I’m so glad to hear you loved it! It’s one of my family favorites too.
Looks good but I dunno, seems too simple? Is it really that good?
Yum! I added some veggies too. Zucchini made it better!