The best morning should include beautiful weather, a hot cup of coffee, and a hearty breakfast. Do you have some bread, butter, and cheese in your pantry? Let’s make the best grilled cheese recipe! We’ll show you how to make grilled cheese sandwich and discuss other details that will make the dish more special.
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Grilled cheese sandwich recipes
The best grilled cheese recipe comes from the classic one where you only use butter, bread, and cheddar. Here is how to make grilled cheese sandwich the traditional way:
Ingredients:
- Softened butter
- Sliced sourdough bread
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Procedure:
- Spread butter on each side of the sourdough slice.
- Top each side of bread with cheddar cheese, butter side down.
- Melt butter on a skillet over medium heat.
- Toast the bread, butter side down until golden brown and the cheese starts to melt.
- Flip the other slice of bread on top of the other and cook until the cheese completely melts for about 30 seconds.
- Remove from the pan and transfer to the plate then cut diagonally in half.
If you want to make a cheesier and more special sandwich. We have another grilled cheese sandwich recipe for you. Learn how to make a triple grilled cheese sandwich below:
Ingredients:
- Softened butter
- Sliced sourdough bread
- Sliced cheddar cheese
- Sliced Gouda cheese
- Sliced Havarti cheese
Procedure:
- Spread butter on each side of the sourdough slice.
- Stack a piece of cheddar, Gouda, and Havarti cheese on each side of bread, butter side down.
- Melt butter on a skillet over medium heat.
- Toast the bread with the butter side down until golden brown and the cheese starts to melt. Do this for about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Flip the other slice of bread on top of the other and cook until the cheese completely melts for about 30 seconds.
- Remove from the pan and transfer to the plate then cut diagonally in half.
Grilled cheese recipe gourmet
Grilled cheese has been around since 1920. Now, the classic buttered toasted bread filled with cheese is made more special. Here’s how to make grilled cheese sandwich gourmet style:
Ingredients:
- Softened butter
- Mayonnaise
- Sliced Artisan bread
- Sliced Gruyere cheese
- Sliced white cheddar cheese
- Sliced Muenster cheese
- Diced yellow onions
- Minced fresh thyme
- Minced fresh rosemary
- Brown sugar
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
Procedure:
- Add butter and olive oil to a skillet and heat over medium temperature. Saute diced onions, fresh thyme and rosemary as well as salt and pepper for 10 minutes.
- Stir the brown sugar into the skillet and cook for another 1 minute. Then, transfer the onions onto a plate.
- Spread mayonnaise on each side of the sliced Artisan bread.
- Stack a piece of cheddar, Muenster, and Gruyere cheese on each side of bread, butter side down.
- Melt butter on a skillet over medium heat.
- Toast the bread, butter side down until golden brown and the cheese starts to melt. Do this for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Flip the other slice of bread on top of the other and cook until the cheese completely melts for about 30 seconds.
- Remove from the pan and transfer to the plate then cut diagonally in half.
Calories for grilled cheese sandwich
According to My Food Data, a classic grilled cheese sandwich using American cheese on white bread contains 378 calories. These calories come from protein, fat, and carbs. Other nutrients you can get from eating grilled cheese sandwich are:
- Fiber
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Iron
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
The best cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich
Cheddar is the most popular cheese used for a grilled cheese recipe. However, the best cheese to use for this is low moisture cheese since they have the best melt. Look for American, pepper jack, or Monterey Jack. Don’t hesitate to use multiple cheeses if you have.
You can also use shredded cheese since it melts quicker and creates a better cheese pull than slices. If you can’t find a pre-shredded cheese, you can shred it yourself.
The best bread for a grilled cheese sandwich
Any bread can work if you are making a grilled cheese sandwich. If you are aiming for a crispy texture, make sure that the slice of bread you are using is not too thick.
Moreover, use a bread that is neither airy nor dense. Airy bread will make the cheese ooze through while a dense one makes a heavy sandwich. If you are health-conscious, multigrain or whole wheat bread are some of the best choices for you.
Tips for making the best grilled cheese recipe
Learning how to make grilled cheese sandwich is quick and easy but there are some useful tips that will make the dish more delicious. Take a look at some of them below:
Pick the freshest bread
The bread you should use for your grilled cheese depends entirely on your preference. Whatever it is, it is better if you use the freshest one. Moreover, avoid using thick slices since the cheese won’t melt properly.
Use butter generously
Don’t be shy in putting more butter on your toast since it will help give the sandwich a crispier texture.
Layer the flavor
A tip for those who want to take their grilled cheese recipe to a whole new level is to add more flavor. Use other ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, condiments and even jam. Here are some great combinations you might want to try:
- Swiss cheese with tomatoes on whole-wheat bread
- Cheddar, honey mustard, and apple slices on whole-grain bread
- Goat cheese, tomato, and spinach on pita bread
- Mozzarella, basil, and red bell pepper on whole-wheat bread
- Manchego, grilled chicken, and BBQ sauce on sourdough bread
- Cheddar, salsa, and spinach on sourdough bread
Grill the sandwich over low to medium heat
Making the best grilled cheese recipe takes a lot of patience to make. Make sure you keep your heat at low to medium to allow the cheese to fully melt and make the bread more golden and crispy. Turn the heat lower if you think the sandwich is browning too fast.
Cook the sandwich open faced first
Once you fill the slice of the bread with cheese, start cooking it without the top slice for a couple of minutes. The steam will help melt the cheese. Once the cheese melts, you can now add the top slice. Doing this will prevent the cheese from falling outside the bread, especially if you are using quite a lot.
How to reheat grilled cheese
Grilled cheese is best eaten for breakfast but if you have no time to sit down for it, you can always reheat it later. Typically, you can store the sandwich in the fridge for up to 5 days then reheat it on the skillet the same way as it was cooked.
Although we don’t recommend doing this, you can also microwave the sandwich t if you are in a hurry. However, keep in mind that it will make the bread soft and soggy.
Grilled cheese recipe FAQs
What can I add to the grilled cheese recipe?
You can add anything you want to your grilled cheese whether it is savory or sweet. Some people like to add bacon and ham while others add jam or brie for a sweeter taste. If you want to take your sandwich to a whole new level, try spreading some crunchy peanut butter for a sweet and salty combination.
Where should I cook grilled cheese?
Just because the name implies, grilled cheese is not actually grilled. You can still grill it, but make sure to keep the heat at a very low temperature to avoid burning the sandwich before the cheese completely melts. Use a non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet when cooking your grilled cheese. However, if you are cooking for many people, try using a flat cooktop or griddle.
Can I use mayo instead of butter?
It is up to your preference if you want mayo or butter since both can be used in grilled cheese. Some people prefer mayo since it is more convenient to spread. However, other people don’t like the taste of mayo. Keep in mind that if the convenience of spread is what you are looking for, you can always soften the butter first before spreading.
Should I use grated or sliced cheese?
Grated cheese melts quickly and evenly. Moreover, blending together different types of shredded cheeses is easier. Nevertheless, this does not indicate that using sliced cheese is a big no-no. You can still end up with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich even if you use sliced cheese.
How thick should my bread be?
Keep in mind that the thicker your bread slice is, the longer the cheese will melt. The optimal slice of bread ranges from ¼ inch to ½ inch thick. This will easily melt the cheese in as quick as 5 minutes.
What side dish can be served with grilled cheese?
Serving the classic tomato soup with grilled cheese is a great combination. But you can also serve salads, cooked greens, fruits, and vegetables as well.
Conclusion
Nothing beats the classic grilled cheese recipe that a lot of people love to eat any time of the day. All you need is just three ingredients and a skillet! There are many variations and tips on how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. However, don’t be afraid to follow your guts and make it based on your preferences!
Aside from grilled cheese recipes, we have a plethora of grilled recipes as well. At Brooklyn Grill, we cover everything grill-related from grill brands and tools to grilled recipes and grilling tips.