Classic to Gourmet, the Easy Way
A classic American grilled cheese sandwich is something we can all relate to. We’ve all had killer grilled cheese sandwiches that inspire foodie dreams for weeks, and we’ve all had some that were just okay. In today’s recipe, I’m going to share a few tricks that will make your grilled cheese go from classic and boring to gourmet and spectacular!
Fancy Grilled Cheese Sandwich Tips
Use good bread. Plain white sandwich bread is alright, but if you want an awesome grilled cheese sandwich, start with awesome bread. Sourdough, rustic Italian, brioche, and pumpernickel are my favorites for grilled cheese. Use more than one cheese. I like to combine three cheeses to create a well-rounded cheesy flavor. Single cheese sandwiches tend to taste flat. Start with room temperature ingredients. Your cheese will melt much more evenly if your bread and cheeses aren’t cold when you put them on the griddle. Lay them out ahead of time for optimal results. Less is not more. Ok, sometimes less IS more, but not when it comes to grilled cheese. Cut your bread in thick 1/2 inch slices and don’t be skimpy with the butter or cheese. Whether using slices or shredded cheese, add enough so the hot molten cheese will ooze out when you take a bite!
More Tips for Gourmet Grilled Cheese
Add fresh herbs. Everything tastes better with fresh herbs! If you’ve got a little thyme, basil, or rosemary in the fridge, sprinkle some on top of the cheese before covering. Butter the griddle, not the bread. Buttering the griddle (or skillet) instead of the slices of bread does two things. It eliminates the gouge marks from trying to spread hard butter on soft bread. Second, it toasts the bread without a greasy over-saturation from the butter and cheese. That means your bread will remain soft and dry on the inside with a golden toasted crust, instead of creating two greasy sponges with cheese in the middle. Grill over medium heat. Grilling your grilled cheese over medium heat (about 350 degrees F) allows the cheese to melt, without burning the bread. Golden bread + melted cheese = great grilled cheese Cover when grilling the first slice. I like to use a metal bowl or skillet to cover the sandwiches when I’m grilling the first slice of bread. (Or use a lid if cooking in a skillet, instead of on a griddle.) By covering the sandwich, you’re capturing the heat and helping the cheese to melt all the way through, without over-browning the bread. Once the first side is golden-brown, remove the cover and grill the second side without it, so the toasted bread will stay crisp.
If you follow these steps, you should be able to cook your grilled cheese sandwich for 2-4 minutes per side and end up with golden grilled cheese perfection!
Fancy Grilled Cheese Ingredients
Sourdough Bread, Brioche, or Rustic Italian Bread (Even Pumpernickel is great!) Muenster Cheese White Cheddar Cheese Smoke Gouda Cheese Butter Parsley
How To Make Grilled Cheese
Are there any other cheese combinations that would taste good?
Yes, there are so many different pairs that you can do which would create endless possibilities when it comes to making an amazing grilled cheese. You could also try:
Monterey Jack, Sharp (or Mild) Cheddar American, Pepper Jack, and Swiss Cream Cheese, Emmentaler, and Sharp Cheddar Goat Cheese, Havarti, and Pecorino Fontina, Provolone, and Parmesan
Other Great Sandwiches
Pimento Granny Smith Grilled Cheese Recipe Grilled Cheese Chop Salad with Apple Vinaigrette Recipe Baked Reuben Party Sandwiches Best Maine Lobster Roll Recipe New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich Recipe Grilled French Onion Steak Sliders Recipe Turkey Salad Recipe (for Sandwiches) Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich) Choripan Argentino (Chorizo Sandwich)
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