Perfect Grilled Cheese: Mastering The Broil Timing

Broiling grilled cheese is a convenient way to make multiple sandwiches at once. The broiler method involves toasting the bread and melting the cheese in stages, allowing you to achieve the desired level of toastiness and monitor the melting process closely. While the exact broiling time may vary depending on your oven's settings and the type of bread used, the total cooking time is generally around 11 minutes. Broiling grilled cheese is a practical option when cooking for a large group, eliminating the need to cook sandwiches one or two at a time on the stovetop.

Broiling grilled cheese for a big group

Broiling grilled cheese sandwiches is a convenient way to make a large batch for a group without having to stand over the stove cooking one or two at a time. The oven method means you can make multiple sandwiches at once, and they will all be ready at the same time.

Preparation

First, you will need to decide on your ingredients. You can keep your grilled cheese sandwiches simple with just bread and cheese, or you can add fillings such as sliced tomato, ham, or sautéed greens. For the bread, you can use white, sourdough, whole wheat, rye, or gluten-free. As for the cheese, shredded cheese will melt faster, but you can also use sliced cheese. Cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, provolone, Gruyere, and American are all good options. You will also need softened butter or butter-flavored cooking spray.

Broiling Method

Set up your broiler so that the rack is 7-8 inches from the heat source. Place the bread on a large baking sheet in a single layer and spray with butter-flavored cooking spray or spread with softened butter. Put the pan of bread under the broiler and toast. Flip the bread over and top each slice with shredded cheese or a slice of cheese. Return to the broiler until the cheese melts. Top the melted cheese with additional slices of bread and spray with cooking spray or spread with butter. Put the sandwiches back under the broiler until toasted.

Timing

The total cook time for this recipe is 11 minutes. The sandwiches should be broiled for 5-6 minutes on the first side, then flipped and broiled for another 4-6 minutes until both sides are browned. However, it is important to keep an eye on the sandwiches, as broiler temperatures vary, and white bread tends to toast faster than whole wheat or gluten-free bread.

Tips

If you are making a large batch of grilled cheese sandwiches for a party, you can cut them into small triangles and serve them as an appetizer. They also go well with soup, such as tomato soup or sweet potato soup.

How to avoid burning the grilled cheese

How to Avoid Burning Your Grilled Cheese

We've all been there: you're craving a delicious, comforting grilled cheese sandwich, but the bread is browning too fast and burning before the cheese has even melted. Here are some tips to help you avoid this common cooking conundrum and achieve grilled cheese greatness.

Temperature Control:

The temperature of your cooking surface is crucial. A pan that is too hot will char the bread before the cheese has a chance to melt. Lower heat is generally better; cook your sandwich over medium heat for a longer time. Start with the sandwich in a cold pan and let it heat up gradually. If using an oven, set it to broil and keep a close eye on your sandwich, as broiler temperatures can vary.

Bread Thickness and Type:

The thickness of your bread slices matters. Opt for a standard half-inch thickness or a maximum of three-fourths of an inch. Thicker slices will burn before the cheese melts. Choose any type of bread you like—white, whole wheat, sourdough, or multigrain—but if using artisan bread with large holes, discard those slices to prevent cheese escape!

Cheese Selection:

While American cheese or medium cheddar are classic choices, they may not provide the melt factor you're looking for. Try mixing in another cheese known for its melting quality, such as Gruyère, gouda, manchego, or muenster. Grating your cheese will also help it melt more evenly.

Spreading Technique:

An even, thin layer of butter or mayonnaise from edge to edge of your bread will ensure the best browning action. Avoid haphazard spreading, which can leave some spots dry and others overly oily.

Filling Considerations:

Be mindful of how much filling you're adding to your sandwich. Overstuffing can lead to oozing and spillage. Keep cheese quantities to no more than two ounces per sandwich or about half a cup grated. For sliced meats and vegetables, opt for thin slices and chop larger pieces into smaller bits.

Steam Power:

Consider using a lid on your pan to trap steam and help melt the cheese more efficiently. Adding a few drops of water to the pan can also create steam and promote melting.

Broiling Technique:

If you're using an oven broiler, set the rack 7-8 inches from the heat source. Toast your bread first, then flip the slices, add shredded cheese, and return to the broiler until the cheese melts. Top with another slice of bread and broil until toasted.

With these tips in mind, you're now equipped to create the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, avoiding the dreaded burnt bread and achieving that gooey, cheesy goodness we all crave. Happy cooking!

Oven temperature for broiling grilled cheese

Broiling grilled cheese sandwiches in the oven is a convenient way to make grilled cheese for a group without having to cook each sandwich individually on the stovetop. Broiling allows you to cook multiple sandwiches simultaneously, ensuring that everyone's meal is ready at the same time.

To broil grilled cheese, you should set up your oven to broil. The exact temperature setting will depend on your oven, as broiler temperatures vary. However, a common temperature recommendation is to broil at 450°F.

When broiling, it's important to keep a close eye on the sandwiches, especially if you're using white bread, as it tends to toast faster than whole wheat or gluten-free bread. Additionally, the low or high broiler setting can impact the cooking time. For grilled cheese, a low broiler setting is generally recommended.

Here's a step-by-step guide to broiling grilled cheese:

• Set up the broiler rack about 7-8 inches from the heat source.
• Prepare your bread by spreading softened butter on one side of each slice.
• Place the bread slices, buttered side down, on a baking sheet.
• Top each bread slice with shredded cheese or a slice of cheese.
• If desired, add fillings such as sliced ham, tomatoes, or sautéed greens.
• Place another slice of cheese over the fillings.
• Put the remaining bread slices on top, buttered side up.
• Broil the sandwiches until they're golden brown and toasted on top.
• Flip the sandwiches and broil again until the other side is toasted and the cheese is melted.

By following these steps and keeping an eye on your oven's unique broiler temperature, you can achieve perfectly grilled cheese sandwiches with a batch-cooking convenience that the stovetop method can't beat!

Best type of bread for broiling grilled cheese

Broiling grilled cheese is a great way to make sandwiches for a crowd, and the best type of bread to use will be one that can stand up to the heat of the broiler and has a soft-but-hearty texture with even slices of medium thickness. Here are some options to consider:

• Hearty sandwich bread: Look for pre-sliced bread with uniform thickness to ensure even heat distribution when cooking. Whole-wheat, multigrain, oatmeal, and potato bread all work well. Just make sure the bread is not too soft, so it doesn't completely flatten when pressed down.
• Sourdough: This type of bread adds a tangy flavour to your grilled cheese and has a slightly sharp flavour that contrasts nicely with the richness of the cheese and butter. Opt for a loaf with a uniform texture to prevent cheese from leaking out.
• Brioche: Buttery brioche has a soft yet sturdy texture that holds up well during broiling. It browns quickly, so keep an eye on it and consider cooking over lower heat to avoid burning. Choose a loaf that can be sliced rather than rolls.
• Rye: Rye bread, made with rye berries and caraway seeds, adds extra flavour to your grilled cheese. Light rye is made with rye flour, while dark rye uses rye flour and additional ingredients like molasses. Both types pair well with mild cheeses like Swiss, Gruyère, or Gouda.
• Multigrain: Thick slices of nutty multigrain bread add fibre and flavour to your grilled cheese. It stands up to a variety of cheeses and can be paired with gooey mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil or creamy blue cheese and fig jam.
• Pullman bread: This crustier version of basic white bread is soft and airy, making it a great option for those who want an artisanal sandwich without being too adventurous.

Remember, when broiling grilled cheese, it's important to keep an eye on the sandwiches as broiler temperatures can vary. Also, white bread tends to toast faster than whole wheat or gluten-free options.

Customising grilled cheese with fillings

The beauty of grilled cheese sandwiches is that they lend themselves to endless customisations and riffing. You can create your own favourite combination of bread, cheese, and fillings. Here are some ideas for customising your grilled cheese with fillings:

Savoury fillings

• Sautéed greens: Try spinach, arugula, or asparagus.
• Meats: Include sliced ham, deli meats, bacon, or corned beef.
• Cheese: Apart from cheddar, you can use Gruyere, Comté, Swiss, mozzarella, provolone, American, fontina, Havarti, or smoked Gouda.
• Vegetables: Try sliced tomatoes, roasted mushrooms, caramelised onions, roasted red peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes.
• Condiments: Add pesto, fig jam, or mustard.
• Herbs: Throw in some fresh thyme or spinach.

Sweet fillings

Fruit: Include sliced apples or figs.

Combination ideas

• Ham and sauerkraut
• Greens with sun-dried tomatoes
• Caramelised onions and fig jam
• Pizza grilled cheese: Marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni, and basil.
• Pesto Caprese Panini
• Loaded grilled cheese: Potato chips, bacon, and raspberry jam.
• Green Goddess Grilled Cheese: Spinach, avocado, asparagus, and green goddess spread.
• Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese: Leftover rotisserie chicken, buffalo sauce, Monterey Jack cheese, blue cheese crumbles, and jalapeño bread.
• Everything Cheddar Tomato Bacon Grilled Cheese: Coated in a thick layer of butter, Parmesan cheese, and everything bagel seasoning.
• Irish Grilled Cheese: Irish mustard, aged Irish cheddar cheese, and a pint of Irish beer.

Frequently asked questions