The Perfect Grilled Cheese: Timing For Toasty Success

Grilled cheese on toast is a timeless classic and a crowd-pleaser. It is versatile, easy to prepare, and kid-friendly. The key to achieving the perfect grilled cheese sandwich lies in the bread-to-cheese ratio, choice of bread and cheese, and cooking technique. While the ideal ratio is a matter of debate, using the right combination of cheese, such as mozzarella for stretch and another for flavour, can elevate the taste. Sourdough bread is a popular choice for its unique flavour and texture. When it comes to cooking, a skillet or griddle pan on medium heat is preferred to achieve the desired golden brown crust without burning the bread. The cooking time for each side of the sandwich is typically around 2 to 4 minutes.

How to get the perfect golden crust

The key to achieving the perfect golden crust on your grilled cheese sandwich is a combination of the right ingredients, the right equipment, and the right technique. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your grilled cheese has that desirable golden crust:

Choose the right bread

The type of bread you use is crucial. Avoid thick-cut slices, as they may prevent the cheese from melting properly. Instead, opt for a standard loaf of sandwich bread or sourdough. Sourdough adds a unique flavour and texture to your sandwich. Just make sure the crust isn't too thick and tough, as it may be challenging to bite through.

Select the right cheese

The cheese is, of course, the star of the show. For the best results, use a combination of two types of cheese. Mozzarella is an excellent choice for its stretchy, non-greasy melting qualities. Pair it with a cheese that has a stronger flavour, such as vintage cheddar or Gruyère. Grate the cheese yourself, as pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that can affect melting.

Butter both sides of the bread

This step is essential for achieving that golden crust. Use unsalted butter at room temperature, and spread a thin layer on all four sides of the bread. This will create a delicious, crispy exterior and add a buttery flavour to your sandwich.

Use a skillet or griddle pan

The right cookware is crucial. A skillet or griddle pan is the best option for achieving an even, golden crust. Preheat the pan over medium heat to ensure the buttered bread gets that desirable golden brown colour when it hits the pan.

Maintain the right temperature

Keep a steady medium heat to allow the cheese to melt evenly without burning the bread. Depending on your stove, you may need to adjust the heat slightly. Remember, you can always remove the pan from the heat for a moment if it's browning too quickly.

Flip with care

When it's time to flip your sandwich, use a spatula to do so gently. Ensure the sandwich stays intact, and adjust the bread slightly if it shifts during the flip.

Let it rest

Once your sandwich is golden on both sides and the cheese is melted, remove it from the pan and let it rest for a minute or two. This allows the sandwich to cool slightly and the cheese to set, ensuring that the first bite is perfect.

Now you know the secrets to achieving the perfect golden crust on your grilled cheese sandwich! With these tips, you'll be able to enjoy a crispy, buttery exterior and a gooey, cheesy centre every time.

The best cheeses for grilled cheese

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a great comfort food and a wonderful way to use up leftover vegetables or meats. The best grilled cheese sandwiches have a crispy, salty, buttery exterior and a molten cheese interior.

The Classic

American cheese is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a superior melting ability and gooey texture. It is mild in flavour and pre-packaged in individual slices, making it perfect for layering.

The Flavourful

For a more intense flavour, try using a combination of cheeses. Mozzarella is a good base cheese, as it has excellent melting qualities and a mild flavour. Pair it with a vintage cheddar or gruyere for a more intense flavour.

The Spicy

For those who like a little kick, pepper jack cheese is a great option. It has the same buttery taste and creamy texture as Monterey Jack, with the addition of some spice.

The Savoury

Havarti is a semi-soft Danish cow's milk cheese that is great for grilled cheese sandwiches because it melts well and has a subtle flavour. It is similar to provolone or mild cheddar, and pairs well with sautéed spinach and artichoke hearts.

The Sweet

Fontina is a mild cow's milk cheese from Italy that melts really well, creating a gooey, stringy cheese pull. It pairs well with truffle oil and arugula on sourdough bread. For an extra touch of sweetness, add a bit of honey or hot honey.

The Swiss

Gruyère is a hard Swiss cheese with a nutty, warm, sweet flavour. It melts well due to its high water-to-oil ratio, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches. If you can't find Gruyère, substitute it with another Swiss cheese like Emmental.

The Versatile

Monterey Jack is a semi-hard, white cow's milk cheese with a mild, buttery flavour. It melts well and gives a great cheese pull when cut in half. It pairs well with cheddar or American cheese, and can be combined with various fillings such as buffalo chicken, pulled pork, or chopped kimchi.

The Tangy

For a sharp, tangy flavour, try using a blue-veined cheese like Gorgonzola. However, it is best to combine it with another mild cheese like Fontina or mild white cheddar, as it can be overpowering on its own.

The Crunchy

For a crunchier exterior, use a crusty loaf of bread like sourdough. Sourdough has a complex flavour and a nice, thick crust that won't get too squished by the cheese.

The Melty

To ensure your cheese melts properly, use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-sliced or pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can hinder melting.

The Golden

To achieve a golden, crispy crust, spread mayonnaise on the outside of each slice of bread before cooking. This may seem strange, but it gives the sandwich a beautiful golden colour and crisp texture.

The Perfect Pair

Serve your grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of tomato soup for dipping or with a side of ketchup. This classic combination is sure to satisfy!

How to prevent a soggy grilled cheese

Making a grilled cheese sandwich is easy, but making a good grilled cheese sandwich is an art. Soggy grilled cheese is a common problem, but there are several ways to avoid it.

Firstly, make sure your pan is hot enough before you add the sandwich. You want a medium heat—not too hot, not too cold. If you're using a stove, a good rule of thumb is to let the pan heat up for 2-3 minutes before placing your sandwich in. If you're using an electric hob, a temperature of around 350°F should be about right.

Secondly, don't over-butter your bread. Butter is great for helping the bread crisp up, but too much and it will make your sandwich soggy. Aim for a thin film of butter coating the bread—just enough so that you can't see the bread through it. Alternatively, you can use mayonnaise instead of butter. Mayonnaise has a higher smoke point than butter, so it won't burn as easily, and it's also less likely to make your sandwich soggy.

Thirdly, consider toasting your bread before you add the cheese. This will help the bread develop a golden, crispy exterior, and it will also reduce the amount of time your sandwich needs to spend in the pan, reducing the risk of sogginess.

Finally, be careful with your fillings. Avoid anything watery, as this will make your sandwich soggy. If you're adding vegetables like mushrooms, onions, or peppers, cook them before you add them to your sandwich. This will ensure they don't release water while your sandwich cooks.

Reheating a grilled cheese sandwich

Leftover grilled cheese sandwiches can be reheated in several ways. Here are some options:

Re-grilling in a pan

Get the pan nice and hot at medium-high heat and add a little butter. Place the grilled cheese sandwich in the pan and cover with a lid, ensuring the lid is placed on crooked to prevent steam from building up. After about two and a half minutes, flip the sandwich and let it cook for another two and a half minutes. This method produces a sandwich with crisp bread and melted cheese, tasting the most like a freshly made grilled cheese.

Toasting in a toaster oven

Place the grilled cheese sandwich directly on the rack of a toaster oven and set it to toast two slices of bread at a suitable level. Flip the sandwich halfway through the toasting time. This method results in a sandwich with melted cheese and crisp bread, but the bread may be slightly dried out.

Baking in a toaster oven

Set the toaster oven to bake at 350°F without preheating. Place the sandwich directly on the rack for 10 minutes, flipping it halfway through. This method yields a grilled cheese sandwich that is crisp on the outside, but the bread may be more dried out than the toasted version, and the cheese may not be fully melted.

Keeping warm in a low oven

Grilled cheese sandwiches can be kept warm in a low oven (around 200°F) for up to 30 minutes. This allows you to serve everyone at once without having multiple skillets going at once. The sandwiches will become super-oozy and melded from the extra time in the oven.

Using a microwave grill function

Some microwaves have a grill function that can be used to make grilled cheese sandwiches. This method involves assembling the sandwich with cheese and butter, then using the microwave grill function to cook the sandwich. The cheese melts, and the top piece of bread becomes crispy.

Using a frying pan

Place the sandwich in a frying pan over medium heat until warmed through, and the cheese is melted.

Customising your grilled cheese

There are many ways to customise your grilled cheese sandwich. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Choose your cheese

The best grilled cheese sandwiches have two types of cheese. Mozzarella is a good choice for its stretch, and another cheese can be added for flavour. Some popular options include vintage cheddar, Gruyère, raclette, fontina, gouda, pepper jack, havarti, Monterey Jack, or Swiss cheese. You could even add some blue cheese for extra funk! Just make sure your cheese melts well.

Bread options

Sourdough is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, but you can also use regular white bread, brioche, or ciabatta. Just make sure your bread is sturdy enough to handle the heat and not too thin or soft, as it may get squished by the cheese.

Spread options

You can spread mayonnaise on the outside of the bread to help it brown and crisp up. You can also add Dijon mustard to the inside of the sandwich for a tangy flavour. Alternatively, you can spread butter on the outside of the bread.

Add-ins

To take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level, try adding some veggies like sautéed spinach, caramelised onions, chopped steamed broccoli, roasted red peppers, or roasted tomatoes. You can also add some fruit, like thinly sliced apples or a slather of fig jam. Pickles are also a great option—try pickled red onions, radishes, or jalapeños.

Sauce it up

Experiment with different sauces instead of mustard. For example, pesto is fantastic on a sandwich with mozzarella and provolone cheese.

Frequently asked questions