Patrick Oconnell
Bacon grilled cheese is a delicious twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. The addition of bacon takes this comfort food to the next level, creating a flavourful and filling meal. While the basic recipe is simple, there are numerous ways to elevate it, such as adding different types of cheese, butter, or even a sweet glaze. This versatile sandwich can be served with a variety of sides, making it perfect for any time of the day. In this article, we will explore the different ways to make and enjoy bacon grilled cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Sourdough, White, Multigrain, Pullman Bread, Pumpernickel, Dark Rye, Texas Toast, Foccacia, Country French, White Bloomer |
| Butter | Yes, on the outside of the bread |
| Cheese | Mild or Medium Cheddar, Colby, Muenster, Provolone, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Gruyère, Brie, American, Parmesan, Smoked, Applewood |
| Bacon | Cut into small pieces, candied, maple-glazed, crispy |
| Other ingredients | Mayonnaise, Tomato, Tomato Jam, Salt, Pepper, Jalapeno, Maple Syrup, Brown Sugar, Dijon Mustard, Balsamic Vinegar, Cayenne Pepper |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right bread
When it comes to choosing the right bread for your bacon grilled cheese, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want a bread that is thick enough to hold all the delicious melted cheese and heavy enough that it won't fall apart. A hearty bread is a must!
Sourdough is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, and its dense texture and tangy flavour pair perfectly with the salty bacon and oozing cheese. Italian sandwich bread is another great option, providing a similar texture to sourdough with a more subtle flavour. If you're looking for something a little more robust, you could try a thick-cut white bread, such as Texas Toast, which can stand up to the weight of the fillings and provides a neutral flavour that lets the bacon shine.
For those who want a more complex flavour profile, a multigrain bread can add a nuttiness that complements the smokiness of the bacon. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, try a darker bread like pumpernickel or rye. These breads have a stronger flavour that can add depth to your sandwich. If you're a fan of a crispy crust, a crusty bread like a white bloomer or even a baguette, sliced lengthwise, could be a fun choice.
No matter which bread you choose, the key is to ensure it's thick and sturdy enough to hold all the tasty fillings. And don't forget to spread a generous amount of butter, mayo, or even a cheesy spread on the outside of the bread before grilling to achieve that golden, crispy crust!
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Preparing the bacon
If you don't want to glaze your bacon, simply cook it in a pan over medium-high heat until evenly brown and crispy. You can also use leftover bacon, which you'll need to reheat and crisp up. Once your bacon is cooked, drain off the grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. This will be used to cook your sandwich.
If you're making a maple bacon grilled cheese, you'll want to cut your bacon into small pieces ranging from the size of a dime to the size of a quarter. If you're not using a glaze, you can simply cut your bacon into strips or crumble it into small pieces.
Now that your bacon is prepared, you're ready to assemble and cook your sandwich.
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Preparing the cheese
When preparing the cheese for your bacon grilled cheese, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the type of cheese you want to use. While some people prefer classic options like mild or medium cheddar, others experiment with provolone, Colby, Muenster, or even Monterey Jack. If you want to get creative, you can try a mix of cheeses like cheddar and mozzarella, or cheddar and American cheese. For a more gourmet touch, consider using smoked cheese, such as Applewood Cheese, to add a unique flavour to your sandwich. You can also try mixing in some Parmigiano-Reggiano with your butter to create a crispy, cheesy crust.
Once you've selected your cheese, it's time to prepare it for the sandwich. If you're using sliced cheese, you can simply layer it onto the bread. If you're grating or shredding your cheese, measure out the desired amount and evenly distribute it across the bread slices. For a heartier sandwich, you might want to add a generous amount of cheese to ensure it melts nicely and oozes out of the sandwich.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can try a technique used by some chefs, where they create a cheesy-butter spread. To do this, simply mash together some butter and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl until they are evenly blended. Then, spread this mixture on the inside of your bread slices before adding the remaining ingredients. This will add a delicious, cheesy flavour to your grilled cheese.
Finally, consider the order in which you layer the cheese and other ingredients. A common technique is to start with a slice of bread, buttered side down, followed by a slice of cheese, then your desired amount of bacon, and another slice of cheese before topping it off with the remaining slice of bread, buttered side up. This ensures that the cheese melts nicely and holds the sandwich together.
Remember, the key to a great grilled cheese is to use the types and amounts of cheese that you enjoy the most. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations and quantities to find your perfect bacon grilled cheese sandwich.
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Cooking the sandwich
To make a bacon grilled cheese sandwich, start by cooking the bacon in a pan until crisp. You can cut the bacon into small pieces ranging from the size of a dime to the size of a quarter before cooking. You can also bake the bacon in the oven at 350F/175C for 20-30 minutes or until caramelized and crispy, flipping halfway. If you are making a candied bacon grilled cheese sandwich, brush both sides of the bacon with a maple glaze before baking.
Next, drain the bacon and reserve about 1 tablespoon of the drippings in the pan. If you are using a griddle, rinse some of the bacon grease out of the pan and return it to the heat.
Now it's time to assemble the sandwich. Spread mayonnaise, butter, or a mixture of butter and Parmesan cheese on the outside of two slices of bread. If you are using a griddle, place the bread butter-side down on the griddle. Layer cheese, bacon, and optional tomato on one slice of bread and top with the remaining slice, with the buttered or mayonnaise side facing up. If you are using a skillet, add the sandwiches to the pan and cook uncovered for 3 to 4 minutes or until the bottom side is golden brown.
Finally, flip the sandwich and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes or until the cheese is melted and oozing from the sides. Slice the sandwich in half and serve.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve a bacon grilled cheese sandwich. You can serve it as it is, or with a side of soup, chips, or a salad. If you want to serve it as part of a larger meal, you can add some baked zucchini spears, oven-roasted asparagus, or a light salad—an avocado or broccoli salad would work well.
For a sweet and savoury option, you could try candied bacon with syrup drizzled on top. You could also add some maple syrup to your sandwich, or serve it with hash browns for a cooked breakfast.
If you want to keep things simple, a bowl of tomato soup is a classic pairing, or you could add a smear of tomato jam to your sandwich. For a warm day, a tossed salad with a tangy vinaigrette is a great option, washed down with an icy glass of watermelon lemonade.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need bread, butter, cheese, bacon, and mayonnaise or butter to fry the sandwich. You can also add sliced tomatoes and season them with salt and pepper.
You can use any bread you have, but some of the most popular options are sourdough, white, multigrain, and rye bread. For cheese, you can use mild cheddar, Colby, provolone, or Monterey Jack.
Cook the bacon in a pan until crisp. Remove from the pan and drain, reserving 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pan.
Spread mayonnaise or butter on the outside of each slice of bread. Layer the cheese and bacon (and optional tomato) over two slices of bread and top with the remaining bread. Reheat the pan with the bacon drippings and place the sandwich in the center, cooking until golden. Flip and continue cooking until the cheese starts to ooze from the sides.
