Frederic Melton
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food that can be made on a griddle. The key to a great grilled cheese sandwich is achieving a golden brown crust and a gooey, cheesy centre without burning the bread. To do this, it is important to use medium to low heat and to preheat the griddle to around 275-300°F. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, gouda, havarti, or American cheese, and adjust the amount of cheese to your preference. The bread should be about 1-inch thick, and you can use butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the bread for a crispy texture. Once the sandwich is assembled, cook it on the griddle for about 5-7 minutes, flipping once, until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread type | Thick-sliced bread, such as Texas Toast |
| Bread thickness | 1 inch |
| Bread weight | 2 slices per sandwich |
| Cheese type | Mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, American, Havarti, Mozzarella, Gruyere, Brie, Fontina, Gouda |
| Cheese weight | 1.5 ounces per sandwich |
| Butter | 2-3 teaspoons per sandwich |
| Other toppings | Shredded cheese, ham, turkey, vegetables, tomatoes, mayonnaise, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, spices |
| Griddle temperature | 275-325°F |
| Griddle type | Electric griddle, cast iron skillet, non-stick skillet |
| Cooking time | 5-7 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
The type of cheese you use for your grilled cheese sandwich is crucial. While you can use any cheese you like, some melt better than others, and some taste better with certain types of bread.
A classic choice is sliced American cheese, which gives you a gorgeous cheese pull. Other classic options include mild or sharp cheddar, a blend of both, or plain old sliced American cheese. These cheeses are crowd-pleasers and go well with white bread.
If you want to get more adventurous, you could try Gruyere, Brie, Fontina, Gouda, Pepper Jack, or Havarti. These cheeses also melt well and can be used alone or in combination. For example, one source recommends a combination of medium cheddar, Gouda, and Havarti. Another recommends sprinkling Parmesan cheese on the buttered bread before placing it in the skillet.
If you're feeling extra indulgent, you can add as much cheese as you want. You can also try shredded cheese, which will melt more quickly and give your sandwich a different flavour and texture.
When it comes to bread, thick-sliced bread like Texas Toast is recommended for the best grilled cheese. Bread should be about 1-inch thick. However, you can use any type of bread you like, such as ciabatta, focaccia, or whole grain bread with nuts and seeds. Just keep in mind that if you use a different type of bread, you may need to adjust the cooking time and secure the sandwich with toothpicks to prevent shifting during cooking.
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Selecting the best bread
Selecting the right bread is essential for making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. The bread should be sturdy enough to hold the melted cheese and take on a good sear in the pan. It should also complement the flavour of the cheese.
For a classic grilled cheese sandwich, sandwich bread is a good option. It is usually soft and light, and its uniform thickness allows for even heat distribution. You can use white sandwich bread or go for healthier options like whole-wheat, multigrain, oatmeal, or potato bread. Just make sure the bread is not too thin, or it might flatten out in the pan.
Sourdough is another popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a tangy flavour and a sturdy, chewy texture that holds up well when grilled. Its slightly sharp flavour pairs well with most cheeses, especially goat cheese. However, sourdough has irregular holes, which can cause cheese to drip, so opt for country-style sourdough with a tighter crumb structure.
If you want a rich, buttery option, brioche is an excellent choice. Its light and fluffy texture makes for a crispy sandwich, and its dense crumb structure prevents cheese from dripping.
Other good options for grilled cheese sandwiches include rye bread, which has a sturdy texture and a rich flavour that pairs well with Swiss, provolone, or smoked gouda; and Pullman loaves, which are typically white and tender with a soft texture.
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Preparing the griddle
Once your griddle is heated to the desired temperature, it's time to add some butter. You can either butter your bread and place it butter-side down on the griddle, or melt butter directly on the griddle before placing your bread. If you're making multiple sandwiches, you may want to let the griddle cool slightly between batches to ensure even cooking.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can try adding some spices or herbs to your butter. For example, garlic powder or salt can enhance the flavour of your sandwich. You could also try brushing your bread with olive oil instead of butter for a different flavour and texture.
Remember to adjust the heat as needed to ensure the cheese melts evenly without burning the bread. A steady medium heat is usually best, but you may need to go lower if your griddle is getting too hot.
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Building the sandwich
To build a grilled cheese sandwich on a griddle, you will need two slices of bread, about 1 1/2 ounces of cheese (more or less depending on your taste), and about 2-3 teaspoons of butter. You can use any type of bread, but thicker slices are better for grilled cheese sandwiches, and you can use any type of cheese, although some types melt better than others. Good choices include mild or medium cheddar, colby jack, pepper jack, American, Havarti, and mozzarella.
Before you begin building the sandwich, heat the griddle to a medium heat of about 275-300°F. You can use a cast iron skillet or a non-stick pan, but a non-stick pan will be less likely to stick. Once the griddle is heated, spread butter on the griddle. The butter will melt quickly, so make sure to spread it wherever you will put the bread.
Now you can start building the sandwich. Lay one slice of bread on the griddle. Then, add the sliced cheese—use enough cheese to cover the whole piece of bread. You can add as much cheese as you want, but more cheese will make for a messier sandwich. You can also add shredded cheese on top of the sliced cheese, as this will melt more quickly and give a different flavour and texture. If you want to add any other toppings, such as tomatoes, ham, turkey, or vegetables, do so now. Finally, top the sandwich with the other slice of bread.
Once the sandwich is built, cook it until the bread is browned and the cheese is melted. Then, remove the sandwich from the griddle and let it cool for a minute or two before cutting it in half and serving.
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Cooking the sandwich
To cook the sandwich, you will need to heat your griddle to a medium heat of around 275°F-300°F. If you are using an electric griddle, this will be a simple case of adjusting the temperature. For a non-electric griddle, you will need to heat it over a stove burner on medium heat.
Once the griddle is heated, you can add butter. You can either butter your bread and place it straight onto the griddle, or melt butter on the griddle itself before placing the bread. If you are making multiple sandwiches, you may want to let the griddle cool slightly between batches to prevent burning.
When the butter has melted, place your bread onto the griddle. If you buttered the bread, place it butter-side down. If you are using sliced cheese, you can add it now. You can also add shredded cheese, or a combination of the two. Shredded cheese will melt more quickly than sliced cheese. If you want to add any other toppings, such as ham, turkey, or vegetables, now is the time to do so.
Finally, place the other slice of bread on top, and cook until the bread is browned and the cheese is melted. The total cooking time will be around 5-7 minutes, depending on your heat source. Flip the sandwich once during cooking to ensure even browning.
Once the sandwich is cooked, remove it from the griddle and let it cool for a minute or two. Then, cut it in half and serve.
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Frequently asked questions
Good options include mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, American, Havarti, and Mozzarella. You can also use a combination of these cheeses.
Thick-sliced bread, such as Texas Toast, works well for grilled cheese sandwiches. The bread should be about 1-inch thick.
For each sandwich, you'll need about 1.5 ounces of cheese, but you can adjust this amount depending on your taste preference.
Set the griddle to medium heat, which is about 275°F to 300°F for an electric griddle.
Cook the sandwich for about 5-7 minutes total, flipping it once, until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
