Randy Chandler
Grilled cheese is a classic comfort food that's easy to make. While there are hundreds of variations, the traditional grilled cheese sandwich is made with a combination of butter and mayo, and a slice of American cheese between two slices of white bread. The key to achieving the perfect grilled cheese is to cook it over medium heat until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Some people like to add sliced tomato, onion, or even jalapeño to their grilled cheese for a bit of extra flavour and crunch.
How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Sourdough, white, whole-wheat, rye, potato, brioche, or any bread that is soft yet sturdy and no more than 1/2-inch thick |
| Butter | Unsalted or salted, softened |
| Mayo | Spread on the outside of the bread |
| Mustard | Dijon |
| Cheese | American, cheddar, pepper jack, havarti, mozzarella, gouda, gruyère, raclette, or any cheese that melts well |
| Toppings | Thinly sliced apples, fig jam, pickled red onions, pickled radishes, or jalapeños |
| Cooking Method | Fry the sandwich in a pan over medium heat until golden brown and the cheese has melted |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choosing your bread
When it comes to choosing your bread, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the type of bread you use is important. While classic options include white bread, sourdough, whole wheat, rye, potato bread, and even brioche, you can experiment with different types of bread to find your preference. The key is to ensure that the bread slices are not too thick, as this will affect the crispiness of your grilled cheese sandwich. Aim for slices that are around 1/2-inch thick or less.
Another factor to consider is the texture of the bread. You want to choose a bread that is soft yet sturdy. This balance will ensure that your sandwich holds together during the grilling process without falling apart. Look for bread that has a tender crumb and a soft crust.
To achieve the perfect grilled cheese, you might also consider toasting the bread before assembling the sandwich. This adds an extra layer of crunch to your sandwich. Simply place the bread slices in a toaster or toaster oven until they are lightly toasted. Alternatively, you can toast the bread in a pan on the stovetop, watching carefully to achieve your desired level of doneness.
Lastly, when preparing your bread, it is essential to butter or spread mayonnaise on the slices before grilling. This step will enhance the flavour and crispiness of the sandwich. You can choose to use butter, mayonnaise, or a combination of both, depending on your preference. Some people prefer the traditional route of using softened butter, while others opt for mayonnaise for a crispier exterior without any greasiness.
The Ultimate Guide to Grilled Cheese Add-Ins
You may want to see also
Butter or mayonnaise?
When it comes to making a grilled cheese sandwich, the choice of spread can be a contentious issue. Some people swear by butter, while others prefer mayonnaise. So, which is better?
Butter has long been the traditional choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. Its creamy, decadent texture and lightly sweet milk solids give the sandwich a nutty, toasty flavour. When cooked, the milk solids transform into brown butter, adding to the taste. Butter also has most of the same ingredients as cheese, so it complements the cheese well. It penetrates the bread, giving the sandwich a rich flavour.
However, some people find that butter can burn more easily due to the milk solids. It can also be harder to spread and may not provide an even distribution across the bread without the spread.
Mayonnaise, on the other hand, is a more modern alternative. It has a higher fat content, which means it can withstand higher temperatures without burning. This gives you more time to achieve the perfect level of browning on your sandwich. Mayonnaise also helps the bread to brown more evenly, creating a mouthwatering crunch when you bite into the sandwich. It has a more neutral flavour profile, allowing the cheese and other fillings to shine.
Ultimately, the choice between butter and mayonnaise comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the classic, nutty flavour that butter adds to the sandwich. Others appreciate the convenience and even browning that mayonnaise provides. So, whether you're a grilled cheese purist or someone who likes to experiment, feel free to choose the spread that suits your taste!
Cheese Melts: Grilled Cheese vs Quesadilla Origins
You may want to see also
Selecting the cheese
There are many types of cheese that can be used in a grilled cheese sandwich, and you can get creative with your choices. Classic options include American cheese, cheddar, and pepper jack. Other popular choices are mozzarella, gouda, havarti, gruyère, raclette, and Monterey jack. These cheeses are known for their meltability and will give your sandwich a gooey, creamy texture. If you want to experiment with more unique flavours, you can try using brie, Swiss cheese, or a combination of cheeses. For example, a mix of gruyere and brie with thinly sliced apples or fig jam can make for a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich.
When selecting your cheese, it's important to consider its meltability. Low-moisture cheeses tend to melt better, so look for cheeses that fall into this category. Finely grated cheese also tends to melt more evenly than sliced cheese, so you may want to grate your cheese before adding it to your sandwich. If you're using multiple types of cheese, grate them separately and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you're ready to use them.
The amount of cheese you use will depend on your personal preference. A classic grilled cheese sandwich usually calls for two slices of cheese between two slices of bread. However, you can adjust the amount to your liking, adding more or less cheese to suit your taste.
The Perfect Pairing for Grilled Cheese: Exploring Delicious Combinations
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Grilling techniques
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food. While there are many variations, the basic grilling technique is the same. Here are some tips and techniques to help you achieve the perfect grilled cheese sandwich:
- Bread: The type of bread you use is important. You want something soft yet sturdy, and no more than about 1/2-inch thick. This ensures that the sandwich will hold up during grilling and provide the right balance of crispy exterior and soft interior. Good options include sourdough, white bread, whole wheat, rye, potato bread, and brioche.
- Butter or Mayonnaise: There is an ongoing debate about whether to use butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the bread. Both options will give you a crispy exterior, but they produce slightly different results. Butter will give you a classic grilled cheese with a rich, buttery flavour. Mayonnaise, on the other hand, will result in an extra crispy sandwich with a rich, brown exterior and no greasy residue. It also adds a subtle salty taste without the butter flavour. Some people even use a combination of both for the best of both worlds.
- Cheese: The key to a great grilled cheese sandwich is using a cheese with good meltability. Classic options include American, cheddar, pepper jack, Havarti, Gruyère, or Monterey Jack. You can use a single type of cheese or a combination for added flavour and complexity. Grating the cheese beforehand will also help it melt more evenly.
- Cooking: When cooking your sandwich, start with a clean pan on medium to medium-low heat. You can melt a small amount of butter in the pan or spread it directly on the bread. Place your sandwich in the pan and let it cook until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese starts to melt. Then, use a thin metal spatula to flip the sandwich and cook the other side until it reaches the same level of golden brown goodness.
- Add-ons: While the basic grilled cheese is a delicious classic, you can experiment with various add-ons. Try spreading Dijon mustard on the inside of the sandwich for a tangy flavour. Pickled vegetables like red onions, radishes, or jalapeños can also add a fun pop of flavour. For a gourmet touch, try a mix of Gruyere and brie with thinly sliced apples or fig jam.
- Equipment: A cast-iron skillet is a great option for grilling your sandwich as it heats evenly and produces consistent results. If you want to simplify the process, you can also use a sandwich press, which eliminates the need for flipping.
In-N-Out's Grilled Cheese: Protein Style, Yes or No?
You may want to see also
Adding extras
There are endless ways to add some extra flavour and texture to your grilled cheese sandwich. A popular option is to add some fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs. For instance, you could add sliced fresh tomato, figs, tart apples, pears, or even kiwi. If you want to add some spice, try sliced hot peppers such as serrano, jalapeño, or habanero. You could also add some sliced avocado, fresh basil leaves, chopped tarragon, or chopped rosemary.
Pickles are another great addition to a grilled cheese sandwich. The acidity and saltiness of a good pickle cut through the richness of the cheese. Try pickled red onions, radishes, or jalapeños for a fun pop of flavour. If you want to get really gourmet, add some thinly sliced apples or a slather of fig jam to a mix of Gruyere and brie cheese.
If you're a meat-lover, try adding some crispy bacon to your grilled cheese. You could also add some sliced grilled chicken, or even some cured meats like salami or prosciutto. For a vegetarian option, caramelised onions go well with Gruyere and sourdough for a French onion soup-inspired grilled cheese.
For some extra crunch, try adding crushed potato chips or corn chips to your sandwich. Or, if you want to get really indulgent, drizzle some honey on your grilled cheese. This goes especially well with creamy goat cheese or blue cheese. If you want to add some spice, try some kimchi with your grilled cheese—it might sound like an unusual combination, but it's surprisingly tasty!
Grilled Cheese: An American Term?
You may want to see also
