Frederic Melton
Grilled cheese is a classic, comforting dish that's easy to make. While there are many variations, the basic recipe calls for bread, butter, and cheese. The key to a perfect grilled cheese sandwich is achieving a crispy, golden exterior and a gooey, melted cheese centre. To make a grilled cheese sandwich, start by spreading butter or mayonnaise on the outside of two slices of bread. Place one slice, buttered-side down, in a hot pan. Top with shredded cheese, then add the second slice of bread, buttered-side up. Fry until the bread is golden and toasted, then flip and cook the other side. Serve immediately for the ultimate gooey, cheesy bite.
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 |
| Mayonnaise | 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 | Pickled red onions, pickled radishes, pickled jalapeños, sliced apples, fig jam, tomatoes, raw onions |
| Sauce | Pesto |
| Cooking Method | Medium to medium-low heat, use a skillet or sandwich press, cover the pan while cooking |
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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 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 impact the desired crispiness of your grilled cheese sandwich. Aim for slices that are soft yet sturdy, so they don't fall apart during cooking, with a thickness of about 1/2 inch.
If you're a fan of a crispy texture, a handy trick is to first toast your bread in a toaster on bagel mode, and then use the toasted side as the inside of the sandwich when cooking it in the pan. This adds an extra crunch to your grilled cheese.
Another factor to consider is the amount of bread you'll need. For a basic grilled cheese sandwich, you'll typically use two slices of bread. However, if you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different shapes and sizes of bread to create unique grilled cheese sandwiches.
When preparing your bread, it's essential to butter the slices before adding them to the pan. You can use either salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference. Spread about 1 tablespoon of butter on one side of each slice of bread, ensuring it's evenly coated. This step adds flavour and helps achieve the desired golden-brown colour and crispiness of your grilled cheese.
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Butter or mayo?
There are benefits to using both butter and mayonnaise when making a grilled cheese sandwich. Butter has a relatively low smoke point, which means it starts to smoke and burn between 302 and 350°F. If you're not careful, the butter can burn before the cheese has melted. However, the fragrance of browned butter is sweet and nutty, and some prefer it over the eggy flavor that mayonnaise imparts.
Mayonnaise is more convenient than butter as it's naturally soft and easy to spread straight from the refrigerator. It also has a high oil content that promotes browning and a high smoke point, which means it won't start to smoke until it reaches 450°F. However, some people dislike the taste of grilled cheese made with mayonnaise, finding it too oily.
Some people prefer to use a combination of butter and mayonnaise when making grilled cheese. They might spread mayonnaise on the inside of the bread and melt butter in the pan, or they might spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side of the bread and a thin layer of butter on the other.
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Picking the right cheese
First, consider the melting point of the cheese. You'll want a cheese that melts smoothly and evenly to create the perfect gooey and stretchy texture. Avoid cheeses that are too soft, as they may ooze out of the sandwich, and steer clear of hard cheeses that don't melt easily and can make a mess. Go for mild cheeses as they melt better and allow you to introduce other flavours, such as in the bread or butter.
Next, think about the flavour and taste you want to create. If you're looking for a classic, nostalgic grilled cheese flavour, a combination of mild, melty cheeses like cheddar, American, Gruyère, havarti, Gouda, or fontina will give you a rich, complex taste and a gooey, stretchy texture. For something more sophisticated, try a mix of Gruyère and brie with thinly sliced apples or fig jam. If you want to add some spice, sprinkle in some pepper jack or horseradish havarti.
The ratio of cheese to bread is also important. You don't want too much or too little cheese, as it can make the sandwich difficult to handle and affect the overall flavour. Experiment with different amounts to find the perfect balance for your taste.
Finally, consider grating your cheese instead of using pre-sliced cheese. Grated cheese melts more evenly, and if you grate it yourself, you can avoid the anti-caking agents found on store-bought pre-shredded cheese, which can prevent it from melting properly.
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Grilling techniques
Grilled cheese sandwiches are typically made on the stove in a skillet, griddle, or pan. A sandwich press or toastie maker can also be used, but this can cause the bread to become squished and limit the amount of cheese that can be added.
When grilling a cheese sandwich, it is important to ensure that the cheese and bread cook at the same rate. This can be achieved by shredding the cheese yourself, rather than using pre-shredded cheese, as store-bought pre-grated cheese is coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting well. Using low-moisture cheese will also help to achieve a good melt.
To grill a cheese sandwich, first, butter the pan. Then, place the sandwich in the pan and cook over medium heat until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. The sandwich can be grilled until the cheese is fully melted, or until the cheese is just starting to melt, and then transferred to a plate and left to cool slightly before serving.
It is important to note that grilled cheese sandwiches can be made with a variety of cheeses and breads. Cheeses that melt well, such as American, cheddar, pepper Jack, Havarti, Gruyère, or Monterey Jack, are good options. Sourdough, white bread, or even brioche can be used for the bread, as long as the slices are not too thick.
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Adding extras
There are endless ways to elevate your grilled cheese sandwich. If you're looking for a simple, classic grilled cheese, you can't go wrong with a combination of butter, bread, and cheese. However, if you want to take your sandwich to the next level, consider experimenting with different cheeses, spreads, and add-ins.
Cheese is the star of the show in a grilled cheese, so choosing the right variety is essential. While American and cheddar are classic options, you can also try other melty cheeses like pepper jack, havarti, gruyère, gouda, or mozzarella. For an extra-indulgent touch, try a combination of two or more cheeses. For example, a mix of gruyere and brie with thinly sliced apples or a spread of fig jam can create a gourmet flavour profile.
Spreads and condiments can also elevate your grilled cheese. While butter is a traditional choice, mayonnaise can add extra crispness to your sandwich. Some grilled cheese enthusiasts even recommend cooking your sandwich in mayonnaise instead of butter for a unique, smoky flavour. If you're a fan of spice, try adding Dijon mustard, sliced jalapeños, or raw onions to your sandwich. Other sauce options include pesto, which pairs well with mozzarella and provolone, or a spread of fig jam.
Finally, consider adding some extra crunch to your sandwich. One way to do this is by toasting your bread in a toaster on bagel mode before assembling your sandwich. This will give your grilled cheese an extra-crispy texture. You can also try adding sliced tomatoes or pickles, such as pickled red onions, radishes, or jalapeños, for a fun pop of flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any bread for grilled cheese, but it's important to ensure the slices aren't too thick so that the sandwich becomes crispy. Sourdough, white bread, whole-wheat, rye, potato bread and even brioche are all good options.
A grilled cheese is only as good as the cheese you use. It's best to use a melty cheese such as American, cheddar, pepper jack, Gruyère, Havarti, or Monterey Jack.
This is a highly contested issue. Mayo will make the sandwich crispier, whereas butter is more traditional. Some people use a combination of both.
