Kamil Perry
Grilled cheese parties are a fun and interactive way to bring people together over a shared love of comfort food. They are a great way to experiment with different ingredients and allow your guests to create their own unique grilled cheese sandwiches. Whether you're using a panini press, skillet, or oven, setting up a grilled cheese bar with an array of cheeses, breads, meats, veggies, and toppings will ensure your guests can customize their sandwiches to their heart's content. So, get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food and throw a grilled cheese party that your guests will never forget!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of guests | Depends on how many grilled cheese sandwiches you want to make. |
| Bread | White or Italian, Sourdough, Multi-Grain, Challah, Ciabatta, Rustic Italian, French, Japanese milk bread, Rye |
| Cheese | American, Swiss/Gruyere, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Smoked Gouda, Brie, Goat cheese, Fontina, Havarti, Muenster, Kraft American Singles |
| Meats | Prosciutto, Pepperoni, Salami/Sopressata, Bacon, Traditional Lunchmeat, Bulgogi, Char-siu, Sliced pork belly, Rotisserie chicken |
| Veggies/Toppings | Caramelized Onions, Sautéed Mushrooms, Arugula, Basil, Roasted Red Peppers, Banana Peppers, Tomatoes, Avocado, Pickled cucumbers, Pickled onions, Tart apple slices, Kimchi, Pickled jalapeños, Hot Cheetos |
| Sauces/Spreads | Scallion mayo, Tamarind chutney, Cilantro chutney, Curry, Jufran Banana Ketchup, Japanese tonkatsu sauce, Dijon mustard, Honey |
| Drinks | Bloody Mary, Cocktails with tequila, mezcal and yellow bell pepper |
| Equipment | Pan, skillet, waffle iron, panini press, panini maker |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right bread
When selecting the bread, consider the size of your guest list. As a rule of thumb, plan for one loaf of bread per four people. For a small group, you can choose one or two types of bread, while for a larger crowd, you may want to offer a greater variety.
Some popular bread options for grilled cheese sandwiches include rustic Italian bread, sourdough, white bread, French bread, and ciabatta. Sourdough, in particular, is a versatile choice that pairs well with various cheeses and toppings. If you want to offer a more unique option, consider challah or ciabatta, which will add a distinct texture and flavour to the sandwich.
When choosing the bread, it is important to avoid bread with large holes, as this can make it difficult to create a cohesive sandwich. Instead, opt for a bread with a tighter crumb structure, such as a standard white bread or a fluffy Japanese milk bread. These options provide a solid foundation for the cheese and toppings, allowing the flavours of the fillings to shine through.
Additionally, consider the thickness of the bread slices. Thicker slices may provide a heartier base for generous fillings, while thinner slices can create a lighter, crispier sandwich. Ultimately, the choice of bread depends on your personal preference and the overall theme of your grilled cheese party.
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Melty cheeses
When throwing a grilled cheese party, the cheese is the most important part of the sandwich. You want wonderfully melty, gooey cheese, so it is best to go with softer cheeses that melt easily. Here are some cheeses that are perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches:
American
American cheese is a common and accessible cheese that gives you that tell-tale orange stripe of melted goo. It is also great for a picture-perfect cheese pull.
Swiss/Gruyere
Gruyere is a semi-hard Alpine cheese with a creamy texture and nutty aroma. It is a chef's secret weapon for an unforgettable grilled cheese. It is also one of the best cheeses for melting, making it a great choice for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Cheddar
Cheddar is another obvious, common, and accessible cheese that is perfect for grilled cheese. It has a nice medium flavour and pull. Pairing it with American cheese offers the perfect flavour-melt ratio.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella is a fresh Italian cheese known for its extreme meltability. It has a stretchy texture and a delicate flavour, making it perfect for a caprese-style grilled cheese sandwich with tomatoes and pesto.
Smoked Gouda
Smoked gouda has a great nutty, caramel-like flavour. However, it is important to note that smoking tends to change the cheese's consistency, and it may not melt the same way as younger gouda.
Brie
Brie is a bloomy rind cheese that is one of the most popular and readily available. It has a mild flavour and creamy texture, and it melts very easily once heated. It is perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, especially when paired with tart cherry jam.
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Vegan options
Vegan grilled cheese is a great option for those who don't consume dairy products. There are many vegan cheese alternatives available, and some can even be made at home. For example, a cashew and sauerkraut-based gouda or a cashew and carrot-based cheddar. These vegan cheeses can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches in the same way as regular cheese. Simply choose your favourite type of vegan cheese, spread it on your bread of choice, and grill until golden brown and crispy.
There are also many vegan toppings and fillings that can be added to grilled cheese sandwiches to elevate the flavour. For instance, roasted vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, or kale can be included. Caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, basil, avocado, and roasted red peppers are also tasty additions. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding homemade bourbon pear jam, lingonberry jam, or pesto.
For a simple vegan grilled cheese recipe, start by choosing your favourite type of vegan cheese and bread. Butter both sides of the bread, then add a semi-thick layer of vegan cheese to one side. Grill the sandwich in a skillet over medium heat until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
If you're looking for a more sophisticated option, try a combination of homemade almond ricotta and artichoke hearts sandwiched between slices of crispy sourdough bread. This recipe takes your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level with its gourmet flavours and textures.
Vegan grilled cheese sandwiches are a delicious and satisfying option for those who want to indulge in a comforting treat without compromising their dietary preferences. With so many vegan cheese and topping options available, the possibilities for creating unique and tasty sandwiches are endless.
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Toppings and fillings
When throwing a grilled cheese party, it is important to have a variety of toppings and fillings to satisfy your guests' palate preferences. Here are some ideas for toppings and fillings to make your grilled cheese party a success:
Cheeses
- Soft, melty cheeses are ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Options include American, Swiss/Gruyere, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Smoked Gouda, Brie, Fontina, Havarti, Muenster, and Goat Cheese.
- You can also pair a cheaper cheese with something fancier, such as combining Kraft American Singles with Gruyere.
Meats
Prosciutto, Pepperoni, Salami/Sopressata, Bacon, Traditional Lunch Meat, Bulgogi, Char-siu, Sliced Pork Belly, Rotisserie Chicken, and Pepperoni are some options.
Vegetables
Caramelized Onions, Sautéed Mushrooms, Arugula, Basil, Roasted Red Peppers, Banana Peppers, Tomatoes, Avocado, Pickled Cucumbers, Pickled Onions, Tart Apple Slices, Kimchi, Pickled Jalapenos.
Sauces and Spreads
- Chutney, such as Ginger Mango Chutney or Tamarind Chutney
- Scallion Mayo
- Curry Spread
- Jam, such as Raspberry Jam or Cherry Preserves
- Mustard, such as Dijon Mustard
- Ketchup, including Jufran Banana Ketchup or mixed with chili crisp
- Japanese Tonkatsu Sauce
Extras
- Hot Cheetos
- Bread options, such as White, Italian, Sourdough, Multi-Grain, Challah, Ciabatta, or French Bread
- Butter or Mayonnaise for spreading
- Spices, such as Black Pepper
- Herbs, such as Cilantro
- Fruits, such as Sliced Apples
You can lay out all the toppings and fillings for your guests to see and let them assemble their own sandwiches. It is recommended to have half-sized sandwiches so that guests can try different combinations. Don't forget to serve a side of tomato soup to impress your guests!
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Drinks and cocktails
A classic pairing with grilled cheese is a Bloody Mary. You can make two variations and have them ready at the end of your grilled cheese bar. For an extra punch, add some homemade infused vodka with your favourite fruit or vegetable. Alternatively, you could make a large batch of a cocktail with tequila, mezcal, and yellow bell pepper.
If you want to stick to non-alcoholic drinks, tomato soup is a great option to serve on the side. It is a classic pairing with grilled cheese and will impress your guests.
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Frequently asked questions
You'll need sliced bread, butter/mayo for spreading, and tomato soup. You can also provide a variety of cheeses, meats, and vegetables. If you don't have a panini press or waffle iron, you can use a skillet or panini maker.
As a general rule of thumb, plan on one loaf of bread per 4 people. The number of guests will also determine how many different options of cheese, meat, and vegetables you'll want to include.
Cheeses that melt easily, such as American, Swiss/Gruyere, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Smoked Gouda, Brie, or Fontina, are ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches.
You can set up a grilled cheese bar where guests can make their own sandwiches with a variety of toppings and fillings. You can also cut the sandwiches into bite-sized pieces for easy serving and tasting.
