Patrick Oconnell
There are many ways to elevate a grilled cheese sandwich, but the key to the perfect toastie is nailing the right ratio between bread and cheese. While some chefs argue that the bread is the most important element, others believe that the cheese is what makes or breaks a grilled cheese sandwich. The best cheeses for a grilled cheese sandwich should melt smoothly and evenly, creating the perfect gooey and stretchy texture. Mild cheeses are often used to establish the taste foundation, allowing the opportunity to introduce other flavours. So, which cheeses are the best for a grilled cheese sandwich?
Characteristics and Values of the Best Cheeses for a Grilled Cheese Sandwich
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese that melts smoothly | Mozzarella, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, Mild Cheddar, Swiss Cheese, Gouda, Brie, Muenster, Fontina, American Cheese, Parmesan, Pepper Jack, Alpine Cheese |
| Cheese with a strong flavour | Aged Sharp Cheddar, Vintage Cheddar, Sharp White Cheddar, Smoked Gouda |
| Cheese with a mild flavour | Mild Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Gouda, Muenster, Swiss Cheese, Alpine Cheese |
| Cheese with a nutty flavour | Swiss Cheese, Alpine Cheese |
| Cheese with a tangy flavour | Sharp Cheddar, Sharp White Cheddar |
| Cheese with a buttery flavour | Amul Cheese, Muenster |
| Cheese with a salty flavour | Mozzarella |
| Cheese with a stretchy texture | Mozzarella, Gruyere, Vintage Cheddar |
| Cheese with a creamy texture | Brie, Muenster |
| Cheese with a silky texture when melted | Muenster |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella, Gruyere, and Cheddar
Mozzarella is a soft cheese with a mild flavour and a creamy texture. It melts very easily, making it perfect for grilled cheese. Fresh mozzarella has a stretchy texture and delicate flavour, especially when paired with juicy tomatoes and pesto. For an extra crispy grilled cheese, opt for low-moisture mozzarella. You can also add basil and parmesan garlic butter for more flavour.
Gruyere is a strong, salty, and nutty cheese that provides an umami hit. When paired with sourdough bread, the slight tang of the bread combines harmoniously with the cheese. The result is a flavourful sandwich that's hard to stop eating.
Cheddar is a versatile option for grilled cheese sandwiches. Young, mild cheddars melt better, while aged, sharp cheddars have more flavour. Vintage cheddar is a great choice for adding flavour to your sandwich. You can also try shredded white sharp cheddar for a simple, crispy, and delicious sandwich.
Combining two or more of these cheeses can take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level. For example, you can pair mozzarella with Gruyere or cheddar for a perfect blend of melting qualities and flavour.
Remember, the key to a great grilled cheese sandwich is not just the cheese but also the bread and any additional toppings or spreads. Sourdough or Ciabatta are sturdy bread options that work well with these cheeses. Butter your bread will give it a nice golden crunch, and you can even try spreading mayonnaise for an extra tangy, crispy exterior.
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American, Cheddar, and Swiss
American cheese is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its nostalgic flavour and its ability to create a tell-tale orange stripe of melted goo. It is also a simple and easy option. For a crisp and golden grilled cheese sandwich with a deliciously melty middle, American cheese is a great option.
Cheddar cheese is another excellent choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. Cheddar comes in many varieties, with young, mild cheddars melting better and aged, sharp cheddars offering more flavour. For a classic grilled cheese, mild cheddar is a great option, but for a more flavourful sandwich, a sharp cheddar will do the trick.
Swiss cheese is also a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It is a soft cheese with a mild, nutty flavour and a creamy texture. When heated, it melts very easily, making it perfect for grilled cheese. Swiss cheese pairs well with crusty bread and something sweet like jam. For a delicious melt, try spreading a slice of crusty bread with dijon mustard and mayo, adding some Swiss cheese and deli ham, and toasting it up.
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Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and Brie
When it comes to grilled cheese sandwiches, the cheese is the star of the show. While there are many types of cheese that work well, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and Brie are three excellent choices that can take your sandwich to the next level. Here's what you need to know about using these cheeses to create a delicious, gooey, and crispy grilled cheese sandwich.
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack is a mild melting cheese that is perfect for a basic grilled cheese sandwich. It has a creamy texture and melts easily, making it ideal for creating that signature gooey texture. For the best results, shred the cheese and pair it with complementary ingredients. A classic combination is Monterey Jack with bacon, deli turkey, avocado, and pickled jalapeños. To assemble the sandwich, butter the bread on one side, add the shredded cheese, jalapeños, turkey, bacon, and avocado, then top with another slice of buttered bread, buttered side up. Cook in a preheated pan, using a cake pan to gently press the sandwich as it cooks for an even golden crust.
Pepper Jack
If you're looking for a sandwich with a little kick, Pepper Jack cheese is a fantastic choice. It has a sweet and spicy flavour profile that adds interest to your grilled cheese. For a simple yet delicious sandwich, layer Pepper Jack cheese with roasted sweet mini peppers and pastrami. Brush the grill pan with butter and cook the sandwich for about 2 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted to your liking. You can also get creative and experiment with different types of bread, such as homemade Sweet Potato Yeast Bread.
Brie
Brie is a soft cheese with a mild, creamy flavour and excellent melting abilities, making it a superb choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It pairs well with crusty bread, such as sourdough or Ciabatta, and something sweet like jam or red pepper jelly. For a classic Brie grilled cheese, spread butter on the bread and top with thin slices of Brie, slightly overlapping. Add dollops of red pepper jelly, then sprinkle with shredded old white cheddar. Place the other slice of bread on top and cook over medium-low heat until both sides are golden. If the cheese isn't melted enough, you can cover the pan partially to hold in the heat without creating steam.
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Bread type and texture
The bread you use for your grilled cheese sandwich is important as it forms the structure and texture of the sandwich. It is also the first thing your mouth will meet, so it can make or break the entire sandwich.
The best bread for a grilled cheese sandwich should be sturdy and have a solid structure to stand up to the cooking process and hold all the ingredients together. It should also be able to provide a crunchy texture and a crispy, golden exterior. Sourdough is a popular choice for its sturdiness and ability to achieve a golden crust. Ciabatta is also a good option for its crustiness. Other options include French bread, sprouted whole-grain bread with seeds, and pretzel bread.
The thickness of the bread slices is also important. They should not be too thick, as the cheese may not melt all the way through, nor should they be too thin or too soft, as the bread may get squished by the cheese or fall apart. Bread that is too holey should also be avoided, as the cheese may escape through the holes.
The bread-to-cheese ratio is another crucial factor. Too much cheese and it may ooze out, but too little cheese defeats the purpose of a grilled cheese sandwich. The bread and cheese should also complement each other in terms of flavor.
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Butter, mayonnaise, and cheese pull
First, butter or mayonnaise is spread on the outside of the bread slices to create a golden, crispy exterior. Butter is the classic choice, with a generous amount being the preferred option to achieve the perfect, even browning. However, some people opt for mayonnaise, which also creates a golden crust and adds a tangy flavour.
Second, the cheese is the star of the sandwich, providing the gooey, stretchy, and melty texture that is characteristic of a grilled cheese. The choice of cheese is essential, with a wide range of options available, including mild and melty cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and mild cheddar, or cheeses with more distinct flavours like Gruyère, vintage cheddar, and Gouda. Using two types of cheese is recommended, with one providing the stretch, such as mozzarella, and the other contributing to flavour, such as Gruyère or vintage cheddar.
Finally, the cheese pull is the ultimate test of a grilled cheese sandwich. Achieving the perfect cheese pull requires a cheese with an ideal melting point, such as mozzarella, that will stretch beautifully when the sandwich is pulled apart.
In summary, the combination of butter or mayonnaise, the right cheese, and the perfect cheese pull, along with careful technique, will result in a grilled cheese sandwich that is crispy, salty, buttery, and oozy on the outside, with molten, stretchy, and flavourful cheese on the inside.
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Frequently asked questions
While personal preference plays a big part, some of the best cheeses for a grilled cheese sandwich include:
- Mozzarella
- Cheddar
- Gruyère
- Raclette
- Monterey Jack
- American cheese
- Gouda
- Brie
- Havarti
- Muenster
- Fontina
While again, this is subjective, many people recommend sourdough bread for grilled cheese sandwiches. Other options include Texas toast, white bread, and sprouted whole-grain bread with seeds.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are typically cooked on a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. It's important to cook the sandwich at a low heat to ensure the cheese melts at the same rate as the exterior browns.
This is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer butter, while others swear by mayonnaise. Some even recommend a combination of the two!
Grilled cheese sandwiches are often served with tomato soup, but they can also be served with other sides or fillings such as pimento peppers, tomato slices, crispy bacon, pickles, or mac and cheese.
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