Randy Chandler
A grilled cheese sandwich is a classic, comforting dish. While there are many ways to make one, the most important ingredients are bread, butter, and cheese. The type of bread and cheese you use is up to you, but a good grilled cheese sandwich should have a crisp, golden exterior and a gooey, melty, cheesy middle. So, what's the best way to cook a grilled cheese sandwich?
Characteristics of what you cook grilled cheese on
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Skillet, pan, griddle |
| Material | Cast iron, carbon steel, non-stick |
| Temperature | Medium, medium-low |
Explore related products
Using butter
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic, comforting dish. While there are many ways to make them, using butter is a popular choice. Here's a step-by-step guide to making grilled cheese sandwiches using butter:
Ingredients:
- Bread (sourdough, rye, white, or any bread of your choice)
- Butter
- Cheese (cheddar, gouda, gruyere, or a combination of your favourites)
- Optional: mayonnaise, dijon mustard, garlic powder, or other seasonings
Instructions:
- Prepare the bread: Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. The amount of butter will depend on the size and shape of your bread, but generally, a thin layer is sufficient. You can also add a thin layer of mayonnaise to the bread, as some people feel it adds a nice crispness and flavour to the sandwich. However, this is entirely optional, and you can simply stick to butter if preferred.
- Heat the skillet: Use a non-stick or cast-iron skillet and place it on medium to medium-low heat. If you're using a griddle, set it to 275˚F. You want the skillet to be hot enough to toast the bread without burning it.
- Assemble the sandwich: Place the bread slices butter-side down in the skillet. If you're using mayonnaise, spread a thin layer on the top side of the bread now. Add your favourite cheese to one slice of bread. You can use shredded, grated, or sliced cheese, depending on your preference. A combination of cheeses, such as cheddar and gouda, can add a nice flavour. If you want to enhance the flavour even more, you can sprinkle some garlic powder or other seasonings on the buttered side of the bread before adding the cheese.
- Cook the sandwich: Place the second slice of bread on top of the cheese, buttered-side up. Cook the sandwich for a few minutes until the bottom slice of bread is golden brown. Keep an eye on the heat to ensure the bread doesn't burn. If it's browning too quickly, remove the skillet from the heat for a moment and lower the temperature.
- Flip and cook: Once the first side is golden, use a thin metal spatula to flip the sandwich over. Cook the second side for another few minutes until it's also golden brown, and the cheese is melted. If you like your sandwich well-pressed, you can place a heavy skillet or a pan with a piece of foil between on top of the sandwich as it cooks.
- Serve: Once both sides are golden and the cheese is melted, transfer the sandwich to a plate and cut it diagonally. Serve it with a bowl of warm tomato soup for dipping, and enjoy the classic comfort food!
Grilled Cheese: Perfecting the Art of Melty Deliciousness
You may want to see also
Using mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is a great alternative to butter when making grilled cheese. It helps the sandwich achieve a crisp, beautifully browned exterior with a crunchy texture. The mayonnaise is not detectable in the sandwich, but it adds a tang to the grilled cheese.
To make grilled cheese with mayonnaise, spread mayonnaise on one side of a slice of bread and place it, mayonnaise-side down, in a skillet. You can also add garlic powder to the mayonnaise side for extra flavour. Top the bread with your desired cheese. Popular choices include cheddar, gouda, gruyere, raclette, American cheese, and pepper jack. You can also grate the cheese beforehand and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Spread mayonnaise on one side of another slice of bread. Place it, mayonnaise-side up, on top of the cheese. You can also add Dijon mustard to the dry side of the bread for extra flavour. Cook the sandwich in a skillet over medium heat until the cheese melts and the bread turns golden brown. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
If you are making multiple sandwiches, wipe out the skillet with a paper towel between batches to prevent the butter from burning. You can also add extra ingredients to your grilled cheese, such as ham, turkey, spinach, caramelized onions, or roasted tomatoes.
Grilled Cheese: Spreading Options for the Perfect Sandwich
You may want to see also
Using a skillet
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic, comforting dish that can be made in a variety of ways. While some people prefer to use a sandwich toaster, others opt for a skillet to get that perfect golden crust. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving grilled cheese greatness using a skillet:
Ingredients:
- Bread (sourdough, rye, white, or any bread of your choice)
- Butter
- Cheese (cheddar, gouda, gruyere, mozzarella, or a blend of your favourites)
- Optional: mayonnaise, dijon mustard, garlic powder, spices, or other fillings
Method:
Start by preparing your bread. Some grilled cheese enthusiasts recommend spreading butter on both sides of the bread, while others suggest using mayonnaise for a crisp, browned exterior. You can also add dijon mustard, garlic powder, or spices to the buttered or mayonnaise-covered bread for extra flavour.
Next, heat a non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-low heat. Cast iron skillets are particularly popular for grilled cheese as they heat evenly and create a beautiful crust. If you're using butter, melt enough in the skillet to coat the bottom of the pan.
Now it's time to assemble your sandwich. Place your desired amount of cheese on one slice of bread. You can grate or slice the cheese, but finely grated cheese tends to melt more evenly. If you're feeling adventurous, try a combination of cheeses for a richer taste. Close the sandwich with another slice of bread, placing the buttered or mayonnaise-covered side up.
Carefully place the sandwich in the skillet. Cover it and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bottom slice of bread is golden brown and crisp. Keep an eye on the heat, and lower it if the bread is browning too quickly.
Once the first side is golden, it's time to flip! Use a thin metal spatula to turn the sandwich over gently. Replace the lid and cook the second side for about 1 to 3 minutes, or until it, too, is golden brown and the cheese is melted to perfection.
Finally, remove the sandwich from the skillet and place it on a cutting board. Cut it into triangles or halves, and serve while it's still hot and gooey.
There you have it—a delicious, skilleted grilled cheese sandwich!
Sourdough Grilled Cheese: Healthy Comfort Food?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Using a sandwich toaster
Sandwich toasters, also known as jaffle irons, are a popular option for making grilled cheese sandwiches. They are designed to toast and seal the edges of the sandwich, creating a crispy exterior and a gooey, melted cheese centre. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving grilled cheese perfection using a sandwich toaster:
Step 1: Prepare the Bread and Cheese
Start by choosing your bread. Sourdough, rye, or regular white bread are all great options. Butter the outside of the bread slices or spread mayonnaise for an even crispier texture. You can also add a sprinkle of garlic powder or other herbs and spices to the buttered or mayonnaise-covered sides for extra flavour. For the cheese, shredded or finely grated cheddar is a classic choice, but you can also use a combination of cheeses like gouda, havarti, mozzarella, or gruyere for a more complex flavour.
Step 2: Assemble the Sandwich
Place your desired amount of cheese on one slice of bread, buttered side down. You can also add additional ingredients like sliced tomatoes, sautéed spinach, caramelised onions, or a spread of dijon mustard for extra flavour. Top it with another slice of bread, buttered side up.
Step 3: Toast the Sandwich
Place the assembled sandwich in the sandwich toaster and follow the appliance's instructions. Typically, you will need to close the lid and secure the latch to ensure even cooking and sealing of the edges. Depending on your sandwich toaster, you may need to adjust the heat setting to medium or medium-low to avoid overbrowning.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Once the sandwich is toasted to your desired level of crispness and the cheese is melted, carefully remove it from the sandwich toaster. Cut it diagonally or in half, admire the cheese pull, and serve immediately. Grilled cheese sandwiches go well with a bowl of warm tomato soup for a comforting meal.
Cheese, Bacon, and the Melt: What's the Verdict?
You may want to see also
Bread type
The bread you use for your grilled cheese sandwich is important. You want to ensure it's not too thick (which may prevent the cheese from melting), too thin or soft (which will get squished by the cheese), or too holey (creating cheese escape routes).
A good, standard option is white bread, which can be found in most kitchens and is a great base for your grilled cheese. If you're looking for something a little more special, a nice regular sourdough is a great option. It adds a tangy flavour to your sandwich, and you can buy it pre-baked. If you're a grilled cheese purist, you might prefer to stick with white bread.
Rye bread is another option, and if you're feeling creative, you could try a combination of cheeses with red onion and fig jam on sourdough. If you want to get really fancy, you could even add some shaved turkey breast, or some garlic powder to the buttered side of the bread.
If you're making grilled cheese for a crowd, you could try making a big batch in the oven. Butter the outsides of the bread slices, stack three slices of cheese between the bread, and bake on a baking sheet for 10 minutes at 400˚F, flipping halfway.
Whatever bread you choose, the key is to get it golden and crispy on the outside, and gooey and melty on the inside.
Starbucks' Grilled Cheese: Halal or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A non-stick or cast-iron skillet is best for cooking grilled cheese.
Medium to medium-low heat is best for grilled cheese. If using a griddle, set it to 275˚F.
You can use any type of bread for grilled cheese, but it shouldn't be too thick, thin, soft, or holey. Sourdough is a popular choice.
Some recipes call for buttering the bread, while others suggest spreading mayonnaise on the outside of the bread.
