Bushra Griffith
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food. While the basic recipe is simple—just bread, butter, and cheese—there are endless ways to customize and elevate this dish. From the type of cheese to the choice of bread, and even the addition of unexpected ingredients, the possibilities are endless. So, what grilled cheese are you? Are you a traditionalist who sticks to the classics, or do you like to experiment with different combinations? Perhaps you're a fan of sharp cheddar, or maybe you prefer the creaminess of American cheese. Do you like your sandwich grilled to golden perfection with butter, or do you dare to try the controversial mayonnaise alternative? The world of grilled cheese is yours to explore, and the possibilities are as limitless as your imagination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Sourdough, white bread, brioche, rye, Italian country-style sourdough, whole wheat |
| Butter | Salted, softened |
| Cheese | American, cheddar, pepper jack, havarti, gruyère, gouda, monterey jack, muenster, parmesan, provolone, parmigiano reggiano, kraft singles |
| Other ingredients | Jalapeño, onion, garlic powder, tomato, bacon bits, chive, turkey, cranberry, sauteed peppers |
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What You'll Learn
What type of bread is best for grilled cheese?
When making a grilled cheese sandwich, the bread you choose is just as important as the cheese and other fillings. The right bread can make or break your sandwich. For the ideal grilled cheese, look for bread with a soft-but-hearty texture and even slices of medium thickness (about 1/4 inch) or not too thick. Bread with an open crumb or holes in the interior can allow melted cheese to leak out of the sandwich when cooking.
Sourdough is a great choice to add a little tang to your grilled cheese. The slightly sharp flavour of sourdough is a great contrast to the richness of the cheese and butter in the sandwich. It is incredibly versatile, but we love it in an amped-up take on the classic grilled cheese with a blend of mild and extra sharp cheddar.
Airy, buttery brioche makes for an extra-decadent grilled cheese sandwich. The texture is soft, but sturdy enough to hold up during pan-frying. Try it with a mild, melty young gouda or even thin slices of brie with raspberry jam.
If you're craving a boldly-flavoured grilled cheese, your go-to bread needs to be a hearty deli rye. This type of bread has a very strong flavour because it's made with a bread spice flavouring, which includes ingredients like anise seeds, caraway seeds, and fennel. This combination of licorice-like flavours gives deli rye a pungent aroma. Another key aspect that makes this bread a solid choice for your grilled cheese is the fact that it can hold up to the weight of your fillings without breaking. Creamy gouda or Swiss are both solid options for deli rye.
If you're a fan of seeded bread, using this type of loaf for grilled cheese is a great, flavourful option. It's important to note that this multigrain (otherwise called whole grain) bread is not the same as wheat bread. The latter is made from the starchy endosperm of the bread, so it lacks the beneficial nutrients (like B vitamins) of eating whole wheat bread. Plus, you won't get those perfectly crunchy seeds that add a bit more of a textural element to your sandwich.
For a mix of sweet and savoury in your grilled cheese, look no further than cinnamon raisin bread. Brie is a naturally fatty cheese with moderately buttery notes, and since most people serve a fruit jam or other sweet accompaniment with brie, making this sandwich with a fruity bread type is a win-win. Besides brie, cinnamon raisin bread can also be used as a base for other buttery, smooth cheeses like Butterkäse.
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What cheese melts the best?
When it comes to grilled cheese, the cheese you use is of utmost importance. The best cheeses for grilled cheese should be melty, such as American, cheddar, pepper Jack, Havarti, Gruyère, or Monterey Jack. Low-moisture cheeses are also ideal, as they melt the best.
One way to ensure your grilled cheese melts well is to shred the cheese instead of slicing it. Shredded cheese melts quicker and more evenly, allowing it to cook at the same rate as the bread. It is also recommended to use finely grated cheese.
Some of the best cheeses for melting include Fontina, which can be buttery and fruity, or Fontina Val d'Aosta, which is firmer, more pungent, and nuttier. Danish Havarti and Dutch Gouda are excellent substitutes that also melt well.
Younger Gouda melts brilliantly due to its lower acidity, resulting from the curd-washing step in its production. Italian Asiago, in its pressato or fresco form, is also a good melter, while the d'allevo or vecchio variety is better for grating.
Monterey Jack and Colby are washed-rind cheeses, bathed in brine during aging, and are among the best melting cheeses. Provolone, made using the pasta filata or "pulled curd" technique, is another excellent melting cheese.
Gruyère, made from raw milk from Swiss cows, is known for its smooth texture when heated, making it a consummate melting cheese. Alternatives include French Comte.
Other cheeses that melt well include Muenster, with its rich, tangy, and savoury flavour, and medium to sharp varieties of Cheddar.
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Should I use butter or mayo?
When it comes to grilled cheese, the choice of spread is a key decision. Butter and mayonnaise are the two most popular options, each with its own advantages and devotees.
Butter is the classic choice for grilled cheese. It has a rich, creamy flavour that complements the cheese and bread. Softened butter is best for achieving an even spread, ensuring the sandwich gets crispy. A generous amount of butter will help achieve the perfect level of browning and prevent the sandwich from drying out. It also encourages the cheese to stick to the bread rather than the pan, creating a crispy, caramelised cheese edge.
Mayonnaise, however, has a higher smoke point than butter, meaning it can be cooked at a higher temperature without burning. It also creates an extra crispy exterior without any grease. It adds a subtle extra layer of creaminess and saltiness to the sandwich, without any noticeable mayonnaise flavour. Some cooks even add garlic powder and shredded Parmesan cheese to the mayonnaise for extra flavour.
While some cooks swear by butter for its traditional flavour and ability to create a crispy sandwich with a gooey cheese pull, others prefer mayonnaise for its higher smoke point and the crispness it brings to the bread. Ultimately, the choice between butter and mayonnaise for grilled cheese comes down to personal preference. Both have their advantages, and both will create a delicious, crispy sandwich.
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What sides go well with grilled cheese?
There are many sides that go well with grilled cheese, and some of the most popular options include:
- Soups: The classic pairing for grilled cheese is a bowl of soup, and the most traditional choice is tomato soup. However, other soups like chicken noodle soup, pumpkin soup, borscht, and vegetable beef soup also go well with grilled cheese. You can even dip your grilled cheese into the soup for extra flavour!
- Salads: A fresh and crunchy salad can help balance out the richness of grilled cheese. Simple green salads with a tangy dressing are a great option, and you can also try a Caesar salad or a Mexican-style pasta salad with corn, tomatoes, and a creamy dressing.
- Fries: Crispy French fries or potato wedges are a perfect side for grilled cheese, and you can even dip them in ketchup or a sauce of your choice. For a healthier option, try baking your fries or making sweet potato fries.
- Pickles: Dill pickles, sweet pickles, or other types of pickled vegetables like onions, beets, or carrots can add a crunchy and tangy contrast to grilled cheese. You can even fry pickles for an extra crunchy and briny kick.
- Fruits: A rainbow of fresh fruits like apple slices, grapes, pears, cherries, watermelon, and berries can provide a sweet and juicy counterpart to grilled cheese. Apples and cheese are a particularly popular combination, and you can even try dipping your grilled cheese in applesauce.
- Chips: Potato chips, especially the crispy and salty variety, are a classic side for grilled cheese. For an extra indulgent treat, try pairing your grilled cheese with kettle-style chips or jalapeño kettle chips.
- Onion Rings: Sweet and crispy onion rings bring a satisfying crunch and a dash of sweetness to your grilled cheese meal.
- Other Sides: Broccoli salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, and tater tots are also great choices to accompany grilled cheese.
Grilled cheese is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of sides to enhance your dining experience. Whether you're looking for classic combinations or something a little more unique, there's sure to be a side dish that will complement your grilled cheese perfectly.
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How do I make a healthy grilled cheese?
Grilled cheese is a classic, comforting dish. To make a healthier version of this sandwich, there are several substitutions and additions you can make.
Firstly, consider using whole-grain or whole-wheat bread instead of white bread. Whole-grain bread is more nutrient-dense, containing vitamins, minerals, and fiber. You can also try sprouted-grain bread, which has a similar nutritional profile. If you're looking to cut down on calories and carbs, try making an open-faced sandwich.
When it comes to cheese, opt for a low-fat variety, and use a modest amount. You can also try vegan cheese, which tends to be lower in fat and calories. If you're using a meltier variety of cheese, like American, cheddar, or pepper jack, shredding it will help it melt faster and more evenly. This means you can use less cheese while still getting the classic gooey texture. If you're using a harder cheese like gouda or gruyère, try grating it to make it go further.
Instead of butter or mayonnaise, use olive oil to toast your sandwich. You can also try cooking your sandwich in a waffle iron, or under a broiler or in a toaster oven, to cut down on added fat. If you're using a pan, be sure to use a nonstick one, and only a small amount of oil or butter.
To make your grilled cheese even healthier, add some vegetables. Try spinach, zucchini, avocado, or sliced tomato. You can also add hummus or a homemade sesame-seed spread (tahini) for extra flavor and nutrition. If you're feeling creative, use a vegetable—like zucchini—in place of bread.
Serve your sandwich with a side salad, veggie sticks, or a chickpea salad to make it a balanced meal. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
You need bread, butter, and cheese. However, you can also add meats and other flavours to make it more interesting.
You should use a melty cheese such as American, cheddar, pepper jack, Havarti, Gruyère, or Monterey Jack.
You can use either mayo or butter on your grilled cheese sandwich. Mayo will make your sandwich crispier without being greasy, while butter will make your sandwich more crispy.
