Bushra Griffith
The perfect grilled cheese sandwich is a sublime combination of crispy, golden-brown bread and melted cheese. The key to achieving this lies in the heat setting. While the type of bread, cheese, and cookware can influence the heat setting, the consensus is that grilled cheese should be cooked on a low to medium heat setting. This allows the cheese to melt thoroughly while achieving the desired golden-brown crispiness of the bread without burning it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 275-325°F |
| Bread | Sliced white, sliced white sourdough, rosemary, garlic herb, ciabatta, focaccia, whole grain, Texas Toast |
| Cheese | American, mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, Swiss, Muenster, Fontina, Monterey jack, Provolone |
| Butter | 1/2 tablespoon per slice of bread |
| Cooking time | 3-6 minutes per side |
| Heat setting | Medium-low |
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What You'll Learn
Bread type: Sliced white, sourdough, Texas Toast, ciabatta, focaccia, etc
The bread you choose for your grilled cheese sandwich is important, as it forms the foundation of the dish. The best type of bread for grilled cheese varies based on personal preference, but classic choices include sliced white bread, sourdough, or whole grain.
White bread offers a soft texture and excellent melting qualities, making it ideal for grilled cheese. Its thin slices can be easily toasted and it pairs well with a variety of cheeses.
Sourdough, on the other hand, provides a tangy flavor and crusty exterior, adding a chewy element to the sandwich. Its thicker slices provide a sturdier foundation and create a great barrier against moisture. Sourdough is incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, gouda, or brie.
If you're looking for an even crunchier texture, opt for crusty breads like ciabatta or focaccia. Ciabatta has a crusty exterior and a bubbly interior, making it perfect for an outside-in grilled cheese. It can be stuffed with fresh mozzarella, slices of tomato, and pesto. Focaccia, especially when slightly stale, can be given new life by turning it into a grilled cheese sandwich. The inherent crust in these breads will help achieve an even crunchier texture when grilled.
Other bread options for grilled cheese include Texas Toast, which is a thicker slice of bread that provides a sturdier base, or Pullman loaves, which are naturally associated with sandwiches due to their long, rectangular shape that makes for perfect square slices.
Regardless of the bread type you choose, it's important to cook your grilled cheese over medium heat to allow the bread to toast thoroughly without burning, while ensuring the cheese melts completely. You can also cover the sandwich with a lid to help it cook more evenly and create steam to melt the cheese, but be sure to remove the cover towards the end so the crust can crisp up properly.
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Cheese type: Cheddar, Swiss, American, mozzarella, etc
Grilled cheese sandwiches can be made with a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, Swiss, American, mozzarella, and more. The type of cheese you choose will impact the ideal heat setting for your sandwich.
Cheddar is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, offering a sharp, nutty flavor. It melts beautifully and can be used in combination with other cheeses like Gruyère or raclette. For best results, use a block of cheddar and grate it yourself, as pre-shredded cheese often includes anti-caking agents that can impact melting. When cooking a grilled cheese sandwich with cheddar, it's best to use medium heat. Start with a lower temperature to ensure the cheese melts fully without burning the bread. You can also try toasting one side of each slice of bread in butter before assembling the sandwich, which will give you more toasted bread without requiring higher heat.
Swiss cheese is a more challenging option for grilled cheese sandwiches, as it doesn't always melt consistently. If you choose to use Swiss cheese, opt for a higher-quality product, as this can improve meltability. As with cheddar, grate the cheese yourself for better melting. When cooking, use a lower temperature setting to allow the cheese to melt fully.
American cheese is a classic choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It melts well and gives a gorgeous cheese pull. American cheese is often sold pre-sliced, which can be convenient, but if you have the option, choose a block of cheese and slice or grate it yourself for better melting. American cheese works well with a variety of breads, and you can cook it at a slightly higher temperature than cheddar or Swiss, but still be mindful of burning the bread before the cheese has melted.
Mozzarella is another excellent option for grilled cheese sandwiches, known for its stretch and non-greasy melting qualities. However, because of its mild flavor, it is often combined with a more flavorful cheese, such as vintage cheddar or Gruyère. Freshly grate your mozzarella for the best melting results. When cooking, use a medium heat setting, being careful not to burn the bread before the cheese has fully melted.
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Temperature: Medium-low heat is recommended
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food. When making grilled cheese, it's important to remember that the heat setting you use will depend on the type of bread and cheese you're using. The "sharper" the cheese, the harder it is to melt without burning the bread. So, when it comes to grilled cheese, it's best to stick to milder cheeses such as mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, or American.
When using an electric skillet, set the temperature to about 275-300 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're using a stovetop, keep the heat around medium. If your stove has a numbered dial, try setting it to 4 or 5. This should give you a low-medium heat that will allow the cheese to melt without burning the bread.
If you're using a non-stick pan, you may need to turn up the heat a little higher, as these pans tend to distribute heat more evenly. However, be careful not to go too high, as this can lead to melted butter and soggy bread.
It's also important to remember that the thickness of your bread will affect how well the cheese melts. Thicker breads, like Texas Toast, will require more heat to ensure the cheese melts without burning the bread.
Overall, when making a grilled cheese, it's best to take your time and cook it over medium-low heat. This will allow the cheese to melt thoroughly and give the bread a golden brown crispiness.
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Timing: Cook each side for 3-6 minutes
When making a grilled cheese sandwich, timing is crucial. It is important to cook each side for 3-6 minutes to achieve the perfect golden brown colour and melted cheese.
For a classic grilled cheese sandwich, it is recommended to cook the sandwich over medium-low heat for about 3-5 minutes on each side. This allows the cheese to melt thoroughly and the bread to become golden brown and crispy. Cooking the sandwich over medium-low heat also helps to prevent the bread from burning and the cheese from not melting enough.
If you are using an electric skillet, it is recommended to set the temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. For an electric griddle, a temperature of 275 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of bread and cheese used, as well as the heat source and cookware.
When using a Panini press, preheat the device to medium heat and cook the sandwich for 5-6 minutes. This method creates a crispy and crunchy sandwich with melted cheese. For a skillet or stovetop method, heat the pan to medium heat and cook the sandwich for 3-4 minutes on each side. This allows the cheese to melt and the bread to become golden brown.
It is worth noting that the type of bread and cheese used can affect the cooking time. For example, thicker breads such as Texas Toast or focaccia may require longer cooking times to ensure the cheese melts completely. Sharper cheeses, such as cheddar or Swiss, may also take longer to melt and require a lower heat setting to prevent burning.
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Technique: Don't press down on the sandwich
When making a grilled cheese sandwich, it's important to remember not to press down on it, even if it's tempting. This technique might be useful if you like your grilled cheese sandwich extra flat, but generally, it's best to avoid it. Pressing down on the sandwich will only result in a flatter sandwich, and it won't help the cheese melt any faster. In fact, it might even cause the sandwich to become more greasy as it will cause the butter to spread out.
The key to a perfect grilled cheese sandwich is to take your time and cook it slowly over medium-low heat. This allows the cheese to melt thoroughly without burning the bread. The ideal temperature for an electric skillet is around 300 degrees Fahrenheit, while an electric griddle should be set to about 275 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're using a stovetop, a medium to medium-low heat setting is ideal.
The type of bread and cheese you use also plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect grilled cheese. It's recommended to use fresh-baked bread from a local bakery or grocery store. While you can experiment with different types of bread, traditional grilled cheese sandwiches typically use sliced white or sourdough bread. As for cheese, milder varieties like mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, or mozzarella are easier to melt and less likely to burn the bread.
Shredding or grating your cheese can also help it melt more evenly and quickly. Bringing the cheese to room temperature before shredding it is a good practice. Additionally, be mindful of how much butter you use. While butter is essential for achieving a golden-brown crust, using too much can make your sandwich greasy. Aim for about 1/2 tablespoon of butter per slice of bread, and make sure to soften the butter for an even spread.
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Frequently asked questions
The best heat setting for grilled cheese is medium-low heat. This allows the cheese to melt thoroughly and the bread to turn golden brown and crispy.
When it comes to grilled cheese, it is best to use fresh-baked bread. Sliced white and sliced white sourdough are good options for traditional grilled cheese. If you are feeling adventurous, you can try rosemary or garlic herb bread.
Good cheeses to use for grilled cheese include mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, and American. It is best to shred the cheese instead of using pre-sliced cheese as it will melt faster and more evenly.
Cook grilled cheese for about 5 minutes on each side, checking occasionally to make sure it is not burning. Then, increase the heat to medium and cook until the bread is toasted to a golden brown.
