Kamil Perry
Grilled cheese is a classic comfort food, but getting the perfect balance of crispy, golden bread and melted cheese can be tricky. The heat you cook your grilled cheese at depends on the type of cheese you're using. Sharper cheeses, like cheddar, are harder to melt and can burn the bread if cooked at too high a temperature. Milder cheeses, like Colby Jack, mozzarella, or American, tend to melt more easily and are less likely to burn your bread. When using a stovetop, a medium heat of around 300 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended, but if your bread is browning too quickly, you can always turn the heat down.
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What You'll Learn
Medium heat and a lid
Grilled cheese is a classic comfort food, and getting that perfect, golden-brown crust with a gooey, melty middle is a must. A medium heat is a great option for achieving this, and using a lid can help ensure your cheese is fully melted.
Start by selecting a good melting cheese. Medium or mild cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, and American are all good choices. Harder or sharper cheeses like Gruyère, Raclette, or Swiss can be used, but they may need a little extra help to melt.
Next, prepare your bread. A fresh-baked loaf from a local bakery or grocery store is ideal. If you're feeling adventurous, try rosemary or garlic herb bread. Butter one side of each slice of bread, or use mayonnaise for a crispier crust. You can also try a combination of both, with the mayo spread on the butter. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on the buttered bread for an extra kick of flavor.
Now, heat your skillet or griddle to medium heat (about 300 degrees Fahrenheit if using an electric skillet). Place your sandwich in the pan, cover with a lid, and cook for 2-4 minutes, or until the bottom slice of bread is golden brown and the cheese is partially melted. Then, flip your sandwich, replace the lid, and cook for another 1-3 minutes, or until the other slice of bread is golden and the cheese is fully melted.
Using medium heat and a lid is a great technique for ensuring your grilled cheese is cooked evenly and the cheese is nicely melted. Keep an eye on your sandwich, as you may need to reduce the heat to low if the bread is browning too quickly before the cheese has melted. With this method, you'll achieve that perfect, golden-brown crust and a deliciously gooey grilled cheese sandwich.
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Low heat and a larger pan
Grilled cheese is a classic, comforting dish, but getting that perfect melt can be tricky. A foolproof method is to use a larger pan and low heat. This technique ensures the cheese melts perfectly without burning the bread.
When making grilled cheese, the type of cheese you use is important. Some cheeses are easier to melt than others. The "sharper" the cheese, the harder it is to melt. For a classic grilled cheese, opt for mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, or American cheese. If you want to use Swiss cheese, be prepared to spend a little more to get a good melting consistency. It's also best to avoid pre-shredded or pre-sliced cheese, as these are often coated in a non-stick powder that affects how they melt.
Before you start cooking, prepare your bread. You can use white bread, sourdough, rye, potato bread, brioche, or even a rosemary or garlic herb loaf for added flavour. It's best to use fresh bread, and it should be soft yet sturdy, no more than about half an inch thick. Butter your bread, and if you like, spread on a thin layer of mayonnaise—this will help achieve a crisp, golden crust. You can also add Dijon mustard, which pairs well with cheddar and Gruyère or Raclette cheeses.
Now, heat your larger pan over medium-low heat. You can use a cast-iron skillet, a non-stick pan, or an electric skillet. If you're using an electric skillet, set it to around 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Add enough butter to the pan to coat it, then place your sandwich inside, cover with a lid, and cook. The lid will help trap the heat and ensure even cooking.
Cook your grilled cheese for 2 to 4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. If the bread is browning too quickly and the cheese isn't fully melted, reduce the heat to low. Once your sandwich is golden and gooey, it's ready to serve!
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Non-stick pan
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a popular, quick, and easy meal to make. They can be made in a non-stick pan, which prevents sticking, especially if you are using sweeter types of bread.
To make a grilled cheese sandwich, you will need butter, bread, and cheese. You can use any type of bread, but it should be sturdy enough to handle the heat. For the cheese, cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also use American cheese, Swiss, or provolone.
To start, you will need to melt your butter. You can do this by putting it in a small bowl and using 15-second intervals on high power in the microwave for 60 to 75 seconds. You can also use softened butter and spread it on the bread. Once melted, brush the butter on one side of each slice of bread. You can also sprinkle on some wood-fired garlic powder at this stage.
Next, place your cheese on the unbuttered side of the bread. You can use slices or grated cheese. If you are using slices, you will need 1-2 slices of cheese per sandwich. If using grated cheese, use about 1/2 cup per sandwich. Place another slice of bread on top, with the buttered side facing up.
Now, it's time to cook your sandwich. Heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat, adjusting to low if the bread is toasting too quickly. Once the pan is hot, place your sandwiches inside and lightly press down with a spatula. Cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until the bread is crisp and golden brown. Then, flip the sandwich and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
Finally, remove the sandwich from the pan and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy your grilled cheese!
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Electric skillet
To make a grilled cheese sandwich in an electric skillet, you should set the temperature to around 260–300 °F. A lower temperature is preferable to a higher one, as this will allow the cheese to melt without burning the bread. However, if the temperature is too low, the bread will not toast and the cheese will not melt, so do not go below 260 °F.
First, butter one side of a bread slice. Place the bread butter-side-down onto the bottom of the skillet and add 2 slices of cheese. Butter a second slice of bread on one side and place it butter-side-up on top of the cheese in the skillet.
Grill the sandwich until lightly browned. Flip it over and continue grilling until the cheese is melted, which should take a few more minutes.
You can also try this method: spread butter on all four sides of the bread. Sprinkle garlic powder on the outside and salt on the inside. Place the bread butter-side down and cook for 1 minute. Flip the bread, then add 3 slices of cheese to one toasted side. Top with the other slice, toasted side down on the cheese. Cook for 2–4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2–4 minutes until golden and crisp with melted cheese.
Mayo has a higher smoke point than butter, so it makes a better shield against the heat. You could even use a combination of both.
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Bread type
The bread you choose for your grilled cheese sandwich is important. It's best to go for a soft yet sturdy bread that is no more than 0.5 inches thick. Options like whole wheat, rye, potato bread, brioche, and even a fresh-baked loaf from a local bakery or grocery store are all good choices. If you're feeling adventurous, rosemary or garlic herb varieties can add a pop of flavor.
If you're a traditionalist, white sandwich bread is a classic choice for a grilled cheese sandwich. It's easy to work with and will give you that familiar, comforting taste. But if you want to switch things up, there are plenty of other options to consider. For example, sourdough bread can add a tangy flavor to your sandwich, while rye bread can give it a slightly earthy and nutty taste.
Thicker breads, like sourdough or brioche, may require a slightly different cooking approach. Some people recommend slicing these breads thinner than usual for grilled cheese, while others suggest toasting the bread in the oven before assembling the sandwich to ensure the center gets melted without the bread getting too crispy.
Regardless of the type of bread you choose, it's important not to over-butter it. While some may argue that more butter is better, using too much can result in a greasy sandwich. A general rule of thumb is to use about 0.5 tablespoons of butter per slice of bread, softening it first for an even spread. Alternatively, you can use mayonnaise or a combination of butter and mayonnaise for a richer flavor and crispier texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Medium heat is best for grilled cheese, around 300 degrees Fahrenheit if you're using an electric skillet. You want to ensure the cheese melts and the bread is toasted without burning.
Freshly baked bread from your local bakery or grocery store is best. White sandwich bread, sourdough, whole-wheat, rye, and potato bread are all good options.
Mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, and American cheese are all good options. The "sharper" the cheese, the harder it is to melt without burning the bread.
You can use either butter or mayonnaise, or a combination of both. Butter will give you a crispier crust, while mayonnaise will help the bread brown and get crispy.
