Frederic Melton
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food, but the type of cheese you use can make or break this simple dish. While you can use just about any semi-hard cheese, some cheeses work better than others to achieve the perfect, gooey cheese pull. The best grilled cheese sandwiches have a crispy, salty, buttery exterior and a gooey, melty, oozy cheese interior.
Grilled cheese is a flexible dish, and you can use your favourite cheese or a mix of cheeses. Good melting cheeses include mozzarella, havarti, Monterey Jack, and pepper jack. Other popular options include sharp cheddar, gouda, fontina, gruyere, and brie. If you're looking for a classic grilled cheese, you can't go wrong with American cheese, such as Kraft Singles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheese types | 1 or 2 |
| Bread type | Sourdough, white, or other hearty bread |
| Bread texture | Light and fluffy, or crusty and crunchy |
| Butter | Salted, softened |
| Butter placement | On the outside of the bread, or on the inside of the skillet |
| Mayonnaise | On the outside of the bread |
| Mustard | Whole grain, Dijon, or regular |
| Cheese type | Mozzarella, cheddar, American, Gruyère, Raclette, Havarti, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Parmesan, Fontina, Gouda, Brie, Muenster, or Swiss |
| Cheese texture | Melting, soft, or shredded |
| Cheese quantity | 3 slices, or 1-2 ounces of grated cheese |
| Crust | Golden brown and cheesy |
| Sides | Tomato soup, ketchup, or pickles |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella, Gruyere, and vintage cheddar are great together
Mozzarella, Gruyere, and vintage cheddar are a fantastic trio for grilled cheese sandwiches. The key to a great grilled cheese is a combination of cheeses that deliver flavour, stretch, and melt. Mozzarella, Gruyere, and vintage cheddar tick all these boxes.
Mozzarella is known for its stretch, providing that satisfying cheese pull that grilled cheese lovers crave. It also melts well and has a mild flavour, so it doesn't overpower the other ingredients. Gruyere, a Swiss-style cheese, adds a sweet nuttiness to the sandwich and is another excellent melter. Its salty, nutty flavour gives the sandwich depth and complexity. Vintage cheddar brings a sharp, tangy flavour to the mix, creating a delicious contrast with the mild mozzarella and the nutty Gruyere. Cheddar is also a well-known melter, ensuring your sandwich has that essential oozy, molten cheese factor.
When making your grilled cheese, be sure to grate your own cheese. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting properly, resulting in a subpar grilled cheese experience. You'll also want to use a good quality bread, such as sourdough, which adds a tangy flavour and crisps up beautifully. Butter is another key ingredient—opt for salted butter, or for an extra indulgent touch, try salted truffle butter.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with add-ons. A drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of thyme can take your grilled cheese to the next level, adding a touch of sweetness and a punch of freshness. If you're feeling extra adventurous, try some sliced apples or a slather of fig jam for a gourmet twist.
With the right combination of cheeses, bread, butter, and toppings, your grilled cheese sandwich is sure to be a mouthwatering success.
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American cheese slices are a classic
American cheese is often paired with another common and accessible cheese, cheddar, to make a grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of American and cheddar cheeses offers "the perfect flavour-melt ratio". While sharp cheddar has a delicious sharp, nutty flavour, it melts better when it is mild or medium as sharp cheddar can turn oily and waxy. White and yellow cheddars have a similar flavour, with the yellow variety including annatto to create the yellow colour.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a nostalgic comfort food for many, reminding them of sick days at home or cold days warmed up with a sandwich dipped in tomato soup. The ultimate comfort food, grilled cheese sandwiches are simple to make yet can be adapted and "fancied up" in numerous ways. For instance, you can use two types of cheese—one for flavour and one for stretch, such as mozzarella or vintage cheddar for flavour and mozzarella for stretch.
While some people prefer to use freshly grated cheese in their grilled cheese sandwiches, as it melts more evenly than sliced cheese, American cheese slices are a great option if you're looking for convenience and an easy melt. American cheese slices are also a more affordable option than "real" cheeses, and their mild flavour is a great addition to a grilled cheese sandwich.
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Use two cheeses—one for flavour, one for stretch
To make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, it is recommended to use two types of cheese: one for flavour and one for stretch. While you can use any type of cheese you like, some cheeses are better melters and will give you that perfect melt and cheese pull.
Mozzarella is a popular choice for the stretch factor. It has excellent melting qualities and is not greasy. It also has a very mild flavour, so it pairs well with stronger-tasting cheeses. Vintage cheddar is a good option for the flavour component, as it has a sharp, nutty taste and also melts beautifully. Gruyère is another great choice, as it is a good melter and has a salty, nutty flavour. For a more complex flavour, you could try raclette, another Alpine-style Swiss cheese, or fontina, gouda, or blue cheese.
If you want to stick with more traditional American cheese, you can still use two types of cheese to get that perfect stretch and flavour. A combination of American cheese with cheddar, jack, or Colby will give you a classic grilled cheese with a little extra sharpness.
To make the ultimate grilled cheese, be sure to grate your own cheese and use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded or sliced. This will ensure a smoother, more even melt. Also, don't forget to butter your bread! While some prefer mayo, butter will give you that golden, buttery crust.
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Sourdough bread is best
Sourdough bread is the best option for making grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a distinct tangy flavour that pairs well with cheese. Sourdough is also sturdy and can hold up to the weight of the cheese, preventing the sandwich from becoming soggy.
Sourdough bread is also less likely to burn or collapse like softer breads, and it crisps up beautifully on the inside without getting crunchy and hard. This makes it perfect for dipping in soup without compromising the crisp texture. The distinct "tang" of sourdough adds to the sandwich, creating a flavour combination that is simply mouthwatering.
Sourdough is also a great option for grilled cheese sandwiches because of its texture. It has a crunchy exterior, which offsets the gooey, cheesy interior. This texture is achieved by using both butter and mayonnaise. The butter adds richness, while the mayonnaise helps the bread brown evenly in the pan, creating a crispy, brown exterior.
To make the perfect grilled cheese on sourdough, start by spreading a generous amount of butter on both sides of each slice of bread. Then, add your cheese in layers, sprinkling shredded Parmesan on top. Place the sandwich in a skillet and grill on low heat until both sides are golden brown and the cheese has melted. This should take about 2-4 minutes per side. Using a cast-iron skillet ensures even cooking and helps achieve a gorgeous golden brown colour.
So, if you're looking to elevate your grilled cheese game, sourdough bread is definitely the way to go!
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Grate your own cheese
When making a grilled cheese sandwich, it is always best to grate your own cheese. Store-bought pre-shredded cheese is coated with an anti-caking agent or powder to prevent it from melting properly. This additive keeps the cheese from clumping together in the bag, but it also hinders its melting ability. To avoid this, buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself using a standard box grater. This will ensure your cheese melts evenly and gives you that perfect, gooey texture.
If you're using a softer type of cheese, such as brie, you'll need to slice it instead of grating it. But for harder cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or parmesan, grating is the way to go. Grated cheese melts more uniformly than sliced or pre-shredded cheese, resulting in a sandwich that is crispy and golden on the outside and deliciously melty in the middle.
When grating your own cheese, you can also control the thickness of the shreds. For grilled cheese, it is best to grate the cheese finely so that it melts quickly and evenly. This is especially important if you are using a combination of cheeses, as you want them to melt together seamlessly. Speaking of which, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of cheese in your grilled cheese sandwich. Try mixing mild, melty cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, or fontina for a rich, complex flavour and gooey, stretchy texture.
In addition to the type and texture of the cheese, the amount you use is also important. The general rule is to use enough grated cheese to create a small mound on one slice of bread, usually about 1 to 2 ounces per type of cheese. However, the exact amount will depend on the size of your bread. If you're feeling indulgent, you can even add a cheese crust to your sandwich by sprinkling grated parmesan or cheddar on the outside before grilling.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many good options for grilled cheese, including:
- Sharp Cheddar
- Mozzarella
- Monterey Jack
- Gruyere
- Fontina
- Gouda
- Provolone
- Colby Jack
- Parmesan
- American cheese
Sourdough is a popular choice for grilled cheese, but any sturdy bread that isn't too holey will work.
Butter or mayonnaise are essential for getting a nice, crispy crust. You can also add things like mustard, pesto, veggies, or fruit to change things up.
