Randy Chandler
A grilled cheese sandwich is a classic comfort food that is simple to make and loved by many. While there are many ways to make a grilled cheese sandwich, the stove-top method is one of the most popular. The key to a good grilled cheese sandwich is achieving the perfect balance between a crispy, golden crust and a gooey, melted cheese centre. This can be tricky, as the heat needs to be high enough to melt the cheese without burning the bread. In this article, we will explore the best stove settings and techniques for achieving the ideal grilled cheese sandwich.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Sourdough, white bread, brioche, rosemary or garlic herb varieties, Texas Toast, ciabatta, focaccia, whole grain, or whole wheat |
| Butter | Softened, salted, or regular |
| Cheese | Mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, American, or Swiss |
| Stove heat level | Medium or low-medium heat (3-7 range out of 9) |
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What You'll Learn
Use a medium heat setting on your stove
Grilled cheese is a delicious, quick and easy meal to make. The key to a great grilled cheese sandwich is ensuring that the bread is toasted without burning and that the cheese is fully melted. To achieve this, it is recommended to use a medium heat setting on your stove.
A medium heat setting will typically fall between 3 and 7 on your stove's heat dial. This setting will allow you to cook your sandwich at a steady pace, ensuring that the bread becomes golden brown and crispy without burning, and that the cheese melts evenly. It is important to note that the optimal heat level may vary depending on your stove and the type of pan you are using, so you may need to adjust the heat accordingly.
When using a medium heat setting, it is essential to keep a close eye on your sandwich to prevent overcooking or burning. You may need to flip the sandwich regularly to ensure even cooking on both sides. Additionally, consider covering the pan with a lid. This will help trap the heat inside, promoting even cooking and melting the cheese more effectively without burning the bread.
To further enhance your grilled cheese sandwich, consider the following tips: use good-quality, thinly sliced bread, such as sourdough or white bread; shred your cheese instead of using pre-sliced cheese, as this will help it melt faster and more evenly; and use softened butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the sandwich for an extra crispy exterior.
By following these instructions and using a medium heat setting on your stove, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious grilled cheese sandwich with the perfect balance of crispy, golden-brown bread and melted, cheesy goodness.
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Choose the right bread
The bread you choose for your grilled cheese sandwich is important. While any type of reasonably thin sandwich bread will work, you want to make sure it's not too thick so that the whole sandwich gets crispy. You can use white bread, sourdough, brioche, or even get adventurous with rosemary or garlic herb varieties for added flavour. If you're feeling traditional, sliced white or sliced white sourdough are the way to go. For a denser option, a good, dense pullman loaf may even bring you to grilled cheese nirvana. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can try Texas Toast, but be warned: it's more advanced because you need to make sure the heat gets through the thick bread without burning it.
If you're using sliced bread, you'll need two slices per sandwich. For a heartier bread, you may only need one slice, cut in half.
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Use butter or mayo
When making a grilled cheese sandwich, you can use either butter or mayonnaise to coat the bread before placing it in the pan. Some people prefer the traditional taste of butter, while others like the tanginess that mayonnaise adds to the sandwich.
Butter
Butter is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its creamy, nostalgic flavour. It is also praised for the nuttiness it adds to the bread when it browns in the skillet. However, butter can be difficult to spread straight out of the fridge, so it may need to be softened first. Additionally, butter contains milk solids that can burn if the heat is too high.
To use butter for your grilled cheese, you can spread it on the bread or melt it in the pan before adding the sandwich. If spreading it on the bread, make sure to get good coverage so that the entire surface of the bread will brown evenly. If melting it in the pan, you can add a little oil to create a baste for your sandwich.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise has a similar fat content to butter, but it is spreadable straight out of the fridge. It also has a higher smoke point than butter, which means it can withstand higher temperatures without burning. Mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil and an acid, usually vinegar or lemon, with egg. This combination gives it a tanginess that some people enjoy in their grilled cheese sandwiches. However, others find that the acidic flavour is off-putting.
To use mayonnaise for your grilled cheese, simply spread it on the exterior of your sandwich before placing it in the pan. This will help create a golden, delectable crunch.
Combining Butter and Mayonnaise
Some people find that combining butter and mayonnaise achieves the best of both worlds. By mixing equal parts softened butter and mayonnaise, you can spread it on the exterior of your sandwich. This allows you to enjoy the flavour benefits of butter with the practical appeals of oil. However, this method can be more time-consuming than using butter or mayonnaise alone.
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Pick the right cheese
When it comes to grilled cheese, the cheese you choose is key. While you can use any cheese you like, some melt better than others. The "sharper" the cheese, the harder it is to melt. So, when making a grilled cheese, it's best to stick to milder cheeses such as mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, or American.
Mozzarella is a good choice for its stretch, but it has a very mild flavour, so you may want to combine it with a cheese that has more flavour, like Gruyère or vintage cheddar. Other flavourful cheeses that melt well include Fontina, Muenster, and Gouda.
If you're using pre-sliced cheese, it's best to avoid the pre-shredded variety, as these are often coated in a non-stick powder that can affect the melt. It's also best to avoid pre-sliced Swiss cheese, as this can be hit or miss. If you want to use Swiss cheese, it's worth spending a little more on a good-quality product.
For the ultimate melt, grate your own cheese. Store-bought pre-grated cheese is coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting well, resulting in a gloopy, rubbery texture.
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Assemble and cook the sandwich
First, select your bread. While any bread works, it's important to ensure the slices aren't too thick to get that crispy texture on the outside. You can use sliced white, sourdough, brioche, or Texas toast for a thicker option. If you're feeling adventurous, try rosemary or garlic herb bread.
Next, prepare your cheese. It's best to shred or grate your cheese to ensure it melts faster and more evenly. Good choices include mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, and American cheese from the deli counter. Avoid pre-shredded or pre-sliced cheese.
Now, it's time to assemble the sandwich. Start by softening your butter so that it spreads more evenly. You'll need about 2-3 teaspoons of butter per sandwich. Spread a thin layer of butter on one side of each slice of bread. If you're feeling indulgent, you can also spread butter on the topside of the sandwiches after placing them in the pan. Place your sandwiches, buttered side down, onto a skillet or griddle pan.
Turn on your stove to a medium heat level, which is usually around 3-6 on a stove with a 1-9 heat range. You may need to adjust the heat depending on your stove and the thickness of your bread. Place the skillet or griddle pan on the stove and melt about a tablespoon of butter in the pan.
Once the butter is melted and foamy, place your sandwiches in the pan. Cook until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese starts to melt. This should take around 2-4 minutes per side. Carefully flip the sandwiches and cook the other side until it reaches the same level of golden brown and the cheese is completely melted.
And that's it! You've now made a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. Enjoy it as it is or pair it with a creamy tomato or roasted red pepper soup for the full experience.
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Frequently asked questions
The optimal temperature for a grilled cheese sandwich is medium heat, or medium-low heat. This will allow the cheese to melt without burning the bread. If your stove has numbered heat levels, this equates to around 3-6.
Any type of reasonably thin sandwich bread will work. Sourdough, white bread, and brioche are all good options. If you're feeling adventurous, you could try rosemary or garlic herb bread.
Mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, and American cheese are all good options. It's best to avoid pre-sliced cheese and shred the cheese yourself to ensure it melts evenly.
