The Perfect Pairing: Sides For Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese is a classic comfort food, but what should you serve on the side? Here are some side dish suggestions to take your grilled cheese experience to the next level:

- Soups — The ultimate classic pairing is grilled cheese and tomato soup. Other soup options include chicken noodle soup, butternut squash soup, and vegetable soup.

- Salads — A simple green salad can provide a refreshing contrast to the rich sandwich. Other salad options include Caesar salad, spinach salad, and Mediterranean salad.

- Fries and Chips — Sweet potato fries are a popular choice, offering a sweet and crunchy contrast to the sandwich. Regular French fries, potato chips, and tater tots are also great options.

- Fruit — A fresh fruit salad or simply sliced apples, grapes, or berries can add a sweet and juicy element to your meal.

- Pickles — Dill pickles or homemade pickled cucumbers and onions can provide a tangy and crunchy sidekick to your grilled cheese.

Salads

Green Salads

A simple green salad with mixed greens like arugula or spinach is a great option to serve on the side. You can add some crunch and flavour with nuts and berries, or a tangy vinaigrette dressing. This type of salad helps balance out the richness of the grilled cheese and is a healthy option.

Caesar Salad

A classic Caesar salad is another excellent choice to accompany grilled cheese. You can make your own dressing or opt for a store-bought one to save time.

Spinach Salad with Apples

This salad combines the sweetness of apples with the savoury flavour of spinach, creating a delicious pairing with the grilled cheese.

Caprese Orzo Salad

A caprese orzo salad is a light and bright option, featuring orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and fresh herbs. You can even leave out the mozzarella to make it lighter.

Waldorf Salad

A Waldorf salad is a fantastic choice to serve with grilled cheese as it typically includes apples, grapes, and nuts, all of which pair perfectly with cheese.

Mediterranean Salad

This salad features crunchy vegetables, hearty chickpeas, and creamy feta cheese. It's a great option if you want a vegetable-packed salad without leafy greens.

Broccoli Salad

A classic broccoli salad is a quick and fresh side dish. You can add some crunch with fresh broccoli and other vegetables like red onions. Include cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon for extra flavour and texture.

Feta and Cucumber Salad

This salad is refreshing and tangy, providing a cool contrast to the warm grilled cheese. The feta cheese pairs beautifully with the American cheese in the sandwich.

Mixed Greens Salad with Greek Dressing

A mixed greens salad with a zesty Greek dressing or a homemade ranch dressing is a simple yet satisfying option. You can also turn it into a Caesar salad by adding sourdough croutons.

Fruit Salad

A colourful fruit salad is a sweet and juicy counterpart to grilled cheese, especially appealing to children. Include fruits like apple slices, grapes, pears, cherries, watermelon, and berries.

Soups

There are many soup options that go well with grilled cheese. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Tomato Soup

The classic pairing with grilled cheese is a bowl of creamy tomato soup. This combination is a comfort food match made in heaven and is perfect for chilly days. You can make it from scratch or opt for a store-bought version. To elevate this pairing, try adding grilled cheese croutons to your tomato soup.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is another comfort food option that pairs well with grilled cheese. It's a perfect pairing if you're looking for something hearty and satisfying.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup can be a great companion to your grilled cheese sandwich. The cheddar in the soup complements the cheese in the sandwich, creating a delicious flavour combination.

French Onion Soup

French onion soup is a rich and savoury option that goes well with grilled cheese. If you're short on time, you can also make a French onion grilled cheese sandwich, capturing the flavours of the soup in your sandwich.

Roasted Red Pepper Soup

For a smoky and slightly sweet soup option, try roasted red pepper soup. It pairs well with grilled cheese and can be a nice change from the usual tomato soup.

Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut squash soup is a creamy and vegan option that goes well with grilled cheese. Adding a touch of lemon zest and roasted mushrooms can enhance the flavour of this soup.

Leek and Potato Soup

Leek and potato soup is a classic combination that can be a great side to your grilled cheese. It's a hearty and comforting option.

Cream of Mushroom Soup

A creamy mushroom soup can be a decadent pairing with grilled cheese. It's a rich and indulgent option for those who love mushrooms.

Minestrone Soup

If you're looking for a tomato-based soup but want something different from the classic tomato soup, minestrone soup is a great option. It includes beans and vegetables, making it a hearty and healthy choice.

Chili

A bowl of chili, whether meat or bean-based, can be a perfect companion to grilled cheese. It's a hearty and flavourful option that will satisfy your comfort food cravings.

Potato Leek Soup

Potato leek soup is a delicate and healthy soup option that goes well with grilled cheese. It's an easy-to-make soup that is perfect for when you're craving something creamy but want to keep it light.

Gazpacho

For a refreshing soup option during warmer months, try gazpacho. This chilled soup pairs surprisingly well with grilled cheese, offering a unique twist to your meal.

Sweet Potato Fries

To make sweet potato fries, start by peeling and cutting two medium-sized sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch-thick sticks. Then, toss them with canola or olive oil, kosher salt, garlic powder, and ground black pepper to taste. Spread the seasoned sweet potato sticks on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake in the oven at 375°F for 30 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown. For a grilled option, pierce the sweet potatoes all over with a sharp knife, rub them with salt, and wrap them loosely in foil. Place the wrapped potatoes on the grill and cook at 250°F for about an hour, or until tender. Unwrap the foil and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes to crisp up the potato skins.

Chips

If you're looking for a healthier alternative to potato chips, vegetable crisps are a great option. They provide the same crunch and saltiness as potato chips, but with the added benefit of being made from vegetables.

For those who want something a little more indulgent, homemade potato chips with "ketchup" are a great option. The "ketchup" is a sweet and savoury blend made from garden tomatoes and peppers, resulting in a lower-sugar and lower-sodium alternative to store-bought ketchup.

If you're short on time, a bag of kettle-style chips from the store is a quick and easy option that will satisfy your cravings. These chips tend to be thicker and can be paired with other sides like fresh fruit or baby carrots.

Fruits

There are many fruit sides that go well with grilled cheese. Here are some ideas:

Apple Slices

Apples and cheese are a perfect combination. You can also try dipping your grilled cheese in applesauce.

Grapes

Grapes are a great fruit to pair with grilled cheese, especially if you are looking for something on the lighter side.

Cherries

Cherries are another fruity option to serve alongside grilled cheese.

Watermelon

Watermelon is a refreshing fruit that can complement the richness of grilled cheese.

Berries

Berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, offer a sweet and tangy contrast to the savouriness of the grilled cheese.

Fruit Salad

A mix of different fruits, like mangoes, peaches, bananas, and grapes, can be a colourful and tasty side. You can coat them in Greek yoghurt for a refreshing contrast to the grilled cheese.

Frequently asked questions