Andy Montoya
Grilled cheese is a classic comfort food, but what should you serve on the side? The most popular pairing seems to be tomato soup, with other soup options including vegetable, chicken noodle, butternut squash, and potato leek. If you're looking for a dip, you could try hummus, Santa Fe Ranch, barbecue sauce, or tomato jam. For a healthier option, pair your grilled cheese with a salad, such as a simple green salad, a Caesar salad, or a spinach salad. If you're craving something crunchy, go for potato chips or fries. Fruit is also a great option, especially apples, grapes, and pears.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fruits | Apples, Grapes, Pears, Cherries, Watermelon, Berries |
| Salads | Arugula, Spinach, Potato, Santa Fe, Caesar, Mediterranean, Broccoli |
| Dips | Spicy Tomato Jam, Bacon Aioli, Salsa, Hummus, Santa Fe Ranch, Barbecue Sauce, Tomato Jam, Applesauce, Sriracha Aioli, Cashew Queso |
| Soups | Tomato, Potato Leek, Butternut Squash, Vegetable, Pumpkin, Chicken Noodle, Red Lentil, Potato (Cheesy Velveeta) |
| Sides | Chips, Lobster or Crab Bisque, Baked Spiced Apple Slices, Salt and Vinegar Chips, Crisps, French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Broccoli |
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Salads
If you're looking for something a little more substantial, a potato salad is a great option. You can make it with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise to keep it light and healthy. Or, for a fun twist on a classic, try a dill pickle pasta salad. This salad has cheese, red onion, and lots of chopped dill pickles, all tossed in a creamy dressing. Another option is a broccoli salad, which is full of flavour and texture and works surprisingly well with grilled cheese sandwiches. For a hearty and creamy option, a Mediterranean salad with crunchy vegetables, chickpeas, and feta cheese is a great veggie-packed choice.
If you're a fan of the classic combination of tomato and mozzarella, a caprese orzo salad is a perfect choice. You can even leave out the mozzarella to lighten it up. For something a little different, try a Santa Fe Salad, which is a great option if you're looking for greens to go with your grilled cheese. If you're feeling creative, you can make your own unique salad dressings, such as a bright and fresh orange salad dressing, which complements mild garden greens and tender vegetables.
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Soups
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food, and there are many types of soups that make an excellent pairing.
Tomato soup is a classic pairing with grilled cheese. It is a traditional, comforting combination that is hard to beat. You can make it from scratch, adding spices and herbs like basil, or even adding pepperoni to make a "pizza soup". If you want to stick to the classic, Trader Joe's pre-made tomato soup is a good option.
If you are looking for something a little different, there are many other soup options that go well with grilled cheese. A creamy vegetable soup is an excellent choice, especially if it is packed with veggies. You could also try a Mexican-inspired soup, like a Mexican Chicken Soup, or a Red Lentil Soup, which is comforting and healthy. A potato leek soup is another delicate, healthy option that goes well with grilled cheese. For a unique twist, a roasted fennel and white bean tomato soup is a great vegan and gluten-free option. A potato zucchini soup is another vegan and gluten-free option, while a sweet corn and red pepper soup is a bright and bold choice. For something more autumnal, a pumpkin soup is a great option. A butternut squash soup is another creamy, hearty option that is easy to make in a slow cooker.
There are many other dips and sides to pair with grilled cheese, but these soups are a great starting point for a comforting meal.
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Dips
Soups
Soups are a classic pairing with grilled cheese, with tomato soup being a popular choice. Other options include black bean soup, pureed lentil soup, or other creamy soups. You can also try a soup as a dip, such as a classic tomato puree.
Salad Dressings
Salad dressings can add a tangy twist to your grilled cheese. Try balsamic vinaigrette, dijon vinaigrette, or ranch salad dressing. You can also make a simple dip with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Sauces
Sriracha is a popular choice for grilled cheese, offering a spicy kick. Ketchup is another classic option, and you can also try mixing it with hot sauce for an extra punch. Pesto is also a great choice, especially as a dip. Other sauce options include ranch, blue cheese, green salsa, or marinara sauce for an Italian-inspired twist.
Condiments
Condiments like mustard, chutney, and jam can also be used as dips for grilled cheese. Try peach or mango chutney, or apricot jam.
Pickles
Pickles can help cut through the richness of the grilled cheese. Try classic cucumber pickles, coleslaw, pickled jalapeños, or kimchi.
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Fruit
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food, and while some may stick to the traditional recipe, there are endless ways to elevate this beloved meatless dish. One way to do this is by adding fruit, which, when grilled, adds an extra element of excitement to the sandwich.
Tomatoes are a popular choice, with some recipes calling for sun-dried tomatoes, while others suggest making a tomato jam to spread on the sandwich or dip it into. Fresh tomatoes are also a great addition to salads, which are a natural pairing with grilled cheese sandwiches. For a heartier salad option, try a potato salad, or a Mediterranean salad with crunchy vegetables, chickpeas, and creamy feta cheese.
Another stone fruit option is peaches, which can be grilled and added to a sandwich with chipotle cheddar cheese, or used to make a peach bruschetta with garlic, basil, olive oil, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and spinach leaves. Apricots are another stone fruit that can be grilled and added to a sandwich with pistachios, lavender, honey, and rosemary. Cherries are also a great choice, with tart varieties like Amarella and Morello pairing well with most cheeses.
Apples are a popular choice, with some recipes suggesting thinly sliced apples with sharp cheddar and a heartier bread like multigrain. For a tarter apple flavor, use Granny Smith apples, or Honeycrisp for a sweeter taste. If you don't like cheddar, opt for Brie, which pairs well with fruit. You can also try apple nachos, which are thinly sliced apples topped with nut butter, granola, and seeds.
Figs are another fruit that pairs well with grilled cheese, offering a pleasing crunch and notes of currants, strawberries, and dates. Their honey-like sweetness goes well with milky, mellow cheeses like ricotta or burrata, or a tart cheese like chevre.
Grilled cheese sandwiches can also be served with fresh fruit on the side, such as sliced apples, strawberries, cherries, or peaches.
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Chips
Potato chips are a classic side dish to serve with grilled cheese sandwiches. Crispy, salty, and crunchy, they are a perfect match for the warm, gooey, cheesy sandwich. You can make them at home, or serve them straight from the bag. Either way, they are a great, easy option to pair with your grilled cheese.
If you want to make your own chips, there are a few options to consider. You could make them from scratch, slicing potatoes thinly and frying them until crispy and golden. You can also bake them for a healthier option, with less grease and mess. You could also try making potato latkes, which are light, delicate, and well-seasoned. Grate potatoes and onions, then fry them up until they have lacy, golden-brown, crisp edges.
If you want to try something a little different, sweet potato fries are a great option to pair with grilled cheese. They add a touch of sweetness to the meal and create a delightful contrast of flavours and textures. You can bake them in the oven for a healthier option, or fry them for a more traditional, crispy fry.
For a healthier option, you could also try making your own vegetable crisps. Slice some carrots, cucumbers, or beetroot thinly, drizzle with oil, and bake in the oven until crispy. These can be a great, healthy alternative to traditional potato chips and add some extra nutrients to your meal.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some side dishes that go well with grilled cheese:
- Salads: Santa Fe Salad, Caesar Salad, Spinach Salad, Potato Salad, Mediterranean Salad, etc.
- Soups: Tomato Soup, Pumpkin Soup, Butternut Squash Soup, Vegetable Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup, etc.
- Chips: Potato Chips, Sweet Potato Fries, Homemade French Fries, etc.
- Fruits: Apple Slices, Grapes, Pears, Cherries, Berries, etc.
Some dips that go well with grilled cheese are:
- Spicy Tomato Jam
- Bacon Aioli
- Salsa
- Hummus
- Santa Fe Ranch
- Barbecue Sauce
- Sriracha Aioli
- Chilli Con Carne
- Feijoa Chutney
- Maple Bacon Onion Jam
Some drinks that can go well with grilled cheese are:
- Wine: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, etc.
- Beer: Lager, Pale Ale, Stout, etc.
- Cocktails: Bloody Mary, Martini, etc.
