Frederic Melton
Grilled cheese is a classic comfort food, but what should you serve on the side? There are plenty of options to choose from, whether you're looking for something simple or wanting to elevate your grilled cheese experience. One of the most popular choices is a bowl of tomato soup, but other soups can also be a good match, such as potato leek soup, pumpkin soup, or a creamy nutty soup. If you're looking for something crisp and crunchy, try pairing your grilled cheese with potato chips, sweet potato fries, or even onion rings. For a healthier option, a side salad or some fresh vegetables with dip can add a nice contrast to the rich sandwich. And don't forget, you can also experiment with different sauces and condiments, from barbecue sauce to hummus, to take your grilled cheese to the next level.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soups | Tomato, Roasted Fennel and White Bean, Potato Leek, Hamburger Vegetable, Sausage Potato, Pumpkin, Potato Zucchini, Vegetable |
| Salads | Arugula, Spinach, Potato, Tangy Macaroni, Broccoli, Santa Fe, Mediterranean, Caesar |
| Dips | Hummus, Santa Fe Ranch, Barbecue Sauce, Tomato Jam, Applesauce, Bacon Aioli, Tabasco Sauce, Ketchup, Spicy Tomato Jam, Salsa, Feijoa Chutney, Sriracha Aioli, Cashew Queso |
| Sides | Onion Rings, French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Fried Pickles, Chicken Nuggets, Coconut Shrimp, Salt and Vinegar Chips, Lobster or Crab Bisque, Baked Spiced Apple Slices, Green Apple Slices, Fruit, Broccoli Florets, Sweet Corn |
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What You'll Learn
Salads and vegetables
If you're looking for a more substantial salad, a classic Caesar salad or a spinach salad with balsamic vinegar poppy seed dressing, mixed berries, and crunchy nuts are great options. For something more hearty, a potato salad is a perfect pairing with grilled cheese. You can make it with Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter option, or try a tangy twist with a broccoli salad that includes red onions, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon in a mayo-based sauce. Another option is a Santa Fe Salad, which is a great choice if you're looking for something green to go with your grilled cheese.
If you're looking for a warm side, soups are a classic pairing with grilled cheese. The most iconic combination is grilled cheese with tomato soup, but other options include roasted fennel and white bean tomato soup, creamy nutty soup, potato leek soup, or pumpkin soup.
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Soups
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a great pairing with a variety of soups, from the humble to the luxurious. The classic pairing is, of course, grilled cheese and tomato soup, but there are many other options to explore.
Bisques, for example, are a great option. Lobster bisque, in particular, is a luxurious choice that can be made with tomato paste, adding a similar flavour profile to the classic tomato soup. For a more affordable option, you can make a bisque with monkfish or crawfish, and add spices for an extra flavour punch.
Cream-based soups are another excellent pairing with grilled cheese. Broccoli and cheddar soup is a popular choice, offering a nice textural contrast between the crisp sandwich and the creamy soup. You can also experiment with different cheeses in your grilled cheese to complement the soup, such as pepper jack and roasted red pepper. Another option is to add bacon to your grilled cheese, which pairs well with a creamy soup like New England clam chowder.
For a lighter option, black bean soup is a great vegetarian choice that can be paired with a grilled cheese to add some extra protein and crunch. You can also add lean beef or chicken to the soup for a heartier meal. Pureed soups, in general, go well with grilled cheese, and you can change up the cheese in the sandwich to match the soup, like Swiss cheese with a cream of mushroom soup.
If you're looking for something a little different, try a hot and sour soup with chicken, shiitake mushrooms, and a serrano-chili infused broth. Or, for a seasonal option, try an asparagus soup with fresh herbs and asparagus in the spring, or a roasted cauliflower soup in the fall and winter.
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Chips and fries
French Fries
French fries are a classic side dish that pairs well with grilled cheese. You can stick to the classic recipe or experiment with different types of potatoes, such as sweet potatoes, which add a touch of sweetness to your meal. You can also serve them with ketchup, which is a classic combination that many people enjoy.
Grilled Cheese Chips
If you're feeling creative, you can try making grilled cheese chips. These are essentially mini grilled cheese sandwiches that are flattened, cut into triangle shapes resembling tortilla chips, and then baked in the oven until golden and crispy. You can use soft white sandwich bread, sharp cheddar cheese, and butter to make these chips extra flavourful.
Onion Rings
Onion rings are another option for a side dish with grilled cheese. They have a sweet and salty flavour with a crispy exterior and soft interior. You can make them in an air fryer or deep fry them, and even add spices like paprika or red chilli flakes to the batter for an extra kick.
Salt and Vinegar Chips
For a tangy and savoury side dish, salt and vinegar chips are a great option. These chips provide a contrast in texture and flavour to the grilled cheese, making for an enjoyable eating experience.
Potato Chips
Potato chips, or crisps as they are known in some regions, are a simple yet effective side dish to grilled cheese. They provide a crunchy texture and a salty flavour that can complement the grilled cheese nicely.
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Dips
Soups
Soups are a classic pairing with grilled cheese. Try dipping your sandwich in a bowl of tomato soup, black bean soup, pureed lentil soup, or another creamy soup. You can also make a balsamic dipping sauce by heating vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat for 5-8 minutes, then removing it from the heat and stirring in butter until melted.
Sauces
When making a grilled cheese with Italian bread and cheese, serve it with a side of marinara sauce for a pizza-like experience. Other sauces that go well with grilled cheese include BBQ sauce and apricot jam.
Condiments
Condiments like ketchup, mustard, and pesto are all great for dipping your grilled cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, try something spicier like Sriracha or green salsa.
Pickled Vegetables
Pickles can help cut through the grease of a grilled cheese. Try dipping your sandwich in cucumber pickle, coleslaw, pickled jalapeños, or kimchi.
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Meat and seafood
If you're looking for a hearty meal, grilled cheese sandwiches can be paired with meat or seafood. Chicken nuggets and French fries are a great combination for kids' parties. For a more sophisticated option, grilled cheese sandwiches can be served with chicken bacon ranch pasta salad. If you're a seafood lover, coconut shrimp is an amazing side dish to have with grilled cheese sandwiches. To make the best coconut shrimp, you'll need shrimp, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, baking powder, black pepper, water, breadcrumbs, shredded coconut, and coconut oil.
Bacon is a popular addition to grilled cheese sandwiches. You can add crispy bacon to your sandwich or serve it on the side. If you're looking for a dip, bacon aioli is a great option. For something sweet and savoury, try maple bacon onion jam. This jam combines the flavours of bacon, maple, and onion to create the perfect fall condiment.
Meat and grilled cheese can also be combined in a sandwich. Chimichurri chicken grilled cheese is a fancier option for this classic sandwich. If you're looking for something more indulgent, try adding bacon to your grilled cheese sandwich, along with avocado, tomato, and cilantro.
Lobster or crab bisque is another way to pair seafood with grilled cheese. This combination is perfect for a fancy meal or a cosy night in. For a simpler option, grilled cheese can be served with a bowl of beef or chicken broth.
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Frequently asked questions
Tomato soup is a classic pairing with grilled cheese. Other options include potato leek soup, roasted fennel and white bean soup, and pumpkin soup.
Some side dishes that pair well with grilled cheese include onion rings, French fries, sweet potato fries, and chicken nuggets.
For a healthy option, consider serving grilled cheese with a salad such as arugula salad, spinach salad, or Santa Fe salad. Fresh vegetables, such as carrots, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes, are also a good option.
Some dips that go well with grilled cheese include hummus, Santa Fe Ranch, barbecue sauce, and tomato jam.
Some unique pairings that can complement grilled cheese include fried pickles, apple slices, berries, and coconut shrimp.
