Randy Chandler
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food. While the core ingredients are simple, there are endless ways to riff on the grilled cheese and elevate it to the next level. The primary factors that will take your grilled cheese from good to great are the type of bread and cheese used, as well as the cooking technique.
Characteristics and their Values for a Grilled Cheese Sandwich
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Sourdough, Texas toast, white sandwich bread, whole-wheat, rye, potato bread, brioche loaf, Pullman bread |
| Butter | Salted or unsalted, garlic Parmesan butter |
| Cheese | Mozzarella, vintage cheddar, Gruyère, gouda, havarti, American cheese, muenster, medium cheddar |
| Other fillings | Jalapeño, onion, tomato, spinach, arugula, roasted red peppers, nutmeg, honey, sorghum, leeks, pickles, bacon, cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, herbs, pepper flakes, nutmeg |
| Cooking method | Pan, sandwich toaster, air fryer, skillet, cast iron skillet, griddle |
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What You'll Learn
Butter, mayo, or both?
Butter and mayonnaise are two popular spread options for grilled cheese sandwiches. While some people prefer the traditional option of butter, others are increasingly using mayonnaise as it is believed to produce a crispier crust with less burning.
Butter
Butter is a traditional choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It is creamy and decadent and packed with lightly sweet milk solids. When cooked, these milk solids transform into brown butter and take on a nutty, toasty flavor. However, butter can burn quickly and ruin the flavor of the sandwich. It also needs to be softened before use, which can be a hassle.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is a popular alternative to butter, popularized by chefs like Gabrielle Hamilton and endorsed by celebrities like Joanna Gaines, Antoni Porowski, and Martha Stewart. It is made from oil, egg yolk, and an acid like vinegar or lemon, resulting in a thick and creamy spread. Mayonnaise has a similar fat content to butter but can be spread straight from the fridge. It also has a higher smoke point than butter, making it less likely to burn and giving you more time to cook your sandwich. However, some people find that it makes the bread soggy and gives it an oily smell.
Butter and Mayonnaise
Some people choose to use both butter and mayonnaise in their grilled cheese sandwiches, spreading mayonnaise on the outside of the bread and adding a small tab of butter to the skillet. This combination offers the best of both worlds, with the crispy texture from the mayonnaise and the smooth, buttery flavor.
Ultimately, the choice between butter and mayonnaise comes down to personal preference. While mayonnaise may be easier to spread and less likely to burn, butter offers a classic, nutty flavor that complements the cheese.
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Sliced or grated cheese?
When it comes to the cheese for your grilled cheese sandwich, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the type of cheese you use is important. Classic choices include cheddar, mozzarella, and American cheese. Using a combination of two types of cheese is recommended, with one that provides a good melt, like mozzarella, and another for flavour, like vintage cheddar or Gruyère.
Secondly, the melt is key to a great grilled cheese sandwich. To achieve the perfect melt, it is generally recommended to grate your own cheese rather than using pre-sliced or pre-shredded cheese. This is because store-bought pre-grated cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting properly, resulting in a subpar melt. However, some sources suggest that using sliced cheese is better than pre-shredded cheese. If you do choose to grate your own cheese, a standard or box grater will do the trick.
It's also worth noting that the bread you use can affect the melt. Sourdough is a popular choice, but it's important to avoid slices that are too thick, as this may prevent the cheese from melting evenly. On the other hand, slices that are too thin may cause the bread to become overwhelmed by the cheese.
Finally, the cooking technique plays a significant role in achieving the perfect melt. Cooking your sandwich on low heat with a lid on top helps to steam the sandwich and ensure the cheese melts fully. Using butter or a combination of butter and mayonnaise can also enhance the melt and give your sandwich a crispy, buttery exterior.
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Bread type and thickness
The bread you use for your grilled cheese sandwich is important. You want to ensure the slices are not too thick (this can prevent the cheese from melting), too thin (this can cause the bread to get squished by the cheese), too soft (this can also cause the bread to get squished), or too holey (this can cause the cheese to escape).
A thicker sliced bread, such as Texas toast, works well. Sourdough is also a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, as it has a soft and tender texture, but is sturdy enough to withstand the heat and weight of the cheese. However, it's best to avoid the super fancy sourdoughs with a thick, tough crust, as this can be teeth-breakingly hard.
White sandwich bread is a classic choice for grilled cheese, but you can also use whole-wheat, rye, potato bread, or even a brioche loaf. If you're using white bread, opt for a soft and tender variety that's sturdy enough to hold up in the pan without falling apart.
The ideal thickness for grilled cheese bread is about 1/2-inch. This ensures that the cheese melts properly and that the bread toasts evenly.
When preparing the bread, it's best to butter both sides of the sandwich. This will give your sandwich a crispy, salty, buttery exterior. You can use either salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference. If you're looking for a more intense flavour, you can even try spreading mayonnaise on the outside of the bread. This will give your sandwich a superior flavour and crust. Just be sure to lower the pan temperature slightly so you don't burn the mayonnaise.
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Creative ingredients
There are endless creative ingredients you can add to a grilled cheese sandwich to elevate it from a childhood favourite to a next-level indulgence. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Cheese
While cheddar and American cheese are classic options, you can experiment with different cheeses like gouda, havarti, gruyere, mozzarella, or even a combination of cheeses. For instance, you can pair mozzarella with a flavoured cheese, as mozzarella has a very mild flavour and excellent melting properties. You can also try a five-cheese grilled cheese sandwich for an indulgent treat.
Bread
Although white sandwich bread is a common choice, you can use other types of bread like sourdough, whole wheat, rye, potato bread, or even a brioche loaf. Just make sure the bread is soft yet sturdy and no more than about 1/2-inch thick. Texas toast or thicker-sliced bread works well, as it provides a good base for the cheese to melt.
Butter and Mayonnaise
Using a combination of butter and mayonnaise on the bread can take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level. You can spread mayonnaise on the outside of the bread for a superior flavour and crust, or mix it with butter and spread it on the inside of the bread for a delicate, crispy bite. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make garlic Parmesan butter by mixing garlic and Parmesan into softened butter and spreading it on the outside of the bread before grilling.
Vegetables and Herbs
Adding vegetables and herbs to your grilled cheese sandwich can enhance its flavour and provide a nutritional boost. Try chopped garlic, diced onion caramelized in butter, lightly sautéed leeks, spinach, or roasted red peppers. You can also add sliced tomatoes or a thick slice of beefsteak tomato on top of your sandwich. If you're using a strong cheese like sharp cheddar, a drizzle of honey or a small amount of sorghum can balance out the flavours.
Spicy Ingredients
If you like your food with a kick, try adding jalaño, onion, or ghost pepper jack to your grilled cheese sandwich. These ingredients will definitely spice things up and make your sandwich unique.
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Dipping sauces
Soup
Soups are a classic pairing with grilled cheese sandwiches. Try a creamy soup, such as tomato, black bean, or pureed lentil soup. You can also dip your sandwich in the soup for a fun and comforting experience.
Salad Dressing
Salad dressings like balsamic vinaigrette, dijon vinaigrette, or ranch can complement the melted cheese and bread in your grilled cheese sandwich.
Sauces
When using Italian breads and cheeses, serve your grilled cheese sandwich with marinara sauce for a pizza-like twist. You can also try other sauces like BBQ sauce or apricot jam.
Condiments
Condiments like ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise can add flavour to your grilled cheese sandwich. Mayonnaise, in particular, can give a superior flavour and crust to your sandwich.
Pickles
Pickles can help cut through the grease of a grilled cheese sandwich. Try classic cucumber pickles, coleslaw, pickled jalapeños, or even kimchi for a crunchy and tangy contrast.
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Frequently asked questions
A combination of mozzarella with a flavoured cheese like vintage cheddar or Gruyère is a great option. Other good choices include gouda, havarti, American cheese, and muenster.
Sourdough is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. Other options include white sandwich bread, whole-wheat, rye, potato bread, brioche loaf, and Pullman bread.
Most recipes recommend using butter. However, some suggest spreading mayonnaise on the outside of the bread for a superior flavour and crust. You can also use a combination of both.
Caramelised garlic and onion, sliced tomato, spinach, pickles, bacon, arugula, roasted red peppers, and jalapeño are all popular additions to a grilled cheese sandwich.
Most recipes recommend cooking the sandwich in a pan over low heat with a lid on top to create steam. An air fryer is another option, as it toasts the bread and melts the cheese evenly.
