Andy Montoya
A grilled cheese sandwich is a hot sandwich made by heating slices of cheese between slices of bread with a cooking fat such as butter or mayonnaise on a frying pan, griddle, or sandwich toaster, until the bread browns and the cheese melts. While the name suggests that it is grilled, it is usually made on a stovetop in a pan. The sandwich is typically made with cheddar or American cheese, but other types of cheese such as mozzarella, Gruyère, or Swiss cheese can also be used. The bread used is usually soft and tender, but sturdy enough to hold the sandwich together.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Sandwich | Toasted Sandwich, Cheese Toastie (UK), or Jaffle (AU) |
| Preparation | Slices of cheese placed between slices of bread with a cooking fat such as butter or mayonnaise on a frying pan, griddle, or sandwich toaster |
| Bread | Sourdough, brioche, ciabatta, white sandwich bread, whole-wheat, rye, potato bread, or any bread that is soft yet sturdy |
| Cheese | Cheddar, American, mozzarella, Gruyère, raclette, vintage cheddar, or a combination of cheeses |
| Add-ons | Spinach, caramelized onions, chopped steamed broccoli, roasted red peppers, roasted tomatoes, thinly sliced apples, fig jam, pickled red onions, pickled radishes, or pickled jalapeños |
| Technique | Cooking the sandwich in a pan on low heat and leaving the sandwich open to fry |
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What You'll Learn
Grilled cheese vs. cheese toastie
Grilled cheese and cheese toastie are both sandwiches with toasted bread and melted cheese. However, the terms are used differently in the US and the UK, and there are some subtle distinctions between the two.
Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese sandwiches are popular in the US and are typically made by adding butter or mayonnaise to the outside of each slice of bread, adding cheese, and then frying the sandwich in a skillet, griddle, or frying pan. This method of cooking gives the sandwich a crispy, golden, and buttery exterior with molten cheese inside. Grilled cheese sandwiches are often paired with tomato soup or ketchup and can be enjoyed as a snack, lunch, or dinner.
Cheese Toastie
Cheese toasties are more common in the UK and are typically made using a sandwich press, toastie maker, or oven. The sandwich is compressed and cooked between two metal surfaces, resulting in denser, crispier bread with molten cheese inside. The original toastie is said to be an open-faced sandwich called "cheese on toast," where cheese is placed on toasted bread and grilled until bubbly and charred.
Differences
The main differences between grilled cheese and cheese toastie lie in the cooking method, preparation, and accompaniments. Grilled cheese sandwiches are fried in a pan and have butter or mayonnaise on the outside, resulting in a crispier exterior. Cheese toasties, on the other hand, are toasted, baked, or cooked in a sandwich press, resulting in drier and airier bread. Additionally, while grilled cheese sandwiches are commonly paired with tomato soup or ketchup, cheese toasties may be considered more of a treat due to the special equipment required for their preparation.
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The best bread for grilled cheese
A grilled cheese sandwich is a hot sandwich made by heating slices of cheese between slices of bread with a cooking fat such as butter or mayonnaise on a frying pan, griddle, or sandwich toaster. The bread used for a grilled cheese sandwich should be sturdy enough to hold the melted cheese, take on a good sear in the pan, and add flavour to the sandwich.
Sourdough is a popular choice of bread for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its sturdiness, rich tang, and delightful crust. Its slices can withstand a long sear in the pan, and its crust and thorough toasting create a great crunch. However, sourdough bread has irregular holes that can cause cheese to drip. To avoid this, opt for country-style sourdoughs with tighter crumbs.
White sandwich bread is a classic and traditional option that works well with grilled cheese sandwiches. It is also a good choice for those who prefer softer bread.
For those who enjoy a nuttier texture, multigrain bread is another option that adds a slightly healthier profile to the sandwich.
If you're looking for a bread with a denser crumb, brioche or challah are good choices. Their dense pattern of holes makes it easy to spread butter or mayonnaise, and the melted cheese won't drip through.
For a unique twist, potato bread can impart a buttery and creamy flavour to your grilled cheese. Pretzel buns, with their firm, doughy, and salty texture, also pair well with creamy, gooey cheeses.
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The best cheese for grilled cheese
A grilled cheese sandwich is a hot comfort food made by heating slices of cheese between slices of bread with a cooking fat such as butter or mayonnaise on a frying pan, griddle, or sandwich toaster. The perfect grilled cheese sandwich has a crispy, salty, buttery exterior and molten cheese inside.
The best cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich is one that melts well. Some popular options include:
- Mozzarella: This cheese is known for its stretchiness and non-greasy melting qualities. It is best paired with another cheese as it has a mild flavour.
- Cheddar: A sharp cheddar adds a nutty flavour to the sandwich and melts beautifully.
- Gruyere: This Alpine-style Swiss cheese is a great melter and adds a salty, nutty flavour to the sandwich.
- Raclette: Another type of Alpine-style Swiss cheese, raclette is a good melter and adds a salty, nutty flavour.
- Havarti: This cheese is known for its excellent melting qualities.
- Monterey Jack: This cheese is a good option for those who want a peppery kick in their sandwich.
Some less conventional options include:
- Fontina: This cheese has a mild, nutty flavour and melts well.
- Gouda: A good melting cheese that adds a creamy texture to the sandwich.
- Muenster: A cheese with a mild, buttery flavour that melts well.
- Brie: This soft cheese is best served in slices and pairs well with fruit like apples.
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Grilled cheese with added ingredients
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a simple pleasure, but they can be taken to the next level with a few creative ingredients. The basic recipe is endlessly adaptable, and you can create your own favourite combinations of bread, cheese, and fillings.
The classic grilled cheese is made with sliced bread, cheese, and a cooking fat such as butter or mayonnaise, heated in a frying pan or griddle until the bread is browned and the cheese melted. The sandwich is closed, and griddled on both sides.
The type of cheese is important, and while you can use any cheese that melts well, some cheeses are more popular than others. Mozzarella is a good choice for its stretch, and another cheese can be added for flavour, such as Gruyère, Raclette, Fontina, Gouda, or a good vintage Cheddar. You can also add Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for some spice.
But what about adding some extra ingredients to your grilled cheese? Well, you can add vegetables, such as sautéed spinach, caramelised onions, chopped steamed broccoli, roasted red peppers, or roasted tomatoes. You can also add some fruit, such as thinly sliced apples, or a layer of fig jam. Pickled red onions, radishes, or jalapeños can add a fun pop of flavour, and you can even add some garlic Parmesan butter to the outside of the bread for a delicious, crispy, golden exterior.
If you want to get saucy, you can replace the mustard with another sauce, such as pesto, which goes well with mozzarella and provolone cheese. You can also add meat, such as pepperoni, or arugula, and make the sandwich in an air fryer for an extra crispy texture.
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Grilled cheese: pan-fried vs. grilled
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a delicious, hot and comforting meal. But what's the best way to cook them—pan-fried or grilled? While the name suggests the latter, grilled cheese sandwiches are actually most often cooked in a pan.
Pan-fried Grilled Cheese
Pan-frying is the most common method for cooking grilled cheese sandwiches. This is done on a stovetop, using a skillet, griddle, or frying pan. The sandwich is placed in the pan and cooked until the bread is crispy and golden brown, and the cheese is melted. This method typically involves buttering the outside of the bread, which creates a delicious, buttery crust. Some recipes suggest using mayonnaise instead of butter, as it helps the bread brown well and gives it a richer flavor.
Grilled Grilled Cheese
Despite its name, the grilled cheese sandwich is rarely grilled. However, grilling is a good alternative for making multiple grilled cheese sandwiches at once. This method involves toasting the bread, placing it on a rack, adding butter, cheese, and any other fillings, and then grilling the sandwich. While this method is convenient for making large batches, it doesn't create the same golden, buttery crust as pan-frying.
The Verdict
Both methods will give you a hot, crispy, and cheesy sandwich. Pan-frying is the traditional and most common method, creating a superior golden crust. However, grilling can be a useful alternative when making grilled cheese sandwiches in large batches. Ultimately, the choice between pan-frying and grilling comes down to personal preference and convenience.
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Frequently asked questions
A grilled cheese sandwich is a hot sandwich made by heating slices of cheese between slices of bread with a cooking fat such as butter or mayonnaise on a frying pan, griddle, or sandwich toaster, until the bread browns and the cheese melts.
There are hundreds of variations on grilled cheese, with everything from pimento grilled cheese to jalapeño popper grilled cheese to spinach-artichoke grilled cheese. Classic options for cheese include American, cheddar, gouda, havarti, and mozzarella. You can even use a combination of cheeses. Just be sure to stick with a cheese that has good meltability.
For a classic grilled cheese sandwich, nothing beats a couple of slices of hearty white bread. Go for a bread that's soft and tender, but sturdy enough that it won't fall apart in the pan. If you want to experiment, options like whole-wheat, rye, potato bread, and even a brioche loaf will work well.
