Patrick Oconnell
The grilled cheese sandwich is a beloved comfort food for many. The classic combination of crispy, buttery bread and melted, gooey cheese is hard to beat. However, there is much debate about which spread to use on the outside of the sandwich to achieve the perfect golden brown crust. Some swear by butter for its creamy, nostalgic flavour, while others prefer mayonnaise for its ability to withstand higher temperatures without burning and its more neutral flavour profile, which allows the cheese to shine.
Characteristics of putting butter on grilled cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Butter adds a creamy, nostalgic flavor to the grilled cheese sandwich. |
| Browning | Butter helps achieve an even golden browning. |
| Crispy exterior | Butter helps achieve a crispy exterior |
| Drawbacks | Butter may burn more easily than other fats, such as olive oil or mayonnaise. |
| Practicality | Butter needs to be softened at room temperature before use, which can be time-consuming. |
| Texture | Butter creates a crispy crust while keeping the inside of the bread soft. |
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What You'll Learn
Butter and mayo combination
While butter is the traditional choice for grilled cheese, using a combination of butter and mayonnaise on the bread is a popular alternative that can result in a crispier and more evenly browned sandwich.
Mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil and an acid, usually vinegar or lemon, with egg. The egg acts as a binder, resulting in a thick and creamy spread. It has a similar fat content to butter but can be spread straight from the fridge and has a higher smoke point, making it less likely to burn. Combining butter and mayonnaise can, therefore, result in a crispier sandwich with a more consistent golden colour.
Some people may prefer the flavour of butter on its own, which is creamy and decadent with a lightly sweet, nutty taste when browned. However, butter can burn quickly and may not result in an even colour. Combining it with mayonnaise can help to mitigate this issue while still imparting the flavour of butter.
To use this method, you can combine equal parts of softened butter and mayonnaise and spread the mixture on the exterior of the sandwich before cooking.
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Taste and texture
The addition of butter to a grilled cheese sandwich enhances both its taste and texture. Butter is a popular choice for grilled cheese as it adds a creamy, nostalgic flavour to the sandwich. The butter also helps to achieve a golden-brown crust and a crispy exterior. The fat in butter also helps to prevent the sandwich from burning.
While some people prefer to spread butter on the bread, others melt it in the pan and then place the bread in the pan to soak up the butter. This method ensures that the bread absorbs an adequate amount of butter, resulting in a soft texture with a crispy crust.
Combining butter with other ingredients, such as mayonnaise or olive oil, can also enhance the taste and texture of grilled cheese. Mayonnaise, for example, has a similar fat content to butter and can withstand higher temperatures, resulting in an even golden browning. It also has a more neutral flavour profile, allowing the cheese and other fillings to shine.
In addition to butter, grilled cheese sandwiches can also be cooked in other fats, such as olive oil, bacon fat, or coconut oil. These alternatives can add unique flavours and textures to the sandwich. For instance, olive oil gives the sandwich a faint olive oil taste and a crispy texture, while bacon fat adds a salty and smoky flavour to the bread.
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Butter in the pan
Butter is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches as it adds flavour and ensures a golden-brown crust. Some people prefer to spread the butter directly onto the bread, while others opt for "butter in the pan", where butter is melted in the pan before adding the bread slices. This allows the bread to soak up the butter and creates a crispy crust.
There are a few considerations when using the "butter in the pan" method. Firstly, it can be tricky to judge the heat correctly, and if the pan is too hot, the butter may burn before the bread is added, resulting in a soggy rather than crispy texture. To avoid this, it is important to melt the butter at a low to medium heat.
Another factor to consider is the amount of butter used. Using too much butter in the pan can make the bread greasy and heavy. It is generally recommended to use a moderate amount of butter, such as one tablespoon per sandwich.
Additionally, the type of butter can make a difference. Some people prefer salted butter for its flavour, while others opt for unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the sandwich.
While butter is a traditional choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, some people experiment with other fats like olive oil, bacon fat, or coconut oil. These alternatives can offer different flavours and textures, but butter remains a favourite for many due to its creamy, nostalgic taste.
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Butter alternatives
Butter is typically used to achieve a golden-brown, crispy texture on the outside of grilled cheese sandwiches. However, there are several alternatives to butter that can be used to create a delicious grilled cheese sandwich with a unique flavour and texture.
One popular substitute for butter on a grilled cheese sandwich is mayonnaise. Mayonnaise has a similar fat content to butter and can withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for achieving an even golden browning. It produces a crisp crust with a slightly tangy flavour. If you are not a fan of mayonnaise on its own, you can combine equal parts mayonnaise and softened butter to spread on the exterior of the sandwich.
Another option is olive oil, which can be drizzled into a pan to cook the sandwich, resulting in a healthy grilled cheese sandwich. Coconut oil is also a good alternative, as it has a higher smoke point and a subtle coconut flavour, giving your sandwich a tropical twist.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can try using cream cheese as a spread or even bacon grease, which will add a light bacony flavour to your sandwich. Aioli is another good substitute, made by emulsifying garlic and oil, giving your grilled cheese a hint of garlic flavour.
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Nostalgia
There's something about a grilled cheese sandwich that evokes a sense of nostalgia. The mere mention of it conjures up images of childhood lunches, lazy weekends, and comfort food. The crispy, buttery bread and gooey, melted cheese combine to create a sensory experience that takes us back to simpler times.
The grilled cheese sandwich is a classic, and its simplicity is part of its appeal. It's a sandwich that, at its most basic, requires just three ingredients: bread, butter, and cheese. Yet, it's the butter that seems to be the key to unlocking those nostalgic feelings. The rich, creamy flavor and aroma of butter sizzling in the pan or melting into the bread are undeniably tied to the comfort and warmth of home cooking.
For many, the grilled cheese sandwich was a staple of their childhood. It was an easy, go-to meal that could be whipped up in minutes, and it often appeared alongside another classic comfort food—a bowl of tomato soup. The combination of the crispy, buttery sandwich and the warm, savory soup is a match made in culinary heaven. It's a duo that has likely brought smiles to generations of children and adults alike.
The act of making a grilled cheese sandwich can also be a nostalgic experience. The process of spreading butter on bread, carefully placing it in a pan, and watching as the butter melts and the bread turns golden is a ritual that connects us to our past. It's a simple pleasure that, in today's fast-paced world, can bring a sense of calm and familiarity.
While some may experiment with different fats like olive oil, bacon grease, or even mayonnaise, it's the butter that remains the traditional favorite. The creamy, nostalgic flavor of butter in a grilled cheese sandwich is hard to beat and is likely to continue to be the go-to for those seeking a comforting bite.
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Frequently asked questions
Butter is put on the outside of grilled cheese to add flavor and to help the bread achieve a golden brown crust.
Mayonnaise has a similar fat content to butter and can help achieve an even golden browning. It also has a higher smoke point than butter, so you don't have to worry about burning milk solids.
Yes, you can put butter on the inside of a grilled cheese sandwich. However, this may cause your hands to become oily when eating.
