Andy Montoya
There's nothing more disappointing than biting into a grilled cheese sandwich and finding the cheese hasn't melted. There are several reasons why this might happen, from using the wrong type of cheese to cooking on too high a heat. To achieve the perfect grilled cheese, it's important to use a cheese with good melting qualities, such as American, Swiss, Monterey Jack, or a mild or medium cheddar. Hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino, or dry, crumbly cheeses like feta or goat cheese, don't melt well and won't give you that desired oozy texture. It's also crucial to slice the cheese thinly or grate it to ensure even melting, and cook the sandwich on medium or medium-low heat to allow the cheese to melt properly without burning the bread.
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What You'll Learn
Using the wrong type of cheese
Sharp cheddars, for example, are not ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches as they don't melt as well as milder or medium cheddars. Aged cheddars, in general, are harder and tend not to melt as well as younger cheddars. Thick slices of sharp cheddar will not melt properly, so it is recommended to use thin slices or grated cheese.
Other hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan, aged Gouda, Pecorino, and dry crumbly cheeses like goat or feta are also not suitable for grilled cheese sandwiches as they don't melt well and won't give you the desired oozy, stretchy texture.
On the other hand, cheeses like American, Swiss, Monterey Jack, younger Cheddars, Colby, Pepper Jack, Gruyère, and Comté melt beautifully and are better choices for grilled cheese sandwiches.
If you want to use a cheese that doesn't melt as well, it is recommended to grate it first, as grated cheese melts more evenly and quickly than slices. You can also combine it with a meltier cheese as a base to get the best of both worlds: the flavors you love with the melty texture you're looking for.
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Cooking on high heat
Cooking a grilled cheese sandwich on high heat can lead to several issues that prevent the cheese from melting properly. Firstly, the bread may burn before the cheese has had a chance to melt, resulting in a sandwich with burnt bread and unmelted, undercooked cheese. This is because bread acts as an insulator, protecting the cheese from the heat of the pan.
To avoid this, it is recommended to cook grilled cheese sandwiches over medium or medium-low heat. This allows the bread to toast slowly while the cheese melts, ensuring that the sandwich is cooked evenly. It is also suggested to use a lid when cooking on medium heat, as this helps trap heat and steam, promoting a quicker melt. However, be cautious not to leave the lid on for too long, as it can cause the bread to become too soft.
Additionally, the type of cheese used can impact the melting process. Some cheeses, like low-fat options or pre-shredded varieties, contain additives or anti-caking agents that hinder melting. Instead, opt for cheeses with good melting qualities, such as American, Swiss, Monterey Jack, younger Cheddar, or Fontina. These cheeses have higher fat content and melt smoothly when heated.
Another factor to consider is the thickness of the bread and cheese. Thick slices of bread can insulate the cheese from the heat, making it harder to melt. Similarly, slicing the cheese too thickly can prevent it from melting evenly. To achieve the perfect melt, thinly slice or grate the cheese, and opt for bread that is around 3/8" thick.
Lastly, it is important to be patient when making a grilled cheese sandwich. The process should take around 20 to 30 minutes, and rushing it can lead to uneven cooking. Starting the sandwich in a cold pan and slowly heating it up can help ensure even heating and melting.
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Not using enough butter or mayo
One of the most common reasons why grilled cheese sandwiches don't melt is that not enough butter or mayo is used to coat the bread. The bread can become dry and toast unevenly if there is not enough fat to completely coat both slices of bread. The key is to use enough butter or mayo to fully coat the bread. You can melt the butter in the pan or spread it on the bread, whichever you prefer.
If you are using a type of cheese that does not melt easily, such as sharp cheddar, you may need to use even more butter or mayo to help the cheese melt. Some types of cheese, such as American cheese, melt more easily than others. If you are using a cheese that is not a good melter, you can try grating it to help it melt more evenly.
Another reason your grilled cheese may not be melting is that you are cooking it over high heat. Cooking grilled cheese over high heat will result in either toasty bread with unmelted cheese or burnt bread with melted cheese. Instead, cook your grilled cheese over medium or medium-low heat to allow the bread to toast slowly while the cheese melts.
If you are using a thick slice of cheese, it may not melt all the way through. Try slicing your cheese thinly or grating it to achieve a more even melt. No matter how thinly you slice hard cheese, it likely won't melt well, so it's best to avoid using hard cheeses such as Parmesan or aged Gouda.
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Thick cheese slices
To achieve the perfect grilled cheese, it's recommended to use thin cheese slices. Thinner slices melt faster and more evenly, ensuring your sandwich reaches the desired level of gooeyness. If you're using pre-sliced cheese, opt for a variety that's naturally thinner, such as Swiss or provolone.
However, if you're a fan of thicker cheese slices, there's no need to despair. You can still enjoy a grilled cheese with your preferred thickness of cheese slices. The key is to adjust your cooking method. Here are some tips to help you achieve grilled cheese perfection with thicker cheese slices:
- Lower the heat: Cook your grilled cheese sandwich over low to medium heat. This will give the thicker cheese slices more time to melt before the bread burns.
- Grate the cheese: Instead of using thick slices, try grating your cheese. Grated cheese melts more quickly and evenly, reducing the risk of burnt bread.
- Choose the right cheese: Some cheeses are known for their excellent melting qualities. Opt for varieties like young cheddars, young goudas, Colby, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella. These cheeses melt beautifully and will increase your chances of achieving that perfect, gooey consistency.
- Use fresh bread: Stale bread can absorb melted cheese, making it harder for the cheese to melt evenly. Using fresh bread will improve the melting process and create a better texture.
- Adjust your bread thickness: If your bread is too thick, it will insulate the cheese from the pan's heat. Try using slightly thinner slices of bread to allow more heat to reach the cheese.
- Butter generously: A generous amount of butter will not only ensure your bread gets that golden-brown crust but also promote even melting of the cheese. Don't skimp on the butter, but be careful not to overuse it, as excess butter can make your sandwich soggy.
- Cook slowly: Patience is key when making a grilled cheese with thicker cheese slices. Allow your sandwich to cook slowly over low to medium heat. This will give the cheese time to melt properly without burning the bread.
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Using a stove with different heat settings
When making a grilled cheese sandwich, the heat setting you use on your stove can have a significant impact on whether your cheese melts properly.
If you cook your sandwich on high heat, you run the risk of browning or burning the bread before the cheese has had a chance to melt. This is because the outside of the sandwich will cook more quickly than the inside. As such, it is recommended to cook grilled cheese sandwiches on medium or medium-low heat. This will allow the bread to toast slowly while giving the cheese time to melt, resulting in a beautifully browned crust with a gooey centre.
However, it's important to note that stoves can vary in what "medium" or "high" heat actually means. For example, the difference between a medium and medium-high setting on an electric coil stove top may be very small, even though there is a large difference in the dial measurement. Therefore, it's important to get to know your stove and its quirks.
When cooking a grilled cheese sandwich, it's also important to preheat your pan. This ensures even cooking. If your pan is not hot enough, the cheese may not melt properly. Conversely, if your pan is too hot, the outside of the sandwich may burn before the cheese has melted.
If you're having trouble getting your cheese to melt, even when using thin slices or grated cheese, you can try cooking your sandwich on low heat and putting a lid on the pan. This will help the heat stay in and promote melting, while preventing the bread from cooking too quickly and burning. You can also try cooking the sandwich in the oven first, to get the cheese nice and gooey, and then putting it in a pan to get a crispy, toasted exterior.
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Frequently asked questions
Your grilled cheese might not be melting because your stove is running too hot. Try adjusting the heat to medium or medium-low.
If you notice that your grilled cheese is burning before the cheese has melted, your stove might be running too hot. Try turning down the heat or using a lid to help retain heat.
Some cheeses that melt well include American, Swiss, Monterey Jack, mild or medium cheddar, Colby, Pepper Jack, Gruyère, and Comté. Hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan or aged Goudas, and dry, crumbly cheeses like goat or feta do not melt well.
Slice the cheese thinly or grate it to ensure even melting.
