One of the best ways to elevate the grilled cheese is to buy better bread. Even day-old bread tastes good on a burger. And stale bread is even better! You can get away with stale bread if you’re willing to use a bit of butter on the inside. However, the heat and fat in a burger will bring out the best in the stale bread.
You should remember that melted American cheese will melt the best when choosing cheese. However, other types of cheese can be melted between the bread. Fontina, Gruyere, Comte, and young cheddars are great choices. You can try aged cheeses like Taleggio or Jack for an authentic grilled cheese taste. If you’re on a budget, use butter or mayonnaise instead of butter.
While melted cheese is the main ingredient in the ultimate grilled cheese, the other ingredients play a very important role. The toasted bread needs to be golden brown with a crusty texture. The cheese should melt easily, and the sandwich should be golden brown or slightly black. A grill is a great way to get the perfect grilled cheese flavor.
What are the best breads for making a grilled cheese sandwich?
The choice of bread for making a grilled cheese sandwich can greatly impact the final taste and texture. While personal preference plays a significant role, here is a list of some popular bread options that work well for grilled cheese sandwiches:
- Sourdough Bread: Sourdough’s tangy flavor and slightly chewy texture complement the creamy cheese. It crisps up nicely when grilled.
- White Bread: Classic white bread, often called “Wonder Bread,” “Pan Bimbo,” or similar brands, is a popular choice due to its soft, fluffy texture. It creates a traditional, comforting grilled cheese sandwich.
- Wheat Bread: Whole wheat or multigrain breads add a nutty, earthy flavor to your sandwich while providing extra nutrients.
- Texas Toast: Texas toast is a thick, buttered bread perfect for a hearty and indulgent grilled cheese sandwich. It’s typically available in the frozen section of grocery stores.
- Rye Bread: Rye bread can add a unique flavor and a slightly denser texture to your grilled cheese, especially when paired with Swiss or Gruyère cheese.
- French Bread or Baguette: Sliced French bread or baguette can provide a crispy exterior and soft interior, resulting in a delightful contrast in your grilled cheese.
- Challah: Challah bread is slightly sweet and eggy, making it a unique choice that pairs well with a variety of cheeses.
- Ciabatta: Ciabatta’s crunchy crust and open crumb structure can make for a crispy, gourmet grilled cheese sandwich.
- Potato Bread: Potato bread is soft and slightly sweet, making it an excellent choice for a comforting, classic grilled cheese.
- Pumpernickel Bread: Pumpernickel adds a deep, rich flavor to your sandwich and pairs nicely with cheeses like mozzarella or provolone.
- Brioche: Brioche is a buttery, tender bread that results in an indulgent and luxurious grilled cheese experience.
- Bagel: Try using a sliced bagel as your bread for a unique twist. Bagels provide a chewy texture and a slightly crunchy crust.
The best bread for your grilled cheese sandwich is a matter of personal preference. You can experiment with different bread types and cheese combinations to discover your favorite flavor and texture combinations. The key is to choose a bread that you enjoy, as it will significantly impact the overall taste of your grilled cheese sandwich.
The best cheeses for making a grilled cheese sandwich
The best cheese for making a grilled cheese sandwich depends on your personal taste, but certain cheeses are popular choices because of their melting qualities and flavor. Here’s a list of some of the best cheeses for making a delicious grilled cheese sandwich:
- Cheddar: Sharp cheddar and mild cheddar are classic choices. They melt well and offer a rich, tangy flavor.
- American: American cheese is known for its excellent melting ability and creamy texture, making it a quintessential choice for a classic grilled cheese.
- Swiss: Swiss cheese, with its nutty and slightly sweet flavor, melts beautifully and adds a unique twist to your sandwich.
- Provolone: Provolone cheese is mild, creamy, and melts smoothly. It pairs well with a variety of bread and ingredients.
- Mozzarella: Mozzarella cheese provides a stretchy, gooey texture and a mild flavor. It’s often used in combination with other cheeses for added creaminess.
- Gruyère: Gruyère cheese has a slightly nutty and earthy flavor that pairs wonderfully with various bread and ingredients. It melts beautifully and complements other cheeses.
- Colby: Colby cheese offers a mild, creamy texture and is similar to cheddar. It’s a great choice for a simple grilled cheese.
- Havarti: Havarti cheese is buttery and melts well, providing a rich and creamy taste. It’s often used in gourmet grilled cheese variations.
- Monterey Jack: Monterey Jack cheese is known for its mild and creamy qualities, making it a good option for a smooth, flavorful melt.
- Brie: Brie cheese is soft and creamy, resulting in an indulgent, gourmet-style grilled cheese sandwich with a subtle, earthy flavor.
- Fontina: Fontina cheese is semi-soft, melts beautifully, and has a mild, slightly nutty flavor.
- Pepper Jack: For a spicy kick, consider Pepper Jack cheese, which combines the creaminess of Monterey Jack with spicy pepper flakes or jalapeños.
- Blue Cheese: If you enjoy bold flavors, blue cheese can add a pungent, tangy element to your grilled cheese. It pairs well with ingredients like caramelized onions or fig jam.
- Muenster: Muenster cheese is semi-soft and creamy, with a mild, buttery taste that makes it a versatile choice for grilled cheese.
- Parmesan: Grated Parmesan cheese can be sprinkled on the outside of your sandwich to create a crispy, flavorful crust.
You can also experiment with cheese combinations to create unique flavor profiles for your grilled cheese sandwiches. Ultimately, the best cheese is the one you love, so don’t be afraid to mix and match different types to create the perfect grilled cheese for your taste.
The best ways to grill or cook a grilled cheese sandwich
Grilled cheese sandwiches can be made in a variety of ways, and the method you choose depends on your preference and the equipment you have available. Here’s a list of some of the best ways to grill or cook a grilled cheese sandwich:
- Stovetop in a Pan:
- This is the most common and traditional method.
- Use a non-stick or cast-iron skillet.
- Preheat the pan over medium-low heat.
- Cook the sandwich for 2-4 minutes on each side until it’s golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Stovetop in a Griddle:
- You can cook multiple sandwiches at once if you have a griddle or flat-top griddle pan.
- Preheat the griddle over medium-low heat.
- Butter the bread and place the sandwiches on the griddle.
- Cook for 2-4 minutes on each side.
- Panini Press:
- A panini press or sandwich press is an excellent option for perfectly even cooking and pressing the sandwich.
- Assemble your sandwich, butter the outside, and place it in the preheated press.
- Cook until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted, usually 3-5 minutes.
- Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Butter the bread, assemble the sandwich, and place it on a baking sheet.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until it’s golden and the cheese is melted.
- Toaster Oven:
- A toaster oven is a convenient option for making a quick grilled cheese sandwich.
- Butter the bread, assemble the sandwich, and place it on the toaster oven rack or a tray.
- Toast until the bread is browned, and the cheese is melted, typically 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave and Toaster Combo:
- Make a microwave-grilled cheese by microwaving the sandwich with a microwave-safe cover, then finish by toasting it in a toaster or toaster oven for a crispy crust.
- Grill (for Panini-Style Grilled Cheese):
- If you have a grill with a lid, you can make a panini-style grilled cheese.
- Assemble the sandwich, wrap it in aluminum foil, and grill with the lid closed for a few minutes on each side.
- Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to around 360°F (180°C).
- Place the sandwich in the air fryer basket and cook for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Cast Iron Press:
- If you have a cast iron press, you can place it on top of your sandwich while cooking in a skillet to press it and achieve a crispy crust.
The cooking times may vary depending on the method and equipment you choose. Watch your grilled cheese closely to prevent burning and achieve the desired crispiness and cheese melting. Also, customize your grilled cheese with different bread, cheeses, and optional ingredients to suit your taste.
Should you use butter or mayonnaise to grill your grilled cheese sandwich?
Whether to use butter or mayonnaise to grill your grilled cheese sandwich is a matter of personal preference. Both options have their pros and cons, and they can create different textures and flavors in your sandwich. Here’s a breakdown of each:
Butter:
Pros:
- Classic choice: Butter is the traditional and most common option for grilling grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Flavor: It adds a rich, buttery flavor to the bread and helps achieve a crispy, golden-brown crust.
- Crispiness: Butter can yield a slightly more crispy texture compared to mayonnaise.
Cons:
- Sogginess: If not used in moderation, too much butter can make the bread soggy.
- Caloric content: Butter is higher in calories and fat compared to mayonnaise.
Mayonnaise:
Pros:
- Crispiness: Mayonnaise can result in an exceptionally crispy and golden crust on the bread.
- Flavor neutrality: It doesn’t add a strong buttery flavor, allowing the cheese and other ingredients to shine.
- Vegan option: If you follow a vegan diet, you can use vegan mayonnaise to make a grilled cheese sandwich.
Cons:
- Unconventional: Mayonnaise is not as traditional as butter for making grilled cheese, and some people might find it unusual.
- Taste: Some may find the slight tang of mayonnaise atypical in a grilled cheese sandwich.
To decide between butter and mayonnaise, you can consider your dietary preferences, the flavor you prefer, and the texture you want to achieve. You can also try both methods and see which one you like better. Some people even use a combination of both, spreading a thin layer of mayonnaise on the outside of the bread for extra crispiness and adding a small amount of butter for flavor.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
Making a grilled cheese sandwich is a simple and delicious process. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of bread (white, wheat, sourdough, or your choice)
- 2-3 slices of your favorite cheese (cheddar, American, Swiss, or others)
- 2-3 tablespoons of butter (you can also use margarine or mayonnaise as a spread)
- Optional additions like bacon, tomato slices, or onions for extra flavor
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cheese: Choose your favorite cheese and slice it into thin, even slices. You can use one type of cheese or mix different varieties for added flavor.
- Assemble the Sandwich:
- Lay out your two slices of bread.
- Place the cheese slices evenly on one slice of bread.
- If you add extra ingredients like bacon, tomato, or onions, place them on top of the cheese.
- Top with the Second Slice of Bread: Place the other slice of bread on top of the cheese and optional ingredients to create a sandwich.
- Butter the Bread: Spread a thin layer of butter on the outside of both slices of bread. This will help the sandwich turn golden brown and crispy during cooking.
- Heat a Pan:
- Heat a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium-low heat. You want it hot enough to cook the sandwich but not so hot that it burns before the cheese melts.
- If you have a panini press or a sandwich press, you can use that instead for a more evenly cooked sandwich.
- Cook the Sandwich:
- Place the sandwich in the pan, buttered side down.
- Cook for 2-4 minutes, or until the bottom slice of bread turns golden brown and crispy.
- Flip and Cook the Other Side:
- Carefully flip the sandwich with a spatula.
- Continue cooking for another 2-4 minutes until the second side is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Remove and Serve: Remove the grilled cheese sandwich from the pan once both sides are crispy and the cheese is melted. Place it on a cutting board and let it cool for a minute to avoid burning your mouth.
- Slice and Enjoy: Use a sharp knife to slice the sandwich diagonally or in half, and serve it while it’s still warm. Enjoy your homemade grilled cheese sandwich!
The cooking times may vary depending on your stove, so keep an eye on the sandwich to ensure it doesn’t burn. You can also experiment with different bread and cheese types to create unique grilled cheese variations.
Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich
