Secret to making the best grilled cheese

The secret to making the best grilled cheese sandwich includes a variety of cheeses and a few tricks

The secret to making the best grilled cheese sandwich includes a variety of cheeses and a few tricks


Now, we know that some of you are thinking….Please! A recipe for grilled cheese?! Who the heck needs a recipe for a food staple that most 7 year olds know how to make? Well, if your typical grilled cheese is white bread, a slice of American cheese, and some margarine, then we guess you are right – no recipe required. But, if you want to elevate your grilled cheese game to something that is epic, we’ve got the secret to making the best grilled cheese sandwich! Also, we actually love the white bread, processed cheese, margarine version too.

The secret to making the best grilled cheese sandwich includes a variety of cheeses and a few tricks

What follows are some of our tips and tricks to making the best grilled cheese sandwich we have ever had, and we’ve had some great grilled cheese sandwiches (for research purposes, of course). Take some of our advice, or all of it, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments section! Let’s compare notes, and keep the research going!


Secret to making the best grilled cheese

Use a variety of cheeses

We find that three slices of cheese is the perfect amount for a respectable grilled cheese sandwich. Although you can use 3 slices of the same cheese, we like to mix things up a bit and use 3 varieties of cheese. You can certainly use what you like, but we almost always include a sharp cheddar and mozzarella. The cheddar has a nice strong flavour and the mozzarella gives that great oozy cheese pull. The third slice can be anything from Monterey Jack, Havarti, Gouda…any cheese you like!

Don’t use shredded cheese for your grilled cheese sandwich

Cheese slices melt more easily and are therefore much better than shredded cheese for your grilled cheese sandwich. If you use shredded cheese you will have to cook your sandwich longer in order to get it to melt, risking having it burn.

Add sliced pickles to your grilled cheese sandwich.

Yes! Although the sliced pickles are totally optional, we think you should give them a try. The pickles give a nice contrasting texture to the melty cheese, and a sour saltiness that is so good! Try the pickles and let us know what you think!

Create a crispy, cheesy crust on your bread.

This next tip is going to take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level. If you’ve made our original tsoureki and feta grilled cheese (you should absolutely make this sandwich!), then you know that we love to spread mayonnaise on our bread, top it with grated cheese, and cook that in melted butter. The result is so much better than simply frying your bread in butter. Parmesan flavour, crispy texture…so perfect!

Choose a multigrain bread for your grilled cheese sandwich.

For even more contrasting textures, we like to use whole grain bread for our grilled cheese sandwich. Although the grilled cheese of your childhood may have relied on soft, pillow-y white bread (we admit, delicious!), multi-grain bread contributes a great flavour and texture to grilled cheese.

Another secret to making the best grilled cheese is to cook it over medium low heat.

Don’t rush the cooking time! Set your heat over medium to medium low. You want your bread to toast and get deliciously browned slowly, giving the cheese time to melt.

The secret to making the best grilled cheese sandwich includes a variety of cheeses and a few tricks

Looking for more great, cheesy recipes? Check these out:

Fried phyllo wrapped feta

Halloumi fries with a citrus lime dipping sauce

Baklava baked brie

We love hearing from you!  If you have made our recipes, or if you have a question or comment, or simply want to say Hi!,  please leave a comment and star rating below! Also be sure to follow along with us, on FacebookInstagram and Pinterest.  We have lots of fun over there.

The secret to making the best grilled cheese sandwich includes a variety of cheeses and a few tricks
The secret to making the best grilled cheese sandwich includes a variety of cheeses and a few tricks

The best grilled cheese

Learn the secret to making the best grilled cheese sandwich!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Light meal, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 sandwich
Calories: 675kcal
Author: Mia Kouppa

Equipment

  • non-stick frying pan
  • Spatula

Ingredients

  • 2 slices bread we prefer multi-grain
  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp grated parmesan
  • 3 slices cheese we use a variety of cheeses, including mozzarella which give that great cheese pull.
  • 2 slices pickle optional, but highly recommended
  • 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

  • Spread mayonnaise on one side of each of your bread slices.
    2 slices bread, 1 tbsp mayonnaise
  • Sprinkle the grated parmesan evenly over the mayonnaise and press down with the back of a spoon so that the cheese sticks to the mayonnaise.
    2 tbsp grated parmesan
  • Melt the butter over medium heat in your non-stick skillet.
    1 tbsp butter
  • When the butter has melted, add one slice of bread, mayonnaise side down, into the center of your pan. Add the 3 slices of cheese and the pickles and then top the the second slice of bread, mayonnaise side up.
    3 slices cheese, 2 slices pickle
  • Press down lightly with the back of your spatula. Cook on one side for approximately 2 - 3 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 2 - 3 minutes.
  • Your sandwich is ready when the bread is toasted and browned and your cheese has melted.
  • Transfer to a cutting board and slice in half using a serrated knife.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Cheese choices:
In this recipe we used 1 slice of cheddar, 1 slice of monterey jack jalapeno cheese and 1 slice of mozzarella.  Use any cheese you like.  We love to incorporate mozzarella because it gives that great cheese pull that is so satisfying! 

Nutrition

Calories: 675kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 3782mg | Potassium: 505mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1530IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 942mg | Iron: 4mg

Thanks for sharing!

4 Comments

  1. popsiclesociety says:

    Cheese makes everything better and this looks absolutely delicious 😋

    1. miakouppa says:

      Cheese does do that!! Thanks so much xox Helen & Billie

  2. Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen says:

    I love the addition of pickles!

    1. miakouppa says:

      Thank you!!! We love the added texture and flavour that the pickles bring to an already great grilled cheese! xoxo Helen & Billie

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