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Who in the world doesn’t like a classic grilled cheese sandwich? According to a 2013 study, 86% of Americans had eaten a grilled cheese in the past year. A grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food and easy to make. Just flip it in a pan twice and you’re done! Growing up, my grilled cheese consisted of a slice of bread, butter, and one slice of cheese. When I began to live on my own, I started to add two slices of cheese. Woo hoo!
Is Butter or Mayonnaise Better For A Grilled Cheese?
Butter is the more traditional choice and imparts a rich, slightly nutty flavor to the grilled cheese. It can also create a nice crispy, golden-brown crust when used to coat the bread before grilling. However, butter can burn more easily if the heat is too high, and it can be harder to spread on cold bread.
Mayonnaise, on the other hand, has gained popularity as an alternative to butter for making grilled cheese. It spreads more easily on bread and has a higher smoke point, reducing the risk of burning. Mayonnaise is made from oil and egg, which can help create a crispy, evenly browned crust. Some people prefer the flavor of mayonnaise, while others find it too tangy for their taste.
Ultimately, whether you choose to use mayonnaise or butter for your grilled cheese depends on your personal taste preferences and how you like the crust. Experiment with both to see which one you prefer.
What Can You Add To A Grilled Cheese To Make it Taste Better?
There are many ways to elevate the taste of a grilled cheese sandwich. Here are some ingredients and ideas to consider adding:
1. Cheese variety: Instead of just using one type of cheese, try combining different types for a more complex flavor. For example, use a sharp cheddar for bold flavor and a creamy mozzarella for a smooth, gooey texture.
2. Caramelized onions: Cook thinly sliced onions in butter or oil over low heat until they’re golden brown and soft. Add them to your sandwich for a sweet and savory flavor.
3. Bacon: Cooked bacon adds a smoky, salty crunch to your grilled cheese. You can also use turkey bacon or vegetarian bacon alternatives.
4. Avocado: Sliced avocado adds a creamy texture and rich flavor to your sandwich. Make sure it’s ripe for the best results.
5. Tomato: Fresh or sundried tomatoes can add a tangy, slightly sweet flavor to your grilled cheese. Fresh tomatoes are juicier, while sundried tomatoes have a more concentrated flavor.
6. Fresh herbs: Chopped fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or cilantro can add a burst of flavor and aroma to your sandwich.
7. Spreads: Experiment with different spreads like pesto, garlic aioli, or even a fruit jam (like fig or apricot) for a unique twist.
8. Spices: Sprinkle some spices like black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika on the cheese for an extra kick.
9. Pickles: Sliced pickles or relish can add a tangy, crunchy element to your grilled cheese.
10. Meat: Add thinly sliced deli meats like ham, turkey, or roast beef for a heartier sandwich. Vegetarian alternatives like tempeh or veggie deli slices can also be used.
Fancy Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipes For Grownups
The name grilled cheese automatically triggers your mind to think of something you make for kids, but it can be as simple or as sophisticated as you want it. These fancy grilled cheese sandwich recipes are a testament to that – and can pack some nutrition. You can even use a fancy grilled cheese skillet. Even better!
Dill Pickle Bacon Grilled Cheese
Image credit goes to Spend With Pennies
Bacon elevates any sandwich and adding it to a grilled cheese is something probably everyone has done. This recipe at Spend With Pennies takes it to a different level though with the addition of a dill pickle and getting rid of the American cheese. Serve this with tomato soup for sure!
Guacamole Grilled Cheese Recipes
Image credit goes to Two Peas & Their Pod
I love guacamole so adding it to a grilled cheese is a great idea. Of course, I would probably add bacon to the mix for the perfect sandwich. This recipe by Two Peas & Their Pod also has the recipe for fresh guacamole. You could use store bought guacamole but fresh is worth the effort.
Tomato & Pesto Grilled Cheese with Mozzarella & Provolone Cheeses
Image credit goes to The Cozy Apron
I live in Florida so tomatoes are available pretty much year round but in the summer the fresh tomatoes from the local farms are hard to beat. Adding a tomato to a grilled cheese is a simple idea that expands with the addition of pesto, provolone, and mozzarella. The ingredients in this recipe at The Cozy Apron blend together for a fresh taste that is irresistible.
Havarti Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Caramelized Onion
Chenée Lewis shows you how to make this fan favorite! It is to die for! I tried it! This unique grilled cheese has two different cheeses and Dijon mustard along with bacon and caramelized onions!
Mediterranean Grilled Cheese Recipes
Image credit goes to Cooking Classy
Black olives, spinach, feta cheese, and tomatoes are all staples in a Mediterranean diet. Putting them on grilled cheese makes for a great sandwich. In this recipe at Cooking Classy olive oil is used instead of butter on the bread to follow the Mediterranean feel.
Taco Grilled Cheese
Image credit goes to SimplyStacie
Be still my heart, two of my favorite foods together in one sandwich! Tacos on a grilled cheese has to be one of the best ideas ever. This recipe at Simply Stacie would be the perfect food for watching football and would go great with a cold beer.
Apple Pie Grilled Cheese
Image credit goes to Closet Cooking
The only way I will eat apple pie is with a slice of cheese melted on top. When I saw this recipe by Kevin at Closet Cooking, I knew I would love it. The sweet and savory flavors meld together beautifully. I love the caramelized apples and cheddar cheese, though it is a slightly messy sandwich. I use sourdough bread for this one! Swiss cheese is good on it too!
Roasted Mushroom Gouda Grilled Cheese
Image credit goes to VegetarianTimes
Portobello mushrooms are a great replacement for meat on a sandwich. The rustic flavor of the mushrooms blends well with the smokiness of the gouda in this recipe at VegetarianTimes.
Roasted Strawberry & Brie Grilled Cheese
Image credit goes to OhMyVeggies
Arugula, basil, and strawberries make a wonderful salad. Putting them together into a sandwich with the addition of brie sounds like a great idea. Brie on a grilled cheese works well since it melts nicely and has a mild flavor. Roasting the strawberries gives them a more intense flavor that adds to the different ingredients on this sandwich. This recipe at OhMyVeggies is great for a light lunch.
Spinach and Ricotta Grilled Cheese
Image credit goes to CafeDelites
I can eat ricotta by itself which may seem a little strange, but I love it. Of course, I have mixed it with spinach in a pasta dish but would never have thought of putting it on a sandwich. I think it is a brilliant idea and it is delicious. This recipe at Cafe Delites suggests dipping the sandwich in your favorite marinara and I think it enhances the flavor.
Jalapeno Popper Sandwich
Image credit goes to Small Town Woman
I order jalapeño poppers whenever I see them on a menu, therefore the idea of them on a sandwich excited me. It was unbelievably delicious. I did make sure to remove the seeds and membranes as was suggested to keep the peppers from being too spicy. If you love jalapeños here is another way of eating them that is simple and different. The recipe at Small Town Woman is well worth your time.
Pumpkin, Chocolate, & Brie Grilled Cheese
Image credit goes to Two Peas and Their Pod
I wanted to feature at least one sandwich that was completely outside the box. First let me say if you have never tried pumpkin butter it is one of the best things ever. Combining pumpkin butter, chocolate, and brie is genius. Be forewarned though, it is a messy sandwich and requires more than one napkin while eating. Licking the fingers before the using the napkins is highly encouraged in order to not waste any of the deliciousness. If you try only one of these recipes, let this be it. The recipe can be found at Two Peas and Their Pod.
Grilled Cheese Fries
Image credit goes to MrsHappyHomemaker
This last recipe technically is not a sandwich. Since it is a grilled cheese cut up and fried to perfection, I thought it still fit the topic. It is a bit time consuming but worth every minute it takes. It would be the perfect food for watching football. This recipe MrsHappyHomemaker uses Velveeta and crescent rolls to create a delicious snack for anytime.
We would love to hear about the best grilled cheese recipes you have come up with. Hit us up on Pinterest!