Perfect Sourdough Grilled Cheese
The classic grilled cheese is a humble sandwich that brings together buttery bread and gooey cheese. While any grilled cheese is amazing, there are a few ways to take it to the next level. Learn the secret ingredient for getting that perfect golden layer on your bread!
Every child loves the warm grilled cheese sandwich.
This recipe makes it even better by using a simple sourdough loaf.
The structure of the bread and combination of cheeses produces the best sandwich.
What is grilled cheese?
A grilled cheese is the perfect food for picnics or for those rainy days when you need a bit of comfort food.
A great grilled cheese starts with the best cheese and two slices of good quality bread.
This 1920’s sandwich is heated slowly in a large skillet until it has a golden exterior and the cheese melts taking the sandwich to a whole new level.
Ingredients for Sourdough Grilled Cheese
- Tangy Sourdough Bread- I think the perfect grilled cheese recipe includes sourdough bread, but you can always use white bread or thick slices of french bread, brioche, or even rye bread.
- Sliced or Shredded cheese- Use whatever cheese you have on hand, but layering two or more gooey cheese flavors is the best way to get a yummy flavor.
- High quality fat- I use butter on the outside of the bread for my fat to get that golden brown coating on the slices of bread. You can also use olive oil or coconut oil if you are in a pinch and don’t have butter.
How to make a perfect Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is a simple sandwich and nothing needs to be added to it to make it delicious.
Bread, butter, and melted cheese is a perfect combination when it comes to comfort food.
There are some important things to remember when making grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Cook slowly- Take time to grill each side of your bread in a cast iron skillet or by cooking it in the oven on a baking sheet. Another great skillet method is to warm up an electric griddle and cook your sandwich on medium heat. The even distribution of heat with each of those methods creates a consistent toasting.
- Cook low- Make your grilled cheese by using medium heat to medium-low heat to get that perfect golden brown color on your bread.
- Butter both sides of both pieces of bread- You might be tempted to only butter the outside of the sandwich, but buttering all of the bread slices adds to the flavor.
Steps for making a Sourdough Grilled Cheese
- Preheat your cast iron pan, oven, or griddle as you prepare your sandwich. Heat to 275°F.
- Butter both slices of the sourdough bread.
- If shredding your cheese, shred it while you wait on your skillet to heat.
- Lay your bread on the skillet and heat until golden brown. Flip and repeat with the second side of the bread.
- Place your cheese on the toast and place another piece of toast on top to close your sandwich. Slice on a cutting board and serve hot.
Different cheese for a grilled cheese
Using two or three different cheeses on your sandwich adds to the layering of flavors.
There are several basic cheeses that great combos for your grilled cheese.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese- This cheese does well with this type of sandwich because the sweetness of the bread pairs nicely with the sharpness of the extra sharp cheddar.
- Smoked Gouda- Gouda happens to be my favorite cheese of all time and it tastes amazing on a grilled cheese. This cheese melts pretty well and tastes good with a bowl of tomato soup.
- Pepper jack cheese- A favorite for those who love a bit of spice
- Monterey jack- This mild cheese is a great accompaniment to any of the other slices of cheese. It tastes especially good when it is next to a slice of pepper jack cheese.
The best bread for a Grilled Cheese Sandwich
You can use whatever bread you have in your prepared pantry for grilled cheese.
A grilled cheese sandwich of some kind is better than no grilled cheese at all.
The best bread for a grilled cheese is a loaf of healthy sourdough bread.
It is tangy and has good structure, so it works well when buttered and toasted.
If you don’t know how to make sourdough starter or sourdough bread, but sure to check out my tips on creating a simple dry sourdough starter.
If you don’t have sourdough bread, you can use any type of bread.
- Brioche
- Rye bread
- White bread
- Wheat bread
Key Tips for the Best Grilled Cheese
- Butter- Set your butter out an hour before you are going to make your sourdough grilled cheese sandwich so it is spreadable.
- Mayo- If you want your bread to brown even more than normal and add a little bit of a creamy flavor, then use mayo on the outside of your slice of bread. The mayo side will get a deep brown color and have a crispy outside.
- Thick bread- Using thick bread allows the butter to soak into the slices and add flavor. If you use this slices of bread, it will still taste incredible, but the butter will just sit on top of the bread. Still good, but better with a thick slice of bread.
Add ins for a good Grilled Cheese sandwich
- Caramelized onions– Gooey cheese and caramelized onions go great inside of a sandwich.
- Green onion or Onion Chives– These will add a mild onion flavor to the sandwich.
- Fresh thyme– Bring in some fresh flavor with thyme from your own herb garden. Chop it up and sprinkle it on the melted cheese.
- Dijon mustard– This adds a bit of a bite to the sandwich.
What to serve with a grilled cheese
Grilled cheese sandwiches taste great as a main dish or as a side with your favorite soup or stew.
If it is spring or summer, serve your sandwich with a green salad.
Chips and french fries are a great side dish for a grilled cheese sandwich.
Frequently Asked Questions
A grilled cheese is delicious on its own, but adding a few things will take it to the next level.
Good Quality Meat
Chives
Caramelized Onions
Mayonnaise
Dijon Mustard
Most grilled cheese sandwiches are cooked on a griddle of some sort or in the oven under the broiler.
The best way to reheat a grilled cheese is in an oven under the broiler.
Place your sandwich on a baking sheet on the lower level of the oven. Heat the broiler to LOW heat and let it warm the sandwich for 3-5 minutes.
Sourdough Grilled Cheese Recipe
Sourdough Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Equipment
- 1 griddle or cast iron pan
Ingredients
- 2 slices sourdough bread, or any other bread
- 2 slices cheese, shredded or slice; different flavors of cheese
- 1 tablespoon softened butter
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your cast iron pan, oven, or griddle as you prepare your sandwich. Heat to 275°F.
- Butter both slices of the sourdough bread on each side of the bread.
- If using mayo on your sandwich, add a thin layer of mayonnaise to one side of each slice of bread. The mayo side will be the outside layer of the sandwich.
- Shred your cheese, if using a block of cheese. Otherwise, get your slices out and ready for your sandwich.
- Once your griddle is preheated, lay your slices of bread, butter side down on the griddle. If using mayo, you want the mayo side of the bread to be the outside, so it will be toasted second.
- Toast for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown. Flip your slices of bread.
- Add the cheese to the toasted side of the bread while the second side toasts.
- Place one piece of toast on top of the other piece of toast.
- Slice on a diagonal and enjoy warm!
Notes
- Brioche
- Rye bread
- White bread
- Wheat bread
