What is the secret to a good grilled cheese sandwich?

Author: Juliet Cummings  |  Last update: Sunday, May 18, 2025

After testing seven different methods, we learned that the secret to making the best grilled cheese sandwich is using a combo of butter and mayo on the bread. The butter adds flavor, while the mayo ensures even golden browning plus the most delicious crispy exterior.

What is the secret to the perfect grilled cheese?

Grilled Cheese Tips and Tricks

His secret? Griddle the bread on both sides. That's right. Cook two slices of bread in butter, flip 'em over so that the browned sides are facing up, add your cheese, and close your sandwich so that the cheese is sandwiched between the browned surfaces.

What makes grilled cheese taste better?

Mayo is an oil-based fat with a higher smoke point than butter, so it's less likely to burn before your cheese melts. For a boost of flavor, Horn uses a combination of mayo and mustard. Try this trick with equal parts mayo and any mustard of your choice, like yellow or Dijon.

What did Gordon Ramsay put in his grilled cheese?

Gordon's Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich from Ramsay Around the World
  1. Romano Cheese, Sliced to fit bread (depending on size of bread, around 4 slices)
  2. Asiago Cheese, Sliced to fit bread (depending on size of bread, around 4 slices)
  3. Kimchi.
  4. Butter.
  5. 2 Slices of Country Bread.
  6. Salt.
  7. Olive Oil.

Should I toast my bread before making grilled cheese?

Toasting your bread brings out a deeper flavor and performs another vital service. Melting cheese releases oil that can soak the bread and cause it to become soggy without actually cooking. When your bread is toasted, moisture is blocked, preventing a floppy sandwich.

The Best Grilled Cheese You'll Ever Make | Epicurious 101

How to elevate a grilled cheese?

Avocado, tomatoes, pickles, and bacon also make delicious additions.
  1. Choosing the right kind of bread can immediately take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level. ...
  2. Grated cheese will allow for optimal meltage. ...
  3. Experimenting with different cheeses, like blue cheese, can seriously up your grilled cheese game.

Do you butter both sides of the bread for grilled cheese?

Butter bread – Slather both sides of each piece of bread with the butter (yes, all 4 sides!). Light toast – Heat a heavy-based skillet or frying pan over medium low heat (no oil or butter). Pile on cheese – Flip one slice of bread, then pile on the cheddar cheese followed by the mozzarella.

What is in the quintessential grilled cheese sandwich?

The “Quintessential Grilled Cheese Sandwich” is assembled using a rare cheese and white truffle butter, sandwiched between bread made with Dom Perignon champagne and edible gold flakes.

What is the best cheese for grilled cheese?

American and cheddar are classic options, but there are a lot of other cheeses that make a really great grilled cheese sandwich — Gouda, havarti, and mozzarella are also great. You can even use a combination of cheeses.

What is the best bread for grilled cheese?

Grilled Cheese Recipe Ingredients

Good bread – My preferred type of bread for this recipe is sourdough, because I love the tang it adds to the sandwich. I definitely recommend trying it out, but if you're a grilled cheese purist, or if you don't keep sourdough on hand, regular white bread will work here too.

Is mayo or butter better for grilled cheese?

Butter goes in the pan not on the bread. To ensure golden (not burned) toastiness, the exterior of the sandwich should be slicked with mayonnaise, which has a higher smoke point and possesses the combined browning power of oil and egg yolks.

Why are restaurant grilled cheeses so good?

However, grilled cheese can taste better at a restaurant, and that's often because more high-end cheese is used. Chefs have a huge choice of cheeses that melt well. These include provolone, a tangy cheddar, nutty Swiss cheese, and soft cheeses. Fontina melts well, and so does raclette and the stronger-tasting taleggio.

What to season grilled cheese with?

Mustard, chutney or even strawberry jam (believe it) can be dabbed on the cheese as it melts, or add ham, prosciutto or slices of apple or tomato (drain on paper towels first).

How do you get the secret grilled cheese aspiration?

How To Unlock The Grilled Cheese Aspiration In The Sims 4. To unlock the Grilled Cheese aspiration, players must ensure that the Sim they are planning to give the aspiration to is old enough to cook. If they are, unlocking the aspiration can be done by commanding them to eat three grilled cheese sandwiches in a row.

Do you start grilled cheese in a cold or hot pan?

For the Meltiest Grilled Cheese, Start With a Cold Pan. You don't have to wait for your pan to get hot. Golden brown and crisp on the outside but creamy and gooey on the inside, grilled cheese is one of the best sandwiches to enjoy at home.

What cheese does Panera use for grilled cheese?

American cheese melted on our thick-sliced Classic White Miche.

What can you add to a grilled cheese to make it taste better?

I like to add fresh herbs (thyme, basil, even the humble parsley), arugula, a few tomato slices, anything that will cut some of the fattiness in the grilled cheese. Fresh ingredients add bite and an entirely different element to the sandwich.

Is grated or sliced cheese better for grilled cheese?

Shred Your Cheese: Do not, we repeat, do NOT use sliced cheese for grilled cheese. First, it is best to bring your cheese up to room temperature before cooking your sandwich. Then, shredding the cheese will help ensure that it melts faster and more evenly. Keep in mind, certain cheeses melt easier than others.

What is the most popular grilled cheese cheese?

Gruyère. Cheddar and American are obvious, common and accessible cheeses.

What goes well in a grilled cheese sandwich?

Toppings
  • Roasted Red Peppers, chopped.
  • Chipotle Peppers in Adobo.
  • Kalamata Olives.
  • Mushrooms, sautéed, sliced.
  • Roasted Garlic.
  • Caramelized Onions.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes.
  • Pickle Chips, Dill or Bread & Butter.

Should I toast my bread before making a grilled cheese?

For the best results, toast your bread first. A quick toast will help your bread develop the golden edges and luscious crisp that you're after. It'll also help prevent the bread from getting soggy, no matter how many fillings you add.

How long should I cook grilled cheese?

Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat. Spread or brush the outside of the sandwich with 1 tablespoon of fat and cook until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the sandwich, and continue cooking until browned and the cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes more.

What is the best bread for grilled cheese sandwiches?

Why it works: Sourdough is our winner when it comes to making a great grilled cheese. Its sturdy slices can hold up to a long sear in the pan. The crust and thorough toasting create a great crunch. Its flavor stands up to but won't overwhelm the cheese.

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