Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

This recipe is simple, quick, and makes the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich. Combine that with all of our tips and tricks, and you’ll have all the information needed to make all kinds of grilled cheese sandwiches, and experience the best of this iconic snack. Keep scrolling to learn the best ingredients and more.

What is the Best Bread for Grilled Cheese

White bread or sourdough are my go-to breads for late-night grilled cheese cravings. You just have to make sure that your bread is thick and sturdy enough to hold all that cheese inside. A good white bread grills so nicely and is neutral so the cheese is the star of the show. Nice, crusty artisan breads are also ideal for a grilled cheese. Make sure they aren’t too lacy and open, or too dense and thick. Challah or Brioche are also yummy! Just make sure the slices aren’t too thick so the cheese can still melt. If you’re getting a little more gourmet, rye and pumpernickel go great with some lighter cheeses such as havarti or gouda. Or go with Swiss and deli mustard for some Reuben vibes. Sometimes I like to make grilled cheese with a sunflower seed or whole wheat to make my sandwich feel a bit healthier. But generally, there isn’t an ideal bread for grilled cheese, it just comes down to what you like best!

What is the Best Cheese for Grilled Cheese

When it comes to the cheese, anything goes! The typical grilled cheese is made with either American or cheddar. You can easily upgrade to sharp cheddar for a little bump in flavor. A nice slice of provolone, leftover brie, or even a spicy pepper jack are all great options. You can even try combining different cheese together for a super grilled cheese. One fun combination is a regular, melty cheese like cheddar or Jack, but with a splash of blue cheese or tangy chevre in the mix. Monterey Jack is often used on quesadillas because it melts so well. So if you want an extra gooey grilled cheese, this is the one for you. For a gourmet touch, try Gruyere. It’s nutty and rich and just salty enough. As with the bread, it’s totally okay to mix and match any combo of bread and cheese. Whatever you like, I’m sure it will be awesome.

How to Make The Best Grilled Cheese

There are some tips and tricks that are necessary for the best grilled cheese sandwich. Here are the most important ones:

Try low heat instead. I’m prone to over-browning, so I like to take it nice and slow.I like to cover the entire surface of the bread with cheese so every bite is perfection. If you go heavy on the cheese, try covering your skillet. This traps the heat in and helps melt the cheese. You can do this before putting on the second slice of bread, or with both on. And don’t worry, it won’t make your sandwich soggy.You can also use grated cheese instead of sliced. This makes it easy to pile on cheese and get it into every bite. P.S. Don’t use pre-grated cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is usually coated in starches that make it harder to melt and stick together.If you don’t keep butter out on the counter or in the pantry, you can melt cold butter in the pan rather than trying to spread it onto your bread. Trying to get cold butter on your bread usually ends up ripping the bread and results in uneven grilling. Give your sandwich a cheesy outer crust. Just sprinkle some of the cheese in the butter in your skillet and flip the sandwich on top of it. Wait for the cheese to stop sizzling and then flip your sandwich again. This works best in a non-stick pan or a well-seasoned cast-iron. If you store your bread in the freezer, toast it until it’s golden BEFORE heating it in the skillet. This makes it extra crispy and amazing.

Variations & Add-Ins

Here are some of my favorite variations or add-ins to take your classic grilled cheese to a whole new level. Use mayonnaise instead of butter. This creates a perfectly golden crust and makes your sandwich a little less greasy. This is purely based on preference. You can also use mayo on the inside of your sandwich for some moisture and flavor, and still use butter on the outside. Why not be extra indulgent! Spread some dijon mustard onto one side of bread. This doesn’t give it too much flavor, it just gives your sammy a subtle, tasty depth. If you’re an onion fan, add some chopped green onion (just the green parts) to your sandwich. This infuses your grilled cheese with some major flavor, but not too many add-ons that it’s not still a grilled cheese. Make a ‘green goddess’ sandwich by adding in spinach, avocado, and sprouts. You could also add in a nice herby spread. Go with gruyere and add in some Black Forest ham, sweet peas, and mint for a super fresh, spring-inspired sandwich. Use creamy cheeses and add in some jalapeno jelly. Sweet and spicy goodness! Want to add some fun to your grilled cheese? Here are some add-ins to kick things up a notch.

Caramelized onionsSliced apples or pearsBaconCrunchy peanut butterPepperoniDill pickleFresh basil and tomato