Easy, Crispy Sourdough Grilled Cheese Sandwich
We all know the comfort of a grilled cheese sandwich, but a sourdough grilled cheese sandwich is on the next level of crispy, melty, cheesy perfection. Learn how to make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich with a buttery crisp crunch and a delectable melty cheese middle.
This easy recipe combines two of my favorite foods, sourdough bread, and cheese. The key to achieving a great grilled cheese sandwich is using high-quality bread like sourdough, and cooking the sandwich at the right temperature in order to get that crispy, golden brown crust with a gooey cheese center.
I love a good hot sandwich, and so does my whole family. We enjoy trying out different combinations of cheeses and each has our opinions on the best cheese for cheese sandwiches. Try some variations like cheddar cheese and pepper jack, or Monterey jack and American cheese, just be sure to start with the best sourdough bread. I like to make mine from scratch and enjoy this recipe from Farmhouse on Boone.
All you need to make this classic grilled cheese recipe is a cast-iron skillet and a spatula. Watch the video tutorial to see just how simple it is and enjoy the ultimate comfort food for lunch or dinner.
Tips for making sourdough grilled cheese
- A crucial step in the grilled cheese-making process is to heat your skillet over medium-low heat. A big mistake people make is to heat their skillet too hot which results in the bread browning too fast before the cheese has a chance to start melting. Nobody wants a burnt grilled cheese with unmelted cheese in the middle! Get your cast iron skillet heating over medium-low about 10 minutes before you throw on the first sandwich. You can always turn the heat up to medium if the cheese has melted and your bread isn’t browning as quickly as you would like.
- Use a delicious tangy sourdough bread for the best grilled cheese with a unique flavor that sets it apart from those white bread sandwiches we all grew up on.
- The easiest way to achieve that perfect golden crust on the outside of the bread is to use cast iron. Cast iron does an excellent job of distributing heat evenly and consistently.
- Shred your cheese instead of slicing it. If you have trouble getting your cheese to melt through all the way, try shredding it. This will help it to melt much faster and give you that wonderful grilled cheese pull.
- Use high quality cheeses. You can be creative with the type of cheese you choose but the higher quality the better since the cheese is the main ingredient in this sandwich. Aged cheeses are the best kinds of cheese to use. None of those cheese melts like Velveeta!
- If you slice your bread thick like I do, you can cover your large skillet with a pan to help trap the heat and melt the cheese.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients for these delicious grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Bread – Sourdough bread makes the best grilled cheese.
- Butter – The butter adds a ton of flavor and is what makes the bread golden and crispy. You only have to butter one side of the bread and make sure to set the sandwich in the bottom of the pan with the buttered side touching the skillet. We like to butter both sides though, because who doesn’t love more butter?
- Cheese – We use a combination of Monterey Jack and shredded parmesan here, but cheddar, gouda, and Havarti cheese are another awesome combination.
- Mayo and Dijon mustard – Our secret special sauce that adds a delicious tang to that hearty sourdough bread.
How to make a sourdough grilled cheese sandwich
Slice the bread. Start by getting your slices of sourdough bread ready using a serrated knife to slice each piece. You’ll want to have your cast iron pan nice and hot too. Start over medium-low and increase as needed when cooking.
Slice or shred the cheese. Have your cheeses prepped and ready to go. You can use sliced cheese or shredded but do the shredding yourself because the store-bought pre-shredded cheese does not melt as nicely.
Butter the bread. Generously butter the slices of bread on each side.
Layer the cheese slices and shredded cheese on top of the pieces of bread. It’s okay to use a lot of cheese here! Top each sandwich with another piece of bread and place into the hot skillet.
Brown the toast. Cook each sandwich for a few minutes until the cheese begins to melt and the bread turns golden brown. Flip once and repeat on the other side.
Slice and serve. Serve alongside a steaming bowl of tomato soup for some classic comfort food.
Grilled cheese variations:
Try these variations for a fun twist on the classic grilled cheese.
Mix and match your favorite cheese:
- aged white cheddar
- sharp cheddar
- Swiss cheese
- goat cheese
- gouda cheese
Sautee some onions and add another layer of flavor with caramelized onions.
Sprinkle on fresh herbs such as fresh thyme or parsley.
Layer on some sliced tomatoes or even sliced ham for a hearty hot cheesy sandwich.
More favorite recipes from Rooted Deep Home:
Chewy, Soft Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies
Best Moist Sourdough Chocolate Cupcakes
Chewy, Homemade Sourdough Granola Bars
Easy, Crispy Sourdough Grilled Cheese Sandwich
The best sourdough grilled cheese sandwich is a perfect combination of crisp, buttery bread, and melty, cheesy filling. Learn how to make the most delicious crispy grilled cheese with this easy recipe.
Ingredients
- 8 slices sourdough bread
- 8 Tablespoons butter (softened)
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Use a serrated knife to slice the sourdough bread. Slice or shred the cheese. Mix the Dijon mustard and mayo in a small bowl.
- Preheat a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-low heat, about 275 degrees F.
- Spread a generous layer of butter onto each side of the bread slices. Spread a thin layer of the Dijon-mayo mixture on the inner side of each slice of bread.
- Layer the cheddar and parmesan cheese onto a slice of bread and top with another slice of bread. Transfer assembled sandwiches into the hot skillet and cook until the cheese begins to melt and the bread turns golden brown, about 4 minutes on each side. Repeat for all sandwiches.
- Remove cooked grilled cheese sandwiches to a cutting board or serving tray and allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing diagonally and serving.
Notes
If the bread is browning too fast before the cheese has time to melt, turn the heat down slightly and cover the skillet with a lid or pan. This is especially helpful if you have very thick slices of bread.
Covering the pan will trap in heat and help the cheese to melt more quickly. The bread will still be nice and crispy with this method.
Feel free to use whatever cheeses you enjoy most. There are endless combinations to choose from.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 499Total Fat: 33gCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 20g
