Mayo Or Butter When And How
My cheesemonger friend got me onto using mayonnaise instead of butter.
Its always spreadable, it gives you a fabulous golden-brown crust thats not as apt to burn as butter, and it offers just a little zip.
My favorite brands are Hellmanns/Best Foods and Dukes. I havent tried Miracle Whip , but I figure its too sweet to work well here. You can also make your own mayoits actually just as easy as making a grilled cheese!
Give mayonnaise a shot! Use the same amount as you would butter.
If you are 100 percent Team Butter, I understand. You can either butter the bread directly or melt a pat of butter in the pan. I prefer to butter the bread directly, but lets say your butter is straight from the fridge and rock-hard. In that case, melt it in the pan.
One of my colleagues here at Simply Recipes swears by this approach and uses it in his Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.
The Best Cheese For Grilled Cheese
The best cheeses for grilled cheese melt easily and have a substantial flavor of their own.
- Sharp cheddar, gruyere, swiss, gouda, and fontina are all excellent choices for grilled cheese.
- Avoid pre-shredded cheeses, which do not melt well, or hard, aged cheeses that dont melt as easily , unless you are combining an aged with a different, melty cheese.
- Create a combo. For a unique twist, try a combination of two or more cheeses. My favorite is to use a nutty cheese like gruyere and a classic sharp cheddar.
- Butter. A light swipe of softened butter is necessary to make sure your grilled cheese crisps nicely and doesnt taste dry.
Ruth Reichls Diva Of A Grilled Cheese
“Ruth Reichl has been publicly aligning herself with grilled cheese for a long time,” writes Genius Recipes columnist Kristen Miglore. This recipe uses the mayo trick: that is, a smear of mayonnaise on the outsides of the bread , which crisps up golden and delicious on the griddle. But don’t worry: There’s butter, too, inside the sandwich.
Join The Sandwich Universe co-hosts Molly Baz and Declan Bond as they dive deep into beloved, iconic sandwiches.
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Make It Better: Turn It Into Pizza
Who doesnt love pizza? If you dont want to go through the whole process of making pizza at home, take some pepperoni, mozzarella and pizza sauce and turn the whole thing into a kid-friendly grilled cheese. If you have leftover ingredients at the end of the day, turn all of that deliciousness into some pepperoni pinwheels.
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How To Make A Grilled Cheese Using A Panini Press

The Spruce / Grilled Cheese Social
Potassium 124mg | 3% |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
Using a panini press is one of the fastest and easiest methods for creating the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. The heat is evenly distributed from both sides, the weight from the top of the grill presses the sandwich perfectly, and most importantly thereâs no flipping involved. But itâs important that you follow a few steps when using a panini press to make grilled cheese, like using the right amount of cheese and fillings to assure your sandwich doesnât fall apart in the maker.
This is a basic recipe calling for bread, cheese, and butter or mayo, but feel free to enhance the sandwich as you like, using different types of cheese and add-ins like tomatoes and bacon. Just be sure to use a sturdy enough bread to handle the heat and weight of the panini press.
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1tablespoonsalted butter, softened, or mayonnaise
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You Can Actually Grill Cheese On A Backyard Grill Heres The Recipe
- Prep Time:10 minutes
- 2tablespoonssalted butter
- 3ouncescheese that melts well, like American, cheddar, pepper jack or havarti
- something to add a little substance and soak up the smoky flavor, like turkey, grilled veggies, caramelized onions or roasted red peppers
Directions
More grilled cheese recipes on Food Republic:
How To Make Grilled Cheese
How long to cook grilled cheese? Total cooking time for grilled cheese over low to medium/low heat is 6-7 minutes. That is enough time for the exterior to crisp and brown and allow the cheese to fully melt.
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How Do You Make A Grilled Cheese Five Step
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a great way to enjoy a tasty treat while staying healthy. However, if you want to grill cheese sandwiches perfectly, you need to know how hot the surface needs to be. Griddles vary in temperature from 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. A good rule of thumb is to use a griddle that is about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the bread stays soft and moist while the cheese melts evenly.
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How Do You Cook A Sandwich On A Weber Grill
Preheat skillet over medium heat. Generously butter one side of a slice of bread. Place bread butter-side-down onto skillet bottom and add 1 slice of cheese. Butter a second slice of bread on one side and place butter-side-up on top of sandwich. Grill until lightly browned and flip over continue grilling until cheese is melted.
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Butter Your Bread Not The Pan
Instead of dropping a pat of butter into a hot skillet, butter the bread for more flavor and even browning. Generously spread one side of each bread slice with softened salted butter. Or, instead of butter, spread one side of each bread slice with mayonnaise. It will give your sandwich a slight tang and help it brown beautifully.
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What Is The Best Cheese For Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese sandwiches are not the place for cheese judgement. Anything goes!
- A classic grilled cheese is made with American cheese and white bread !
- Real cheddar, a bit of provolone, creamy processed cheese, leftover brie from last nights party. Any and all varieties work!
- Pick your favorite or all of them! Smooth, creamy and oh so dreamy!
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Choosing The Right Bread
If you thought that all bread was created equally, its time to think again. The type and thickness of the bread can make a big difference to how your sandwich turns out. Here are some of the best types of bread to use for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Multigrain
This rich and grain-studded bread is compatible with a wide range of flavors. Using whole grain bread provides the impression of enjoying a healthier sandwich. Just about any type of cheese goes well with wholegrain bread, including cheese with a bold flavor.
Pullman Bread
While slightly crustier than classic white bread, Pullman bread is still soft and airy. It is ideal for people who want to stick with what they know while still stepping away from store bread. You can create a crispy and cheesy crust by sprinkling the bread with grated cheese before cooking.
Pumpernickel
This dark and malty bread elevates the flavor of grilled cheese sandwiches to a whole new level. You can add cheese that is full of flavor without concern. Pickles and olives work especially well with this type of bread.
Sourdough
This tangy and crusty bread helps to give grilled cheese sandwiches an extra touch of class. Sourdough bread tends to be thick, allowing you to pile on the cheese and fillings.
Ciabatta
This type of bread is spongy and comes with a firm crust. Ciabatta bread has long been a popular choice for Paninis, as it can stand plenty of heat and pressure.
Using Cheese That Doesnt Melt Well

When it comes to the grilled cheese sandwich, not all cheese is created equal. Some varieties were practically made for grilled cheese, while others dont quite work for this sandwich. Avoid using hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino or dry, crumbly cheeses like goat or feta. While delicious on their own, they dont melt well and wont give you the oozy cheese that makes this sandwich.
Follow this tip: Use a cheese with good melting qualities, like American, Swiss, Monterey Jack, cheddar, or fontina.
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What Temperature Do You Reheat Sandwiches In The Oven
sandwich with aluminum foil by wrapping them first and placing them in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit about 20-30 minutes until the bread is al foil to wrap it first with aluminum foil, then place it in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for around 15 to 20 minutes. Your sandwich wont become soggy or dried when you heat it up thanks to the added water and heat.
Easy Foreman Grill Grilled Cheese Recipe
A grilled cheese sandwich is a delicious treat anytime. The golden, toasted, buttery bread with gooey melted cheese inside is hard to resist. An ideal way to prepare a grilled cheese sandwich in on a George Foreman contact grill.
A basic grilled cheese sandwich is made with sliced bread, cheese slices, and butter or olive oil. But, dont stop there. You can use a variety of bread types, any cheese that melts, and endless additional ingredients. You can add meat, vegetables, seasonings, and even fruit.
This article explores a few different popular and easy grilled cheese sandwich recipes, starting with the classic grilled American cheese on white bread, every kids favorite rite of passage into the grilled cheese world.
One of the keys to making the recipes super easy for those hangry kids and busy adults is to utilize the George Foreman Grill or any other electric indoor grill or panini press in all steps of the process. You will thank yourself for making cleanup easier by utilizing one cooking vessel.
The cooking instructions are repeated in each recipe so that you can cut and paste your preferred sandwich.
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How To Make The Perfect Grilled Cheese
I never really had the grandparent experience. My moms parents both died in a car accident long before I was born and while I knew my dads parents, they were much older and my grandma had Alzheimers for most of the time I knew her. But I did have the most fantastic next-door neighbor. Her name was Mrs. Miner and she used to let me hang out at her house and talk her ear off and she would make me grilled cheese sandwiches. This might not sound like a big deal, but my mom made grilled cheese sandwiches in the microwave And later, after my mom died, my step-mom made them in the oven.
Those are not acceptable alternatives.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are made in a pan. With butter. Is it something you should eat every day? No. Is it something you should eat sometimes? Yes. But only if its made in a pan. With butter.
I didnt think knowing how to make grilled cheese sandwiches was that big of a deal until recently, I went to a sandwich chain and got their grown-up grilled cheese and it wasnt right. And I thought maybe it was a fluke, so I ordered it another time and it was still not right. And then I went to a local restaurant that specialized in fancy grilled cheeseall sorts of cheese, caramelized onions, figs and jams and cured meats and pepper jellies. And I thought surely they would get it right, this restaurant that specialized in grilled cheese.
Ready to get started? Heat a skillet or griddle to medium heat Butter one side of each slice of bread.
What Is The Best Temperature To Cook Grilled Cheese
For the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, you should set your electric griddle to 275 degrees Fahrenheit, that is. If you have an electric griddle, it should be really easy to adjust the temperature to the way you want it. Otherwise, you can use a saute pan and keep it at a low-to-medium heat for the best effect.
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Who Makes The Best Baked Cheese
Melted bar and grill. Cleveland, Ohio. grilled cheese. Portland, Oregon. American cuisine with grilled cheese. San Francisco, California. pages. Atlanta, Georgia. Clementine Los Angeles, California. HopCat. Grand Rapids, Michigan. Cheesie and Grub Pub. Chicago, Illinois. Grilled cheeserie. Nashville, Tennessee.
Double Up On Your Fats
I know, its putting one more nail in the coffin of health for this meal. But the combination of oil and butter is key.
Preheat a tablespoon of oil in the pan while you butter the bread all the way to the edges with whipped or softened butter. Some people prefer mayonnaise for the job, which is fine, but Im just a dairy gal through and through.
When the solid butter hits the liquid oil, it starts a time-release reaction that slowly toasts the bread, letting it soak up all that tasty buttery flavor while the cheese melts. And speaking of slow
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How Do You Keep A Grilled Cheese Sandwich From Getting Soggy
Keep your grilled cheese from being soggy by lunchtime
How Long Should You Cook Grilled Cheese

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Grilled cheese sandwiches are delicious on their own, and they are an excellent complement to soups. Although making grilled cheese is a simple process that only takes minimal ingredients, mastering the perfect grilled cheese can be a bit tricky. The first question that probably comes to mind is, how long should you cook grilled cheese? Weve researched the grilling methods to get an answer.
For the best results, allow grilled cheese to cook for 10-15 minutes over medium-low heat. This time allows for the bread to become evenly browned and for the cheese to thoroughly melt.
Knowing how long to cook grilled cheese is the first step in ensuring the best results. Now, well look at the steps needed to prepare grilled cheese sandwiches and how to know when grilled cheese is ready to eat. Keep reading to find out this and the answers to more questions.
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Why Are Grilled Sandwiches Soggy
Sounds like you dont have the heat high enough and perhaps arent letting the pan get hot enough before adding the sandwich. Just a little butter, say a teaspoon in the pan, but not until the pan is up to temp. Every time you make a sandwich, turn the heat up just a little until you get the desired crispness.
What Pan To Use
I prefer to use my cast iron skillet as it maintains a consistent heat better and gives a superior crispy surface. A nonstick skillet works well and prevents sticking if using sweeter types of bread. In either case, you want to use very moderate heat for making the sandwiches, about medium-low or low if the bread is toasting too quickly.
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The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich
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Nothing is more comforting than a hot, melty grilled cheese sandwich. Grilled cheese and tomato soup are a combo made in heaven. Its the perfect easy lunch recipe and great for even the pickiest of eaters.
The best grilled cheese always starts with a sturdy bread, lots of cheese and a smear of butter mayonnaise on the outside!
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Melted Butter Is A Must
The key to an evenly-greased and toasted bread is to brush the top and bottom of the sandwich with melted butter. You can microwave the butter and easily brush the liquid on each slice. This allows you to control how much of the fat is applied so it doesnt get too soggy.
Do this step right before adding to the preheated pan. If you have salted butter, that would enhance the flavor further. The milk solids in the butter transform into nutty, deep golden brown hues when gently heated and this elevates the taste and texture.
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