10 Tips for the Greatest Grilled Cheese

Posted Thu, Apr 09, 2009, 11:50 am PDT

It's the childhood favorite you never outgrow, the most comforting comfort food of all time -- the grilled cheese sandwich. American, Cheddar, Gouda ... whatever your pleasure, follow these ten tips from Laura Werlin, author of Great Grilled Cheese, and have yourself a slice of melted heaven.

Cheese

1. Good to grate

Don't slice your cheese when you can grate it (the bigger the grater, the better). This ensures evenly melted, gooey cheese in every bite.

2. Get cheesy

Don't be shy -- plan on about two ounces of cheese per sandwich. Use your palm to press the grated cheese onto the bread so it doesn't fall out.

3. Embrace the ooze

Don't fret if the cheese oozes out of the sandwich. The toasty bits at the bottom of the pan are the best part!

Bread

4. No need to Wonder

Don't just assume that white is the only way. If you love focaccia or whole-wheat, go for it.

5. Size does matter

Don't slice your bread more than 1/4" thick or it'll overwhelm the cheese.

6. Smush your bread

Flatten sandwiches with a spatula or a heavy pan to ensure oozing cheese and crisp rather than doughy bread.

Butter

7. Butter le pain, not le pan

Spread room-temperature butter on the bread (on the side you're grilling, not the inside of the sandwich) before you grill. That way, you'll get evenly buttered, evenly browned bread with a little crunch.

8. Salted butter is best

Just trust me.

Cooking

9. Stick with nonstick

Although a cast-iron skillet is the traditional fave, a nonstick skillet is your best bet for easy flipping and no sticking.

10. Put a lid on it

Cover the skillet while cooking the first side of the sandwich for maximum cheese melting.

And now for the ultimate grilled cheese recipe, from Laura Werlin's Great Grilled Cheese:

The Best Grilled Cheese

8 slices sourdough bread (1/4 inch thick)

2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

6 ounces best-quality Cheddar cheese (orange or white), coarsely grated

To assemble: Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices on your work surface, buttered side down. Distribute the cheese evenly over the 4 slices. Place the remaining 4 bread slices on top, buttered side up.

Stovetop method: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Put the sandwiches in the skillet (in batches if necessary), cover, and cook for 2 minutes, or until the undersides are golden brown and the cheese has begun to melt. Uncover, and turn the sandwiches with a spatula, pressing firmly to flatten them slightly. Cook for 1 minute, or until the undersides are golden brown. Turn the sandwiches again, press with the spatula, and cook for 30 seconds, or until the cheese has melted completely. Serve immediately.

Sandwich maker method: Preheat the sandwich maker. Follow directions for sandwich assembly, and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Gas grill method: Brush the grill rack with oil and preheat the grill to medium-high. Follow directions for sandwich assembly. Put the sandwiches on the grill and follow directions for the stovetop method.

Makes 4 sandwiches.

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99 Comments

1. Posted by jadeaquarian@sbcglobal.net on Thu, Mar 13, 2008, 7:25 am PDT

Thanks for the tips.
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2. Posted by maryann c on Fri, Mar 14, 2008, 1:09 pm PDT

I know you won't believe this til you try it. Give it a try. Use mayo instead of butter and your girlled cheese will never look better and you won't miss the butter either. It will grill a beautiful golden brown and won't be greasy.
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3. Posted by janedoe253 on Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 2:27 pm PDT

I am a grilled cheese addict. After trying numerous grilled cheese recipes I made my own.... This probably will sound disgusting but trust me it's good. Slice a granny smith apple sprinkled with cinnamon and heat it up in the pan you intend on using for your sandwich. Make the sandwich like you normally would but substitute the usual ingedients for cinnamon rasin bread and cheddar cheese, then stuff the sandwich with the apples you cooked! Delicious! Great balance of sweet and salty.
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4. Posted by jasrmoro on Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 6:25 pm PDT

I always use Velvetta [and that's the only use I have for it] and San Francisco Sour Dough Bread. Lightly spread w/mayo and use salted butter on a non-stick flat pan. The cheese melts evenly and the mayo makes it taste a little richer.
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5. Posted by Steven s on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 10:40 am PDT

Try thinly sliced tomatoes inside and some mustard on one inside pc of the bread....awsome! I like rye bread also....crunchy.
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6. Posted by babbles45@sbcglobal.net on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 3:27 pm PDT

I add mayo to the inside of both slices,a couple of thinly sliced tomato slices(fresh tomatoes in season are best),and in a pinch you can use strained stewed or diced canned tomatoes. Butter on the outsides,and good-ole white A merican cheese on wheat with seeds and nuts.The juicier the sandwich the better.You must eat this while you`re alone since it`s very messy and too embarrassing to keep clean after each bite.
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7. Posted by Barry on Mon, Mar 31, 2008, 2:43 am PDT

i vouch for using mayo instead of butter, also the addition of tomato - in which case a little basil wouldn't hurt either.
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8. Posted by Oakleaf Mold on Mon, Mar 31, 2008, 7:11 am PDT

Lots of good advice here, except for squishing the bread. NEVER EVER EVER SQUISH THE BREAD, especially if you're using wheat bread!
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9. Posted by acu_rite on Mon, Mar 31, 2008, 2:04 pm PDT

here http://www.recipecarousel.com have reicpe contests http://www.recipecarousel.com/blog love grilled cheese with a slice of proscuitto and fresh tomato sweep the bread slices with extra virigin olive oil it is soo good
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10. Posted by halfship1 on Tue, Apr 08, 2008, 5:03 am PDT

never in my life have i used mayo but it sounds good thanks for the tip. as for the bread i love thick slices of challa bread and slices of tomotoes and lettuce with a honey mustard for zip honey cup is the one i use you wont go wrong ..
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11. Posted by iam2dopey69 on Mon, May 19, 2008, 2:02 pm PDT

try a sprinkle of garlic salt on top when making grilled cheese
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12. Posted by joldeen on Mon, Jun 02, 2008, 11:06 am PDT

The Garlic salt is a great addition.. It is very important use very thick bread. Also a good quality cheese is very important.. I personally think American is a bit too bland. I use chedder with a bit of munster. I've beenw anting to try Havarti.
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13. Posted by tiffany s on Fri, Jul 18, 2008, 3:40 pm PDT

I tried the mayo instead of the butter, it was really good. I like grilled cheese on sourdough bread
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14. Posted by on Fri, Oct 10, 2008, 8:51 am PDT

I like grilled cheese on sourdough as well and will definately try the mayo route
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15. Posted by pnhudgens on Sat, Feb 07, 2009, 1:05 pm PST

why would you use mayo HOT mayo is nasty
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16. Posted by luvmysunshine07 on Wed, Mar 18, 2009, 9:05 am PDT

Of course, butter always works when in a pinch, but for a truly unique taste, use miracle whip instead of mayo. and of course use freshly graded cheddar cheese.
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17. Posted by Danielle on Tue, Apr 14, 2009, 4:52 pm PDT

Croissants work really well too, you only need a dab of butter then on the already buttery side! YUMMY!
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18. Posted by amy02145 on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 10:35 am PDT

Adding some cooked crispy bacon is also delicious. And instead of sliced tomatoes, try spreading some of your favorite salsa on top of the cheese instead!
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19. Posted by JUNE F on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 10:43 am PDT

Buy dough from your local pizza place.Put it in a oiled casserole pan, spread the dough to fill the pan. Sprinkle cheese and rosemary. Drip a little oil over it.Bake in oven on 350 till golden.
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20. Posted by tara on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 10:43 am PDT

I love sourdough bread ! I use any type of cheese on the inside, but the best part is to spread the butter on the bread and sprinkle parmasian cheese to the butter on the outside, the cheese gets crispy on the butter, its so yummy ! try it.
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21. Posted by georferg on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 10:57 am PDT

For a twist, grate the cheese in a bowl, add some chopped red onion and enough mayonnaise to make a spread. Butter your bread, and put this cheese, mayo and onion spread inside the bread. Sprinkle a little garlic salt on the buttered sides of the bread and cook - it is decadent and delicious!
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22. Posted by treyalex49 on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 11:01 am PDT

The best grilled cheese is brie cheese and some strawberry jam on sourdough. Delicious.
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23. Posted by Mary K on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 11:16 am PDT

use mayo and on top of the cheese put sliced tomato and a couple slices of cooked bacon. YUMMY
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24. Posted by Beth C on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 11:18 am PDT

try toasting the bread lightly (yes, in a toaster), then assemble the sandwich and bake it in a toaster oven. No need for butter. Crispy without the grease or butter. It's good! To make it a little healthier, throw in a few thin slices of tomato or other veggie if you wish. Experiment with different cheeses and breads. Have fun!
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25. Posted by tlr6454 on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 11:19 am PDT

I actually use butter on the outside with a touch of seasoning salt. On the inside, yes some mayo, some thin sliced deli ham, some parm cheese, and yes, some thinly sliced dill pickle.
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26. Posted by snoopy_dog85 on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 11:21 am PDT

I agree the crunchy cheese that drips to the outside and hits pan is the best!! So I tried doing it intentionally! If you put cheese on the outside of the bread at the very end and then flip if over it makes for a cheesy crunchy outside. you only need to let it cook for half a minute....its amazing!!
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27. Posted by Tiana T on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 11:30 am PDT

Never, ever squish the bread sillies...I like any bread w/american sliced cheese or gouda w/bacon and tomato and a side of ketchup to dip my sandwich in.....Reading all of this is making me hungry....Oh and also--take your time...the heat should be medium "ish"....Guess I'll go make a grilled cheese now...YUMMY
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28. Posted by HODRINSKY J on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 11:48 am PDT

Have you ever tried sliced onion and tomatoes on grilled cheese sandwiches? Tremendous flavor!!!
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29. Posted by Dan The Man on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 11:56 am PDT

No offense to wheat but for me white bread is the way to go
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30. Posted by Sezen G on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, 11:56 am PDT

my mouth is watering and I agree with the mayo comment. YUM!
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