10 Ways to Level Up a Grilled Cheese

By: Elliot Simpson

A grilled cheese is not just a heated cheese sandwich, it is so much more than that. For many it is the first thing they learn to cook. It's what their grandparents made them for lunch on a cold day, and it's probably going to be what many eat through post-secondary school. The humble grilled cheese has been a staple in not only the sandwich world, but in the entire culinary world, pop culture and society as a whole. If you love grilled cheese as much as me, why wouldn't you try everything you can to improve this beautiful sandwich? I have made hundreds of grilled cheese sandwiches over the years, and have come up with and tested ten simple ways to elevate your grilled cheese experience.

1. Low and Slow

I will be blunt, a grilled cheese is not the fanciest of meals. It's not meant to be, that’s it’s cheesy charm. Often, if we want a grilled cheese, we’d want it as fast as possible, but we must control our urges. I’ve found that using a medium to low heat works best for a crispy exterior and gooey inside. The absolute worst thing anyone can do is serve you a grilled cheese with hard, cold cheese in the middle. That is not grilled cheese. That’s a cheese sandwich, and no one likes a cheese sandwich.

*If you notice that your bread is crisping to perfection, but your cheese could still use a bit of melting, turn on your oven, air fryer, or toaster oven and finish it off for a few minutes to achieve the desired melt.

2. Say Cheese!

One of the easiest ways to take a grilled cheese to the next level is variety in cheese. I may be biased since I’m a strong hater of American cheese, but that is the lowest of the low when it comes to grilled cheese. Processed American cheese is like Jared Leto as The Joker; sure he gets the job done, but wouldn't you rather watch Heath Ledger? Any cheese will be an improvement, even a simple cheddar. Once you start incorporating new cheese into your sandwiches, experiment with different combinations. Mozzarellas and Goudas are great for that stringy, soft flavour while cheeses like aged cheddar, gruyere or something smoked adds that edge. You really can’t go wrong here. I usually look through my fridge and put on any and all cheeses I can find - it works out more times than not.

3. Are You Bready?

The next logical step after leveling up the cheese is leveling up the bread, there are only two ingredients after all. A grilled cheese usually has twice the amount of bread compared to cheese, so its importance can not be understated. I've tried many different types of bread, and have come to the conclusion that it's a matter of personal preference. For those who like a very crunchy sandwich with a soft and flavourful inside, a large sourdough should be your go to. If you like the softness of classic white bread, but want some more flavour, I recommend a rye or marble bread. For true cheese purists, an egg bread like Challah will really let the cheese shine through.

4. How to Im-PRESS

For Christmas a few years ago, I was gifted a small sandwich press. It completely changed my grilled cheese game. A press will speed up the grilling process, melt the cheese more evenly and create a crispier crust. If you don’t have a whole press dedicated to grilled cheese sandwiches, anything heavy will achieve the same outcome. A frying pan, heavy plate, brick, really anything you can find.

5. Don't knock it till you try it

This may sound gross to many of you - I know I was disgusted when I first heard about this tip. I've always been a butter person, my dad, grandma and probably my grandma’s grandma were butter people, but I've converted to Mayonnaise. I learned this trick from the food truck Fo Cheezy, a whole business dedicated only to grilled cheese, so you’ve got to have some faith in them. Instead of buttering the outside of your bread, try some mayo instead. I find it is easier to spread and leads to a more consistent fry.

6. Who Says Grilled Cheese Can’t Be a Meal?

There are some people out there who say that a grilled cheese isn’t enough for a meal. First of all, you’re wrong. Second of all, if you are wanting something heartier, make it hearty. If you’re like me and sometimes want more than just cheese and bread, that is where the magic can happen. Adding some roughage like spinach or arugula will allow you to call it healthy and shove it in the faces of the naysayers. Adding a protein is just as simple and can really add a lot to a grilled cheese. If you are adding a meat, however, DO NOT use cold meats. The meat will not heat up the same as the cheese and will completely ruin a masterpiece. I always grill any meat for about 30 seconds on each side before I put it on my sandwich to ensure a hot, gooey sandwich every time.

*Putting fresh grilled meat on the sandwich will also help melt the cheese faster when grilling.

7. Always Use a Condiment

There is only so much you can do to improve a grilled cheese, sometimes the dips are what can really make or break it. Everyone knows Ketchup goes well, it's a classic, but there is a whole world of condiments that you could be missing out on. A garlic aioli is a nice dip if you're feeling fancy. Lately, I've been putting honey mustard directly onto the sandwich when cooking. If you want to try something new, pull out some salsa, guacamole and sour cream. It's not that weird, remember that grilled cheese and quesadillas are cousins. 

8. Spice it Up

This is a simple tip, but spices can make a huge difference. Adding some chili flakes will give an unexpected kick that keeps it interesting. Fresh herbs like parsley and basil will help cut the richness and work well for crazy grilled cheese combinations. You can't really do any wrong, look through your spice cabinet and search for spices you know will compliment the sandwich. Take the advice of one of the most famous girl groups and “spice up your life.”

9. The More Cheese, The Better

Two words for you: cheese crust. Do I need to elaborate? I still will, but you get my point. Sprinkle some cheese onto the frying pan and place your sandwich on it. This creates a crunchy, cheesy crust on your bread while you are grilling. This will make any grilled cheese more delicious and will catch the eye of anyone around.

*Using shredded cheese works best as you can better control the size of the cheese crust, and also generally looks better.

10.  You’re a Chef Now

At this point, you have all the tools you need to create a perfect grilled cheese. Channel your inner Gorden Ramsey and make something delicious and uniquely you. Play with contrasting flavours and textures. Most pickles and spreads can achieve a great balance in a sandwich. In no time, you’ll have critiques lining up down the street to taste your grilled cheese

Some of my favourite grilled cheese creations:

Mario and Luigi - Focaccia bread, pesto, sliced tomato, mozzarella, parmesan, fresh basil, salami

Quesadilla 2.0 - White bun, tex-mex cheese, Cotija, pickled cabbage, avocado, salsa

Elliot’s Go-To - Country sourdough, aged-cheddar, smoked gouda, honey mustard, ham, arugula, chili flakes, cheese crust.