Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Learn how to make the best grilled cheese sandwich you’ve ever had in your life with just 4 ingredients! Follow our tested & perfected, step-by-step method to make a truly life-changing grilled cheese sandwich.

 a stack of three halves of a grilled cheese sandwich


Few comfort foods hit the spot quite like a good grilled cheese sandwich.

I am so passionate about making the best grilled cheese sandwich that my husband and I used to have grilled cheese competitions to see whose method and ingredient combinations reigned supreme (spoiler alert: I won every time)!

In this grilled cheese recipe, two types of cheese sit between generously buttered slices of bread and the whole thing is grilled to melty sandwich perfection. My method ensures the cheese is fully melted and the bread is golden-brown. Perfect when served with the best homemade tomato soup!

a grilled cheese sandwich cut in half being pulled apart

Grilled Cheese Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead photo of the ingredients in this grilled cheese sandwich recipe
  • Bread. I recommend a hearty bread that holds up well to being buttered and grilled. I suggest a hearty brioche, sourdough, homemade white sandwich breadhomemade honey wheat bread, etc.
  • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter can be used in place of salted, but I don’t really recommend it because the salty, buttery grilled outside is part of what makes this turkey cranberry sandwich so great. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy spreading.

What’s the best cheese for grilled cheese?

I believe the best cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches is a combination of medium cheddar and American cheese.

However, you can use any variety of sliced cheese to suit your preferences. Here are my top suggestions:

  • Medium or sharp cheddar (white or yellow)
  • American cheese
  • Swiss cheese
  • Sliced smoked gouda
  • Colby Jack
  • Monterey Jack
  • Provolone
  • Havarti
  • Pepper Jack
4 halves of grilled cheese on a plate

How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

I know it might seem silly to give step-by-step instructions on how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. However – the method really matters when it comes to making the best grilled cheese you’ve ever had in your entire life!

So, we’ll walk through how to make the best grilled cheese together, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin assembling the grilled cheese by placing 2 slices of medium cheddar cheese and 1 slice American cheese on a piece of bread.

How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich - putting cheese on the bread

Then, cover the cheese with a second slice of bread.

How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich - putting the second piece of bread over the cheese

Then, use ½ Tablespoon of salted butter to butter the outside of each of the pieces of bread. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make a second sandwich.

To clarify, you use 1 Tablespoon butter for each sandwich, and spread half a tablespoon on each outer piece of bread for each sandwich.

two photos showing How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich - spreading butter on the bread

Then, both sandwiches in a large skillet that has not been preheated. This is key when it comes to making sure the cheese melts before the outside becomes too brown.

How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich - two sandwiches in a skillet

Then, once the sandwiches are in the skillet, turn on the heat on to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid.

Cook the grilled cheese on medium-low for 5-10 minutes, or until the bottom slice of bread is golden-brown. Do not rush it by turning the heat up. The “low and slow, covered” method ensure perfectly melted cheese and a golden brown exterior.

two grilled cheese sandwiches cooking in a skillet with the lid on

Flip the sandwich over and continue cooking an additional 3-4 minutes until the second side is golden-brown and the cheese is melted. Note: the second side will cook faster since the skillet will be heated up by the time you flip the sandwich over.

Once the second side of the grilled cheese is golden-brown, remove the sandwiches from the pan and serve immediately.

a cooked grilled cheese sandwich in a skillet

Serve

I suggest serving this grilled cheese recipe with a bowl of homemade tomato soup. If there’s a better cozy comfort food combination, I have yet to discover it! 😉 Or try any of our favorite soup recipes.

Or you can serve it as a meal all by itself. I often make it for lunch for my kids during the colder months. You can serve it with some roasted broccoli or a delicious salad for some extra nutrition.

three halves of a grilled cheese sandwich on a plate

Store

If you have any leftover grilled cheese, let it cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Reheat

Reheat the grilled cheese in a nonstick frying pan (covered) over medium heat to re-crisp the outside of the bread. You can also warm leftovers in the microwave but it will lose some of the outer crispiness. 

a stack of three halves of grilled cheese sandwiches, the top one with a bite taken out of it

Recipe FAQs

What’s the best cheese for grilled cheese?

Use any variety of sliced cheese to suit your preferences. Here are my top suggestions:
Medium or sharp cheddar (white or yellow)
American cheese
Swiss cheese
Sliced smoked gouda
Colby Jack
Monterey Jack
Provolone
Havarti
Pepper Jack

What do you put on a grilled cheese sandwich?

If you want to jazz up your grilled cheese, you can add a wide variety of ingredients such as:
Cooked bacon
Turkey (try this cranberry turkey sandwich)
Ham
Tomatoes

What is the most used cheese for grilled cheese sandwich?

American cheese, then cheddar.

Should I use mayo on my grilled cheese?

Some people use mayonnaise instead of butter on the outside of their bread. While this is a totally viable option, I think butter is significantly more delicious.

What are 2 important things to remember when making a grilled cheese?

1) Cook the grilled cheese slowly over medium-low heat and keep it covered.
2) Generously butter the outside pieces of bread.

three halves of grilled cheese sandwiches stacked on each other

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Laura
Learn how to make the best grilled cheese sandwich you've ever had in your life with just 4 ingredients! Follow our tested & perfected, step-by-step method to make a truly life-changing grilled cheese sandwich.
5 from 3 votes
Course lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 280
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Place 2 slices medium cheddar cheese and 1 slice American cheese on a piece of bread. Then, cover it with a second slice of bread, forming a sandwich.
  • Use ½ TBS butter to butter the outside of each outer face of bread on the sandwich (so 1 TBS butter per sandwich, half per side).
  • Repeat with remaining ingredients to make a second sandwich.
  • Place both sandwiches in a large skillet.
  • Turn the heat on to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook on medium-low for 5-10 minutes, or until the bottom slice of bread is golden-brown.
  • Flip sandwich over and continue cooking an additional 3-4 minutes until the second side is golden-brown and the cheese is melted. Note: the second side will cook faster since the skillet will be heated up by the time you flip the sandwich over.
  • Remove from pan and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
  • Bread. I recommend a hearty bread that holds up well to being buttered and grilled. I suggest a hearty brioche, sourdough, homemade white sandwich breadhomemade honey wheat bread, etc.
  • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter can be used in place of salted, but I don’t really recommend it because the salty, buttery grilled outside is part of what makes this turkey cranberry sandwich so great. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy spreading.
  • Cheese: I believe the best cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches is a combination of medium cheddar and American cheese. However, you really can use any type of cheese you prefer. Here are some suggestions: 
    • Medium or sharp cheddar (white or yellow)
    • American cheese
    • Swiss cheese
    • Sliced smoked gouda
    • Colby Jack
    • Monterey Jack
    • Provolone
    • Havarti
    • Pepper Jack
Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure they cool to room temperature first.
Reheat
Reheat the grilled cheese in a nonstick frying pan (covered) over medium heat to re-crisp the outside of the bread. You can also warm leftovers in the microwave but it will lose some of the outer crispiness. 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5sandwich | Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 536mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 555IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 344mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Try These Recipes




latest recipes

Post a Comment or Ask a Question!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




2 Comments