A grilled cheese sandwich is so easy to eat, but it's not always so easy to make. From
choosing the wrong bread to adding way too much cheese, there's so much that can go wrong.
Here are a few ways you can muck up making a grilled cheese sandwich.
"The grilled cheese - humble, simple and inexpensive - has never sought the spotlight."
When it comes to making a great grilled cheese, bread is a lot more important than you might
think. Mashed talked to Devan Cameron, chef and owner of the Braised & Deglazed website,
who told us:
"The best bread, in my opinion, is going to be rich white bread like [pullman loaf] or
brioche bread. [...] I want soft, buttery and golden brown edges on my bread."
Jessica Randhawa, chef and writer behind The Forked Spoon website, told Mashed:
"I have yet to meet anyone who does not like grilled cheese sandwiches. [But keep in mind
that] white bread contains very little nutritional value, such as fiber, which is essential for
a healthy diet. White bread even has a higher glycemic index value than pure honey. [...] Since
it's grilled with yummy cheese, the kids probably won't even notice the difference in bread."
"Some cultures are defined by their relationship to cheese."
There is a time and a place for putting mayo in your sandwich... but that time and place
is not when you're making grilled cheese! Use butter — but use good butter, and use
lots of it! Don't be stingy. As Devan Cameron told Mashed:
"You're making a grilled cheese sandwich, not a fruit bowl. We want butter and we want
a rich, high-quality bright yellow butter that's going to add flavor to the very simple
sandwich,"
And make sure the butter you use is the real stuff. Christine Pittman, author of The Grilled
Cheese Handbook, told Mashed:
"One mistake I've seen people make is using margarine or butter that is low or reduced-fat...they
often contain water."
Oh, and do take note: When you use low-fat butter replacements , you run the risk of
making your grilled cheese bread turn soggy when you really, really want it to be crispy.
So... just don't be that person! As chef Tracy Wilk told Mashed:
"I would say the first mistake is trying to 'health-ify' or go 'wellness' on a grilled
cheese."
We completely agree. If you happen to be on a diet, here's some advice worth taking: just
avoid eating grilled cheese sandwiches altogether! When done right, these are pretty much an
all-or-nothing kind of indulgence. That's one of the things that makes the grilled cheese
sandwich such a timeless classic.
"Nobody knows exactly when this comfort food was invented but cooked bread and cheese has
been around since ancient times."
At the end of the day, there's really no wrong way to make a grilled cheese sandwich, but
our experts do have a few helpful pointers when it comes to making a great one. It's
very important to choose your cheese with the utmost care. Chef and Wisconsin Foodie
host Luke Zahm told Mashed in no uncertain terms:
"While I don't usually put out a pepper jack on my cheese boards — I'm a purist snob,
I know – I do love the subtle spice in a sandwich."
But if you're going to choose just one cheese, do yourself a favor and make it a superior
one. As Chef Tommy Stribling told Mashed:
"We use a local Toma cheese from Point Reyes Cheese Company. [...] Toma is a traditional
Italian style cheese that is excellent for melting."
You better believe we'll be giving that recipe a whirl – and soon. What could possibly
go wrong?
"Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"This is cold and the cheese isn't hardly melted down."
"Okay."
Here's a question for you: Can a grilled cheese sandwich contain too much cheese? It really
depends on who you ask. According to The Kitchn:
"[Too much cheese in a grilled cheese will result in] unevenly cooked cheese spilling
out the sides of the bread in greasy gobs."
Hmm… that doesn't sound very appealing, does it? The Kitchn reports that
"[The right amount of cheese is] 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup of cheese."
As a general rule of thumb, stick to this amount and you're bound to create the perfect
grilled cheese!
"OH MY GOD… THIS IS AMAZING. IT'S SO GOOD."
A grilled cheese sandwich is pretty much guaranteed to be satisfying… but sometimes, don't you
really want to kick it up a notch? It's absolutely possible if you just use a little creativity.
We suggest keeping an open mind and don't be a purist about it.
"Anybody who sits there, who's gonna come to a grilled cheese restaurant and be like
'This isn't a grilled cheese, this is a pastrami and cheese sandwich'... you're not getting
it."
For example, chef Devan Cameron swears that
"There's nothing quite as satisfying as a hot grilled cheese sandwich dipped in cold
ketchup."
Meanwhile, chef Luke Zahm gave Mashed some advice that is making us very hungry indeed.
Here's the two cents he so generously offered us:
"Have you ever tried a grilled cheese sandwich with your favorite jam or jelly spread on
top of the toasted bread? [...] It's the bomb."
Mmm… It's officially time to drop everything and make that sandwich right this very minute.
We're quite sure you agree.
Check out one of our newest videos right here! Plus, even more Mashed videos about your favorite
foods are coming soon. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell so you don't miss
a single one.