All of your favorite things about french onion soup, morphed into a french onion grilled cheese sandwich!
Grilled cheese is a classic, right? Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, and just what you need for comfort. But what if it could be even better? With the addition of caramelized onions and GruyĆØre cheese, this version of grilled cheese takes it to a whole new level. Itās a little sweet, a little savory, and a whole lot delicious.
I LOVE a good bowl of French onion soup. I think I got my love for it from my mama! Even when it’s 100′ outside, it seems like it’s always the first thing she looks for on the menu when we go out to eat
You can take your grilled cheese game to a whole new level with this French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich! Filled with the rich, savory goodness of caramelized onions, the creamy melt of gooey cheese, all sandwiched between buttery, crispy bread. It’s the ultimate comfort food mashup thatās also perfect for Lent! Trust me, your taste buds will thank you. If you’re loving this grilled cheese variation be sure to check out the Dill-ightful Grilled Cheese too! For another meatless option the Cheesy Make Ahead Tuna Melts are a family favorite!
GruyĆØre: A Cheese That Melts Perfectly
You might wonder why weāre using GruyĆØre. The answer is simple: itās creamy, it melts beautifully, and it has a nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the caramelized onions perfectly. This cheese is all about smooth, buttery meltability ā exactly what you want for a grilled cheese.
Caramelized Onions: Sweet and Savory at Their Best
When it comes to the caramelized onions, slow and steady wins the race. You’ll want to peel and cut your onions in 1/2, then slice thinly. I used a mandolin to make quick work of this! This mandoline slicer is a FINGER SAVER and perfect for kids that want to help out in the kitchen. These onions need time to soften and develop their natural sweetness, which takes about 20-30 minutes. As they cook down with butter (or olive oil), they turn from sharp and crunchy to rich and golden. If you like, a splash of balsamic vinegar can level them up, but the slow caramelization process is the real secret to bringing out their flavor.
Grilling: Low and Slow
Grilling this sandwich is all about patience. Cook it over medium-low heat, so the bread crisps up without burning, and the cheese has time to melt. Flip it once the first side is golden and crispy, then cook the other side. If you want the cheese to melt more evenly, cover the skillet for a minute or two as it cooks.
Why It Works
The combination of caramelized onions and GruyĆØre cheese is what makes this sandwich special. You get the richness and smooth melt of the cheese, paired with the sweetness of the onions. The crispy bread holds it all together, creating a satisfying texture in every bite. Itās a sandwich thatās perfect for lunch, dinner, or even as a snack when youāre craving something comforting.
If you love French onion soup, this sandwich is a must-try. Itās like having the flavors of French onion soup, but without the need for a bowl. You could even dip it in soup for the full French onion experience.
Make It Your Own
Feel free to customize this sandwich to your liking. Add some herbs like thyme or rosemary if you want to enhance the flavor, or toss in some crispy fried onions for added texture. GruyĆØre is a great choice, but you can also experiment with other cheeses like Swiss or gouda if you prefer.
This French Onion Grilled Cheese offers all the flavor and comfort youāre looking for. Itās simple to make, delicious, and perfect for when you want something more than just a basic grilled cheese.
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Peel and cut your onions in 1/2, then slice thinly. I used a mandolin to make quick work of this! This mandoline slicer is a FINGER SAVER and perfect for kids that want to help out in the kitchen.
- Get out your skillet, I love my cast iron. If you take care of cast iron it will last forever! I like my old skillets that belonged to my Grandma, but this set made by Utopia is also great! Cast iron is fairly cheap and is pretty hard to do any damage to that it won’t recover from. Over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the onions, then season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring once or twice, until the onions soften, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions are a deep golden brown, around 20 minutes. If the onions start to dry out or risk burning, add a splash of water, a tablespoon at a time, and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. When the onions are done, add the (optional) chopped dates at the very end just to heat them up. For extra flavor, you can deglaze the skillet with a bit of balsamic vinegar once the onions are done, cooking until the liquid evaporates, about 1 minute.
- Combine your shredded cheese with your onions.
- Spread a layer of the cheese/onion mixture on your bread.
- Cover both outer pieces of bread with a layer of butter and cook the sandwich in your skillet until both sides are browned to your liking. Then it’s time to DIG IN! Yum!
French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich
All your favorite things about french onion soup, morphed into a grilled cheese sandwich!
Take your grilled cheese game to a whole new level with this French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich! Imagine the rich, savory goodness of caramelized onions, the creamy melt of gooey cheese, all sandwiched between buttery, crispy bread. It's the ultimate comfort food mashup thatās perfect for lunch, dinner, or any time you're craving something extra delicious. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of bread
- 5 oz Regular or Smoked Gruyere Cheese shredded (mozzarella would work here too!)
- 1 medium/large yellow or Vidalia Onion
- 4 tbsp butter
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 tsp balsamic vinegar (optional)
- 4 dates chopped small (optional)
Instructions
- Peel and cut your onions in 1/2, then slice thinly. I used a mandolin to make quick work of this!
- In your skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the onions, then season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring once or twice, until the onions soften, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions are a deep golden brown, around 20 minutes. If the onions start to dry out or risk burning, add a splash of water, a tablespoon at a time, and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- When the onions are done, add the (optional) chopped dates at the very end just to heat them up. For extra flavor, you can deglaze the skillet with a bit of balsamic vinegar once the onions are done, cooking until the liquid evaporates, about 1 minute.
- Combine your shredded cheese with your onions.
- Cover both outer pieces of bread with a layer of butter and cook the sandwich in your skillet until both sides are browned to your liking. Then it's time to DIG IN! Yum!
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