Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese (Print view)

Buttery golden bread layered with jammy caramelized onions and sharp white cheddar cheese for the ultimate comfort sandwich.

# Ingredient List:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 4 slices sourdough or country bread
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 - 4 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, grated

→ Onions

04 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar, optional

→ Seasoning

08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and salt, stirring to coat evenly. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized. Add sugar halfway through if desired to enhance sweetness and browning.
02 - Remove onions from heat and set aside. Wipe out skillet if needed for the next cooking step.
03 - Butter one side of each bread slice. Place two slices, buttered side down, on a clean work surface. Top each with half the grated cheddar, then distribute caramelized onions evenly over the cheese. Sprinkle with black pepper. Cover with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
04 - Heat skillet over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches in skillet and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is crisp and golden and cheese is fully melted. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
05 - Remove sandwiches from pan and let rest for 2 minutes. Slice diagonally and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The onions cook down into something almost like jam, sweet and rich, turning a simple grilled cheese into something you'd order at a cafe.
  • It uses everyday ingredients you probably already have, but the result feels special enough to serve to someone you want to impress.
  • The contrast between the crisp, buttery bread and the soft, melted interior is the kind of texture that makes you close your eyes on the first bite.
02 -
  • Don't rush the onions, they need time to release their water and slowly turn sweet, and cranking the heat will only burn them before they caramelize.
  • Use medium-low heat when grilling the sandwich itself, because butter burns easily and you want the cheese to melt at the same pace the bread toasts.
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded, the anti-caking agents in bagged cheese keep it from melting smoothly.
  • Press the sandwich gently with a spatula while it cooks to help the cheese melt into the onions and create better contact with the pan for even browning.
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