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.

Few comfort foods hit the spot quite like a good grilled cheese sandwich (also try ham and cheese sliders and BLT recipe).

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!

Grilled Cheese Recipe: Ingredients & 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 bread, homemade 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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Recipe FAQs

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Best Tomato Soup Recipe

Turkey Cranberry Sandwich

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