Grilled cheese is one of the best meals around. Seriously, there’s nothing better than some melted cheese between two slices of bread. But what cheese should you use?
There are so many cheeses out there, and it can be not very clearly trying to figure out which cheese you should enjoy in your grilled cheese sandwich.
Grilled cheese is one of these rare meals that is both universally beloved and particularly easy to make. The easy act of melting cheese between slices of buttery bread results in a whole that loads better than the sum of its elements.
To make a grilled cheese sandwich, you need to choose cheeses that can be easily melted. However, if you are trying to take your grilled cheese recreation to new heights, we propose you attempt some of those different cheeses later.
There has been a serious argument amongst cheese lovers concerning the best cheese for grilled cheese and the factors determining the best cheese for your grilled cheese sandwich? Form, age, melting texture, and balance are the factors that determine if cheese is good for grilled cheese.
We’ve made a list of cheese that would make an amazing grilled cheese sandwich.
What Cheese Is Best For Grilled Cheese?
Grilled cheese is one of the best meals around. Seriously, there’s nothing better than some melted cheese between two slices of bread. But what cheese should you use?
There are so many cheeses out there, and it can be not very clearly trying to figure out which cheese you should enjoy in your grilled cheese sandwich. I’m very excited to show you some of the best cheeses for grilled cheese.
1. American cheese
American cheese is developed from Colby and cheddar cheese. It has a semi-firm texture and tastes mild and slightly salty. Although processed, it remains the best cheese for grilled cheese.
American cheese is the most popular cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches because it melts well and has a mild flavor. It’s also very affordable and easy to find, making it a great choice for keeping things simple. Its low melting point and unique yellow color make it fit for grilled cheese. A savory and slightly salty American cheese will go down well with white bread.
2. Cheddar Cheese
The classic choice for grilled cheeses, cheddar cheese, has been a favorite since the beginning of time (or at least since sliced bread). This is a semi-firm cheese made from cow milk.
Cheddar cheese is milder and less moist because the curds were washed away, reducing the acidic content of the cheese. It has a mild flavor due to the curd washing, and as a result of the annatto seasoning, it tastes nuttier and sweeter.
Cheddar is full-flavored but mild enough to use in various recipes without overwhelming them with too much sharpness. It melts well and has a satisfying texture when cooked. Plus, it goes with just about anything!
Mild cheddar cheese melts more easily and offers a mild flavor, while crumbly cheddar offers a flavor punch. You can add some additional ingredients like pimento pepper and southern flair. And if you want to go a bit extreme, you can add some mac and cheese inside the sandwich.
3. Brie Cheese
Brie cheese is one of the most popular cheeses in the world. It has a soft and creamy texture with a mild flavor that makes it perfect for pairing with fruits, nuts, and other ingredients. Brie is also a great choice for grilled cheese sandwiches because it melts well without becoming too greasy or rubbery.
Brie cheese has a rich, mild flavor. It melts easily under room temperature. It would be best to go for double cream brie when preparing your grilled cheese instead of triple cream brie. Because the latter gets too melty when heated.
Brie is a nice option for grilled cheese sandwiches, and it provides gooey consistency and mild, rich flavor. Once done, it goes down well with shaved ham or prosciutto. You can add some fig jam or blackberries to the recipe for a savory and sweet flavor.
4. Monterey Jack
Monterey jack is a whitish semi-firm cheese made from cow milk. It has an earthy, buttery, and mild flavor and melts easily. It is a delicious cheese for making your grilled cheese sandwich.
On a grilled cheese sandwich, it provides a salty, savory, and a slight sweetness that makes it vulnerable to be paired with any ingredient or additional toppings. This is another good option if you want something a little more flavorful than plain old American cheese but still mild enough not to distract from other ingredients in the sandwich.
It melts well and has a soft texture that doesn’t break down when heated, making it perfect for melting between bread or on top of burgers.
5. Havarti
Havarti is a semi-soft cheese that can be easily melted at room temperature. It is, however, known as a wonderful melting favorite. As a result of its rich qualities, it is among the top contenders for the best cheese for making grilled cheese sandwiches.
Havarti also makes an excellent grilled cheese sandwich. The mild cheese melts well and doesn’t overpower other ingredients as sharper cheeses do. A slightly acidic, sweet, and buttery aroma may make a perfect ingredient for making grilled cheese.
Once it is done, it can be stored in a cooler because Havarti often melts at room temperature. You can combine Havarti with cheddar or American cheese for a nice texture and taste. You can also spice up the taste by adding fillings such as pulled pork, chicken, or kimchi.
6. Gouda
Gouda is a Dutch cheese made from cow milk. It is a semi-hard cheese with a mild, caramel-like flavor. Gouda pairs well with just about anything from sandwiches to soups and salads. The cheese is also great for melting, making it a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Aged gouda has a stronger flavor, and the bad thing is that it melts easily at a relatively low temperature. This yellow Dutch cheese has similar qualities to the Parmesan cheese. When aged, it provides a caramel-like sweetness, which makes it perfect for a gooey grilled cheese sandwich.
To make it tasty, you can add red peppers to your gouda grilled cheese recipe. And it tastes nice when you mix gouda with other cheeses before making your grilled cheese sandwich.
7. Gruyere
Gruyere is a hard, yellow, white Swiss cheese with tangy, sweet, and salty flavor. This young Swiss cheese can be added to a grilled cheese to smoothen its texture and sweeten its flavor. Gruyere’s sweet and nutty flavor pairs well with most shaved meats such as ham.
You can pair gruyere grilled cheese with caramelized onions and herbs. If gruyere is not available in your area, you can substitute it with another Swiss cheese-like Emmental. Gruyere pairs well with other cheeses and ingredients in a grilled cheese sandwich. It also works well in soups and sauces (like fondue and raclette).
Gruyere is the best cheese for grilled cheese. It’s a great melting cheese, but it has a stronger flavor than some of the other cheeses you’ll see on this list
8. Blue Cheese
Of course, you can make a delicious grilled cheese sandwich with blue cheese. Blue cheese can be likened to butter between two loaves of heated bread. It melts very well. It has a somewhat ice texture that melts on the tongue.
The strong flavor of blue cheese goes well with fruit like apples, pears, grapes, or even a little bit of honey on the side. Blue cheese can be crumbled into the sandwich or sliced into thin pieces and placed on top of the other ingredients.
Place a crunchy blue cheese directly on the first slide of bread, place gently on the pan, and then carefully press the second piece of bread. If the blue cheese is too melty, you can add cheddar cheese to hold it strong throughout the processing. You can add topping ingredients like apple or fig jam slides to spice up the flavor
9. Mozzarella
There’s no substitute for good cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches. The right cheese will make or break your grilled cheese sandwich. Mozzarella can also be cut into thin slices and added to sandwiches, pizza, or salads.
Part-skimmed mozzarella cheese is the best type of mozzarella variety for making grilled cheese. It has a dry, low-moisture content and rubbery texture that melts easily. On the other hand, soft mozzarella has a softer texture and tends to run watery rather than gooey when melted.
One good thing about making a mozzarella grilled cheese sandwich is that it is like a blank slate that you can pair with other savory and additional sweet ingredients like fresh fruits, veggies, or even tomatoes. Try adding some shredded cheddar or jack cheese to your grilled cheese if you want something more interesting than plain old mozzarella. This will give your sandwich more flavor while still allowing it to melt easily.
10. Provolone
Provolone is a semi-hard Italian cheese. It has a mild flavor with a slightly nutty taste and creamy texture. Provolone melts well, so it’s perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches. It is in a way similar to half-skim mozzarella cheese. It melts well; therefore, it is great for making grilled cheese sandwiches.
Provolone can be used in various recipes, including lasagna, pizza, and salads. It’s also a popular sandwich choice because it adds an extra layer of flavor to an otherwise simple dish.
Provolone dances well with slices of tomatoes. You can melt it alongside confit tomatoes with a spoonful of pesto for a better and more adventurous taste. Provolone has a very similar flavor as fontina, so if you cannot find or access provolone at the moment, you can substitute it with fontina.
We cannot conclude that there’s just one particular cheese best for grilled cheese sandwiches. In a nutshell, several varieties of cheese are best for grilled cheese. However, it depends on their age, balance, and melting texture.
Grilled cheese can take on many different styles, from classic to gourmet and everything in between. The best cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches will depend on your tastes and the type of sandwich you’re looking to make. If you are an adventurous cheese lover, the cheese listed above is some of the best cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich. They bring a medley of flavors and textures to your sandwich that can truly be irresistible.
