A French Onion Grilled Cheese is a type of sandwich made by combining caramelized onions with melted cheese between two slices of bread and grilling it until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted. The onions are typically caramelized by slowly cooking them in butter and sugar until they turn a rich, sweet and caramel-like flavor. The cheese used in a French Onion Grilled Cheese can vary, but a common choice is Swiss or Gruyere cheese.
1 Sweet Onion
8 oz. Gruyere Cheese
1 Stick Butter
Sourdough Bread
2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp Thyme
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper
Cut your onions into rings, and then cut them again.
Gruyère cheese is popular for its nutty, slightly sweet and salty flavor, as well as its versatile use in cooking. It is widely used in fondue, sauces, gratins, and baked dishes. It also has a smooth and creamy texture that makes it ideal for sandwiches, appetizers and snacking. The quality and reputation of Gruyère cheese is also backed by its long history and designation as a protected designation of origin (PDO) product in Europe, which ensures strict production standards.
This type of cheese complements the caramelized onions in a French Onion Soup very well, so it makes sense to apply this to a grilled cheese setting, too.
Make sure you shred with love.
I could honestly put caramelized onions on anything, they’re easily one of my favorite ingredients to include in a dish, especially a burger or sandwich.
Caramelized onions are a popular ingredient in cooking due to their rich and complex flavor, versatility, and texture. The slow cooking process of caramelizing brings out the natural sweetness of onions, creating a savory and slightly sweet flavor that is also slightly nutty. Caramelized onions can be used in a wide variety of dishes, from savory to sweet, and are a versatile ingredient that can be added to soups, sauces, sandwiches, pizzas, and more. They have a soft, melting texture that adds depth of flavor and texture to dishes. Onions are also somewhat of a healthy vegetable, high in vitamins and minerals, and the process of caramelizing onions only enhances their health benefits.
Melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to the pan on medium heat. Once halfway melted, add the onions.
Yellow onions are great for caramelizing, which brings out their natural sweetness and makes them a popular onion choice for many dishes.
Then add in the Worcestershire sauce, along with the salt, pepper and dried thyme. You don’t need to go crazy and use fresh thyme, save the minor expense for this one.
If you opted to purchase the some freshly made sourdough bread from a bakery that isn’t pre-sliced, make sure you use a bread knife for a smooth cut. I tend to just get mine from my local Price Chopper, which is also for some reason called Market 32? Idk, trash branding in my opinion…and I use to chop prices back in the day as a cashier so I’m just going to continue to shop there to feel some regretful nostalgia. Ah, the good ole days.
Anyway, the reason for choosing sourdough bread for this type of grilled cheese is the complex flavor of sourdough bread, which is created by the natural yeast and bacteria found in the sourdough starter. This allows the dough to ferment and and create a distinct taste that cannot be replicated by commercial yeast. Sourdough bread is also often made with simple, whole ingredients, making it a healthier option compared to many commercially produced breads.
One you choose your best slices of the bread, spread a healthy amount butter on the one side of each slice.
Flip the bread over butter side down, and add the gruyere cheese to both sides of the bread. Top one of the sides of bread with the onions and press together.
When making a grilled cheese sandwich in a frying pan, it is recommended to cover the pan for more even and consistent cooking. Covering the pan helps to trap heat and moisture, ensuring that the cheese inside the sandwich melts evenly and the bread toasts properly. The cover also helps to prevent the cheese from spilling out and the bread from becoming too dry. This also creates a warm, humid environment inside the pan, which helps to keep the cheese stretchy and gooey. Covering the pan while making a grilled cheese sandwich is a simple step that can result in a better and more satisfying sandwich, so it is well worth the effort.
On medium low heat, add a tsp of butter to the pan and fry the bread for about 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Ensure the cheese gets a proper melt by covering your pan with a top of some sort.
Cut in half and serve!
Claire’s Grilled Cheese
