Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese (Print)

Buttery sourdough with sweet caramelized onions and sharp white cheddar. A golden, melty comfort classic.

# Ingredients:

→ 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

→ Seasonings

08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Instructions:

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

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • The onions cook down into something almost like jam, turning sharp cheese into a sweet and savory combination that feels indulgent.
  • It uses pantry staples and transforms them into something that tastes much fancier than the effort required.
02 -
  • Rushing the onions over high heat will burn them instead of caramelizing them, so keep the heat at medium and stir occasionally, not constantly.
  • Using cold butter will tear the bread when you spread it, so let it soften at room temperature or use mayonnaise on the outside for an even easier crisp.
03 -
  • Press the sandwich gently with the spatula while it cooks to help the cheese melt into the onions and create a cohesive, gooey center.
  • Add a few fresh thyme leaves or a thin smear of Dijon mustard inside the sandwich before grilling for an extra layer of flavor that feels restaurant-quality.
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