The Best Cheeses for Grilled Cheese

The humble grilled cheese - a classic that is sure to have graced almost every table in the country. Easy to make, but just a little harder to master, the grilled cheese can be paired with endless flavor combinations to truly take it to the next level. However, whether you’re a grilled cheese newbie or the master of the melt, we’re going to take you through everything from the best cheese for grilled cheese to the butter vs. mayo debate.

What Makes a Cheese Perfect for Grilled Cheese?

Melting Properties

Speaking of melting, let’s get to the cheese. What makes a cheese the perfect pick for a grilled cheese? The ooey-gooey meltiness, of course! The melting properties of cheese are crucial when crafting the ideal grilled cheese sandwich. The way a cheese melts depends on factors like moisture content, fat content, protein structure, and acidity (pH).

Flavor Profile and Texture

A great grilled cheese needs a cheese that melts smoothly, creating a gooey, creamy texture without becoming greasy or separating. Leaning towards picks like American cheese, Cheddar cheese, and Swiss cheese is a great way to ensure your sandwich gets that stretchy cheese pull every perfect grilled cheese should have. You want to avoid hard or crumbly cheeses like Parmesan, Feta, or Pecorino as they don’t melt well. Check out our melting guide for expert tips and tricks.

Versatility and Pairing Options

Grilled cheese sandwiches can be home to any variety of additional flavors and add-ins. When choosing what to add think about what pairs well with the cheese you are using and explore our pairing guide to come up with the perfect grilled cheese combo. Whether it's meat, veg, condiments or spreads, the options are endless.

Classic Cheeses for Grilled Cheese

Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and Bold

Sharp, tangy, and buttery with depth. Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Vermont Sharp Cheddar Cheese pairs well with white or sourdough bread and complements additions like caramelized onions or bacon. Try this Grilled Cheese and Apple on for size.

American Cheese: A Timeless Favorite

Mild, creamy, and slightly salty. Pair Cabot American Cheese with white bread and butter for the ultimate nostalgic, diner-style grilled cheese.

Swiss Cheese: Nutty and Mild

Mild, slightly nutty, and subtly sweet. Cabot Swiss Cheese works well when paired with rye and Dijon mustard. 

Gourmet Cheeses to Take It Up a Notch

Pulling out all the stops? You can build a gourmet grilled cheese by bringing fancier cheeses into play! Level up with Gruyère, Brie, or Havarti for a seriously decadent grilled cheese that’s designed to impress. Check out this flavor profile cheat guide to pick your favorite grilled cheese combo.

Gruyere: Rich and Complex

Nutty, slightly sweet, and deeply savory. Pair with rustic sourdough, ham or caramelized onions for a French-inspired twist.

Havarti: Buttery and Smooth

Buttery and slightly tangy. Pair with honey or apple slices for a sweet-savory balance.

Brie: Creamy and Decadent

Buttery, earthy, and slightly mushroom-y. Pairs wonderfully with fruit preserves or prosciutto.

The Best Cheese Combinations for Grilled Cheese

Mix and match your fancier cheese with the basics to add a depth of flavor to your grilled cheese, like pairing Swiss and Gruyere on top of some hearty multigrain bread, or Brie and Cheddar with just a touch of truffle oil.

Jams

Now that you have the essentials picked out, let’s talk toppings. You can elevate your sandwich to a gourmet grilled cheese by adding a fruity spread, a savory meat, or fresh greens! These toppings introduce contrasting flavors and textures, balancing the richness of melted cheese with sweetness, smokiness, or freshness. In this recipe, fruit-based toppings like apple jam, for example, pairs beautifully with cheddar or Swiss, enhancing their nutty and sharp flavors. Fig jam works well with creamy cheeses like Brie or Havarti, adding depth and a slight caramelized fruitiness.

Meats

On the other hand, adding meat to grilled cheese introduces a layer of saltiness, umami, and sometimes crunch. A Bacon Grilled Cheese is a classic choice, offering a crispy, smoky contrast that works with nearly any cheese, from mild Havarti to sharp Cheddar. A fan of spice? Kick it up a notch with this Pepper Jack & Chorizo Grilled Cheese Recipe, or take your taste buds on vacation with this Cuban-style Grilled Cheese.

Greens

Last but not least, don’t shy away from introducing fresh flavors to your grilled cheese with greens like peppery arugula or hearty spinach. Leafy greens add freshness and bitterness that balances the heaviness of melted cheese. Even shredded Brussels sprouts, lightly sautéed, can add a sweet, nutty complexity that pairs well with cheddar or Gruyère.

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Pro Tips for the Perfect Grilled Cheese

Best Bread for Grilled Cheese

What is the best bread for grilled cheese? When wondering how to make grilled cheese, the type of bread plays an important role. Going for a classic diner vibe? You can’t go wrong with good-old fashioned white bread. Craving something with a bit of tang? A hearty slice of sourdough is your best bet. You can even get creative by taking inspiration from places around the world, like using Tuscan bread for an Italian-style grilled cheese. Just make sure your slice is thick enough to support your toppings, and thin enough to let your cheese melt! Pro-tip - going low and slow with the heat helps you get that cheese melty without sacrificing the perfect golden-brown crust.

Butter vs. Mayo

Now you’re probably reaching for the butter to make sure your grilled cheese is nice and crispy on the outside, but there’s actually another option that might be your new ideal technique - grilled cheese with mayo. Made with oil and egg, mayo has a higher smoke point than butter (and is easier to spread straight from the fridge), meaning that you’ll give your cheese the extra time it needs to get melty without burning your bread. For the best of both worlds, spread a thin layer of butter on the inside and a generous layer of mayonnaise on the outside for a crispy crust with a buttery bite.

Add Extras Like Bacon or Caramelized Onions

Unleash your inner chef by adding caramelized onion, courtesy of this crowd-pleasing recipe with creamy avocado and Cabot's White Oak Cheddar. Tomatoes, avocados, pickles, roasted red peppers - the sky is the limit.

Ready to Make the Ultimate Grilled Cheese?

Get started on your ultimate grilled cheese with our award-winning cheeses made with pure, rich milk straight from our family farms. 

Now that you’ve explored how to make the perfect grilled cheese with the best cheese, bread, and toppings, it’s time to sit back, relax, and check out our collection of Top Grilled Cheese Recipes to find which will be your culinary masterpiece. Tell us - what combination would you pick for the ultimate grilled cheese?

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