5 Excellent Cheese Choices for Grilled Cheese

A perfect grilled cheese sandwich depends on many factors but none greater than the cheese. Here’s a few cheesy ideas to aide you in the enviable task of selecting ideal cheese for your eating pleasure.

American Cheese

American cheese, often regarded as the quintessential choice for a grilled cheese sandwich, holds a special place in the hearts of comfort food enthusiasts. Known for its exceptional meltability, American cheese transforms into a perfectly smooth, creamy, and velvety layer when heated, encapsulating the essence of what many consider the ideal grilled cheese experience. Its mild and slightly tangy flavor makes it a versatile option, allowing it to pair seamlessly with a wide variety of breads—from classic white to artisan sourdough—without overshadowing their character. Additionally, American cheese acts as a harmonious partner to any additional ingredients you might wish to include in your sandwich, whether it’s slices of crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, or a dollop of savory jam. Because of its processed nature, American cheese boasts a consistent and uniform texture, which results in a grilled cheese sandwich that is consistently gooey and indulgent in every bite.

Cheddar

Cheddar cheese, a beloved classic known for its sharp, robust flavor and exceptional melting qualities, is a timeless choice for a grilled cheese sandwich. Originating from England but embraced globally, cheddar offers a tangy and assertive flavor that can truly elevate a grilled cheese sandwich from simple to spectacular. With a range of varieties from mild to extra sharp, cheddar allows for personalization and control over the flavor intensity of your sandwich, making it versatile and adaptable to individual tastes. When melted, cheddar transforms into a rich, gooey delight, offering a comforting and indulgent texture that is essential to a perfect grilled cheese. Its vibrant and hearty flavor pairs exceptionally well with a wide variety of breads, from traditional white to hearty multigrain, and it serves as a flavorful counterpoint to sweet and savory additions alike, such as apple slices or caramelized onions. Cheddar’s natural acidity cuts through the richness of the buttery bread, creating a balanced and satisfying mouthful with every bite.

New to cheddar? Start with a few slices of Vermont Sharp from Cabot Creamery and you’ll be suprised how much farther you will want to take it.

Provolone

Provolone cheese, with its smooth texture and distinct, yet versatile flavor, is an exceptional choice for a grilled cheese sandwich that many might overlook in favor of the classic cheddar or American options. Originating from Southern Italy, provolone is a semi-hard cheese made from cow’s milk, known for its firm texture and mild, smoky flavor. One of the remarkable characteristics of provolone is its exceptional melting quality; it melts evenly and consistently, resulting in a gooey, indulgent sandwich without becoming overly runny or oily. This ideal meltability is due to its moisture content and fat structure, which allow it to become soft and flowy when heated, enveloping the bread in a rich, creamy layer that defines a perfect grilled cheese experience. Its slightly tangy and savory flavor profile adds depth to the sandwich, striking a balance that is robust enough to stand out, yet subtle enough not to overpower the overall taste of the sandwich.

Gouda

A delightfully rich and flavorful cheese hailing from the Netherlands, makes an extraordinary choice for a grilled cheese sandwich that’s a cut above the ordinary. Known for its exceptional melting properties, Gouda transforms into a gooey, luscious texture when heated, creating a perfectly consistent and creamy layer that complements the crispy, golden-brown bread to perfection. It offers a mild, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor that brings an unmatched depth and complexity to your sandwich, turning a simple comfort food into a gastronomic delight. This makes Gouda an excellent choice for both classic grilled cheese purists and culinary adventurers alike, as its distinctive flavor can stand proudly alone or harmonize beautifully with a variety of additional ingredients, such as caramelized onions, apple slices, or a touch of grainy mustard. Moreover, Gouda is available in various ages, from the creamy and mild young Gouda to the rich and robust aged variety, which possesses a deeper flavor and firmer texture. This variety allows you to tailor your grilled cheese experience to your precise palate, whether you crave something smooth and subtle or bold and intense. Choosing Gouda for your grilled cheese sandwich elevates this humble dish into an experience that is both comforting and sophisticated, promising a mouthwatering meal that is sure to satisfy.

Gruyere

The go to cheese for the classic French croque monsieur.

Gruyère, a smooth-melting Swiss cheese, is a sublime choice for a grilled cheese sandwich that exudes sophistication and rich flavor. Renowned for its creamy and velvety texture when melted, Gruyère graces a sandwich with an unparalleled level of indulgence. It offers a slightly sweet, nutty flavor, which deepens into a more earthy and complex profile as it ages. This unique taste adds a gourmet touch to a grilled cheese, transforming it from a simple comfort food into an elevated culinary delight. Gruyère’s flavor is bold, but not overpowering, allowing it to complement a wide variety of ingredients, from sweet caramelized onions to smoky cured meats, and thereby broadening the potential of a grilled cheese sandwich to become a canvas for countless flavor combinations. Its exceptional melting quality ensures that Gruyère integrates seamlessly into the sandwich, creating a consistent, mouthwatering layer of cheese that perfectly straddles the line between gooey and stringy. With its storied European heritage, opting for Gruyère also invites a touch of Old World charm into your meal, making each bite not only delicious but also reminiscent of traditional Alpine cuisine. In essence, choosing Gruyère cheese for your grilled cheese sandwich promises a luxurious, flavorful, and utterly satisfying experience.