Go Back
Golden-brown grilled cheese on a wooden board with melted cheddar stretching from the center, warm background.

Perfect Grilled Cheese

Crispy, melty grilled cheese for 4 in about 10–15 minutes. Use sturdy bread, a melty cheese blend (60–80 g per sandwich), and a thin edge-to-edge layer of butter or mayo. Cook on medium-low, flip once, cover briefly to melt, then rest on a wire rack—no soggy bread.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 19 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: brunch, dinner, lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 8 slices sturdy bread sourdough or white, ~1.3–1.6 cm thick
  • 240 –320 g melty cheese total 60–80 g per sandwich:
  • e.g. 120 g cheddar + 80 g American + 60 g Gruyère/provolone
  • 4 –6 tbsp unsalted butter or mayo thin, edge-to-edge layer
  • Optional thin & dry: tomato (patted dry), cooked bacon, caramelized onions

Method
 

  1. Preheat a cast-iron or nonstick skillet on medium-low for 2–3 min.
  2. Spread a thin, edge-to-edge coat of butter or mayo on the outside of each bread slice.
  3. Build each sandwich: half shredded cheese on the bottom, slices on top for stretch. Keep fillings thin if using.
  4. Cook 3–5 min on the first side. Press lightly for contact and rotate the pan for even browning.
  5. Flip once. Cook 2–4 min more. If cheese lags, cover 30–60 sec, then uncover to re-crisp.
  6. Rest on a wire rack 1–2 min. Slice on the bias. Serve hot and crisp.