This gourmet grilled cheese recipe is an easy way to elevate your favorite sandwich! Easy and simple to make, these grilled cheeses are loaded with caramelized onions and green apple for a deliciously indulgent treat.

Quick to make, a grilled sandwich never looked so good!

A white plate with a gourmet grilled cheese cut in half, chips in background.
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I’ll admit, I love to eat like a kid!  Often for lunch, I make a peanut butter and jelly on toast, a Grilled Ham and Cheese (with Gruyere) because it’s fast, easy and so delicious.

This grilled cheese is unashamedly grown up though, and packed full of flavor. It pairs beautifully with soups to warm you through and through – the ultimate comfort food!

If you’re looking for something equally delicious to pair this with, try it with my Tomato Soup Recipe!

A gourmet grilled cheese on a white plate, cut into two.

Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Don’t you just love taking a simple, old school comfort food and turning it into something a little more gourmet? (Psst… speaking of gourmet, don’t miss this incredible gourmet burger topping combination for a way to seriously wow your guests!)

Why You’ll Love this Gourmet Grilled Cheese

  • Simple to Make – Even with a couple extra steps beyond a traditional grilled cheese, this sandwich is the easiest lunch or dinner!
  • Customizable – Perfect for family meals, because you can easily add or remove ingredients for each person.
  • Fresh, Unique Flavor – The combination of sweet and savory ingredients will take this grilled cheese to a whole new level.
A gourmet grilled cheese on a white plate, cut into two.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Visit the printable recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.

  • Artisan Bread –  The right kind of bread is key to the best grilled cheese. My artisan bread is perfect for these sandwiches and sourdough bread also works well. Read more about the Best Bread for Grilled Cheese here.
  • Butter – I prefer to use salted butter for this recipe, but you can use unsalted if you prefer.
  • Cheese – Gruyere is my favorite cheese to use for this gourmet recipe. It’s a little sweet and salty and has a great nutty flavor to it. I use that in combination with white cheddar here.
  • Caramelized Onions – Always a great addition to burgers and sandwiches! They’re so easy and you can make a large batch and enjoy them in an array of recipes throughout the week.
  • Granny Smith Apple – These crisp apples cut through the creamy cheese and rich onions and really amp up the flavor of this sandwich, as well as adding a crunch. The added apple slices in this grilled cheese really take the sandwich to another level! I recommend you use a Granny Smith apple, which is wonderfully tart and cuts through the creaminess of the melted cheese. It’s also a firm apple so it holds up well to the heat.
Ingredients for a gourmet apple grilled cheese.

Variations

  • Use pears instead of apple slices.
  • Add condiments like homemade mayo, or your favorite mustard.
  • Speaking of mayo, try using it place of butter in this recipe for a mayo grilled cheese.
A white plate with a gourmet grilled cheese cut in half, chips in background.

How To Make A Gourmet Grilled Cheese

  1. Spread butter on bread or add to a warm skillet and add bread slices.
    Cast iron skillet with 2 bread slices.
  2. Add cheese and allow to melt. You can cover to encourage melting.
    Cast iron skillet with 2 bread slices, cheese slices on top.
  3. Just before removing, add caramelized onions and apple slices and sandwich.
    Cast iron skillet with 2 bread slices, cheese slices, apples and caramelized onions on top.
  4. Slice and enjoy!
    5. A gourmet grilled cheese on a white plate, cut into two.

    Tips

    • Use quality bread – an artisan loaf, sourdough or olive oil loaf are all delicious choices.
    • Use a good melting cheese. See the “best cheese” section of this post for options.
    • Cook them low and slow on medium. This will prevent the bread from burning while allowing the cheese to melt to a nice gooey consistency.

    Make More (or Less!)

    Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!

    A gourmet grilled cheese on a white plate, cut into two.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is it better to make grilled cheese with butter or mayo?

    Both are equally delicious and interesting in their own way, it’s totally personal preference!

    What’s the best cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich?

    Check out our guide below! This gourmet grilled cheese combines gruyere cheese with optional herbed feta for a delicious combination.

    Close up shot of bread with cheese on it, on a white plate.

    What’s The Best Cheese To Use?

    While this recipe calls for gruyere and some optional crumbled Feta, there are so many directions you could go!

    The most important factor in choosing your cheese is that it is fresh sliced from your local deli – or buy a fresh block and grate it yourself! It gives the grilled cheese that gooey melting factor we all crave!

    • Herbed Feta
    • Muenster
    • Gouda
    • White Cheddar
    • Swiss
    • Blue Cheese
    • Provolone
    • Monterey Jack
    • Spinach Dip with Cream Cheese – yes, you read that right! A spinach dip grilled cheese is good!
    A white plate with a gourmet grilled cheese cut in half.

    More Grilled Cheese Toppings

    How to Store

    • At Room Temperature – Grilled cheese sandwiches can sit out while serving for up to two hours safely. Of course, they are absolutely best when they’re hot off the stove.
    • Refrigerate – You can refrigerate your grilled cheese for up to three days when wrapped in an airtight container. Slowly reheat in your skillet after bringing it to room temperature for 30 minutes (allowing for more even heat in the skillet).
    • Freeze – Flash freeze on a sheet pan before wrapping tightly and storing in your freezer for up to three months.
    A white plate with a gourmet grilled cheese cut in half, chips in background.

    More Sandwich Inspiration

    Cheese
    A white plate with a gourmet grilled cheese cut in half.
    5 from 7 votes

    Gourmet Grilled Cheese

    By Julie Blanner
    This gourmet grilled cheese recipe is an easy way to elevate your favorite! Loaded with caramelized onions and green apple for a deliciously indulgent treat.
    Prep: 5 minutes
    Cook: 5 minutes
    Total: 10 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Pin Rate Print

    Ingredients  

    • 2 slices artisan bread
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 slice gruyere
    • 1 slice white cheddar
    • 1 tablespoon caramelized onions
    • 2 slices granny smith apple sliced

    Instructions 

    • Add butter to warm skillet over medium heat. Add bread.
    • Add your cheese to the top of each piece of bread. Grill until melted.
    • Add caramelized onion and apple just before removing from heat.
    • Sandwich together. Slice and enjoy!

    Tips

    Optional Additions:
    • aioli – add just before sandwiching
    • arugula
    • bacon jam
    • herbs
    Variations:
    • Muenster cheese
    • herbed feta
    • pimento cheese
     
    Calories: 581kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 616mg | Potassium: 291mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 1014IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 628mg | Iron: 2mg

    Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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