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French Onion Grilled Cheese

French Onion Grilled Cheese
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French Onion Grilled Cheese is a comforting and flavorful sandwich combining sweet, deeply caramelized onions with nutty Gruyere cheese melted between crisp, toasted sourdough bread. Perfect as a cozy comfort food, it captures the essence of classic French onion soup in a convenient handheld form, offering a rich, savory taste and delightful texture contrasts.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 large sweet yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter (divided, for caramelizing and bread)
  • 6 oz Gruyere cheese, sliced or shredded
  • 4 thick slices of sourdough bread
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder or 1 small clove fresh garlic, minced (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: Start by slicing the onions thinly and cooking them slowly in 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn a deep golden brown and become sweetly fragrant. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic if using.
  2. Prepare the Bread: While the onions caramelize, spread the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter lightly on one side of each slice of the sourdough bread. The buttered side will be toasted to a golden, crispy crust.
  3. Assemble the Sandwich: Place the slices of bread buttered side down. On the non-buttered side of two slices, layer a generous amount of caramelized onions, sprinkle fresh thyme evenly, then add thick slices or shredded Gruyere cheese. Top with the other bread slices, buttered side facing out.
  4. Cook the Sandwich: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place the assembled sandwich in the skillet and cook slowly for 3-5 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula or panini press. Flip carefully and cook until the cheese melts completely and both sides of bread are golden brown and crisp.
  5. Final Touches: Remove the sandwich from the skillet and let it rest for 1-2 minutes to allow the cheese to set slightly. Slice and serve immediately, optionally garnished with additional fresh thyme or cracked black pepper.

Notes

  • Patience is key: caramelize onions slowly over medium-low heat to develop deep sweetness without burning.
  • Use medium to medium-low heat when toasting to melt cheese evenly without burning bread.
  • Gruyere cheese is preferred for its nutty flavor and meltability, but alternatives like Swiss or mozzarella also work.
  • Generous butter application ensures a crispy, golden crust.
  • Press gently with spatula or panini press to compact sandwich and encourage even melting.
  • Leftovers can be stored wrapped in foil or airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently in skillet or toaster oven.
  • For gluten-free version, substitute with gluten-free bread.
  • Optional additions like bacon or caramelized shallots add unique flavor variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: French Onion Grilled Cheese, caramelized onions sandwich, Gruyere grilled cheese, comfort food, savory sandwich

Find it online: https://juliaglam.com/french-onion-grilled-cheese/