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If you love sourdough bread and grilled cheese sandwiches, you’re going to love this sourdough grilled cheese! Slices of sourdough sandwich bread or sourdough discard sandwich bread are slathered with butter, sprinkled with sea salt, and stuffed with cheese before grilling to perfection in a cast-iron skillet. Serve alongside homemade tomato soup, and it’s the meal of everyone’s childhood dreams!
New to sourdough? Check out our How to Make Sourdough Starter Guide!
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I don’t know if there’s anything more unifying or more comforting than the humble sourdough grilled cheese. Most of us, no matter where or how we grew up, were raised on grilled cheese in one form or another.
It’s quick, delicious, and budget-friendly, but so delicious that even mom and dad will join the kids with a grilled cheese.
I’m one of those moms. If sourdough grilled cheese is being served, you can bet I’m going to have one too.
Except, as with all things, I’m unapologetically picky about grilled cheese.
My husband likes his grilled cheese made with fake cheese slices wrapped in plastic. Bleck.
I can’t bring myself to buy fake cheese, so he usually settles for a very mild cheddar.
I’m also picky about the bread. Processed chemical bread from the store just doesn’t cut it. It must be either a really good bakery-quality bread or homemade sourdough bread.
Particularly, sourdough sandwich bread or sourdough discard sandwich bread.
You might think the bread doesn’t matter, but it does! Sourdough bread browns perfectly in a skillet (my other preference for sourdough grilled cheese), and it has a tangy flavor that complements cheese perfectly.
So, if you’re ready to make the best sourdough grilled cheese, the kind that your family will talk about for generations to come, you’re in the right place.
Why You’ll Love This Sourdough Grilled Cheese
- This sourdough grilled cheese has a perfectly crisp, buttery exterior with a soft, melty center nobody can resist.
- The tangy flavor of sourdough bread adds extra depth compared to classic white bread, and makes it feel a little bit special.
- This recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together in just minutes, making it the perfect last-minute meal for busy days.
- It works equally well for lunch, dinner, or a quick comforting snack.
- Kid-friendly! If ever there was a meal that every kid in the world would be excited about, I think it’s sourdough grilled cheese.
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
- Sourdough bread provides structure, flavor, and a crisp texture when grilled.
- Butter creates a golden, evenly browned crust on the bread (seriously, a must).
- Cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend melt smoothly and add richness.
- Sea Salt: A light pinch of salt enhances the bread’s flavor and balances the cheese.
- Cast-iron skillet for the perfect brown crust. Don’t worry if you don’t have a cast-iron skillet; you can use whatever you have on hand!
How to Make Sourdough Grilled Cheese
Step 1: Heat the skillet. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
Step 2: Butter the bread. Spread butter on one slice of sourdough bread, sprinkle lightly with salt, and place it buttered-side down in the skillet.
Step 3: Add the cheese. Place at least two slices of cheese on top (or more!), making sure the bread is fully covered.
Step 4: Prepare the top slice. Spread butter on the second slice of sourdough bread, sprinkle lightly with salt, and place it buttered-side up on top of the cheese.
Step 5: Cook the first side. Cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese begins to melt.
Step 6: Flip and finish. Carefully flip the sandwich and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until the second side is golden and the cheese is fully melted.
Step 7: Serve. Remove from the skillet, slice if desired, and serve warm with tomato soup, bone broth, or on its own.
Best Cheese for Sourdough Grilled Cheese
- Cheddar cheese offers a classic flavor and melts well. For a bold flavor, look for extra-sharp cheddar (my fave).
- American cheese creates an extra-creamy, smooth texture. If you avoid processed cheese (unlike my husband), mild cheddar cheese has a similar flavor and melts beautifully.
- Gruyère or Swiss cheese add a slightly nutty, more complex flavor.
- Using at least two slices of cheese ensures a melty, satisfying sandwich with no dry spots (the actual horror).
Tips for the Best Grilled Cheese
- Make sure the skillet is preheated before you add the bread. This will help your grilled cheese have a perfectly golden crust.
- Medium heat allows the bread to brown slowly while the cheese melts evenly.
- A cast-iron skillet helps achieve a consistent, golden crust.
- Letting the sandwich cook undisturbed before flipping improves browning.
- Lowering the heat slightly can help if the bread browns too quickly.
Variations to Try
- Swap the cheddar cheese for mozzarella and add sliced tomatoes and basil for a caprese grilled cheese.
- Layer in cooked bacon and a thin layer of avocado oil mayo for a club-style grilled cheese.
- Mix different cheeses for more depth of flavor.
- Use garlic butter or add herbs to the butter for a simple twist.
- Use avocado oil mayo in place of butter.
- Swap the cheese slices for pimento cheese. SO GOOD!
- Use sliced sourdough French bread instead of sandwich bread for mini sourdough grilled cheese sandwiches. Perfect for toddlers!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve sourdough grilled cheese with tomato soup for a classic comfort meal on chilly days.
- Pair it with a simple salad or fresh fruit for an easy lunch.
- Enjoy it as a quick weeknight dinner when you need something filling and fast.
- Slice it in halves or quarters for sharing or serving kids.
- Dip it in bone broth for a soothing lunch (perfect for sick kids!).
FAQs about Sourdough Grilled Cheese
Can I use store-bought sourdough bread?
Absolutely! Store-bought sourdough works well, though thicker slices tend to hold up best.
Why add salt to the buttered bread?
A light sprinkle of salt enhances the bread’s flavor and balances the cheese’s richness.
Can I make grilled cheese without butter?
Butter gives the best flavor and browning, but avocado oil mayonnaise can be used as an alternative if preferred.
How do I keep the grilled cheese from burning?
Cook your grilled cheese over medium heat and adjust the temperature as needed so the bread browns slowly while the cheese melts.
Sourdough Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 loaf sourdough sandwich bread, cut into slices (see note 1)
- 2 blocks cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, or Monterey Jack cheese, sliced (can also use pre-sliced cheese. You'll need at least 16 slices of cheese)
- softened butter
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
- Butter the bread: Spread butter evenly over one slice of sourdough bread, sprinkle lightly with salt, and place it buttered-side down in the skillet.
- Add the cheese: Layer at least two slices of cheese on top, making sure they cover the bread edge to edge.
- Butter the top slice: Spread butter on the second slice of sourdough bread, sprinkle lightly with salt, and place it buttered-side up on top of the cheese.
- Cook the first side: Cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese has begun to melt.
- Flip and finish: Carefully flip the sandwich and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until the second side is golden and the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve: Remove from the skillet, slice if desired, and serve warm with soup, bone broth, or on its own.
Notes
- I recommend using our Sourdough Sandwich Bread or Sourdough Discard Sandwich Bread for this sourdough grilled cheese
You’re going to Love this Sourdough Grilled Cheese!
Whether you’re feeding a group of little ones or just need a simple comforting meal everyone will love, this sourdough grilled cheese is the answer. It’s melty, gooey, and perfectly crispy thanks to the cast-iron skillet and slather of butter. Dip it in bone broth or tomato soup, or serve it on its own, and you’ll be on your way to a cozy evening. Happy baking!
