Caramelized Onion & Gruyère Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Gourmet grilled cheese with sweet caramelized onions and nutty Gruyère cheese on crispy country bread.

# What You'll Need:

→ Caramelized Onions

01 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
07 - 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

→ Sandwiches

08 - 4 slices rustic country bread
09 - 4 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated
10 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add sliced onions, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are deeply golden and caramelized, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Stir in thyme and balsamic vinegar, then cook 1 minute longer. Remove from heat.
02 - Lay out bread slices. Evenly distribute caramelized onions on two slices. Top each with half of the grated Gruyère. Place remaining bread slices on top to close sandwiches.
03 - Spread softened butter on the outside of each sandwich.
04 - Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches in pan and cook until golden brown and cheese is melted, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side. Press gently with spatula to ensure even toasting.
05 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of sweet, jammy onions and nutty Gruyère creates layers of flavor that feel fancy enough for dinner but comforting enough for a rainy Tuesday
  • Learning to properly caramelize onions changed everything about how I approach simple recipes
02 -
  • Rushing caramelized onions is the biggest mistake you can make
  • Low and slow is the only path to that deep, complex flavor
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-grated for better melting
  • Let the onions cool slightly before assembling so they don't make the bread soggy
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