Caramelized Onion & Gruyère Grilled Cheese (Print version)

Gourmet grilled cheese with sweet caramelized onions, nutty Gruyère, and crispy golden country bread. French-inspired comfort food.

# What You 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

→ Sandwich Assembly

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

# How to Make:

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. 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 cheese. Place remaining bread slices on top to close sandwiches.
03 - Spread softened butter evenly on the outside of each sandwich.
04 - Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the pan and cook until golden brown with melted cheese, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side. Press gently with a spatula to ensure even toasting.
05 - Remove sandwiches from skillet. Slice in half and serve immediately.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The slow caramelized onions add a depth of sweet savory flavor that makes this feel like restaurant quality food
  • Gruyère brings that perfect nutty richness that pairs beautifully with the onions
  • This recipe proves that taking your time with simple ingredients creates something magical
02 -
  • Do not rush the caramelization process or crank up the heat to speed things up, as the onions will burn rather than caramelize
  • Low and slow is the secret to achieving that deep, sweet flavor that makes this sandwich special
  • Let the onions cool slightly before assembling so they do not make the bread soggy
03 -
  • Grate the cheese yourself rather than buying pre shredded for the smoothest melting results
  • Let the assembled sandwiches sit for a few minutes before grilling to help the bread stay crispy longer
Go back