Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Golden-brown bread with sweet caramelized onions and sharp white cheddar cheese. Crispy outside, melty inside comfort in every bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 4 slices sourdough or country bread
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 - 4 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, grated

→ Onions

04 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar, optional for enhanced caramelization

→ Seasonings

08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to make it:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and salt, stirring to coat evenly. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized. Add sugar halfway through if desired to enhance sweetness and browning. Set onions aside.
02 - Butter one side of each bread slice. Place two slices, buttered side down, on a clean work surface.
03 - Top each bread slice with half the grated cheddar cheese, then distribute caramelized onions evenly over the cheese. Sprinkle with black pepper. Cover with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
04 - Heat skillet over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches in skillet and cook 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is crisp and golden and cheese is melted. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
05 - Remove sandwiches from pan and let rest 2 minutes. Slice diagonally and serve hot.

# Recipe Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The onions cook down into a jammy, almost sweet layer that makes plain cheese feel boring by comparison.
  • It uses ingredients you probably already have, but tastes like you ordered it from a fancy cafe.
  • The buttery, crisp bread and gooey cheese combo is pure nostalgia with a grown-up twist.
02 -
  • Don't rush the onions, they need at least 20 minutes to develop that deep, sweet flavor and jammy texture.
  • Keep the heat medium-low when grilling the sandwich or the bread will burn before the cheese melts.
  • Softened butter spreads much easier than cold butter and gives you an even, golden crust.
03 -
  • Use a heavy skillet or cast iron pan for even heat distribution and a perfectly crispy crust.
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded, it melts smoother and tastes fresher.
  • Let the sandwich rest for a minute or two before slicing so the cheese sets slightly and doesn't all ooze out.
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