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A French onion grilled cheese sandwich is the best thing since sliced bread. It’s everything you love about French onion soup in a sandwich.
French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich
When old man winter arrives I am all about warm and tasty comfort food and often times that is a steamy bowl of soup. But sometimes I feel like something a easier and cheesier, like a French Onion Grilled Cheese sandwich. This sandwich takes all of the components of French Onion soup and combines them into gooey, cheesy sandwich perfect anytime but even better on a cold, snowy night.
How to Make a French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Just like French onion soup the sandwich starts with the caramelized onions. This process is a little slow but it is worth it, so take your time.
Once the onions are caramelized it is time to make the sandwich. Make sure to use some good crusty bread and good cheese.
Both Asiago and Gruyere cheese are used, if possible grate the cheese yourself, it’s better and has no fillers.
French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
2 medium yellow onions, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon of olive oil
3 tablespoons of butter, plus more for buttering bread
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
3 tablespoons of beer, wine or broth
1/2 cup of shredded Gruyere cheese
1/4 cup shredded Asiago cheese
4 thick slices of bread
Directions
In a skillet over medium to high heat melt butter and olive oil, then add the sliced onions. Season the onions with salt, pepper and thyme. Spread onions in an even layer and cover pan.
Turn heat to medium-low and cover, let the onions steam for 10-15 minutes. When onions are softened remove cover and continue cooking for another 25 minutes until onions are caramelized. Stir onions frequently to be sure they do not stick.
Once caramelized add the beer, wine or broth to deglaze the pan, be sure to scrap the bottom of the pan to get all of the nice brown bits up. Remove pan from heat and set aside.
Preheat a griddle to medium-low heat. Butter both sides of bread, flip one over and on the unbuttered side pile it high with both kinds of cheese and caramelised onions, top with the other piece of bread butter side up.
Place sandwiches in pan and cover with a lid or a bowl for 2 or 3 minutes until they are golden brown. Flip sandwiches over, cover again cook another 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and sandwich is golden brown.
Remove from pan and serve with chips and a beverage.
What do you think? I loved it! In fact I knew that I was going to like it so much that I made extra onions so that I could keep them in the refrigerator to use on another sandwich and also in the Broccoli Cheddar Soup that I made last week. I am now dreaming up other sandwiches that I can make using these tasty onions, for the record I deglazed my pan with beer and my onion were scrumptious.
Are you a grilled cheese fan? Do you have a favorite cheese sandwich to recommend?
Jeanne Henriques says
Elizabeth…I want to come to your house! It looks so much better than what I have in mine! I LOVE comfort food…even better when it is cold out. I hope you are staying warm…I can not believe all the snow in the states…a bitter winter, no doubt about it.
Sending you warm wishes from Saigon…xx
Castles Crowns and Cottages says
My goodness, does this sound good! Now you having me thinking about carmelized onions and what I can do with them….talking about comfort food, my husband took some brioche bread last night, cut up some dark chocolate and melted it onto a hunk of bread. He was in la-la land, enjoying it on another FRIGID night!
Enjoy experimenting in your kitchen dear and wonderful friend! Anita
Unknown says
This is mouth watering, yummo. I am shopping for the ingredients to make this at the weekend, thanks Wendy
Leslie says
Elizabeth.. this looks SO good. I will try it when I'm off work at the end of the week. French Onion Soup is one of my favorites. There's an "authentic" French Brazier in Seattle that makes the BEST soup. I go there when I get the craving;) Thanks for sharing the recipe!
William Kendall says
Oh, yummy! I'd like it like this.
Have you tried a Monte Cristo sandwich?
Phyllis Trevor Higgerson, Henhurst says
Coincidentally we are making grilled cheeses and soup tonight – long day for everyone and no energy to do anything else – but these look so much better than what we are planning. I am going to print this and make them another night. Thanks for sharing!
Phyllis
designchic says
We are supposed to have 6-8 inches of snow by morning – know what I'm going to be having tomorrow…looks delicious!!
Lynne says
Elizabeth!
This recipe is another winner!
We enjoyed your broccoli and cheddar soup for dinner tonight!
Thanks for the winter comfort!
w/L
Bonnie says
Oh my! The sandwich looks and sounds amazing. I have been looking for the perfect grilled cheese sandwich…my favorite. I made french onion soup last week, there were no left overs. This will be better! Thanks for sharing
Palomasea says
Oh, my mouth is watering! Grilled cheese sandwiches are a favorite, Elizabeth…so yummy…
xoxo