Do you want something sweet, gooey, and filling? Consider the classic grilled ham and cheese sandwich!
This classic comfort dish is simple to prepare, takes few ingredients, and is ideal for a quick lunch or dinner.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of making the best-grilled ham and cheese sandwich that will leave your taste buds yearning for more.
What You’ll Require
What you will require for grilled ham and cheese sandwich:
Ingredients
1. Ham
The most straightforward option here is certainly deli ham. However, if you serve a ham for Easter and have leftovers, slice them up ahead of time.
If you choose to go organic and uncured, I’ve seen organic uncured deli-style ham from Organic Valley and Applegate Farms and full hams.
2. Cheese
I prefer slices (which I cut myself) since I believe they make transfer to the pan and turning simpler. Some prefer shredded cheese. Below’s a full discussion about what type of cheese to use!
3. Bread
Yes, there is an entire discussion on this below. Bottom line: do what you enjoy.
4. Mustard
This “secret ingredient” elevates the Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches. I used Dijon mustard, but I would happily substitute yellow or even my homemade peach mustard. If you dislike mustard, leave it out.
5. Butter
This will give the bread a lovely golden brown butter crust. However, some people swear by mayonnaise, and I experimented with something new. However, butter is the gold standard.
Tools of the Trade
A covered skillet will assist you in melting the cheese before the bread burns.
Instructions
- 12 tbsp butter should be spread on one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered side of each piece of bread, layer 3 oz. of ham and 2 slices of cheese. Then top with the remaining bread slices.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over high/medium heat. Place two sandwiches in the skillet, if space allows, and cook for 3 minutes. Cook for another 3 minutes on the other side.
Make It Look Nice
To make this grilled cheese more “fancy,” add 1 tablespoon of raspberry jam, savory onion jam, or your favorite jam onto the unbuttered side of a slice of bread. Then finish building the sandwich.
Which Cheese Is Best with This
The cheese is the star of your sandwich. Cheddar, Swiss, and Gouda are famous cheeses due to their melting properties and exquisite flavors. Experiment with several cheeses to find your best pairing.
What Is The Best Type Of Bread
My initial thought when it came to bread was rye. What’s more classic than a good deli rye? There was even sliced pumpernickel in the bakery!
Unfortunately, the flavor was excellent, but the color was so dark that it was difficult to notice the grilled hue at all. So I’d pass on that one.
Finally, bakery sourdough sliced just a touch thick was my favorite. It had a fantastic crunch and really highlighted the golden grill color.
Plus, it had a flavor that could stand up to (but not dominate) the ham and cheese! But, as with the cheese, go with what you like–preferably light-colored bread.
Sourdough is elegant, multigrain is healthful, and white bread is suitable for finicky eaters. It’s all delicious!
What to Serve
Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches are ideal for a light lunch or dinner. In terms of sides, I enjoy serving coleslaw, Broccoli Waldorf Salad, or Carrot Raisin Salad.
Another healthy choice is raw vegetables with a dip. Alternatively, a modest lettuce salad would suffice. Fruit salad or sliced fruit is also a wonderful option. Consider a grape cluster, melon slices, or apple quarters.
Consider adding a cup of soup to any of the above serving options for a more refined lunch or light book club supper. In that instance, give the option of a whole or half sandwich.
Optional Toppings For A Killer Sandwich
You can make your sandwich with simply bread, meat, and cheese if you like. There’s nothing wrong with it.
However, depending on my mood, I like to add additional toppings to modify the flavor and texture. Here are a handful of my favorite tools:
Tomatoes, green peppers, and avocados are just a few of the fresh vegetables I occasionally utilize. When you add sliced tomato to the sandwich, the heat softens it, resulting in a delightful increased tomato flavor.
The tomato slice itself provides a little wetness to the layers, which I love!
Condiments include spicy mustard, mayonnaise, honey mustard, and horseradish. Other great toppings include black olives, pickles, and banana peppers. Enjoy your meal!
Thanks for reading. I hope you find it helpful.