Description
This French Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese is a gourmet twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, featuring deeply caramelized onions, crisp apple slices, and a melty blend of Gruyere and sharp white cheddar cheese. It’s perfect for a comforting lunch or dinner with a balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Caramelized Onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
For the Sandwich
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 crisp apple such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, thinly sliced
- 4 slices Gruyere cheese
- 2 slices sharp white cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions, salt, pepper, thyme, and sugar. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes until the onions are soft and deeply caramelized. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and cook for an additional minute, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the Bread: Butter one side of each slice of sourdough bread evenly. This will help achieve a golden, crispy exterior when grilled.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Place two slices of bread butter side down in a clean skillet over medium heat. On each, layer a slice of Gruyere cheese, a spoonful of the caramelized onions, several apple slices, and a slice of sharp white cheddar cheese. Top each with the remaining bread slices, butter side up.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Cook the sandwiches for about 3 to 4 minutes per side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted completely. Press gently with a spatula while cooking to help all ingredients meld together.
- Serve: Remove the grilled sandwiches from the skillet, slice them in half if desired, and serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Cook the onions slowly and over low heat to fully develop their sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Swiss cheese can be used as a substitute for Gruyere if preferred.
- For an extra layer of richness and a hint of tang, spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard inside the sandwich before grilling.
