Southwest Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This delicious Southwest Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a flavorful hot sandwich that delivers a smokey flavor profile with a bit spice.

Use your favorite artisan bread or make our homemade French bread. Made with creamy avocado, a rich homemade southwest sauce, peppers and bacon melted together with your favorite melting cheese and finished with lettuce and tomato for a hearty melt.

This Southwest Grilled Cheese Sandwich is always a favorite in our family. It stands alone as a full meal, or can be served with tasty sides like chips, potato salads, or even a classic tomato soup.

If hot sandwiches are your thing, be sure to check out our recipe for The Reuben. This is another classic that has stood the test of time and is always a winner.

Watch our tutorial for how to make this ultimate grilled cheese sandwich

What do you put on a Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich?

Traditional grilled cheese sandwiches are simple and honest; soft sandwich bread buttered and toasted with your favorite melting cheese. But how can we make a truly gourmet grilled cheese? Fill it up with delicious ingredients that add texture and flavor, here are some of our favorite ideas.

• Add deli meats for a salty/smoky flavor
• Use a combination of multiple cheeses like gouda, havarti, and gruyere
• Slather with your favorite sauces for a depth of flavor
• Toast with fresh veggies like lettuces, tomatoes, avocado, even artichoke hearts
• Use high end artisan breads like sourdough, fresh French bread, or a hearty brioche
• Play on meals and traditional sandwiches like ‘French Onion Soup’ ‘Jalapeno Popper’ and ‘BBQ Chicken with Pineapple’

What is the secret to the perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich?

There are a few things you can do that will easily and absolutely transform your melted sandwich. Here are a few tips for how to make the best grilled cheese sandwich.

• Use fresh, soft bread. The grilling is what transforms the bread, and bread with a good amount of moisture will toast to crispy perfection.
• Use fresh, softened butter or even a good quality mayonnaise. A good quality butter will have higher fat content which will grill better. Using soft butter will prevent tearing the bread and will spread evenly for more crispy crunchiness. Mayo is suggested because it has a higher smoke point than butter.
• Indulge in a high quality cheese. To attain that gooey, melty goodness that we all love you want to use a cheese like gouda, gruyere, or havarti. These can be mixed with your favorite cheddar.
• Use cheese slices rather than grated. Sliced cheese cover the bread more evenly and prevent spillage. Make sure they are even and thin so that the cheese melts evenly.
• Utilize sandwich, or grill, presses. Presses that are made specially for grilling will have a handle and slats that allow for air flow. A press will give you a perfectly toasted sandwich with no undercooked or overcooked spots.

What do you serve with a Sandwich Melt?

Hot sandwiches are insanely popular and well loved. My panini maker and indoor grill is always in use when the grandkids come to lunch. Grilled sandwiches like this are hearty enough to be enjoyed on their own, but are always better when served with soups, sides or salads. Here are some ideas for ways you can make this sandwich a full meal with a variety of delicious foods.

• Chips and fries are always a popular option
• Creamed soups like tomato, french onion, and chowder are always winners
• Fresh green salads for a light side
• Cold pasta salads like tortellini, potato, and pesto
• Grilled veggies

How to make a Southwest Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Bacon, avocado, peppers, and smoked cheese all melted in a homemade mayo, adobo and salsa. Toasted in a fresh artisan bread for a decadent meal.

For a smaller appetites, cut the sandwich in half and make two servings. This a very filling, messy sandwich.

There is no sandwich better than homemade once you figure out how to source the best ingredients.

For those of you who don’t garden try to find your local farmers market or A local CSA to get that wonderful fresh vine ripe flavor of your vegetables and fruits. Investing in your local agricultural community is always money well spent and you will experience the difference in your meals.

Make your own breads for the very freshest and highest quality. Search our blog for great homemade bread recipes like Irish oat bread, learn the world of Sourdough, and French bread and even rolls like our homemade slider rolls.

Making your own sauces goes a long way in delivering the best flavor, as well as helping to cut out unnecessary added fillers and chemicals.

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