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Home » Comfort Food » French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich

June 19, 2014 Comfort Food

French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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A decadent French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich with caramelized onions, melty Gruyere and toasty bread. A cozy vegetarian dinner perfect for the colder months! 
French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Caramelized onions, melty Gruyere and toasty bread. A cozy vegetarian dinner perfect for the colder months! #grilledcheese #sandwich #frenchonion #grilledcheesesandwich #vegetarianrecipes www.feastingathome.com

Every once in a while I get a hankering for a gooey, melty, toasty grilled cheese sandwich.  They tick all the boxes for me as far as “comfort food” and I often add other things besides cheese to jazz them up- like this one with summer tomatoes and pesto or this one with leftover thanksgiving turkey.   But winter is here and I’m craving depth, so I caramelized up some onions and added them to the mix. Over the top delicious!

Perhaps it’s not the “healthiest”, but somehow I feel comfort food, on occasion is totally warranted and reasonable. It’s comforting! And sometimes I just need that. No judgment. Just pure pleasure. Flavorful, nutty Gruyere cheese is melted over onions that are caramelized long and slow, prepared like traditional French Onion Soup.

The process of caramelizing the onions brings out their delicious complexity and sweetness. I prefer to use a wholesome, whole grain bread- homemade if possible, but in a pinch, store-bought french bread works great too. Serve this with a green salad, dressed with a light Dijon vinaigrette and enjoy the luscious flavors and textures.

French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Caramelized onions, melty Gruyere and toasty bread. A cozy vegetarian dinner perfect for the colder months! #grilledcheese #sandwich #frenchonion #grilledcheesesandwich #vegetarianrecipes www.feastingathome.com
Gruyere was always the cheese that was too expensive and luxurious to buy in my younger years. These days, I spurge on occasion, when I know it will make a real difference. You could substitute another cheese, but it wouldn’t be quite as good.
Gruyere is earthy, complex and nutty, with the perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness, pairing perfectly with the caramelized onions. For the full-flavored experience, splurge a little and try Gruyere. It will rock your world. The smell alone, of Gruyere melting in your kitchen, is worth the extra expense. And can turn a grumpy husband into a kitten.
For this recipe, make sure to buy Gruyere that is young and softer, rather than aged…which will be hard with visible cracks.
French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Caramelized onions, melty Gruyere and toasty bread. A cozy vegetarian dinner perfect for the colder months! #grilledcheese #sandwich #frenchonion #grilledcheesesandwich #vegetarianrecipes www.feastingathome.com

The easiest way to caramelize onions is to use your biggest heavy bottom skillet, set a burner to medium-low heat, and let the pungent onions cook long and slow in a little oil or butter.

Stir every once in a while, but feel free to leave them and attend to other things. At this temperature, the moisture releases and the sugars caramelize steadily, never burning but growing ever more golden and delicious. At the end, add a pinch of salt and pepper and perhaps a splash of port, sherry or beef stock if you like, letting it cook-off. This is the essence of French onion soup.

Butter the outside of the bread. I like adding whole grain mustard to the insides of the bread for a little bite. Layer the bread with grated Gruyere, then a generous amount of caramelized onions, then more Gruyere, and top with the other slice of bread.
A delicious French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Caramelized onions, melty Gruyere and toasty bread. Serve with a salad and you have dinner!| www.feastingathome.com
A delicious French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Caramelized onions, melty Gruyere and toasty bread. Serve with a salad and you have dinner!| www.feastingathome.com
Heat oil, butter or a combination of both (my preference)  in a large ovenproof skillet, over medium heat. Toast both sides of the sandwich until perfectly golden brown and place in a 350F oven until the cheese is nice and melty.
TIP: This is how you get the cheese perfectly melty without burning the bread. 
Cut in half and serve with a green salad.
French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Caramelized onions, melty Gruyere and toasty bread. A cozy vegetarian dinner perfect for the colder months! #grilledcheese #sandwich #frenchonion #grilledcheesesandwich #vegetarianrecipes www.feastingathome.com

Hope you love this French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich as much as we do!

RELATED: Cozy Vegetarian Dinners for Fall

xoxoxo
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French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich

French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Caramelized onions, melty Gruyere and toasty bread. A cozy vegetarian dinner perfect for the colder months! #grilledcheese #sandwich #frenchonion #grilledcheesesandwich #vegetarianrecipes www.feastingathome.com

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

French onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich with caramelized onions and gruyere cheese. Serve with a salad for a delicious vegetarian dinner.

  • Author: Sylvia Fountaine | Feasting at Home Blog
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Category: Sandwich, vegetarian
  • Method: Stovepot
  • Cuisine: Northwest, vegetarian
Scale

Ingredients

  1. 1 large red, sweet or yellow onion- thinly sliced about 1/8 in thick
  2. 1–2 olive oil
  3. pinch salt
  4. pinch fresh cracked pepper
  5. 1/4 cup sherry ccoking wine, port, or beef stock ( all optional)
  6. 4 slices hearty Bread or French Bread
  7. 2 T Butter ( or half oil)
  8. 1 Cup grated Gruyere cheese
  9. 1 tsp fresh thyme ( optional) and Whole grain Mustard ( optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large heavy bottom skillet, or cast iron pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 5 minutes, stirring to coat. Turn heat down to medium low. Stir occasionally and continue sauteing for 20-30 minutes. Onions will sweat out their moisture, and eventually caramelize into a beautiful deep golden brown. Add a generous pinch of salt, a splash of port, sherry, or stock (optional) and let the liquid cook off. Remove from pan and wipe it out with a paper towel, to use again.  Preheat oven to 350 F
  2. Spread the bread with whole grain mustard (optional). On two slices, divide and layer shredded Gruyere, top with caramelized onions, sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves, then add the rest of the cheese. “Put the lid on” the sandwiches with the other slices of bread and gently press together
  3. Heat 2 tablesoons butter (or a combination of butter and oil) in the same skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the pan and toast, carefully flipping when perfectly golden brown and cheese begins to melt. Place in a warm oven to fully melt the cheese -which will preventing the bread from getting too dark. Cut in half and enjoy.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: ½ sandwich
  • Calories: 485

Keywords: grilled cheese sandwich, grown up grilled cheese, French onion grilled cheese sandwich, grilled cheese sandwich recipes

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Comments

  1. Sheila Miller says

    September 15, 2019 at 7:58 am

    Ok, I think died and went to heaven. Holy moly this was spectacular. Hubby loved it too and asked if we could have again tomorrow. 😉

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Micaela Graffeo says

    December 17, 2015 at 11:59 am

    This is hands down my favorite sandwich recipe. I didn’t like grilled cheese until I met this sandwich! It is fabulous.

    Reply
    • Sylvia Fountaine says

      December 18, 2015 at 7:53 am

      Ahhh, funny! You are lucky–I unfortunately love all grilled cheese sandwiches!! But this one is one of my favs too!! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  3. Kathy Glasgow says

    November 06, 2015 at 8:02 am

    This is just the best sandwich – family raved!

    Reply
    • Sylvia Fountaine says

      November 06, 2015 at 9:47 am

      Yay, so glad you liked. We love it too!!

      Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    September 13, 2014 at 5:06 am

    Yum Yum! Might I add a side of home made apple sauce for dipping this marvelous concoction to honor my dear German daddy! Done!

    Reply
  5. marla {Family Fresh Cooking} says

    July 23, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    Love this grilled cheese recipe!

    Reply
  6. Traci | Vanilla And Bean says

    June 20, 2014 at 7:52 pm

    You had me at caramelized! Oh, and the Gruyere! I am melting! Thank you for the inspiration, recipe and beautiful photos!

    Reply
  7. Azu says

    June 20, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    Onion soup in a sandwich! Delicious!

    Reply
  8. Hannah Jade says

    June 20, 2014 at 10:53 am

    Completely beautiful – I’m battling some serious cravings now!

    Reply
  9. Bibs @ Tasteometer says

    June 20, 2014 at 10:22 am

    Cheese and onion one of my favorite combinations. Melted and caramelised brings on an even better combo. Make me one please.

    Reply
    • Sylvia Fountaine says

      June 21, 2014 at 3:33 am

      anytime!

      Reply
  10. Millie l Add A Little says

    June 20, 2014 at 7:42 am

    Those onions looks so amazing and sweet and caramelised and so delicious! My mouth is watering haha
    http://youtube.com/addalittlefood

    Reply
  11. Mary Frances says

    June 19, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    This looks so delicious. True, comfort food may not always be the healthiest, but it’s good for your SOUL. And as long as you’re using good ingredients (which you obviously are) the result will always be excellent!

    Reply
    • Sylvia Fountaine says

      June 21, 2014 at 3:33 am

      I agree! Thanks.

      Reply
  12. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    June 19, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    Those onions are total perfection. Yum!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Sylvia! PNW Chef & 2018 Saveur Blog Awards Finalist!
Welcome to FEASTING AT HOME where you'll find delicious, healthy, VEGGIE-DRIVEN recipes with tips and tricks from a chef's home kitchen. A globally-inspired, seasonal, whole foods recipe blog to nurture body, mind and spirit. Join us! >> More

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