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Whether you’re a pickle lover, or just someone who wants to jazz up your grilled cheese game, this Pickle Grilled Cheese recipe is going to become your new favorite!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Fun Twist on Grilled Cheese: I’m all about giving classic grilled cheese a twist—whether it’s an avocado grilled cheese or a cauliflower crusted grilled cheese. This pickle grilled cheese takes it up a notch with tangy pickles and melted cheese, creating a deliciously flavor combination you might not think to try!
- Quick and Easy: This sandwich is made with just a few ingredients you likely have on hand. Plus, it’s quick to make and can be a super affordable meal option.
- Kid-Friendly: My son actually came up with this idea, so you know it’s 100% kid-approved! There’s something about the creamy cheese with the crunch of the pickle that kids love.
- Customizable: One of the best parts is you get to mix and match your favorite type of cheese and pickles (make homemade pickles if you want!) to create your perfect variations of a pickle grilled cheese sandwich.
The Ingredients
- Bread: Choose your favorite sandwich bread. Sourdough bread or rye can add extra flavor and texture, but any bread will do.
- Butter: Soften the butter for easy spreading!
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is my go-to for its rich flavor, but feel free to mix in other cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey jack or gruyere for added gooeyness. Really any kind of cheese that’s melty will work.
- Pickles: Dill pickles work best in my opinion, but bread and butter pickles can add a sweeter twist. I thinly slice whole dill pickles, but you can use dill pickle chips if you want!
How to Make a Pickle Grilled Cheese
Step 1: Lightly spread butter on one side of each piece of bread.
Step 2: Place a slice of cheese on one slice of bread and cover with a layer of sliced pickles. Place another slice of cheese on top of the pickles and cover with a slice of bread, butter-side up.
Step 3: Heat sauté pan over medium heat (or preheat your panini maker). Cook the sandwich until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted, about 3 minutes on each side.
Step 4: Once cooked, cut the sandwich on a diagonal to make triangles and serve hot.
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t Rush: Cook your sandwich over medium heat to ensure the cheese melts fully without burning the bread.
- Choose the Right Cheese: A good melting cheese is key. Sharp cheddar is classic, but adding a slice of American cheese can give you that extra melt factor.
- Experiment with Pickles: If you’re feeling adventurous, try different types of pickles like spicy, garlic, or even pickled jalapeños if you have older kids that like a little kick!
- Pat Pickles Dry: Use a paper towel to pat the pickle slices dry to prevent a soggy sandwich.
Recipes to Serve with a Pickle Grilled Cheese
A Pickle Grilled Cheese sandwich is delicious on its own, but if you want to make it a meal, here are some perfect pairings:
- Tomato Soup: The ultimate grilled cheese companion, Roasted Tomato Soup, pairs well with this pickle version too!
- Side Salad: A fresh, crisp salad with this Everyday Lemon Vinaigrette balances out the richness of the sandwich perfectly.
- French Fries: Fries are a classic side for a grilled cheese. Try air fryer french fries, oven baked fries or even sweet potato fries!
More Melty Sandwich Ideas
If you take a classic grilled cheese and add a few slices of dill pickles you up the ante on a sandwich already bordering on perfection! This Pickle Grilled Cheese has become a new lunchtime favorite in our house, and I think it will yours too. Love this recipe? Leave a comment or rating below!
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Pickle Grilled Cheese
Equipment
- saute pan or cast iron skillet (you could also you a panini press)
Ingredients
- 4 slices sandwich bread of choice (i.e whole wheat, sourdough, rye or white bread)
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese (or melting cheese of choice)
- 2 dill pickles, thinly sliced lengthwise (or dill pickle chips)
Instructions
- Lightly spread butter on one side of each piece of bread.
- Place a slice of cheese on one slice of bread and cover with a layer of sliced pickles.
- Place another slice of cheese on top of the pickles and cover with a slice of bread, butter-side up.
- Heat sauté pan over medium heat (or preheat your panini maker). Cook the sandwich until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted, about 3 minutes on each side.
- Once cooked, cut the sandwich on a diagonal to make triangles and serve hot.
Notes
- Don’t Rush: Cook your sandwich over medium heat to ensure the cheese melts fully without burning the bread.
- Choose the Right Cheese: A good melting cheese is key. Sharp cheddar is classic, but adding a slice of American cheese can give you that extra melt factor.
- Experiment with Pickles: If you’re feeling adventurous, try different types of pickles like spicy, garlic, or even pickled jalapeños if you have older kids that like a little kick!
- Pat Pickles Dry: Use a paper towel to pat the pickle slices dry to prevent a soggy sandwich.
When I was a kid my dad used to make grilled cheese with mustard and a sprinkle of oregano on them. YUMMY!
So funny my daughter asks for “pickle sandwiches” all the time!
I too, have been eating these for decades! There’s nothing else quite like it! I can’t wait to show my husband! Maybe he’ll quit giving me funny looks when I make them, and try one for a change! Hahaha
I have always been a lover of grilled cheese and pickles. I also like grilled cheese and tomatoes. YUMMY! I might just have to make for the babies (I have a 2yr old and a 12 month old.)
We always serve grilled cheese with pickles on the side at our house! Never thought to put them IN the sandwich! Can’t wait to try it out!
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one that actually have been eating this…I even made a special request grilled cheese with pickles at a local diner when I was pregnant..Now, when I do that, I only get the “weirdo” look from the waitress. Good thinking, Kenya!
Thats so funny! =) my niece has been eating these for a while and when i was pregnant she got me hooked! i haven’t had one since i had my daughter but i think it will have to make a comeback =) thanku!
“MMMmmmMMM” said my 17mo with her mouth full of cheesy-pickly goodness.
Myself and my two and a half year old eat pickles and chees on whole wheat with brown mustard all of the time. Would not be so far featched to grill it. Sometimes we put it in the microwave to melt the cheese a little. you get melty cheese without having to use the butter to grill it. I have been eating this for years. My grand mom showed me when I was a little girl.
Love that you’ve been eating this for years. It’s so darn good. Who knew?! I guess you 🙂
:: i’ve been eating grilled cheese with pickle inside for almost 3 decades! yes. decades! as you know it’s pure deliciousness. thanks for your blog. i read every day. while i don’t have children of my own, i appreciate your nutritious approach to tasty uncomplicated foods. cheers!
My 3 yr-old daughter is going to love this! Her two favorite foods are grilled cheese & pickles by themselves. I think she’ll love idea of merging them.
I would too Kati!
I am not shy to say I’ll probably make this for myself… 🙂 xo
Yum! I love pickles and cheese so this would be great!
When my nieces were little this is the only way their mom could get them to eat something remotely healthy! Luckily my daughter isn’t as picky as they were but she loves pickles. Can’t wait to make it for her!