Caramelized Onion & Gruyère Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Sweet caramelized onions and nutty Gruyère melted between crispy golden bread for a gourmet French-inspired twist on the classic.

# What You'll Need:

→ Caramelized Onions

01 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
07 - 1 tsp balsamic vinegar

→ Sandwich Assembly

08 - 4 slices rustic country bread
09 - 4 oz Gruyère cheese, grated
10 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

# How To Make It:

01 - Melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions, salt, and pepper. Cook stirring occasionally until deeply golden and caramelized, about 25–30 minutes. Stir in thyme and balsamic vinegar, cook 1 minute longer. Remove from heat.
02 - Lay out bread slices. Spread caramelized onions evenly on two slices. Top each with half the grated Gruyère. Close with remaining bread slices.
03 - Spread softened butter evenly on the outside of each sandwich.
04 - Heat non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches in pan and cook until golden brown with melted cheese, about 3–4 minutes per side. Press gently with spatula for even toasting.
05 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of sweet onions and nutty Gruyère creates something far greater than the sum of its parts
  • This is comfort food that feels fancy enough for company but simple enough for Tuesday night
  • Learning to properly caramelize onions is a kitchen skill that will serve you forever
02 -
  • Rushing the caramelization process is the biggest mistake you can make with this recipe
  • Low and slow heat produces the sweetest most flavorful onions worth every minute of patience
  • Grating your own cheese makes a huge difference in how evenly it melts
03 -
  • Make extra caramelized onions because they freeze beautifully and upgrade almost any dish
  • Use a spatula to press down gently but consistently for the crispest exterior
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