Caramelized onions, Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and toasted sourdough make this French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich irresistible!
Alright, so here’s a little confession—I’ve got a serious love affair with anything involving melted cheese. Like, if there’s a cheese club, sign me up and hand me the lifetime membership card. And when you throw in caramelized onions? Game over. Seriously.
I think it all started a few years back when I tried French onion soup for the first time at this cozy little bistro in Chicago. It was one of those rainy, miserable days where the wind just slices right through you. But that soup? It was like magic in a bowl—rich broth, those sweet, jammy onions, and a blanket of melty Gruyère cheese… I was hooked.
So naturally, turning that into a grilled cheese sandwich felt like the most logical thing in the world. And I’ll be real with you—I’ve made this French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich a million times now, and it never disappoints. The way the onions melt into the cheese? Ugh, it’s just too good. It’s like French onion soup’s cooler, more laid-back cousin.
Every time I make it, I remember that first bite of French onion soup, sitting by a drafty window while the rain poured down outside. Now, it’s my go-to comfort food whenever I need something cozy. And let’s be honest, we all have those days where only cheese can save us.
Why You’ll Love This French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe?
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All About The Cheese: Gruyère brings the creaminess, and sharp white cheddar gives you that punchy flavor. It’s a perfect cheese duet.
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Caramelized Onions: I’m talking rich, golden onions that’ve been cooked down to absolute sweetness. They’re the secret ingredient that takes this sandwich from good to mind-blowing.
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Crispy Sourdough Bread: It’s got the structure to hold up all that gooey cheese and onions. And the way it crisps up? Just… yes.
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Easy Comfort Food: It sounds kinda fancy, but honestly, it’s a simple recipe that just feels special. Because it is special.
Ingredient Notes:
Let’s break down the magic, shall we?
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Yellow Onions: Go for yellow. They get sweeter and more caramelized than white or red. Plus, they’re cheap—win-win.
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Gruyère Cheese: It’s creamy, nutty, and melts like a dream. Seriously, don’t skip this one.
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Sharp White Cheddar: Adds a little bite to balance the richness of the Gruyère. If you want something bolder, go for aged cheddar.
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Sourdough Bread: Holds up beautifully and gives you that perfect crunch. Regular bread? It’s okay, but sourdough is where it’s at.
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Butter & Olive Oil: The combo makes everything extra rich and gives you that gorgeous golden crust.
How To Make French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich?
Ready to make the best grilled cheese sandwich of your life? Let’s do this.
Step 1. Caramelize the Onions
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Toss in your sliced onions and stir to coat them. Cover the skillet and let the onions soften for about 5 minutes.
Now, add your sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir it all up and pop the lid back on. Keep the heat at medium-low and cook, stirring every 5 minutes, for around 20 minutes. You’re looking for onions that are deep golden and borderline jammy.
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Pour in your broth (or sherry or water) and scrape up all the brown bits. Stir in the thyme and take the skillet off the heat. Transfer the onions to a bowl and wipe out the skillet.
Step 2. Make the Sandwich
Melt the remaining butter and olive oil in the skillet over medium-low heat. Lay your bread slices down and toast them for about 2 minutes until they’re lightly golden. Flip them over and sprinkle the cheeses evenly over each slice. Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes.
Spread the caramelized onions over two of the slices, then press the other cheesy slices on top to make your sandwiches.
Step 3. Serve and Devour
Let them cool for a minute (if you can resist), slice them up, and dig in while the cheese is still all hot and gooey. Seriously, it’s impossible to wait.
Storage Options:
Ha! As if you’re going to have leftovers. But if you do, you can keep them in the fridge for up to two days. Just make sure you reheat it in a skillet to get that crispiness back. Microwaves will turn it to mush—don’t do it.
Variations and Substitutions:
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Switch Up The Cheese: No Gruyère? Try Swiss or mozzarella. Want it extra sharp? Go for aged cheddar.
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Different Bread: Sourdough’s the best, but French bread or ciabatta work well, too.
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Add Meat: Roast beef or thinly sliced steak can make this sandwich even heartier.
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Make It Vegetarian: Swap the beef broth for veggie broth. Easy fix.
What to Serve with French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich?
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Tomato Soup: Because… duh.
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French Fries: Crispy fries and melty cheese just work.
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Green Salad: For when you kind of want to be healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
You can, but it won’t melt as smoothly. Freshly shredded cheese is always the way to go.
Can I make the onions ahead of time?
Absolutely! Store them in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them for up to a month.
What if I don’t have Gruyère?
Swiss or mozzarella will work, but Gruyère just hits differently. Trust me.
Alright, there you have it! My French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe in all its gooey, cheesy glory. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear what you think! And hey, if you end up tweaking it, even better. This sandwich is all about making it your own.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 3 medium yellow onions peeled, halved, and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves chopped
- 1/4 cup beef broth dry sherry, or water
For the Sandwiches:
- 4 slices hearty sourdough bread
- 6 oz Gruyère cheese shredded
- 4 oz sharp white cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
To Prepare the Caramelized Onions:
- Heat Butter and Oil: In a large, heavy skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Cook Onions: Add the sliced onions to the skillet, stirring to coat them evenly. Cover and cook for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the onions to soften.
- Add Seasonings: Remove the lid and incorporate sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend.
- Continue Cooking: Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook the onions in 5-minute intervals, stirring occasionally, until they reach a deep golden brown color. This process will take approximately 20 minutes.
- Deglaze: Add the beef broth, dry sherry, or water to the skillet, scraping the bottom to release any caramelized bits. Cook for an additional minute.
- Add Thyme: Stir in fresh thyme leaves and remove the skillet from heat. Transfer the caramelized onions to a heatproof bowl and carefully wipe out the skillet with a paper towel.
To Prepare the Sandwiches:
- Prepare Skillet: Warm the remaining olive oil and butter in the skillet over medium-low heat.
- Toast Bread: Place the sourdough bread slices in the skillet and toast until lightly golden, approximately 2 minutes.
- Add Cheese: Flip the bread slices and distribute the shredded Gruyère and sharp white cheddar evenly over each slice.
- Melt Cheese: Cover the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes until the cheese has melted thoroughly.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the toasted bread to a cutting board. Spread caramelized onions over two of the slices and top with the remaining bread slices.
- Slice and Serve: Allow the sandwiches to cool for 1–2 minutes before slicing in half. Serve immediately for the best experience.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
