This is the ultimate recipe for the grilled cheese lovers. Crispy crust and warm melted cheese oozing in every bite. This recipe takes a classic grilled cheese to the next level. Our gourmet grilled cheese is perfect for when you’re craving a grilled cheese but want something more filling. 

No sandwich is complete without a delicious and creamy soup to compliment it! A broccoli cheddar soup pairs beautifully with the cheesy sandwich, resulting in the ultimate comfort meal!

There is nothing wrong with a classic grilled cheese sandwich, but sometimes you want something a little elevated.

What makes this gourmet grilled cheese so remarkable is how many layers of flavor. This gourmet grilled cheese has everything from the garlic butter spread to the slight fire from the chipotle sauce!

The turkey and bacon offer additional protein while providing outstanding flavor. The pickle adds a slight acidity you never knew your sandwich was missing. All that together makes for an unforgettable sandwich you will surely crave. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple. This sandwich is incredibly easy to make and takes little prep time. It’s perfect for teaching your children how to make themselves a quick lunch. 
  • Customizable. All ingredients are interchangeable, making this the perfect recipe to customize to your preferences. 
  • Affordable. You can make this sandwich at a very low cost, making it a great option for sticking to a budget.
  • A classic. A good classic grilled sandwich is a must-have in a personal recipe book, just like our tuna sandwich and egg sandwich.
An image displaying all the labeled ingredients to make a gourmet sandwich.

Ingredients for Grilled Cheese

The ingredients for this grilled cheese are very simple and entirely customizable. You can choose what ingredients you would like to include to make this sandwich your own. 

  • Bread – we recommend using high-quality white bread. You can buy it sliced, or buy a loaf of bread and slice it at home like our no-knead bread.
  • Turkey – sliced turkey makes for a great deli meat option while also being low in fat and high in protein. 
  • Bacon – cooked bacon strips add a slight crunch and a rich, salty flavor. 
  • Tomato – the large tomato slices add a juicy component to the sandwich. 
  • Cheese – the cheese you use is up to you, but we recommend using a combination of sliced and shredded cheese. Choose a cheese that melts well, like American cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, or Havarti.
  • Spicy sauce – made with a mix of mayo and your favorite hot sauce, this sandwich spread gives this sandwich just the right amount of heat. 

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

The beauty of this sandwich is that you can easily customize it to your personal preferences or dietary needs. 

  • Bread: Use whole-wheat bread for a healthier sandwich. Sourdough bread, ciabatta, and Italian bread are all delicious options and are great once grilled. 
  • Meat: Use whatever deli meat you prefer. This can be sliced chicken, ham, or even sandwich pepperoni. You can even opt out of any meat and make a vegetarian sandwich. 
  • Sauce: The spicy sauce is optional, and plain mayo may be used in its place. Adjust the heat level by adding less or more hot sauce. 
  • Cheese: Any cheese or a combination of cheeses will work. Pick a cheese that melts well and that you enjoy the flavor. Other options include white cheddar cheese, gouda, gruyere cheese, and even brie!
  • Veggies: The vegetables may be to personal taste. Tomatoes and pickles add a refreshing acidity to the sandwich. If they aren’t your favorites, the sandwich will still be delicious without them. You can also add caramelized onion, red peppers, lettuce, kale, jalapenos, or banana peppers. 
  • Gourmet: Level up your grilled cheese by adding fresh thyme or basil, and drizzle with honey for an extra refined taste.

How to Make a Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Four slices of bread laid out. Two slices of bread have a thin layer of sauce, while the other two slices have Swiss cheese.
  1. Spread sauce onto sliced bread, and layer cheese.
Four slices of bread with the sauce, and cheese, topped with additional shredded cheese.

2. Add shredded cheese to the bread slices.

Four slices of bread, now topped with sliced tomatoes, sliced pickles, turkey and cooked bacon.

3. Finish assembling a sandwich with pickles, tomatoes, turkey, and bacon. Close up the sandwich, and spread garlic butter on the outside of the bread.

A perfectly golden-brown gourmet grilled cheese.

4. In a large skillet, cook the sandwich on medium-low heat until the bottom gets golden brown. Flip, and allow the other side to cook until the cheese fully melts.

Two slices of the grilled cheese sandwich stacked on top of each other.

Serving Suggestions

This grilled cheese works great as an easy lunch and can be served by itself or accompanied by a side. 

  • Sandwich & soup combo: Serve this sandwich as a classic soup and sandwich combo! Choose from a creamy tomato soup, or the chicken and gnocchi soup, or a classic chicken noodle soup
  • Sandwich & salad: For a lighter lunch or dinner, serve the sandwich with a salad. A caesar salad pairs wonderfully with this grilled cheese, or try a spinach avocado or chicken salad for a more filling option. 
  • Something sweet: Serve your gourmet grilled cheese with a side of your favorite berry jam and some sliced apples for a sweet juxtaposition to your sandwich.
Two halves of a grilled cheese sandwiches stacked on top of each other.

Recipe FAQs

Why does my cheese not melt?

If your cheese isn’t melting by the time your bread starts to darken, you want to lower your heat. Turning the heat to medium-low will give the cheese more time to melt before the crust begins to burn. 

Can I add more cheese?

You can add as much cheese as your heart desires! 

Can I make this sandwich on the grill?

You can absolutely make this sandwich on the grill. Wrap the sandwich in foil before placing it on your grill.

Can I use leftover meat?

Yes, you can use your favorite chicken that you have left over and slice it thinly. Our pan-seared chicken or leftover air fryer chicken breast would work great in this sandwich.

Store & Reheat

  • Storage. A grilled cheese is best served when it is freshly made. Otherwise, the cheese hardens, and the bread can get soggy inside. Place leftovers in an airtight container, and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
    • Reheat. Warm your refrigerated grilled cheese on a skillet over low-medium heat so the bread doesn’t burn. 
  • Freeze. If you would like to freeze a few grilled cheese sandwiches for later, we recommend not cooking them before you assemble. Make your sandwiches as you would, but don’t butter the outside. Wrap sandwiches in plastic wrap and stack them in the freezer. Reheat: Once you are ready to reheat your sandwich, remove the plastic wrap and spread garlic butter on the outside of the bread. Warm the oven to 350° F until cooked through, flipping halfway. 

More Sandwich Recipes

If you enjoyed this sandwich recipe, be sure to try our other popular sandwich recipes; here are some reader favorites:

If you tried this Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and feedback in the comments below – we really appreciate it!

Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe

Author: Valentina
Print
5 from 1 vote
This gourmet grilled cheese sandwich is the perfect recipe if you’re looking to take classic comfort food to the next level. Every crispy bite has layers of flavor. From the garlic butter to the cheesy center, and a slight tang from the pickle. You’re surely going to want to recreate this sandwich. 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

sandwich-

  • 4 slices white bread
  • 3/4 lb turkey slices
  • 4 bacon slices, halved and cooked
  • 8 tomato slices
  • 6 pickle slices
  • 4 cheese slices
  • 2 Tbsp butter, room temp
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder

sauce-

  • 3 Tbsp mayo
  • ½ tsp hot sauce (Sriracha or Hot sauce)
  • tsp lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp sugar

Instructions

  • Cook bacon until crispy. 
  • In a small bowl, combine mayo, hot sauce, lemon juice, and sugar, to make sauce.
  • Spread sauce evenly on one side of each slice of bread. 
  • Add cheese to the slices of bread. Add your remaining ingredients, such as bacon, turkey, tomato, and pickles. 
  • Close sandwich.
  • Combine butter with garlic powder. Spread this combination on all the outside slices of bread. This will help give a beautiful crust. 
  • Heat a large non-stick skillet. Add sandwich and lightly press down.
  • Cook on medium-high heat until the cheese is melted, and the face of the sandwich is crispy. 
  • Serve, and enjoy friends. 

Notes

  • This sandwich is best when served immediately.
  • You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
  • Freeze the sandwich before you cook it, and store it for up to a month.

Nutrition

948kcal Calories36g Carbs53g Protein64g Fat26g Saturated Fat191mg Cholesterol3059mg Sodium1342mg Potassium2g Fiber9g Sugar1785IU Vitamin A15.7mg Vitamin C588mg Calcium3.2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 948 Calories from Fat 576
% Daily Value*
Fat 64g98%
Saturated Fat 26g163%
Cholesterol 191mg64%
Sodium 3059mg133%
Potassium 1342mg38%
Carbohydrates 36g12%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 53g106%
Vitamin A 1785IU36%
Vitamin C 15.7mg19%
Calcium 588mg59%
Iron 3.2mg18%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)