Pear & Apple Grilled Cheese With Caramelized Onions Recipe
A deliciously unique twist on classic grilled cheese featuring the sweet and tangy flavors of caramelized onions, thinly sliced pears and apples, all melted with sharp cheddar cheese between crispy sourdough bread slices. Perfect as a comforting lunch or light dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sandwich:
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 medium pear, thinly sliced
- 1 medium apple, thinly sliced
For the Caramelized Onions:
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until the onions are golden brown and soft. Add the balsamic vinegar and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to infuse flavor. Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Skillet: In the same skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of unsalted butter over medium heat, creating a buttery base to grill the sandwiches.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Lay out two slices of sourdough bread. On each, evenly layer half of the shredded cheddar cheese, followed by half of the caramelized onions. Next, add a layer of apple slices, then pear slices, and top with the remaining cheddar cheese. Complete the sandwich by placing the other slices of bread on top.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Place one sandwich onto the hot skillet. Cook on one side for 4-5 minutes until the bread is golden brown and crispy. Carefully flip the sandwich and cook the other side for another 4-5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt thoroughly and the bread to crisp evenly.
- Repeat and Serve: Grill the second sandwich in the same manner. Once done, remove both sandwiches from the skillet, let them rest for a minute to cool slightly, then slice in half and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute sharp cheddar with gouda or gruyere for a different flavor profile.
- Make sure the pear and apple slices are thin enough to cook through slightly during grilling but not so thin that they become mushy.
- Adding a pinch of black pepper enhances the sweetness of the fruits and the savoriness of the cheese.
- If you want a vegan version, use dairy-free butter and cheese alternatives.
Keywords: grilled cheese, caramelized onions, pear, apple, sourdough sandwich, fall sandwich, comfort food, cheddar cheese
