Grilled Cheese Alternatives

These grilled cheese alternatives will take your favorite cheesy sandwich to the next level. These grilled cheese toppings make great additions to grilled cheese sandwiches and will have everyone oohing and aahing.

When we think of grilled cheese, we tend to think of the basic sandwich. A basic grilled cheese is white sandwich bread, buttered and American cheese.

Here are a few of our basic recipes to get you started on your grilled cheese adventure.

However, there's so much more you can do to a grilled cheese sandwich. In fact, cheese is just the beginning!

Why You'll Love These Grilled Cheese Toppings

They're easy additions that really kick up your grilled cheese sandwiches.
They drastically change the way your grilled cheese tastes.
They put fun new twists on a classic family favorite.

Grilled Cheese Alternatives

Always remember to place a piece of cheese directly on top of the bread to seal the additions to your grilled cheese inside the sandwich and prevent your sandwich from potentially getting soggy, depending on which grilled cheese toppings you use.

You can add all kinds of things to a grilled cheese sandwich so it's not so boring and basic. Let's talk about some of those items.

Cold Meats

Sausage
Cooked Bacon
Sloppy Joes
Sliced Pepperoni
Prosciutto
Pulled Pork
Roast Beef
Leftover Steak
Pastrami
Corned Beef
Fried Egg
Sliced hard-boiled eggs
Tuna
Ham
Turkey
Salami
Deli Chicken Breast
Deli Turkey
Deli Ham
Deli Sliced Chicken
Grilled Chicken
Shredded Buffalo Chicken
Leftover Meatballs and Sauce
Leftover Taco Meat

Cheese

As I mentioned most people think of just American cheese when they think of a grilled cheese sandwich. You can also make a grilled cheese alternative by switching up the cheese you use.

Cream Cheese
Cottage Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Goats Cheese
Feta Cheese
Halloumi
Brie
American Cheese
Muenster
Fresh Mozzarella
Provolone
Havarti
Gouda or Smoked Gouda
Pepper Jack
Havarti
Swiss
Parmesan

Vegetables

Of course, we can't forget vegetables. You can add anything you like to your grilled cheese sandwich. Typical vegetables are lettuce and tomato, but you can switch it up and add any of the following as well:

Sweet Peppers
Hot Peppers
Avocado slices
Sliced Red Onions
Yellow Onions
Minced Garlic
Baby Spinach
Baby Kale
Sliced Tomatoes
Pickles
Sauteéd Mushrooms
Mixed Greens
Alfalfa Sprouts
Roasted Red Peppers
Olives
Coleslaw
Pickled Sweet or Hot Peppers
Pickled Vegetables like Onions

Spreads

Have you tried putting a spread on your grilled cheese other than butter? Butter is typically used on the outside of the bread so that it doesn't stick to the pan.

A popular alternative to butter is to use mayonnaise as well. Did you know you can put any spread you want INSIDE your sandwich as a grilled cheese alternative to the traditional grilled cheese?

Next time you want to jazz up your grilled cheese try any of the following spreads:

Honey
Jam
Chocolate Spread
Nutella or Hazelnut Spread
Peanut Butter
Cashew Butter
Almond Butter
Butter
Cream Cheese
Mayo
Chicken Salad
Tuna Salad
Mustard
Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Pesto
Tzatziki
Honey mustard
Homemade Ranch
Peanut butter
Jelly
Barbecue Sauce
Cheese Whiz
Cranberry Sauce
Guacamole
Honey
Horseradish Sauce
Hot Sauce
Olive Oil
Red Pepper Flakes
Relish
Salad Dressing
Salsa
Salt
Vinaigrette
Wasabi
Yogurt mayo alternative
Anchovy Paste
Chutney
Basil or other herbs.
Black pepper
Sriracha

Bread

White Sandwich Bread
Sourdough
Rye Bread
Whole Wheat
Multi-Grain bread
Sourdough
Texas Toast
Egg Bread (Challah)

How Much Grilled Cheese Alternatives to Use

No matter what grilled cheese toppings you choose to add to your sandwiches, just like making grilled cheese sandwiches, making additions to grilled cheese sandwiches is largely a matter of feel.

That being said, there are some guidelines to keep in mind as you experiment with your various grilled cheese sandwich options.

Usually, a grilled cheese will have about 3 ounces of meat, 1.5 to 2 ounces of cheese, and 2 tablespoons of spread on the outside of the bread. One tablespoon per slice. This doesn't include toppings. You'll have to eyeball those.

A general rule of thumb is to use just enough extra toppings to cover the cheese. If you load up your grilled cheese too heavily, it can simply fall apart.

Try All of These Grilled Cheese Alternatives

Grilled cheese is one of the most customizable meals out there. With a bit of creativity and imagination, anything can be added to your grilled cheese sandwich or alternative.

From cold meats, cheeses, vegetables, and spreads, you have many options to choose from when it comes to making a delicious grilled cheese sandwich.

And don't forget about the bread! There are so many types of bread that can add a unique flavor to your sandwich. Get creative and have fun while making your grilled cheese! Bon Appetit!