Pear & Apple Grilled Cheese With Caramelized Onions Recipe
This Pear & Apple Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions is a delightful twist on a classic sandwich, combining sweet and savory flavors with melted sharp cheddar cheese, tender caramelized onions, and thinly sliced fresh pear and apple, all grilled to golden perfection on sourdough bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sandwich
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium pear, thinly sliced
- 1 medium apple, thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 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 softened. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Skillet: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat while assembling the sandwiches.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: On two slices of sourdough bread, layer half of the shredded cheddar cheese, followed by an even distribution of the caramelized onions, then layer the apple slices and pear slices. Top with the remaining cheese and cover with the other two slices of bread.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Place one sandwich in the heated skillet. Grill on one side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Carefully flip using a spatula and grill the other side for another 4-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted fully and bread is toasted.
- Serve: Repeat with the second sandwich. Remove both sandwiches from the skillet, let them cool slightly for about 1 minute, then slice in half and serve warm.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm pears and apples for the best texture and flavor.
- Caramelizing the onions slowly is key to developing their deep, sweet flavor.
- Feel free to substitute sharp cheddar with other melting cheeses like Gruyère or fontina.
- To prevent burning, grill the sandwich on medium heat and watch carefully while flipping.
- Sandwich can be wrapped and stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, then reheated in a skillet for best results.
Keywords: grilled cheese, caramelized onions, pear, apple, sourdough, sandwich, quick meal, autumn recipe
