Cheddar Jalapeño Grilled Cheese (Printable View)

A spicy twist on the classic grilled cheese featuring sharp cheddar and tangy pickled jalapeños between golden, buttery bread.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices thick-cut country bread or sourdough

→ Cheese & Fillings

02 - 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
03 - 0.25 cup pickled jalapeño slices, drained

→ For Grilling

04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# How To Make It:

01 - Lay out bread slices on a clean surface and spread butter evenly on one side of each slice.
02 - Flip slices over and evenly distribute grated cheddar cheese on the unbuttered side of two slices.
03 - Scatter pickled jalapeño slices over the cheese layer.
04 - Top with remaining bread slices, ensuring buttered side faces outward.
05 - Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
06 - Place sandwiches in skillet and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden brown and cheese is fully melted.
07 - Remove from skillet, let rest for 1 minute, then slice and serve warm.

# Best Practices:

01 -
  • It takes the comfort of melted cheese and adds just enough heat to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them.
  • You can make it start to finish in fifteen minutes, which means lunch or dinner is solved before you even get hungry enough to snack.
  • The pickled jalapeños bring a tangy brightness that cuts through the richness of the cheddar in a way that feels both indulgent and balanced.
02 -
  • Medium-low heat is non-negotiable because high heat will char the outside before the cheese has a chance to melt, leaving you with a crunchy shell and a cold, sad center.
  • Grating your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded makes the melt smoother and creamier, and it only takes an extra minute.
  • Draining the jalapeños well before adding them keeps the bread from getting soggy and ensures every bite has the right balance of crunch and chew.
03 -
  • If your bread is browning too fast, lower the heat and cover the skillet with a lid to trap steam and help the cheese melt evenly.
  • A cast iron skillet works beautifully for this if you have one because it holds heat so well and gives you an even, gorgeous crust.
  • Try mixing in a little monterey jack or pepper jack with the cheddar for extra melt and a different kind of spice.
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