Jalapeño Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese (Printable View)

Creamy pepper jack cheese with tangy pickled jalapeños on buttered sourdough, grilled until golden. A spicy, satisfying classic twist.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 4 slices sourdough bread
02 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 - 4 slices pepper jack cheese

→ Vegetables

04 - 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño slices, drained and chopped

→ Optional Additions

05 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened

# How To Make It:

01 - Spread one side of each bread slice with softened butter.
02 - Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, on a clean work surface. Layer each with 2 slices of pepper jack cheese.
03 - Sprinkle the chopped pickled jalapeños evenly over the cheese. For extra creaminess, spread 1 tablespoon cream cheese on the unbuttered side of the top bread slices.
04 - Top each with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
05 - Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
06 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden brown and the cheese has melted.
07 - Remove from the skillet, let rest for 1 minute, then slice and serve hot.

# 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 in under twenty minutes with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
  • The tangy pickled jalapeños bring a brightness that keeps each bite interesting instead of heavy.
  • It feels like a treat but requires almost no cooking skill, just patience and a hot skillet.
02 -
  • Always use medium heat, not high, or the outside will burn while the cheese stays cold and rubbery in the center.
  • Drain and chop the jalapeños well so they do not make the bread soggy or create uneven pockets of heat.
  • Soften the butter first because cold butter tears the bread and leaves you with bald spots that will not brown properly.
03 -
  • Press the sandwich gently with your spatula while it cooks to help the cheese melt faster and create better contact with the hot skillet.
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one, it holds heat evenly and gives you the most consistent golden crust.
  • Let the butter come to room temperature naturally instead of microwaving it, which can make it greasy and harder to spread smoothly.
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