Swap the butter for a more flavorful grilled cheese sandwich

A crispy, buttery, and creamy sandwich that embodies the essence of comfort food, the grilled cheese sandwich always delivers in simplicity and flavor. While the classic combination of American cheese on white bread with butter or mayonnaise is an easy and straightforward way to make it, there are a few upgrades you can try to take this humble sandwich to the next level. This is where compound butter comes in.

In short, compound butter is plain butter blended or infused with ingredients to enhance its flavor. Common ingredients include herbs like chives or parsley, sweeteners like honey, spices like paprika, and aromatics like minced garlic. You can even add alcohol, such as brandy, to make a liquor-infused compound butter, perfect for pairing with a good steak.

When it comes to grilled cheese sandwiches, this simple change can add extra flavor with minimal effort. Simply spread the compound butter on the bread as usual and grill it.

How to prepare and pair compound butter with grilled cheese

While you can buy ready-made compound butter at your supermarket, learning to make it yourself is a simple cooking skill that can impress your guests. All you need is a stick of softened, unsalted butter and to mix it with your favorite seasonings. You can create any flavor combination you like; just keep in mind the type of grilled cheese sandwich you're making (or use your compound butter as inspiration for a unique sandwich!).

For example, cinnamon and honey butter pairs wonderfully with a soft cheese like Havarti. Have truffle butter? Try it with Gruyère or Brie. Make sun-dried tomato butter or pesto? Give it an Italian twist by pairing it with mozzarella or burrata. If you have a rich, flavorful butter, combining it with smoked Gouda will be a delight. And if you make chipotle butter, a sandwich with melted Oaxaca cheese will be a treat.

When preparing your sandwich, remember these tips for making the best grilled cheese sandwich. Use quality bread, such as thick slices of sourdough or nutritious whole-wheat bread. Once it's ready, serve it with a bowl of hot soup; after all, there's a reason grilled cheese and tomato soup go so well together.