Caramelized Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
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4.6 from 24 reviews
A delicious Caramelized Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich that combines sweet caramelized onions, crisp honeycrisp apples, creamy brie, and sharp cheddar on toasted sourdough bread, enhanced with fresh sage butter for a savory and sweet flavor experience.
Total Time:1 hour 10 minutes
Yield:2 sandwiches
Ingredients
Bread & Butter
4 slices sourdough bread
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided, room temperature
1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
Filling
1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
2 large yellow onions, sliced ½ inch thick
8 oz cheddar cheese, grated
2 oz brie cheese, sliced into ½ inch slivers
Instructions
Caramelize Onions: Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and stir every few minutes. After 10 minutes, add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for an additional 35 minutes until onions turn golden and soft. Add 1 tablespoon of water if the skillet becomes too dry to prevent burning.
Prepare Sage Butter: Combine the chopped fresh sage with 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Mix well to create a fragrant sage butter.
Assemble Sandwich: Place one slice of sourdough bread on a clean surface, unbuttered side up. Layer with brie cheese, then cheddar cheese, followed by thinly sliced apples arranged in a slightly overlapping single layer. Add ¼ cup of the caramelized onions, then top with more cheddar cheese. Cover with the second slice of bread.
Butter Top Slice: Spread 1 tablespoon of the sage butter evenly over the top slice of bread.
Cook Sandwich: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place the sandwich in the skillet with the buttered side down. Spread the remaining butter evenly on the top, exposed slice of bread. Cook for about 6 minutes on each side, or until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted inside.
Serve: Remove from heat, slice if desired, and serve warm to enjoy the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and creamy flavors.
Notes
Use honeycrisp or any crisp apple variety for the best texture and flavor contrast.
Keep the heat moderate to low when caramelizing onions to avoid burning.
If you don’t have sage, thyme or rosemary can be substituted for a different but complementary flavor.
Butter the bread generously for a crisp and golden crust.
Use a heavy skillet or a panini press for even cooking.
