Grilled cheese sandwiches are simplistic and comforting, yet astonishingly versatile. They’re merely cheese and bread yet you can have a variety of cheeses, or just one. You can add various meats, veggies, and herbs to create flavorful and nutritious meals. Or dip the sandwich in a bowl of your favorite soup. Lastly, you can use butter or mayo for the perfect crisp and browned toast but there’s been some debate about which method is best.
Celebrity Chef Shares Grilled Cheese Secret
Countless celebrities including Martha Stewart swear by using mayo to make a perfectly crisp grilled cheese sandwich. In contrast, some people find mayo to be grotesque or unappealing. Therefore, people are (unsurprisingly) divided about whether or not butter is a better alternative. As such, the better method is subjective but some factors may sway personal preferences in one direction or the other.
Mayo is Today’s Popular Choice
One major reason mayo has been deemed the better option for making a grilled cheese sandwich is that it doesn’t burn as easily. On the other hand, using butter for a grilled cheese may taste better but it’s also harder to make. Butter has milk fats that taste wonderfully sweet, rich, or nutty, but are fragile to heat and can go from “browned” to burnt in seconds. As such, perfecting the timing between melted cheese and browned toast may take some practice and numerous failed attempts.
Mayo is Reinforced as the best aide for Grilled Cheese
Another reason mayo is a more popular method in perfecting a grilled cheese sandwich pertains to how the products hold up in the fridge. For example, the milk fats in butter, mentioned above, solidify when stored in the fridge. In contrast, mayo keeps its consistency. Moreover, it’s recommended to store mayo in the fridge. As a result, butter will require some time to soften, unless you have a butter dish for the counter. Whereas mayo is ready for use as soon as it’s out of the fridge.
In Contrast
While evidence shows using Mayo to make a grilled cheese may be easier or faster, butter shouldn’t be disregarded. Many people, including those who swear by Mayo, acknowledge that the flavor of browned butter is the preferred flavor profile when perfectly executed. Using Mayo for a grilled cheese might be more functional but it isn’t more flavorful. In contrast, Mayo doesn’t have the same rich, sweet, or creamy taste as butter.
Making a Compromise
Interestingly, people online posed a different solution for the Butter versus Mayo argument. Many people shared they had found a sweet spot in using both. Delish then tested the suggestion to decipher the method that would help perfect a grilled cheese. After trying all three options they established that although it was more time-consuming, using both butter and Mayo helped create the perfect browned toast, a rich and full flavor, and the Mayo helped to offset the milk fats to prevent them from burning.
Grilled Cheese Opinions of the Public
Numerous people have shared their thoughts regarding the expert opinions and several are confused by the notion that Mayo could be the better method. As such, many feel that there is no competition, butter is far superior. “Mayo? On grilled cheese? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Think I’ll stick with butter though.” Commented one person on Facebook. Another added: “How is this a debate? Lol Never even heard of mayo on grilled cheese. So yeah butter all day.”
On the other hand, one user had a change of heart, having previously preferred butter. “I always did butter but then i heard about cooking with mayo on the outside of the slices and i thought it was a total game changer (cooked better with a nice crisp, without burn and a little more tasty).” They explained. “So mayo it is for me (and i’m not even a big mayo person).”
Meanwhile, someone else got creative by using bacon grease instead of butter or Mayo. “I ran out of butter, ended up trying bacon grease. Farthest thing from healthy, but oh so delicious!” They exclaimed. And someone else shared they feel it “depends on the type of grilled cheese.”
And a final person who reminded the internet that food experts have voiced their opinions, and they should be considered. “It’s already been settled by multiple chefs, food bloggers and various reports. Mayo is superior.” He said.
Endless Possibilities
Regardless of how people prefer their grilled cheese, nearly everyone enjoys grilled cheese, when done well or paired with the perfect ingredients or flavors. Here are some creative ideas to add to your grilled cheese, once you’ve decided if you prefer Mayo or butter, and mastered the timing for butter. As previously mentioned, the options for a delicious grilled cheese are endless. Meats, veggies, and multiple types of cheese can help enhance the grilled cheese flavors, and create a heartier meal.
Grilled Cheese Ideas
Alternatively, grilled cheese doesn’t necessarily have to be made with bread as some people have used watermelon slices and a bit of mozzarella cheese to create a delicious, refreshing, and slightly healthier alternative to traditional grilled cheese. You can also add a basil or mint leaf to add more freshness. Although it’s not a conventional grilled cheese, there is one major reason this creative dish is so delicious. Grilling watermelon, and other fruits, caramelizes the sugars making them sweeter and crisper.
Or try a “doughnut grilled cheese” made with brie, strawberries, and chocolate.
Lastly, grilled cheese doesn’t have to be in sandwich form. Instead, you can grill a cheese wheel and use bread sticks, crackers, or veggie sticks for dipping.