The Ultimate Guide to Grilling Cheese: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes

Grilling cheese is an art that transforms ordinary cheese into a gooey, golden masterpiece. Whether you're a seasoned grill master or a beginner, this guide will help you elevate your cheese game. From choosing the right cheese to mastering the perfect grill marks, we've got you covered. Let’s dive in!

Why Grill Cheese?

Grilling cheese enhances its flavor, giving it a smoky, caramelized crust while maintaining a melty, delicious interior. It’s perfect for sandwiches, salads, or simply enjoyed on its own. 

Best Cheeses for Grilling

Not all cheeses are created equal when it comes to grilling. Only cheeses with high melting point can be easily grilled, baked and pan fried. We experimented with multiple cheeses to see how they taste, hold, develop crust, preserve or change texture while heated. Here are our top choices:

1. Bread Cheese. Is our top choice and absolute favorite grilling cheese. It is an American replica of Juustoleipa - a traditional Finnish-style baked cheese produced by Carr Valley Cheese in Wisconsin. Made from cow's milk, it has a firm texture and a buttery flavor. The cheese is baked during production, creating a golden, caramelized crust. Bread cheese is unique for great crust while being soft and juicy when grilled. It changes texture completely: without grilling it is squeaky, rubbery, almost unpleasant but everything changes on the grill - it becomes soft and runny. I personally enjoy it as it is - good 10 oz cheese stake, if you will. It is also good for salad toppings instead of croutons. Additionally, It comes with variety of flavors: Original, Garlic, Jalapeno, Pizza.
2. Halloumi: Known as the "king of grilling cheese", Halloumi doesn't melt easily, making it perfect for grilling. We like it out of reverence - it is the foundation of the grilling cheese idea, the originating cheese if you will. In my opinion it comes a little bit too salty and spongy, with squeak on the teeth. 
3. Paneer: A popular Indian cheese that holds its shape and absorbs flavors beautifully.
4. Yanni Grilling Cheese.
5. Akawi. This cheese I prefer to pan fry, It makes nice fried cheese cubes, airy, lite and soft.
6. Big Moo. The brand claims that they are the best baked cheese. They come in variety of flavors: Original, Bacon, Garlic. It doesn't change as much after heating. It does become softer but the texture and structure is still pretty solid. It has that squeaky-on-the-teeth effect.  
7. Marinated Bonfire Grilling Cheese. Even though producer claims that it is grilling cheese, it is more like for baking. Cheese comes in foil tray - just place it in the oven (or the grill) and warm it up. It is feta-style cheese and very different from all cheeses listed above. After warming it becomes more like a dip/spread where herbal marinate helps to enhance the flavor.

Preparing Cheese for the Grill

1. Slice Right: We recommend not to slice cheese before grilling. Place fill piece of cheese (as it comes) on the frill and cube it after grilling. This way it won't fall through the grilling bars. Only when you intend to pan fry the cheese you can cube it prior frying. We did it with Akawi and the cubes were perfectly fried from all sides.
2. Pat Dry: Remove excess moisture to avoid sticking and ensure even grilling.
3. Oil Lightly: Brush with a light coat of olive oil to prevent sticking and add flavor.

Grilling Techniques

1. Preheat the Grill: Ensure your grill is hot before adding the cheese. Medium heat works best. You want the cheese to warm up inside without burning on the surface. Miracle happens with cheese texture then it is warmed up.
2. Direct Heat: Place cheese directly over the heat source for 5-7 minutes per side. Look for those beautiful grill marks but don't let it fall through the grill bars. Even though it has high melting point - it still melts!
3. Use a Grill Basket: If you're grilling smaller pieces, a grill basket can prevent them from falling through the grates.

Delicious Grilled Cheese Recipes

Grilled Halloumi Salad

Ingredients:

• 200g Halloumi, sliced
• Mixed greens
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Cucumber, sliced
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Grill Halloumi slices for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
3. Assemble the salad with greens, tomatoes, and cucumber.
4. Top with grilled Halloumi and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Tips for Perfect Grilled Cheese

1. Don’t Overcook: Keep an eye on your cheese to avoid overcooking, which can make it tough.
2. Experiment with Marinades: Enhance flavor by marinating cheese in herbs, spices, and olive oil before grilling.
3. Serve Immediately: Grilled cheese is best enjoyed hot off the grill, when it’s at its gooey, melty best.

Conclusion

Grilling cheese is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy this versatile ingredient. With the right cheese and techniques, you can create a variety of dishes that will impress your family and friends. So fire up your grill and start experimenting with these tips and recipes today!

FAQs

Q: Can I grill any type of cheese? A: While you can try grilling various cheeses, those with higher melting points like Halloumi, Paneer, and Provolone work best.

Q: How do I prevent cheese from sticking to the grill? A: Ensure the grill is preheated, and lightly oil the cheese or grill grates before cooking.

Q: What can I pair with grilled cheese? A: Grilled cheese pairs well with fresh salads, roasted vegetables, or as a topping for burgers and sandwiches.