Caramelized Onion & Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
This Caramelized Onion & Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a flavorful twist on the classic comfort food. Featuring sweet, slow-cooked onions and crisp honeycrisp apples layered with creamy brie and sharp cheddar cheeses, all accented with fresh sage butter and grilled to golden perfection, it offers a delicious blend of savory and sweet in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Bread & Butter
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
Produce
- 1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
- 2 large yellow onions, sliced ½ inch thick
Cheese
- 8 oz cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 oz brie cheese, sliced into ½” slivers
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and stir occasionally every few minutes. After 10 minutes, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Continue cooking, stirring intermittently for 30-40 more minutes until the onions turn golden and caramelized. If the skillet becomes dry, add 1 tablespoon of water to prevent burning.
- Prepare Sage Butter: Combine the chopped fresh sage with 4 tablespoons of butter and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Mix well to evenly distribute the sage throughout the butter.
- Assemble Sandwich: Place a slice of sourdough bread on a clean surface without butter. Layer with slices of brie cheese, then sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the top. Arrange the thin apple slices in a slightly overlapping single layer, followed by about ¼ cup of the caramelized onions. Add another layer of grated cheddar cheese, and finish with the second slice of bread on top. Spread 1 tablespoon of the sage butter on the top piece of bread.
- Cook the Sandwich: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place the sandwiches buttered side down in the skillet. Spread the remaining sage butter on the exposed tops of the bread. Cook for approximately 6 minutes on each side, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted thoroughly.
- Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and serve immediately while warm to enjoy the full flavor and creamy melted cheese.
Notes
- Use honeycrisp apples for the best balance of sweetness and crunch; other sweet, firm apple varieties can be substituted.
- Caramelizing onions requires patience but is key to developing deep, sweet flavors.
- If you don’t have fresh sage, you can substitute with dried sage but reduce the amount as it is more concentrated.
- Be careful with the heat while grilling to ensure the cheese melts without burning the bread.
- This sandwich is best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in a skillet for a few minutes for optimal texture.
Keywords: Caramelized onion grilled cheese, apple grilled cheese sandwich, sourdough grilled cheese, sage butter grilled cheese, sweet and savory sandwich
