Looking an EPIC smoked grilled cheese sandwich recipe? Your in the right place!
With the bread perfectly crispy from the butter and gooey oozy cheesy center, is grilled cheese sandwich will have you drooling. But that best part? It delicious hint of smokiness that everyone loves.
Cheesy, smoky savory and crispy it’s just perfect.
Why You’ll Love This Smoked Grilled Cheese Recipe
The crunchy golden-buttery edges of thick white sourdough slices of bread, sandwiched around melty cheese with a kiss of smoky flavor are sure to make you fall in love with this recipe!
Furthermore, making this grilled cheese on the smoker is just about as easy as it is to make one on the stovetop!
What You’ll Need to Cook Smoked Grilled Cheese
Fresh sourdough bread
Dried mozzarella
Smoked gouda
Unsalted butter
Black pepper
Cast iron pan
What Temperature to Smoke the Grilled Cheese To?
You’ll want to preheat the grill to 450°F and place the cast iron pan directly on the grill grates, allowing it to indirectly heat for 5-10 mins.
Making the sandwich in the pan retains all the flavor and butter. Making the sandwich directly on the grill grates will cause some of the cheese and butter to drip down, losing a lot of flavor.
How Do You Prepare Grilled Cheese on the Traeger?
When the cast iron pan is hot from the heat of the Traeger, add 1/2 a tablespoon of butter to the pan and let it melt.
Grate the cheese and mix it with 1/4 tsp of black pepper and any spices if desired.
Proceed to butter the slices of bread on the outside.
Assemble the sandwich with the bread slices facing buttered-side out, and place it in the hot pan.
How Long Do You Need to Smoke the Grilled Cheese?
Let the sandwich cook, for about 8-10 min per side. However, be sure to check every 3 minutes to ensure you have a nice, golden crust building up.
Make sure to turn it halfway until the cheese melts and the bread turns golden brown.
What Bread Is Best for Smoked Grilled Cheese?
Although sprouted, multi-grain wheat bread is the talk of the town nowadays, this recipe calls for something more ‘traditional’.
Sourdough, Texas toast, or even good ole’ white sandwich bread will do the trick here.
Although sourdough bread is highly preferred due to the divine flavor it brings to this smoky recipe, any good quality, soft sandwich bread will be ideal.
What Kind of Cheese Is Best for Smoked Grilled Cheese?
You could get really wild with this, but these two factors in your cheese are an absolute must:
1. Melty
2. Smokey
A melty cheese such as mozzarella, gouda, or fontina will provide you with the texture you’re after.
Similarly, you’ll want to choose at least one smoky cheese as it’s almost impossible to get a good smokey flavor with your smoker alone.
Smoked gouda, smoked scarmoza, or smoked provolone are really good options for this one.
You can also add a third cheese for some added sharpness. Although this isn’t necessary, mixing in a slightly stronger cheese will give the recipe more of a cheesy flavor. Parrmiggiano Reggiano, camembert, or even blue cheese can work for this one.
What to Serve With Smoked Grilled Cheese?
Potato wedges, onion rings, or tomato soup are classic options to serve with smoked grilled cheese that is loved by kids and adults.
If you are serving guests or family with a more adventurous palate, you can upscale this recipe by serving it with cured meats or fruit jams that pair well with your cheese.
Best Wood Chips for Smoking
I thinl that apple or cherry wood works best with this grilled cheese recipe. However if you prefer a stronger smoke flavor go for mesquite or oak.
How to Store Leftover Smoked Grilled Cheese?
Leftover smoked grilled cheese sandwiches should be stored in an airtight bag or storage container and kept in the refrigerator for a maximum of three to four days.
Ideally, the sandwiches should not be left on the counter for more than 30 minutes to an hour and be placed in the refrigerator as soon as they have cooled down.
Smoked Grilled Cheese Ideas & Add-Ons
Don’t feel like you have to stick to two cheeses. The world is your oyster!
A few add-ons that can take this sandwich up a notch are:
– mix in some caramelized onions
– add in maple bacon
– add in smoked or honey-glazed ham
– mix in a few pickles and small diced white onions
– mix in chopped, garlic spinach
Tips For The Best Smoked Grilled Cheese
Adhering to the following tips will ensure that you achieve the perfect smoked grilled cheese:
1. Make sure to use a low-medium cast iron pan temperature to get the perfect crust.
2. Go big or go home with the butter. Butter will make the grilled cheese easier to toast and taste really good.
3. Don’t skip out on a handful of wood chips for an added smokey flavor.
How to Make a Smoked Grilled Cheese
Step 1: Pre-heating the Grill
Preheat the grill to 450°F, placing the cast iron pan directly on the grill grates and allowing it to heat for 5-10 mins.
Step 2: Assembling the Grilled Cheese
Spread one side of each slice of bread with about 1/2 a tablespoon of butter.
Grate the cheese onto one slice of bread, with the buttered side facing out. Mix it with 1/4 tsp of black pepper and any spices if desired. Cover with the other slice of bread, butter side out.
Step 3: Cooking the Grilled Cheese
Place half a tablespoon of butter in the hot cast iron pan, laying the grilled cheese in the pan and letting it sizzle.
Cook for about 8-10 min per side, checking every 3 mins to ensure a golden crust is forming.
Step 4: Serving Your Smoked Grilled Cheese
Once the bread is at your desired golden-brown state, slice the smoked grilled cheese in half and serve right away!
Pair your grilled cheese with potato wedges, tomato soup, or fruit jam to upscale this recipe!
What to Serve With Your Grilled Cheese
Looking for More Sandwich Recipes?
There is nothing like a good sandwich, here are some of my favorties
Pork Belly Burnt Ends Sandwich
Sandwich With Leftover Pulled Pork
Smoked Grilled Cheese
Equipment
- 1 cast iron pan
- 1 Pellet smoker
Ingredients
- 2 slices of fresh sourdough bread
- 86 g of mozzarella dried
- 86 g of smoked gouda
- 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter
Instructions
Step 1: Pre-heating the Grill
- Preheat the grill to 450°F, placing the cast iron pan directly on the grill grates and allowing it to heat for 5-10 mins.
Step 2: Assembling the Grilled Cheese
- Spread one side of each slice of bread with about 1/2 a tablespoon of butter.
- Grate the cheese onto one slice of bread, with the buttered side facing out. Mix it with 1/4 tsp of black pepper and any spices if desired. Cover with the other slice of bread, butter side out.
Step 3: Cooking the Grilled Cheese
- Place half a tablespoon of butter in the hot cast iron pan, laying the grilled cheese in the pan and letting it sizzle.
- Cook for about 8-10 min per side, checking every 3 mins to ensure a golden crust is forming.
Step 4: Serving Your Smoked Grilled Cheese
- Once the bread is at your desired golden-brown state, slice the smoked grilled cheese in half and serve right away!
- Pair your grilled cheese with potato wedges, tomato soup, or fruit jam to upscale this recipe!
Smoke On!
Charlie
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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