This Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich is guaranteed to make your taste buds jump for joy! Grilled buttery sourdough bread is loaded with sliced turkey, thick-cut bacon, pepper jack cheese, sweet and spicy huckleberry habanero chutney, and more!
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This gourmet grilled cheese recipe was inspired by my huckleberry chutney recipe. But the idea was born when I went out to lunch with some friends in Whitefish, Montana.
A few of us ordered a turkey and cheese on sourdough, which sounded amazing in the menu description. Unfortunately, what I had pictured in my head was not what we were served: A cold sandwich with untoasted sourdough bread, which tasted more like white bread. It was actually crumbling in my hands. 😭
I told my friends that I would have them over and prepare for them a perfected version of the sad sandwich that we were served that day.
So recently, I had a few guinea pigs, errr, I mean girlfriends, over for lunch to taste-test my new gourmet grilled cheese sandwich creation. I wanted to know one thing: was this sandwich blog-worthy?
The sandwich is pretty filling, so I sliced it in half and let them share it. The ladies got quiet as they enjoyed their sandwiches, then remarked that it was one of the best sandwiches they'd ever had. I'll take it!
Be sure to save some room for dessert, a scoop or two of homemade huckleberry ice cream!
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🔖 Ingredients and Substitutions
- Huckleberry Habanero Chutney - As mentioned above, you can use blueberries if you can't get huckleberries. If you absolutely have to, use homemade cranberry sauce.
- Sourdough Bread - I highly recommend using good-quality sourdough bread, and not the kind that tastes like white bread.
- Pepper Jack Cheese - If you prefer, you can use Gouda, Havarti, Swiss, or Sharp Cheddar instead.
- Red Onion - I love the flavor (and crunch) that raw onion adds to a sandwich, but I understand that not everyone does. If you'd like to, you can leave it out. Another option is to saute the onion so that it's caramelized.
- Basil - Fresh basil adds yet another level of flavor, especially home-grown basil.
- Turkey - I used Deli Fresh Roasted Turkey Breast, but feel free to use your favorite turkey brand. Or substitute with sliced ham.
- Sliced Jalapenos - Vinegary and spicy, sliced jalapenos really complement this sandwich. You can also use sliced fresh jalapenos, or leave them out entirely.
*See the recipe card for exact quantities.
🥪 How to Make Gourmet Grilled Cheese
Step 1 | Spread Butter and Chutney
Butter sourdough bread on one side and place it into a large pan with the buttered side down. Spread mayonnaise and huckleberry chutney on the side that's facing up.
Step 2 | Add Sandwich Ingredients
Set the flame setting to low and divide the cheese equally on the two slices of bread. Top one slice with onion, jalapenos, turkey, bacon, basil, and lettuce.
Step 3 | Grill Sandwich
When the cheese melts, cover the side loaded with ingredients with the other slice. After a minute or two, carefully flip the sandwich to grill the other side.
Pro Tip: Lift the sandwich periodically with a spatula and check to make sure it's not burning.
Step 4 | Slice and Serve
Once the sandwich is grilled on both sides, use a sharp knife to slice it in half. Serve while hot.
Looking for other grilled cheese recipe ideas? How about this quick waffle grilled cheese recipe? All you need is a few ingredients and a waffle iron!
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
Grilled cheese can be made with a variety of cheeses based on your taste preference. Use any or a combination of the following:
• Pepper Jack Cheese
• American Cheese
• Monterey Jack
• Swiss
• Cheddar
• Muenster
• Gouda
• Provolone
You can add bacon, ham, turkey, or your favorite meat to a grilled cheese to make it better. Adding meat also ups the protein in your sandwich.
You can also add avocado slices, lettuce, spinach, arugula, sliced tomatoes, sliced peppers, sliced olives, and red onion. To add a touch of sweetness, you can add cranberry sauce, chutney, or even your favorite jam.
A combination of mayo and butter results in a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. Spread the butter on the outside of the bread slices, which will give you a perfectly grilled and crunchy exterior.
Next, spread a layer of mayonnaise on the inside of the sandwich, which will give you the best of both worlds. A sandwich that is crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- If the bread is grilled but the cheese is still not melted, microwave the sandwich for 30 seconds.
- Instead of mayonnaise, spread a thin layer of cream cheese.
- If you like mustard, consider adding pickled mustard seeds. They provide a tangy burst of flavor!
- Serve this sandwich fresh and hot. It will not taste the same if reheated.
- If you have to reheat it, microwave it for 30 seconds, then grill in a pan, over low heat, to crisp up the exterior of the sandwich.
🍲 More Sandwich Recipes
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📖 Recipe
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Ingredients
Method
- Butter sourdough bread on one side and place it into a large pan with the buttered side down. Spread mayonnaise and huckleberry chutney on the side that's facing up.
- Set the flame setting to low and divide the cheese equally on the two slices of bread. Top one slice with onion, jalapenos, turkey, bacon, basil, and lettuce.
- When the cheese begins to melt, cover the side that's loaded with ingredients with the other slice. After a minute or two, carefully flip the sandwich to grill the other side.
- Once the sandwich is grilled on both sides, use a sharp knife to slice it in half. Serve while hot.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use a good quality sourdough bread, one that actually has a sour flavor instead of the kind that tastes like white bread.
- If you like mustard, consider adding pickled mustard seeds. They provide a tangy burst of flavor!
- For a spicier sandwich, add either sliced fresh jalapenos or pickled, which are my favorite.
- Instead of mayonnaise, try substituting cream cheese instead.
- Lift the sandwich periodically with a spatula and check to make sure it's not burning.
- Serve this sandwich fresh and hot. It will not taste as good if reheated.
- If the bread is grilled but the cheese is still not melted, microwave the sandwich for 30 seconds.
Kelly Methey says
I love this sandwich! Such a great combination of flavors! I’d give it 10 stars if I could! I have been dreaming of it ever since!
Hilda Sterner says
We'll have to take care of that craving and have you back for another one soon!
Teresa Evers says
This sandwich was outstanding!!! I love the flavors of the various ingredients combined. The sweetness of the huckleberries, the spicy flavor from the Habanero Pepper in the Chutney sauce, loved the fresh flavor of the basil, all of the ingredients compliment this fine sandwich. I highly recommend this flavorful recipe to all. Thank you Hilda for letting me be your Guinea pig.
Hilda Sterner says
Haha, anytime! So glad you enjoyed it.