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    You Are Here Home » Entree Recipes

    Published: Jul 25, 2021 Updated: Jul 25, 2021 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 4 Comments

    Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Turkey, Bacon, Huckleberry)

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Gourmet grilled cheese sandwich on a white plate- pin

    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 (or blueberry) Habanero Chutney, and more!

    gourmet grilled cheese sandwich

    A while back, I was out with some friends for lunch in Whitefish, Montana. A few of us ordered a turkey and cheese on sourdough, which sounded amazing in the description.

    Unfortunately, what I had pictured in my mind 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. The remarks slowly started rolling in. So what did Kelly and Teresa think? Here are their recent comments on Facebook:

    It was outstanding! As good a sandwich as I have ever had! Loved it, so flavorful.

    ~Kelly

    I loved your Huckleberry Chutney with Habanero sandwich, it was one of the tastiest sandwiches I’ve ever had.

    ~Teresa
    Jump to:
    • 🍽 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🧐 What Goes Into This Recipe
    • 🔖 Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions
    • 🥪 How to Make This Recipe
    • 🤷🏻‍♀️ FAQs
    • 👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips
    • 🍲 Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍽 Why This Recipe Works

    In my last blog post, I shared a Huckleberry Chutney recipe which inspired me to create this Gourmet Grilled Cheese sandwich.

    I know what you're thinking: "Who has huckleberries?" The huckleberry chutney can very easily be prepared with blueberries. See, I got your back!

    I suppose you can even use cranberry sauce if you had to. But since this sandwich was built around my huckleberry chutney, you really should take the time to try it as it was intended.

    🧐 What Goes Into This Recipe

    gourmet grilled cheese ingredients, labeled

    🔖 Recipe 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 This Recipe

    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.

    Spread butter
    Add mayo and chutney

    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.

    two slices of bread with chutney peppers and onions
    Add onions and peppers
    sandwich with pepper jack
    Top with sliced cheese
    gourmet grilled cheese sandwich
    Add turkey breast slices
    gourmet grilled cheese with bacon and basil
    Add bacon and basil
    gourmet grilled cheese sandwich
    Top with lettuce

    Step 3 | Grill Sandwich

    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.

    gourmet grilled cheese sandwich in a pan
    Grill sandwich
    close up of gourmet grilled cheese sandwich with huckleberry chutney
    Flip and grill the other side

    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.

    gourmet grilled cheese and chutney sandwich on sourdough on a white plate
    Sliced Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Huckleberry Chutney

    TIP: If the bread is grilled but the cheese is still not melted, microwave the sandwich for 30 seconds.

    🤷🏻‍♀️ FAQs

    What cheeses are best for grilled cheese?

    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

    What can I add to grilled cheese to make it better?

    You can add bacon, ham, turkey, or your favorite meat to 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.

    Is mayo or butter better for grilled cheese?

    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

    • Instead of mayonnaise, spread a thin layer of cream cheese.
    • 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.
    Stacked Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich on Sourdough

    🍲 Related Recipes

    • Reuben Sandwiches
      Reuben Sandwich Recipe on sourdough
    • falafel sandwich
      Easy Falafel Recipe| Falafel Sandwich
    • Sabich Sandwich with fixings on the side
      Israeli Sabich Sandwich Recipe
    • chopped cheese sandwich sliced in two
      The Ultimate Chopped Cheese Sandwich

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    gourmet grilled cheese sandwich

    🥪 Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Turkey, Bacon, Huckleberry)

    A tasty Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich with sliced turkey breast, thick-cut bacon, huckleberry habanero chutney, and more!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Main Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 677kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (softened)
    • 2 slices sourdough bread (large slices)
    • 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoon Huckleberry Chutney
    • 4 slices pepper jack cheese
    • 10 slices sliced turkey breast
    • 3 slices thick-cut bacon
    • lettuce
    • basil leaves
    • sliced red onions
    • sliced pickled jalapenos

    Instructions

    • 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.

    Notes

    • Use a good quality sourdough bread, one that actually has a sour flavor instead of the kind that tastes like white bread.
    • 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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2servings | Calories: 677kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 2786mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g
    Tried this Recipe? Please leave A Star Rating!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!

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    1. Teresa Evers says

      July 25, 2021 at 12:36 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        July 25, 2021 at 3:03 pm

        Haha, anytime! So glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    2. Kelly Methey says

      July 25, 2021 at 12:13 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        July 25, 2021 at 8:57 pm

        We'll have to take care of that craving and have you back for another one soon!

        Reply

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