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Grilled cheese sandwiches are a timeless comfort food, loved by kids and adults alike. what if I told you there’s a way to elevate this classic to a whole new level? You’ve gotta check out this Pickle Bacon Grilled Cheese recipe, a unique and delicious twist perfect for your next cookout or big game day.
This sandwich is bursting with flavors – you get the tangy crunch of dill pickles, the smoky savoriness of crispy bacon, and the gooey delight of freshly shredded cheddar cheese. And the best part? It’s super easy and takes less than 10 minutes to make, with the option to cook multiple sandwiches at once. Let’s get started!
Let’s Prep:
Before we get into the cooking, let’s gather our ingredients and prep the necessary components for our Pickle Bacon Grilled Cheese. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of bread (your preference – I love using sliced brioche, (but plain white bread or sourdough works great too)
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese (freshly shredded for the best melt and flavor, slices work too)
- 2 slices of bacon (cooked until crispy)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 5-6 dill pickle slices (I prefer dill pickle chips, but any style will do)
Start by cooking your bacon until it’s nice and crispy. You can do this in a frying pan or flat top griddle, or if you’re making several sandwiches, bake a batch of bacon in the oven. Once cooked, set the bacon aside on a paper towel to drain any excess grease.
Next, shred your cheddar cheese if you haven’t already. Freshly shredded cheese melts more evenly and gives a superior flavor to pre-packaged shredded cheese.
Finally, slice your pickles if they aren’t pre-sliced. I like to use dill pickle chips because they fit perfectly in the sandwich and add that classic dill pickle tang, but feel free to use whatever type of pickles you love.
Let’s Cook:
Pickle Grilled Cheese in sight!
Now that our ingredients are prepped, it’s time to start cooking! The key to a perfect grilled cheese is temperature control – you want to cook it slowly enough that the bread gets golden brown without burning before the cheese melts. Here’s how to achieve grilled cheese perfection:
- Preheat your griddle or frying pan to medium heat. Too hot, and you risk burning the bread; too cool, and the cheese won’t melt properly.
- Once the pan or griddle is heated, add 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt, spreading it evenly over the cooking surface.
- Lay down both slices of bread in the melted butter. You’ll start by toasting the outside of the sandwich first.
- On one slice of bread, begin stacking your ingredients. Start with the shredded cheddar cheese – the base of our grilled cheese. Pile it on generously; after all, the melty cheese is the star of this sandwich.
- Next, add the crispy bacon slices on top of the cheese. The bacon adds a wonderful smoky flavor that complements the tang of the dill pickles perfectly.
- Finally, layer on the dill pickle slices. The pickles bring a refreshing crunch and a tangy kick that makes this grilled cheese truly unique.
- After about a minute, once the bottom slices of bread have started to toast slightly, add the top slice of bread, toasted side down.
- Let the sandwich cook for about 2-3 minutes, then carefully flip it over. Cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side, until both sides of the bread are golden brown and the cheese is thoroughly melted.
Let’s Eat:
Your Pickle Bacon Grilled Cheese is now ready to be devoured! Serve it hot, straight off the griddle (let it cool for a minute or two so no mouths get burnt from molten cheese, for the best experience. The first bite will give you a delightful mix of textures and flavors – the crispy, buttery bread, the gooey, melty cheese, the smoky bacon, and the tangy dill pickles all come together in perfect harmony.
This grilled cheese is perfect for any time of year, whether you’re making it for a summer cookout or a cozy winter lunch. It’s also a hit with both kids and adults, thanks to its fun twist on a classic favorite. Plus, since it’s so quick and easy to make, you can whip up multiple sandwiches at once to feed a crowd.
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Pickle Bacon Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 Slices of Bread your preference
- 1/3 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese fresh, if possible
- 2 slices Bacon cooked, crispy
- 2 TBSP Butter
- 5-6 Dill Pickle Slices
Instructions
- Preheat griddle or frying pan to medium heat
- Put 2 TBSP butter down to melt
- Lay down both slices of bread in the butter
- One slice you'll stack the cheese, bacon & pickles
- After about 1 minute add the top part of the bread which should be already starting to toast slightly
- After 2-3 minutes carefully flip the sandwich, and cook until bread on both sides is golden brown and cheese is melted. Serve hot.
