Grilled Onion Grilled Cheese
We had a bit of a Kansas City-inspired dinner on Saturday. We spent a beautiful day out and about; enjoyed some new-to-us Boulevard beer (highly recommend 80-Acre!) and enjoyed some BBQ chicken.
In addition, we had some grilled onions. Not grilled like what you are probably thinking, though. We have great friends who live in Kansas City…the same ones who harvest and process their own deer…the same friends who introduced us to buttermilk pie. These friends introduced us to the simplest, most amazing side dish that is grilled onions.
They had us over for lunch one day last year and made onions this way: you cut an X almost all the way through the onion; drizzle with olive oil; season with salt and pepper; wrap it in foil and throw it on the charcoal with the rest of your meal. The onion gets tender, sweet and perfectly flavored from the grill.
Ever since that lunch, whenever we grill, we make onions this way. So fast forward to this weekend, we did so, and had some leftover. As I was storing them in the fridge, it occurred to me that leftover grilled onions would be the perfect match for two slices of buttered bread and melty, gooey cheese.
And I was right. This grilled cheese is my ultimate kind of favorite lunch – crusty grilled bread, provolone cheese and savory, sweet and tender onions. My new favorite grilled cheese, without a doubt!
Did you think I was going to go through the month of April (National Grilled Cheese month) without posting a grilled cheese?
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Grilled Onion Grilled Cheese
Yield: 2 sandwiches
Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Total Time: 40 min
Grilled caramelized onions, provolone cheese make a perfect grilled cheese for a quick lunch or simple dinner.
Ingredients:
1 small yellow onion
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
2 tsp. olive oil
Salt & pepper
2 Tbs. butter
4 slices of sandwich bread (I used sourdough)
4 slices provolone cheeseDirections:
Heat the grill (we use charcoal!) Cut off both ends of the onion. Stand it on on of the flat edges and cut an "X" into the onion, trying to to cut all the way though, but almost all the way through. Gently spread apart the layers and tuck small pieces of garlic between the layers.
Place the onion in the center of a large piece of aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil and then season with salt and pepper. Bring up the sides of the foil and close them around the onion. Place in the grill cook for about 20 minutes, until the onion is cooked through and slightly browned on the edges.
Remove and let cool for about 5 minutes. When cool enough to handle, break apart the onion layers and click any large pieces in half.
While the onion cools, butter one side of each slice of bread. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place one slice of bread (butter side down) into the pan. Layer on one slice of cheese, top with about half of the grilled onions and then top with another slice of cheese, and then the second slice of bread (butter side up). Repeat with the second sandwich.
Cook the sandwiches for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Cassie's Notes:
We cook onions like this on the grill whenever we use the grill - they make a perfect simple side dish and the grill adds a great layer of flavor. If you aren't planning to use the grill, you can follow the instructions above and bake in a 400 degree oven, or just caramelize an onion in olive oil on the stove-top.
I love grilled onions! We’ve been charring scallions on the grill, too!
This is pretty much my perfect grilled cheese Cassie – I adore all things onion! I’ve never tried that method for grilling onions, but it sounds awesome, love the simplicity 🙂
Oh, you just have the best sandwich recipes and this one is absolutely no exception.
YUM!!! Love this grilled cheese! And love that you had such a great weekend!
I’m totally going to try the X technique. I have been making grilled onions for a snack since I was in high school. (I know — I had weird cravings as a kid!) 🙂
I want to dive into this!! I have been having crazy food aversions this pregnancy and pretty much only want to eat carbs. 🙂 YUM!!!
Oh be still my ever lovin’ sandwich heart. We grill all year long and have never tried this method of cooking the onions in foil – I am totally making this!
I love the onion idea! I need to remember that next time we grill!
onion and cheese toasties have to be my absolute favourite!
Freaking. Heck. Ya.
i need to make this for my grandpa! he’s a BIG fan of onions and regularly eats onion sandwiches…i’m sure he’d love this (if he’ll be flexible enough to let me change his ways- the man is 92 years old after all! 🙂 haha)
I can see why this is your new favorite, it sounds fantastic! I love this technique for grilling onions. I can’t wait to give it a try! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed your nice weekend! This grilled cheese is right up my alley.
So THIS is the meaning of life. *swoon* Grilled onions are my jam!
Grilled onions make the grilled cheese the stuff of legends. Awesome!!
Gorgeous grilled cheese, Cassie! I can practically taste it!
Grilled onions stuffed with garlic?! I want that on everything!
I could use a gooey grilled cheese sandwich and a Boulevard Pale Ale right now!
I love me a grilled cheese, especially with sweet onions and tangy provolone… Nicely done Cassie!
wowzers grilled onions and cheese, yes please!
April = greatest month ever. This gooey grilled cheese is calling my name. Also I adore Boulevard too. What can I say–you have incredible taste!
yum! You have my mouth watering… this looks so good!
Totally mouth watering! Love the bread omg.
It’s always fun to explore new places. And this sandwich..swoon…that melty cheese has my heart racing.
A great savory sandwich for a chilly spring day! This will be perfect for our Monday night pick-me-up dinner.
I love grilled onions, fantastic topping to a grilled cheese!
Whoa… Totally crushing on this sandwich!
perfectly golden brown, looks so delicious!
ultimate comfort food for a weeknight or weekend, right here! i love the grilled onions and all that gooey cheese! that thick cut bread – i’m dying!!
Love that X suggestion, Cassie! I’ve never tried that before! I love grilled onion in any which way. Esp on my turkey burgers! And now… I must try it on a grilled cheese!
I am totally wishing I had a grill after seeing this! There’s nothing I love more than sweet caramelly onions as a sandwich topper…and in grilled cheese they’re just perfect!
These sandwiches look so warm and comforting. And the “X” suggestion is a great tip!
First of the “x” suggestion is awesome! BUt these grilled cheeses? Yeah they are down right amazing! I want one now! YUM!
This has my name written all over it!
Grilled onions are my husbands favorite and he would love this grilled cheese. Scrumptious!
Grilled onions on a grilled cheese is my kind of heaven.
Wow, Cassie! I love grilled cheese and grilled onions! And I love that you combined them. Definitely on the to do list! 🙂
love the title of this one. I’m always on the hunt for grilled cheese recipes
From one grilled cheese lover to another… this sandwich rules!
I love the idea of adding grilled onion – it’s perfect. And this would be so easy to veganize by using vegan cheese. Delicious!
Can’t go wrong with grilled cheese! Yum!
Sounds fantastic, Cassie!
Love that beer! Tried it for the first time in January at a party at Boulevard. So good!!!!!
I have never had grilled onions before now I have serious hankering for them!
I want one of these. And I want to try a cold 80-Acre, too!!
The onions sound like the perfect addition to grilled cheese. I will be making these onions for sure next time we grill!
Ohh man! Toasted bread, melted cheese and onions? I’m in love!
That is such a brilliant way to cook up onions – sounds delicious and so easy too. I can’t wait to get the BBQ going and try it. And using the leftovers on grilled cheese – also brilliant. Basically brilliance all around.
Seriously I can live on this sandwich.. NO JOKES!
If there is onion it is for me…
This is perfect!
How did you know that grilled onions is my ultimate weakness?!
What a beautiful (and delicious sounding) grilled cheese. Simple, but perfect! The best month of the year 🙂
My crazy 8-year-old daughter is the only child I know that pulls the breading off of onion rings and just eats the onions. She also happens to love grilled cheese, so this may just be her favorite sandwich ever!
OHHHEMMMGoodness! This looks beyond fab!
okay…I need 20 of these! thanks!
If this is anywhere near as good as your pumpkin grilled cheese, I know I will love it! 🙂
You make the best sandwiches, Cassie! What a great tip for the onions! They must be incredible in this grilled cheese
The bread! The cheese! The onions! O geez!
Everything about this sandwich is making my mouth water! And I love that thick crusty sourdough that you used!