Caramelized Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
A delicious and comforting Caramelized Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich featuring sweet, golden onions, crisp honeycrisp apples, sharp cheddar, and creamy brie with fragrant sage butter on toasted sourdough bread.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Bread and Butter
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided (room temperature)
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp kosher salt, divided
Filling
- 1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
- 2 large yellow onions, sliced 1/2 inch thick
- 8 oz cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 oz brie cheese, sliced into 1/2 inch slivers
- Caramelize Onions: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and stir every few minutes. After 10 minutes, sprinkle 1 tsp kosher salt over the onions. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for an additional 30-40 minutes until the onions turn golden and caramelized. Add 1 tbsp water if the pan becomes too dry to prevent burning.
- Prepare Sage Butter: In a small bowl, mix the chopped fresh sage with the remaining 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tsp kosher salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Place one slice of sourdough bread (without butter) on a clean surface. Layer with brie cheese, then a generous amount of grated cheddar cheese, followed by thinly sliced apples arranged in a slightly overlapping single layer. Spread about 1/4 cup of the caramelized onions over the apples, then add another layer of cheddar cheese. Top with the second slice of bread. Spread 1 tbsp of the prepared sage butter evenly on the top slice of bread.
- Grill Sandwiches: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Place the assembled sandwiches in the skillet buttered-side down. Spread the remaining sage butter evenly on the top exposed bread slices. Cook each side for about 6 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted thoroughly. Remove from heat and serve warm.
Notes
- Use honeycrisp apples for a balance of sweetness and tartness that complements the cheese and onions.
- If you prefer a milder onion flavor, cook the onions for less time; longer caramelization brings out more sweetness.
- Feel free to substitute sourdough with your favorite sturdy sandwich bread to hold the fillings well.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the cheese used is free from animal rennet.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the best texture and melty cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 26 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Caramelized onion sandwich, apple grilled cheese, sage butter sandwich, autumn sandwich, comfort food, vegetarian grilled cheese