Imagine the flavors of spicy Korea merged into a comfort grilled cheese, and the result would be Kimchi Grilled Cheese wherein that spiky Korean spiciness and flavor will add zing to the melted gooey cheese for the ultimate bold and satisfying meal.
Kimchi Grilled Cheese: crispy, pan-fried to a golden brown. Sour bread is made up two thick slices that separate the melted cheese filling, caramelized kimchi, and bacon.
Ingredients:
- 4 slices of sourdough or your favorite bread
- 1/2 cup of kimchi, chopped and drained (make sure to remove excess liquid)
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (or any melting cheese like mozzarella, gouda, or Monterey Jack)
- 2 tablespoons of butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise (optional, for extra crispy crust)
- Optional: A dash of gochujang or sriracha for extra heat
Instructions
Fry the bacon until it is crispy. Add the kimchi and brown sugar; let that pan fry undisturbed for several minutes to help dry out and caramelize a little.
Transfer that to a bowl. Prepare your sandwich stacks. Bread, gruyere, kimchi mixture, American cheese, bread. Butter both sides so it’s ready to crisp. Now toss the pan under medium-low heat. Again, more low and slow.
Do not want it overcooked and cheesy, just like it goes battering against the pan once more, to melt into the perfect golden brown! Get ready to fall in love
- Assemble the sandwich: Take two slices of bread and butter on one side of each. Now sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese on the unbuttered side of the bread.
- Spread out chopped kimchi over top of cheese evenly. If it’s too uneventful for you, add a small drizzle of gochujang or sriracha to your kimchi. Add another layer of shredded cheese on top of the kimchi, and on top of that, place the second slice with the buttered side going out.
- he Gruyere melts really well, and for us, it was another flavor we love. We have also done cheddar on this and it was great, too.
We should be honest here; we think you can’t really mess this up, but we do really, really recommend retaining the American, no matter what other cheese you’re using, so you get a bit of that dreamy silky meltiness.
SERVE AND GARNISH
Let the sandwich keep aside for some time, then start cutting it half, And have it hot and goey.
If we’re honest here, we’d just serve it with a side of ANOTHER kimchi grilled cheese… but there are other things that will work great, too. You could do this easy green salad or maybe a smoother soup like this lush tomato soup or the bright, comforting, and delicious golden soup.
But also, we are pretty serious about just a second sandwich as a side. What an absolute dream. Grilled Kimchi-se forever.
Tips for the Best Kimchi Grilled Cheese:
Sourdough: Grilled cheese from sourdough bread is excellent as it becomes really perfect and crispy, along with a slightly tangy flavor from the kimchi.
Dry Kimchi: Make sure to squeeze the kimchi out of all the water it contains so that the bread is not soggy.
FAQS
Can I make this vegetarian by leaving out the bacon?
YES.
Is it possible to modify this sandwich to be vegan?
Indeed! For a vegan version, substitute with plant-based cheese and butter. Also, be sure that the kimchi you use is vegan too since some kimchi contain fish sauce.
Delicious and nicely melting vegan substitutes are offered by a few manufacturers.
CONCLUSION:
The Kimchi Grilled Cheese is a bold and delicious fusion of traditional comfort food with a spicy Korean twist: gooey, rich flavorings of melted cheese combined with a tangy, fermented kick make this sandwich something very unique and extremely satisfying in terms of flavor.
Whether it’s a quick lunch, an interesting twist on a classic, or a meal full of umami, this dish hits the spot. Really easy to make, easily seasoned to whatever taste, and just perfect for that one evening when you’re tired of making an ordinary grilled cheese a little something that’s actually exciting.
Grab a favorite bread, some kimchi, and cheese, and take a delightful, easy-to-make sandwich to try tonight I’m sure you will end up among fans!
Enjoy your Kimchi Grilled Cheese with all its spicy, tangy goodness, and cheesiness!