This grilled cheese sandwich is loaded with quick and easy homemade pickled onions!
Cheese and pickled onion are a natural pairing, and here they come together in a simple, delicious sandwich. Read on for an easy method to make quick pickled onions and assemble the ultimate grilled cheese.
Homemade Pickled Onions
Store-bought pickled onions are convenient, but making them yourself is incredibly quick and gives a fresher, brighter flavour. You only need a few pantry staples: vinegar, salt and sugar. No complicated extras required.
What vinegar to use?
Red wine vinegar is my top pick because it complements red onion and helps create that lovely pink hue. Apple cider vinegar is a fine alternative if you don’t have red wine vinegar on hand.
How long to pickle for?
If you slice the onion very thin, an hour is usually enough to soften and colour the slices. The flavour improves the longer they sit, so you can leave them longer if convenient.
To make the pickles, combine the vinegar with a little salt and sugar, pour over the sliced onions until they are fully submerged, then leave them until they wilt and turn bright pink.
The Ultimate Pickled Onion Sandwich
Where there’s pickled onion, there’s cheese — it’s a rule worth following. This sandwich balances tangy pickles with melty, savory cheese for a satisfying bite.
What bread to use?
Sourdough works especially well, but Italian or French-style bread are also great choices. Use a loaf with a good crumb that toasts nicely without collapsing.
What cheese to use?
I like using a combination of Cheddar and Gruyere: Cheddar for sharpness and Gruyere for a nutty, melty quality. Most cheeses pair nicely with pickled onion, so feel free to experiment.
Process overview: place buttered bread in the pan (butter side down), add Cheddar, add pickled onions, add grated Gruyere, top with buttered bread (butter side up), then cook on medium until both sides are golden and the cheese is melted.
Serving a Cheese and Pickled Onion Sandwich
- Crisp/Chip suggestion: Avoid Salt & Vinegar crisps, since the sandwich is already tangy. Cheese & Onion can be overpowering unless you love an extra hit of onion. I recommend Prawn Cocktail or Smoky Bacon flavoured crisps for contrast.
- Side suggestion: A creamy coleslaw pairs well, or sweet potato wedges offer a pleasant balance of tang and sweetness.
Ready for the full recipe? Let’s make this pickled onion grilled cheese.
How to make a Pickled Onion Grilled Cheese (Full Recipe & Video)
Pickled Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Equipment
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Jar or small bowl (for pickled onions)
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Sharp knife & chopping board
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Cheese grater
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Non-stick pan & spatula/turner
Ingredients
Pickled Onions
- 1 cup / 240ml Red wine vinegar
- 1 medium Red onion, very finely sliced
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
Sandwich
- 8 small-medium slices of Bread (sourdough recommended)
- 4 square slices of Cheddar
- 5oz / 150g Gruyere, grated
- Butter as needed
Instructions
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Pickled Onions: In a jar or small bowl combine the vinegar with salt and sugar. Add the thinly sliced onion, mix or shake to coat, then leave to pickle for at least an hour or until the onions begin to soften and turn pink.
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Prep Sandwich: Spread one side of each bread slice with butter. Place two slices butter-side-down in a non-stick pan with the heat off. Layer Cheddar, then pickled onions (drained or shaken to remove excess liquid), then grated Gruyere. Top with the second slice of bread, butter-side-up.
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Cook Sandwich: Turn the heat to medium and cook until the bottom is golden, then flip and cook the other side until golden and the cheese is fully melted. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches. Serve immediately.
Quick Demo
Notes
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For more similar sandwiches check out these beauties:
- Cheese and Onion Sandwich
- Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese
- Cheese and Pickle Sandwich
- Pickle Grilled Cheese
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