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Skip the Butter and Use *This* on Your Grilled Cheese Instead

It's likely in your fridge right now

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mayonnaise on grilled cheese: triple-decker grilled cheese sandwich
Erin McDowell

Ah, the grilled cheese sandwich. It’s one of the first dishes we learned to make for ourselves, and after all these years, we still aren’t sick of it. (C’mon, that savory crunch and gooey cheese is comfort food at its finest.) Just when we thought the handheld couldn’t get any better, we learned an easy hack that can take even the most basic sammy to the next level: Use mayo instead of butter.

23 Grilled Cheese Ideas That Will Seriously Upgrade Your Lunch


Why You Should Use Mayonnaise on Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

You may be skeptical, but take our word for it. Mayo has a higher smoke point than butter, meaning it won’t burn before the cheese has a chance to fully melt. The oil and egg in mayonnaise also make for Insta-worthy browning and impart plenty of savory flavor to the crust. Plus, mayo spreads easier than butter, which is a major perk when using a soft bread, like brioche, for grilled cheese. (That said, you can easily use a 50/50 combination of both condiments if you’re a true butter stan.)

How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Mayonnaise

  • What you need: A pan (ideally nonstick), two slices of bread, cheese and a few teaspoons of mayonnaise

Directions

  1. Spread an even coat of mayo on each slice of bread.
  2. In a pan over low heat, place one slice in the pan, mayo-side down. Top it with your cheese of choice. Place the other slice of bread atop the cheese, mayo-side up.
  3. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip the sandwich and cook until the other side is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes more.

taryn pire

Food Editor

  • Spearheads PureWow's food vertical
  • Manages PureWow's recipe vertical and newsletter
  • Studied English and writing at Ithaca College

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