French Onion Grilled Cheese

Featured in: Comfort Plates

This indulgent sandwich features slowly caramelized yellow onions cooked with butter, sugar, and thyme to develop deep sweetness and flavor. Paired with a blend of shredded Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses melted between slices of buttered sourdough, it offers a perfect balance of savory and creamy textures. Finished on a skillet until golden and crisp, each bite delivers warm, gooey comfort ideal for a satisfying lunch or dinner. Add a touch of Dijon mustard to enhance complexity and serve alongside soup or salad to complete the meal.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:52:00 GMT
Golden, bubbly French onion grilled cheese sandwich with oozing cheese and caramelized onions. Save
Golden, bubbly French onion grilled cheese sandwich with oozing cheese and caramelized onions. | tastychuck.com

A decadent twist on classic grilled cheese, this sandwich combines caramelized onions with gooey melted cheese for a deeply savory, next-level comfort food experience.

Ingredients

  • For the Caramelized Onions: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried), 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • For the Sandwich: 4 slices sourdough or country-style bread, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened, 1 cup (about 100 g) shredded Gruyère cheese, 1 cup (about 100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Instructions

Step 1:
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown and deeply caramelized, about 25 30 minutes.
Step 2:
Stir in thyme and balsamic vinegar cook another 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 3:
Butter one side of each bread slice. Spread Dijon mustard on the unbuttered side of two slices.
Step 4:
Layer half the Gruyère and mozzarella onto the mustard side. Top with a generous spoonful of caramelized onions, then the remaining cheese. Place the other bread slices on top, buttered side facing out.
Step 5:
Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Cook sandwiches 3 5 minutes per side, pressing gently and flipping once, until bread is golden and cheese is fully melted.
Step 6:
Let rest 1 minute before slicing. Serve hot.
A close-up view of the rich, savory French onion grilled cheese, perfect for a cozy lunch. Save
A close-up view of the rich, savory French onion grilled cheese, perfect for a cozy lunch. | tastychuck.com

Required Tools

Large skillet, Spatula, Bread knife, Cheese grater

Allergen Information

Contains: Milk (cheese, butter), Wheat (bread), Mustard. If using store-bought bread, check for additional allergens.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 540, Total Fat: 32 g, Carbohydrates: 44 g, Protein: 22 g

Melted cheese overflowing from a beautifully toasted French onion grilled cheese, ready to eat. Save
Melted cheese overflowing from a beautifully toasted French onion grilled cheese, ready to eat. | tastychuck.com

Recipe Guide

How do I caramelize onions perfectly?

Sauté thinly sliced onions slowly over medium heat with butter, sugar, salt, and pepper, stirring occasionally until deep golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. Adding thyme and balsamic vinegar enhances flavor.

What bread works best for this sandwich?

Choose sturdy breads like sourdough or country-style that hold up to melting cheese and butter without becoming soggy.

Can I substitute the cheeses used?

Gruyère and mozzarella provide creaminess and flavor, but Comté or Swiss can be swapped in for a similar effect.

How should I cook the sandwich for best texture?

Cook over medium-low heat on a skillet or griddle, pressing gently and flipping once until bread is golden brown and cheese has fully melted.

What can I serve alongside this sandwich?

Pair with tomato soup, green salad, or a glass of dry white wine to complement the rich, savory flavors.

French Onion Grilled Cheese

Layers of caramelized onions and gooey cheese between buttery toasted bread create ultimate comfort.

Prep duration
15 min
Heat time
40 min
Full duration
55 min
Created by Chuck Harrison


Skill level Medium

Heritage American-French Fusion

Output 2 Portions

Nutrition Labels Meat-free

What you'll need

Caramelized Onions

01 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
03 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
04 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
07 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Sandwich

01 4 slices sourdough or country-style bread
02 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
04 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
05 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Method

Phase 01

Caramelize Onions: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown and deeply caramelized, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Phase 02

Add Flavorings: Stir in thyme and balsamic vinegar; cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.

Phase 03

Prepare Bread: Butter one side of each bread slice. Spread Dijon mustard on the unbuttered side of two slices.

Phase 04

Assemble Sandwich: Layer half of the Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses onto the mustard side. Add a generous spoonful of caramelized onions, then top with the remaining cheeses. Place the other bread slices on top, buttered side facing outward.

Phase 05

Grill Sandwich: Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Cook sandwiches 3 to 5 minutes per side, pressing gently and flipping once, until bread is golden and cheeses are fully melted.

Phase 06

Rest and Serve: Allow the sandwiches to rest for 1 minute before slicing. Serve warm.

Kitchen tools

  • Large skillet
  • Spatula
  • Bread knife
  • Cheese grater

Allergy alerts

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if unsure
  • Contains milk, wheat, and mustard.
  • Check store-bought bread for additional allergens.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice
  • Energy: 540
  • Fats: 32 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44 g
  • Proteins: 22 g