Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese is a quick and easy recipe. Perfect for lunch or a weekend brunch! With melty swiss cheese, creamy goat cheese, pepper jelly and spinach we bring together a uniquely delicious classic sandwich. This goat cheese grilled cheese sandwich will tick all of your boxes and then some 😉👍.
Recipes like the Havarti Grilled Cheese, Brie Grilled Cheese, Ham And Cheese Toastie and the Cheese and Onion Sandwich are all about melty cheese with toasted bread.
The Cream Cheese Pepper Jelly, Goat Cheese Log and the Baked Brie With Red Pepper Jelly are all about the sensation that is pepper jelly.
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🤍 Recipe Highlights
I have summarised everything that you will come to know and love (LOVE ❤) about the recipe in the points below:
- Simple ingredients: you will be able to get everything you need to make this grilled cheese from your local grocery store. They are year round available ingredients that will be easy to get your hands on.
- Vegetarian: going meatless doesn't mean skimping on flavor. The flavors in this grilled cheese sandwich are sensational. Its a perfect meatless option.
- Uses for goat cheese: whilst brie and camembert are often seen as more popular choices. Goats cheese holds its own in the flavor department. Whether on a grazing board, pasta sauce, pizza topping or goat cheese sandwich, it is up there with the best of them.
- Goat cheese with pepper jelly: heaven sent 🥰👌!
- Easy recipe: anyone of all cooking abilities can whip up this recipe. It is a simple combination like creating a sandwich and giving it a quick grill on the stove top.
- Sweet and savory: this recipe offers an array of both sweet and savory flavours. It can be nice to switch it up every now and then and not opt for simply one or the other.
- Crowd pleasing: taking breakfast or brunch up a notch is easy when you have something as decadent as grilled cheese on the menu. Add some pepper jelly and swiss cheese to knock it out of the park 😉👍!
🥗 Ingredients
The photo below is to show you everything you need to make the grilled goat cheese recipe. Please refer to the printable recipe card for specific ingredient measurements as well as detailed instructions.
As you can see the recipe calls for:
- Butter: we use this spread on the outsides of the sandwich so that it melts and toasts the bread as it cooks.
- Pepper jelly: this is a sweet and tangy condiment that is the perfect compliment to the smooth and soft goats cheese.
- Goat cheese: very bright white in colour and unique in flavor this cheese offers a lovely change from cheeses made from cows milk.
- Swiss cheese: this is a good melting cheese which delivers the 'cheese pull' commonly seen when pulling grilled cheese part. It has some holes in the slices.
- Spinach: fresh spinach leaves are great to use as we get to add a vegetable to the mix.
- Bread: white sourdough bread is a great choice. Opt for a robust bread that is thick and will hold its own when cooked.
Top Tip: I like to provide you with a number of substitutions and variations giving you an array of options when making my recipes. If in doubt of any of the above ingredients, or wanting alternatives, read this section (further below) before jumping into the instructions on how to make the recipe which are coming next 😉👌.
🍳 Instructions
Here are the step by step instructions to make the grilled cheese with goat cheese recipe. We start by preparing the bread. You will need a butter knife and chopping board to start with.
- Butter the bread (Photo 1)
- Add swiss cheese (Photo 2)
- Add goat cheese (Photo 3)
- Add pepper jelly (Photo 4)
👩🍳 How to Make Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese
Start to make the grilled cheese by stacking your bread slices into pairs.
Then butter the side of each slice of bread. Next pair 2 slices and flip to have these 2 sides 'stick together'.
Next place 1 slice of the cut swiss cheese onto the non buttered side of bread.
Once done use a butter knife to spread the goat cheese onto the top of the swiss for each sandwich.
Next use a spoon to dollop the pepper jelly onto the goat cheese as you see me having done in the photo above.
- Add spinach leaves (Photo 5)
- Then add swiss cheese (Photo 6)
- Close the sandwiches (Photo 7)
- Place them into the large skillet (Photo 8)
Next place 3-4 spinach leaves on top of the pepper jelly for each sandwich.
Once done place a slice of swiss on top.
Next unstick the 2 slices of buttered bread and close the sandwich with the butter side for each sandwich facing out.
Now that you are ready to grill the sandwiches, place a large frying pan onto the stove top and turn the dial to high heat.
Transfer the 2 sandwiches into the pan.
Let them cook for 3-4 minutes then use a flat turner to flip them to the other side.
- Cook then flip and cook the other side (Photo 9)
The grilled cheese sandwiches will take 3-4 minutes per side and will be done in less than 10 minutes.
Cook the 1st side, then use a flat turner to flip one of them to the opposite side, then do the same for the second one.
Once they are done, use the turner to remove them from the pan and place them onto a chopping board.
Use a serrated knife to cut them in halves and then plate ready for the eating.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
You are going to want to serve the grilled cheese hot and fresh as soon as you have cut them in half.
The cheese is soft, warm and melted and your 1st bite will be like a goat cheese dream come true!!
The bread is golden brown and crispy and makes an audible noise with every bite.
You won't need sides, a salad, chips or other to go with it. The experience will be one of lovingly picking the sandwich up, taking a bite and then nodding as you taste the flavor combo.
But then on your second bite, make it even better (does it get any better than this!! haha 😂👌 it does!!) and drizzle some balsamic vinegar over the sandwich and then bite it.
I make no apologies if you can never order a sandwich out and about again when you realise that it just won't cut it compare to this taste and texture sensation 😉👍.
👍 How to Guide
How to Store
Store leftovers in a sealed airtight container or plate with cling wrap in the fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat before consuming.
How to Reheat
You can add the grilled cheese back to a sandwich press for best results. Heat until warmed through.
How to Freeze
I don't recommend freezing leftovers of this dish.
You can however as a means to be organised and have the sandwich be 'convenient' purchase a loaf of sourdough and place that in the freezer where it will keep until you are ready to use it. In which case, remove the loaf from the freezer, take out the slices you need and let them defrost. They will thaw very quickly.
😉 Substitutions and Variations
Here are my sub ins and outs that you might be thinking about as you read the post and I will tell you if I think they will work or why they won't:
- You can use basil leaves in place of the spinach leaves if you wish too.
- Arugula leaves will also work well.
- In place of the pepper jelly, you can use cranberry sauce, blackberry jam or sweet onion relish.
- You can use rye bread if you prefer or wish to.
- If you want to add a meat protein, sliced ham, leftover turkey or shredded chicken will work.
💡 Tasty Tips
Here are my top tips and tricks that I want to share with you so that you master the recipe from the get go:
- When spreading both the goat cheese and pepper jelly onto the sandwich try and keep them 'inside the lines'. This will ensure that there is less likelihood that they will ooze out and make the sandwich messy and hard to eat.
- Avoid slices of bread which have too many holes in them. These are just begging for the filling to drip out (oh nooooo 😭!)
- Sometimes when flipping the sandwich it can start to 'open'. Don't panic if this happens and simply slide the 2 halves back together again. Then use a flat turner to gently press down to re stick them 😉👍.
🤓 Frequently Asked Questions
Is goat cheese a good melting cheese?
Goat cheese doesn't melt and keep its form the same way swiss, brie and camembert do. Rather, it melts into a white creamy paste. It is a good melting cheese for grilled cheese.
What goes well with goat cheese?
Goat cheese goes well on a grazing platter with olives, crackers, blue cheese, artichokes and condiments like sweet onion relish and pepper jelly.
How do you eat goat cheese?
Goat cheese can be used as a spread for sandwiches, as a pizza topping, salad ingredient and more!
😍 More Easy Brunch and Lunch Recipes
Getting lunch sorted everyday of the week is easy when you have some recipes up your sleeve to look forward to whipping out. Here are some ideas that you will enjoy having in mind:
- Mini Croissant Sandwiches
- Pumpkin Frittata
- Brie Croissant
- Zucchini And Carrot Fritters
- Mini Hot Dogs
- Roast Beef Roll Ups
- Chicken Sausage Rolls
- Roast Beef Sliders
- Mini Sausage Rolls
- Bacon And Corn Fritters
It is time to get our goat cheese on my friend. You can also find all of my lunch recipes or vegetarian recipes in the one spot.
Adrianne
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📖 Recipe
Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 slices sourdough bread Note 1
- 2 tbs butter Note 2
- 2 slices swiss cheese cut in halves
- 80 grams/3 oz goat cheese Note 3
- ¼ cup pepper jelly Note 4
- 8 leaves spinach
To serve (optional):
- balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Butter bread: lay 4 slices of bread on a chopping board and use a butter knife to butter 1 side of each bread slice. Then stack the buttered sides together for each 2 pieces of bread.
- Swiss cheese: place 1 slice of swiss cheese on top of the non buttered side of bread for each sandwich.
- Goat cheese: spread a layer of goat cheese on top of the swiss cheese for each sandwich.
- Pepper jelly: dollop pepper jelly onto the goat cheese and use the back of a spoon to gently spread it into a layer.
- Spinach: place 3-4 spinach leaves on top of the pepper jelly for each sandwich.
- Swiss cheese: place another piece of swiss cheese on top of the spinach for each sandwich.
- Close the sandwich: put the 2nd piece of bread on top of the cheese with the buttered side out for each sandwich.
- Cook: place a large frying pan on the stove top, turn the heat to high and transfer in the 2 sandwiches. Let the butter melt and the bread toast for 3-4 minutes on the 1st side. Then use a silicon turner to flip the sandwiches to the other side. Allow this side to also cook for 3-4 minutes.
- To serve: once cooked, use a flat turner to transfer the grilled cheese sandwiches to a chopping board. Then use a knife to slice them in halves. Portion onto plates, top with basil leaves and provide balsamic vinegar for dipping.
Notes
- Note 1 Sourdough: you don't to use the exact same bread that I use. My tip however, is to go for one which is robust, toasts well and where the slices don't have a lot of holes in them.
- Note 2 Butter: we have 2 slices of bread per sandwich. We butter each of these slices, but we put them on the outside of the sandwich to help it cook. Not the inside like you would a traditional sandwich for spread.
- Note 3 - Goat cheese: this is a bright white soft cheese made from goats milk. It is tangy and smooth. You will need a butter knife to 'spread' it onto the sandwich. It has a unique tangy flavor. If you can't find it in the cheese aisle, head to the deli section and look for it there where the brie and camembert cheese and antipasto platters are.
- Note 4 - Pepper jelly: red, sticky, sweet and a little bit spicy. This is a flavorsome fantastic condiment to have in the fridge. It is versatile and works with just about anything and everything. In Australia you will find it in the vinegar and pickles section of the supermarket with the horseradish cream and mint sauces. It is called 'chilli jam'.
Margo Reynolds says
This is a keeper! We loved the sweet and savory flavors. Will be making as a regular lunch now that we have tried it.
Adrianne says
Thanks Margo for your feedback 😄.