Consider this recipe for kimchi grilled cheese sandwiches: an interesting and new Korean spin on a classic comfort food. This simple recipe can be ready in about ten minutes and it's loaded with flavor and texture!
Korean kimchi is infinitely versatile and packed with flavor, elevating the classic skillet grilled cheese.
Cut the sandwich in half for easier handling and to showcase the melted cheese and kimchi filling. Serve hot, maybe with a side of dipping sauce like this kimchi mayo or extra kimchi on the side for a complete meal.
If you're looking for new favorite sandwiches, I think you'll also like my cold cut trio sub sandwich and grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
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🧀 Ingredients
- cheddar cheese - For best results, buy a block of cheddar cheese and grate it yourself for improved freshness and texture.
- kimchi - Drain your kimchi well to avoid a soggy sandwich. You can find vegan kimchi as well, so no need to miss out on this delicious sandwich if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. Check out how to make fermented kimchi at home.
- multigrain bread - Or just use what you have on hand. A fresh loaf of rustic sourdough bread would also add a nice touch, enabling you to achieve perfectly crunchy, toasted bread slices.
- sriracha sauce - Optional, if you like spicy food.
*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.
📖 Recipe Tweaks
- Spice it up. You might consider adding spices to the mix, such as basil and chives, for a new dimension of flavor.
- Veganize it. It could even be made vegan by substituting plant based butter, mayo, and cheddar style shreds.
- Load it. Load up the filling with your favorite grilled cheese additions that work with kimchi like tomato slices, gochujang, spinach, bacon and avocado.
🔪 How to Make Kimchi Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Step 1. Combine filling. In a medium bowl, combine the cheese, kimchi and green onions. In a separate, small bowl, combine the mayo and sriracha.
Step 2. Butter bread. Butter one side of each bread slice.
Chef's Note: As with all grilled cheese sandwiches, the buttered side should be on the outside. It might feel a little inside out but it's necessary for golden crispiness, moisture and flavor as you're frying the sandwiches.
Step 3. Add filling. Spread the other side of 2 bread slices with the mayo. Top the mayo side with half of the cheese mixture on each.
Step 4. Close the sandwich. Top with the remaining bread slices.
Step 5. Fry. Place the sandwiches in a skillet over medium-low heat (so as not to burn the bread), cover with a lid and cook until golden brown on the bottom. Flip them over and cook uncovered for another 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown and cheese is fully melted.
Step 6. Serve. Slice the sandwiches in half and serve with extra mayo and sriracha on the side, if desired.
Chef's Note: Using the lid during the first half of frying helps the cheese to melt. Leaving it off in the second half ensures crispy bread.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
- Mayo and sriracha make excellent dipping options for your kimchi grilled cheese sandwich.
- Or you can go the more traditional route by serving it with a bowl of classic roasted garlic tomato soup; try it with a tomato gravy for a thicker option.
- Cold soups like this tomato & watermelon gazpacho soup are also nice.
- Looking for a green option? Try my cucumber kimchi salad.
❓ Recipe FAQs
This recipe is best served immediately, so be sure to share with friends or family and avoid leftovers. If you do happen to have some leftovers though, store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat them in a frying pan over medium heat or in a 350°F oven to retain the crispiness. You can add a touch of butter to the pan if desired.
Kimchi can be vegetarian or not, depending on the ingredients, so check over the label carefully to be sure. Otherwise, this sandwich is vegetarian.
❤️ More Delicious Kimchi Recipes You Will Love
If you tried this 🥪 Kimchi Grilled Cheese Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
Kimchi Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 cup cheddar cheese - grated
- ½ cup kimchi - drained and chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh green onions - sliced
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- ½ tablespoon sriracha sauce - optional
- 2 tablespoons butter - softened
- 4 slices multigrain bread - or your favorite kind
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the cheese, kimchi and green onions. In a separate, small bowl, combine the mayo and sriracha.1 cup cheddar cheese, ½ cup kimchi, 2 tablespoons fresh green onions, 2 tablespoons mayo, ½ tablespoon sriracha sauce
- Butter one side of each slice of bread.2 tablespoons butter, 4 slices multigrain bread
- Spread the other side of 2 bread slices (not the buttered side) with the sriracha mayo. Top each with half of the cheese mixture. Top with the remaining bread slices (the buttered sides should be on the outside).
- Heat a large skillet to medium-low heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet, cover with a lid and cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 3-5 minutes.
- Flip them over and cook uncovered for another 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown and cheese is fully melted.
- Slice the sandwiches in half and serve with extra mayo and sriracha on the side, if desired.
Equipment
Notes
- Storage and reheating: This recipe is best served immediately. If you do happen to have some leftovers though, store in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat them in the pan over medium heat to retain the crispiness.
- Tip: Drain your kimchi well to avoid a soggy sandwich.
- Serving suggestions: Cut the sandwich in half for easier handling and to showcase the melted cheese and kimchi filling. Serve hot, maybe with a side of dipping sauce like this kimchi mayo or extra kimchi on the side for a complete meal.
- Vegan option: It could even be made vegan by substituting plant based butter, mayo, and cheddar style shreds.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Joss says
This is total comfort food. The filling is delicious!