The Best Grilled Cheese You'll Ever Make | Epicurious 101

In this edition of Epicurious 101, professional chef Frank Proto demonstrates how to make a gooey, melty grilled cheese sandwich that outshines any other you've ever tried.
Director: Mel Ibarra
Director of Photography: Joel Kingsbury
Editor: Misa Qu, Manolo Moreno
Chef: Frank Proto
Director of Culinary Production: Kelly Janke
Culinary Researcher and Recipe Editor: Vivian Jao
Culinary Producer: Kat Boytsova
Culinary Associate Producer: Biba Clark
Associate Producer: Tim Colao
Line Producer: Jennifer McGinity
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Camera Operator: Lauren Pruitt
Audio: Kurt Pierce
Production Assistant: Emmanuel Dominguez
Assistant Editor: Billy Ward
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[@khashayaredalatpazhooh]

That was like, the happiest Frank I've ever seen on Epicurous.

[@van_whufc298]

Can’t not be happy when it comes to grilled cheese.

[@Ben-by7ul]

He finally didnt have to swap his ingredients with some knuckleheads haha

[@lisaanderson135]

@@Ben-by7ul especially when the swapping ingredients are cheaper and of less quality, lol

[@Praetor_Fenix420]

Grilled cheese is happiness! 🍞🧀🧀🍞=♥

[@khashayaredalatpazhooh]

@@Praetor_Fenix420 100% Agreed.

[@q45ij54q]

One tip for better melt. Before browning the outside of the sandwich, toast the insides of the bread (without butter) for a few seconds. This heats up the inside which facilitates better melting and also gives the bread a satisfying crispness throughout.

[@TSLMachine]

I've tried that but I find it's too much crispness for my liking. What I do is microwave the whole sandwich for a bit first to jumpstart the melt before toasting.

[@staple_gun6367]

Alternatively, I put a little cooking spray on my pan and get my cheese a little warm directly on the pan prior to putting it on the bread.

[@kingoffongpei]

​@@TSLMachinedang, I gotta give that a shot.

[@AC-45]

@@TSLMachine Just toast the inside of the bread less(like just warmed through, no brown) so the heat transfers to cheese. Or, something Frank didn't mention, covering the pan with a lid. Almost turns it into more of a convection or oven like heat/very light steam. Cover while cooking the first side, let cheese melt, flip, and cook uncovered the rest of the way through so you don't sog out the crust you just made after flipping.

[@mdsuave13]

Many of these alternative answers are just silly.

[@Greydawg]

"Shred your own cheese" may be the most essential 101-level tip for any cook. 💯

[@aimeeromberger6546]

VERY true! Why anyone would want cardboard- which is exactly what cellulose is- in their food, is beyond me. Plus it just doesn't melt as well at all.

[@lisakukla459]

Absolutely! 💯

[@heyselice]

The grater on the side thing just changed my whole life. Thank you Chef Proto

[@ProtoCookswithChefFrank]

You are welcome.

[@philipstaite4775]

Agreed, that looks like a neat trick. I will definitely be trying that out the next time I grate some cheese... which might just be tonight!

[@mike902]

Yeah, seriously.

[@ssp4795]

ikea sells a cheese grater, it's a plastic container with the grate on top, so it's the same idea: on the side, except you're grating into a container (and there's a lid too), it's one of those iconic kitchen items.

[@wesewpro1313]

Same here!

[@justinbakhtiari3199]

I love this guy, he explains what he does and why he's doing it. Such a great chef!

[@CheemSawMan]

Gordon Ramsey been REAL quiet since this video dropped 🍽🥪🧀

[@xanderscookingschool1497]

I also don't think he cares.

[@levi6720]

Who remembers Gordon’s disaster of a “grilled cheese” 😭

[@HeHateMe1]

​@levi6720 just about every step was wrong, too thick for the bread, cheeses that aren't really melting ones, too hot of a pan...

[@edwardpm89]

I was about to comment how this is an actual grilled cheese that looks delicious, unlike Gordon’s

[@catherinegray1367]

How bout Jamie Oliver??

[@Greydawg]

I put fresh grated parmesan on the outside of the bread after adding the mayo. Makes the whole outside salty & cheesy & crisp better than with just mayo or butter. ❤

[@sharonl3722]

Oh YUM! I am trying that next time! Thanks for this!

[@carmenneumann9479]

Brilliant.

[@xXErr4rXx]

Parmesan is just a beautiful cheese you can’t go wrong with it nice idea

[@margieshelnutt9006]

Now that idea I’m going to try!

[@Noneya5241]

That parm on the outside sounds amazing

[@lisaanderson135]

This video dropped just in time for lunch! Thanks for demonstrating how to properly make the most favorite of sandwiches 😊

[@Geeksmithing]

If you immediately plate the hot grilled cheese, the bread touching the plate will be steamed and possibly a bit soggy and counteract your crisp factor. I let mine cool just a bit on a wire rack for maximum crunch. It's like a bag of hot french fries in an enclosed bag. It's steaminess gets trapped and counters the crisp.

[@davidthedeaf]

You wait too long to eat it. Mine sits in the plate about a second.

[@Sakscratch]

@@davidthedeaf Or lay the sandwich halves on top of the chips. Keep the wire rack. :)

[@paulrobertss414]

I always plate my grilled chees sandwiches on a paper towel or napkin. The condensation that happens on the plate in so quick, it yields the sandwich not as crispy, the napkin is the perfect fix...

[@sherrybirchall8677]

That's a great idea! Thanks!

[@leyasminbleu2422]

I just made my very first grilled cheese because of this video! Always wanted to know what you Americans were so hyped about Thank you for a delicious dinner 😁🧀

[@sunshine3914]

American “cheese” isn’t cheese.

[@drewhorton1272]

I am glad you enjoyed it. Another American sandwich you could try would be peanut butter and jelly. It is great but I hear most countries think it is wierd.

[@CatScreenTime]

⁠@@drewhorton1272As an Aussie, I find it more than weird that you call jam ‘jelly’😂

[@TheRealKSmith]

@@CatScreenTime Because we have different classification's for them. Jam is Fruit pureed, Jelly is the just the Fruit Juice

[@4plus4equalsmoo]

@@sunshine3914 mmm, no, it's cheese.

[@Esbbbb]

"I believe mine is the best" is the equivalent of "My dog is the best dog" and everyone is correct!

[@asdasd-rp9hx]

Who else is here after watching Gordon Ramsay's failed grilled cheese video

[@dallasleyva78]

Now I wanna watch this Gordon Ramsay video😂

[@sgsniper1]

Is that the same weejio you watched?

[@syamilmuhd91]

Me 😆

[@user-vl2lz9fk9y]

No one.

[@infraredsprouts2073]

Which Ramsey vid, he has failed twice now

[@eldibs]

I'm sorry, but I will never replace butter in my grilled cheese. Brown butter has an amazing flavor that just can't be replaced.

[@theodore6548]

Yep, and I put mayo on the inside. It makes for a better melt.

[@mls01981]

I became a mayo convert a year or two ago. It sounds weird, but it really does taste better.

[@pilgrim5355]

no it doesn't@@mls01981

[@jaybling6687]

I will never replace butter, either. Mayo just tastes funky to me when it comes to grilled cheese.

[@user-pe2wq8rm1k]

I really dislike mayo instead of butter, it’s soooo greasy.

[@jekonorizzz]

This is life-changing, in fact, I've never seen grilled cheese so beautiful and perfected! 10/10 video.

[@NinajGful]

I use olive oil and the outside with a panini grill. I put Gouda cheese, cheddar cheese and feta cheese inside with slices of tomato and oregano. It is heavenly cheesy every time, crunchy, fresh and just delicious. My version is already perfect in my opinion but I will try Franks version next time 🤩

[@episodesglow]

I actually prefer a looser crumb bread with large holes, the cheese oozes through and forms a crispy bit when it comes in contact with the hot pan

[@mls01981]

Me too! He was so excited about the crispy edges of burnt cheese, but why not have that throughout?!

[@dispeaking1]

I tried mayo, once. It was crispy and looked pretty. And since I usually use butter, not margarine, it was much easier to apply. However, I was really missing that butter flavor. Its more trouble to let the butter soften so you can spread it easily, but so worth the flavor boost you get. And I agree with a lot of other posters, tomato soup as a side is the way to go!

[@guitarslim56]

Pickle is the best side.

[@stephieg.2580]

Nothing beats butter in my book!

[@Zizhou]

I'd like to offer a third path in the butter/mayo debate: ghee (or a similar clarified butter). You get a lot of the same flavor as butter, while also retaining the higher smoke point of mayo. Plus, being a liquid makes it easy to evenly brown the sandwich in a pan without worrying about evenly applying a spread.

[@gregedwards2078]

i think alot of the point of the mayo for frank is the flavor tho. it has a little acidity that cuts the butter

[@jpbaley2016]

I am definitely trying this.

[@lop0998]

Meh

[@1betterthanyou1]

Ghee is the correct answer.

[@alyahamzah1952]

Thanks! As an asian, I'm more likely to have ghee in my pantry than butter, will try this!

[@1nm1]

If you don't want cheap, white bread to be pasty either: use a stale loaf or put the slices on the counter for a bit of time to dry out (assuming inside humidity isn't too high).

[@ADub07vids]

This is the first video I watched by you and seeing you happy and patient made me happy and convinced! Thank you Chef Frank!

[@_Toxicity]

My ideal grilled cheese sandwich: a broad slice of some type of white bread, salted butter, cheddar and munster shredded. Melted and gooey. If I want to get fancy, thinly sliced ham and/or a sunny side up egg.

[@OnlyTwoShoes]

I've found that making 1/4 of the flour mixture whole wheat gives the crumb a nice firm composition. Perfect for holding in moist cheeses or for adding meats like tuna. I'm also a big fan of mustard on my grilled cheese.

[@user-sp4df3sl6q]

Thank you so much for this video. Super helpful and well-presented. Your time and effort is most appreciated!

[@toddellner5283]

A curse on anyone who uses mayo and cursed is their family for nine generations. Tillamook sharp cheddar cheese. Butter. Dave's Killer Bread. It is perfection and cannot be improved on.

[@ayrasanmiguel9363]

😮😮😮 Thank you so much for this! Really great help! 🎉🎉❤❤

[@YouTuberdeAnime]

One tip for a better grilled cheese: use butter

[@1979genius]

Carmelized onions go really well on grilled cheese

[@MilwaukeeWoman]

It's amazing and true

[@jurre9892]

Looks delicious. Will be testing that Gruyère 😋 I always serve them (for myself and my family) like a tent instead of flat on the plate. That way the heat can escape without making the bottom moist and soft. That way it stays crunchy.

[@clarepover4978]

Nice. especially how to use the grater! ❤

[@purpleiguana208]

The first time I heard of making grilled cheese with mayo, I was like WUUUUUUUUUUT?? But one day I was out of butter but had mayo and the kids wanted grilled cheese, so I tried it, and I have NEVER gone back.

[@memeaficionado]

The only suggestion I have to make it even better is to pair it with homemade tomato soup. I like to take half of my grilled cheese and cut it into little crouton-sized pieces and put them in the soup itself. Makes it look fancy and tastes delicious

[@skismosis]

better yet, make 2 grilled cheese sandwiches and cut 1 up into pieces for the soup, LOL.

[@jewishmafia9801]

My favourite is a nice salty and hearty chicken noodle soup. The perfect dip for a crunchy grilled cheese!

[@gobbzgaming8812]

Me too, but I always add butter and sugar to my tomato soup. YUMM-E!

[@johnklein233]

Oh yeah! Or add sliced beefsteak tomatoes to the grilled cheese sandwich.

[@bornwestusa]

I just watched 3 of your videos, great stuff!

[@cozyeden]

this is exactly how i make my grilled cheese!! love it

[@sharonl3722]

Thank you for this! I never have used Mayo but I am going to use it…your grilled cheese looked so delicious. I love Gruyère btw!

[@davebaconusa1062]

I'm salivating. I can't wait to try this.

[@user-yz7kp2bs4r]

I like this guy. Quick simple honest & to the point and it looks fabulous. I'm learning a lot. NEver thought to put mayo on the outside of a sandwich.

[@johnhuynh6580]

I made a garlic butter grilled cheese today with thin crispy spam, garlic spinach, and grilled onions using the techniques about getting that nice crust and gooey middle made the best looking and tasting grilled cheese I ever had! Thanks for the techniques!

[@jjoomusic]

That ain’t a grilled cheese

[@AdamMurtland]

I usually cover the sandwich open-faced while toasting the first half. That jump starts the cheese melting.

[@kubakielbasa5987]

Frank's recipes have saved many parties.

[@kracerjack742]

the best cooking instructor.

[@kathrynmerrill3184]

The sandwich sounds great - I know what I'm having for dinner tomorrow. I add a little yellow mustard (my preference) on the inside of one of the bread slices. Gives it a little more pizazz than just mayo.

[@unculturedswine7993]

It's interesting that he chose potato chips as a side. I almost always go with some kind of soup (tomato soup being the preferred soup). But hey, whatever floats your boat.

[@x12spm21x]

I always go chips but I don’t like soup. I can see the thought

[@treehuggingbuddhist]

the comfort foods of childhood 😋 ❤️

[@jilliemc]

Pickles. Ya gotta have at least a couple of pickles with your sandwich. Dill, sweet, whatever! (I like bread & butter pickles.)

[@stevecagle2317]

For me not just any tomato soup - Creamy Tomato Bisque. Not the Campbell's stuff. It's easy to make year around with canned tomatoes and heavy cream.

[@SalmanRavoof]

Why no both? 😅

[@Rodzilla-wi1yu]

That looks phenomenal!

[@gregdunn460]

I used to cook for a school and we used mayonnaise as the browning rather than butter and also preheated the sheet pans prior putting them in the oven. Always came out nice and crispy.

[@zebulonbare326]

You're missing out on an opportunity here. You should put some salt and granulated garlic on mayo side of the bread. Because the only thing better than a grilled cheese is garlic bread grilled cheese.

[@Forestmarko]

ooh.. i have to try that at one point for sure

[@riccello]

No, because garlic will burn before the bread brown, and it will make it bitter

[@petertselios]

@@Forestmarkowhat if you put on the garlic a little after the cheese melts and a shortly after the bread toasts a little so that doesn't burn?

[@lennymclean.]

No. No you shouldn't. Just no.

[@Rue21st]

Yea nah yea my grilled cheese is better. But using garlic butter indeed elevates the dish.

[@18deadmonkeys]

Chef trying to make America grate again. Kudos.

[@liorzisman2968]

Bring us more of this guy!

[@jeremystorm3902]

Fantastic video ! Thank you Frank!

[@stevecagle2317]

I'll have to try mayonnaise. I'm a butter guy, but mind is open. My cheese choice is determined by what's in the fridge, but I like mixtures. Also, with flavorful cheddars, I like a schmeer if a spicy mustard. Regarding the best accompaniment, for me it is Creamy Tomato Bisque soup with a a small pat of butter melting on top! 😋🤤😁👍

[@margieshelnutt9006]

Mayo is the BEST! I started using bit yrs ago. You use less and you don’t have to wait for it to soften.

[@stevenhaas9622]

don't. butter is superior. The milk solids in butter contain lactose that caramelizes and creates a beautiful nutty flavor. Mayo doesn't have that.

[@JoeZasada]

Having done both extensively, butter is superior. Better crisp, better flavour.

[@ethanbrunt7755]

This guy is amazing

[@Thatguy-tb9pw]

You are a godsend. Thank you for making my life a little more manageable 😊

[@interspeciesfamily8043]

Love the inside chuckle when he says his is the best 😅

[@duckhead014]

Perfection! add just a tiny bit of garlic powder and dried parsley after it's finished cooking and it takes it to a different place!

[@TRXMOE]

Everything frank makes is top notch. The buffalo chicken wings were the best I have ever had!

[@user-bm6be1nd3l]

now i have to find that video

[@zacharyeisenberg4565]

I've watched 30 seconds and I'm so confident this guy knows what's he's doing and this will be the best grilled cheese ever made.

[@William14094]

Potato chips? NO.

[@berserkirclaws107]

Okay I will try ! I usually do mine with mild cheddar cheese and butter inside. The heat melt the cheese and the butter which goes through the bread getting it nicely toasted.

[@jcriverside]

I agree on the sourdough, although I still take the risk. As to cheese & other fillings, Amy's in NYC has an amazing grilled cheese.

[@babs3241]

Yummy. I want to eat that with this delicious chunky tomato and green chile soup I made the other day.

[@haydehabdolahian7691]

I love all you simple recipes ! Pancake and French toast and now this one 👍

[@judetteguerra1817]

and you are correct chef that you are perfect I love your videos keep doing it, please

[@smallspace7]

I prefer a tomato and a cucumber on the side 😋🤤

[@maryjeankownacki814]

Add a couple of slices of bacon

[@simeon7450]

It is all about the combination of ingredients. I feel on some GCSs mayo works better with the bread and types of cheeses chosen. In other ones butter works better. Also the type of butter and mayo you use matters. So instead of blindly following this recipe (maybe you should if you can get all the exact ingredients), I would invite you to find out which combination of ingredients is best with what is available in the supermarket you go to.

[@SimaSometimes]

Thx for putting all of the captions at the very beginning

[@bludeetu321]

You nailed it! Exactly my perfect sandwich as well. YUMMMMMMMMM!!

[@steveraglin7607]

Looks completely perfect, Frank -- my only "add" would be a side of tomato soup (particularly if it's wintertime).

[@elnura986]

Agreed, making this with a kabocha squash bisque tonight

[@lilempescrempa]

"Come on how doesn't that make you smile" It does Frank, it does

[@michaeloxlong5697]

"how does that not make you smile" YOU make me smile, Frank.

[@tvgreign9882]

Beautiful I gotta try some of these tips

[@Yodi_Mangani]

🔥🔥🔥 but needs tomato soup

[@andreasdeutinger7319]

what really surprised me, that he didn‘t made the potatocrisps himself. great sandwich-mouthwatering.

[@brinkgrl]

How much oil do you put in the pan? Also do you use non-stick or cast iron pan?

[@Vnaan]

Frank’s energy chefs kiss

[@bsherder]

I would normally avoid mayo but if i am going to use that type of bread and those types of cheese i would give it a try.

[@TJW-YT]

My favourite part of an American grilled cheese is the part where they always pan fry it instead of grilling it.

[@DaveDoran]

Wow this is fab ,im gonna try this and i love mayo 😍

[@sharrielee911]

I never knew that about using mayonnaise instead of butter😮 I luv mayo I'm going to try it...thx for sharing 😊

[@l...]

Can you use herb 🌿 What about paprika

[@scottboettcher1344]

For years I used mayo on one slice and butter on the other, for "complexity". I finally decided to do a side-by-side comparison and am now back to butter only. Everyone's taste is different. ;)

[@luisvilleda4616]

0:30 best part, thanks Frank, always happy to see you here

[@conniecasas4955]

Gracias chef!

[@dg-hughes]

I find tomato soup and grilled cheese go very well together. The acidic tart tomato and rich cheese balance so well. I always have the two together.

[@liallen9380]

Solid, but I tend to find that adding jam of an appropriate, complimentary fruit to the cheese on one side on the inside *really* makes for a better overall sandwich experience. But, I also get that's not what everyone is going for when they want a grilled cheese... but I keep hoping the info will get out more! It's worth the experiment! But if you don't want to experiment, Frank's 100% on point.

[@AndySuk99]

"How does that not make you smile?" Was well smiling 😊

[@valentinopasta397]

I had a big smile all along the video, I'm cooking them rn and it's gonna be awesome 🤣🤣

[@Vyse86]

Loved this. Been using mayo and Havarti on grilled cheese for years, but I'll definitely try out gruyere now. Thanks!

[@videos44]

gruyere is the best i always put it in my grilled cheese

[@j.gravett2878]

Yes!!! I've been using mayo instead of butter on my toasted sandwiches! Gives a much better crunch! But, it does freak people out if they see me using it! 😁😁😁

[@Maxime_K-G]

I thought it was a no-go because of the acidity in the mayonaise but as a mayo lover I'm willing to try it. It does spread much more easily which is better.

[@ProtoCookswithChefFrank]

Nothing better than a proper grilled cheese!!!!

[@johnnyosgrillhideaway7247]

Well done, Chef - thank you!

[@willj24]

Frank, you missed one thing I absolutely love for a next-level grilled cheese: Instead of the mayo, I just put down a layer of shredded cheese in the pan before putting down the bread. Cooking slow, so it doesn't burn to quickly, you end up with a gooey melted cheesy inside, and the outside of your sandwich is almost entirely encrusted in the hard crunchy cheesy bits you love so much. It really is next level, and once I tried it, I've never gone back to the regular way!

[@Eliyahu_777]

Or you could just do butter

[@willj24]

@@Eliyahu_777 You could, but if you’ve ever tried it with the crusted cheese on the outside, you’ll never go back!

[@joydarling314]

Sound yummy next time try just putting a little garlic powder with the cheese it will takes even better

[@Eliyahu_777]

@@willj24 I tried it and it’s great, I did also add some butter tho

[@jefflebowski918]

This might be his best grilled cheese sandwich but Mythical Kitchen says otherwise. They found sourdough bread, butter and American cheese was the best.

[@woodywood2311]

Fantastic! Great video.

[@MelancoliaI]

I respect this man's passion for grilled cheese.

[@apizzicato]

I’ve always loved mayonnaise on the inside of my grilled cheese. But now I have found bacon jam…🤤😮‍💨

[@cleverasaurus]

Bacon jam...??? What have I been doing with my life??

[@efusco]

Sorry chef, couldn't disagree more about your bread choice. The open crumb of sourdough allows the cheese to connect and incorporate into the bread and the sourdough contributes flavor than some lousy white yeast bread never can. Yes, the crust gets a little crispy, but I've never cut my mouth or found that crust to be objectionable. YMMV

[@simonvandenbroek1659]

Preach

[@jcriverside]

I love sourdough like a baby loves its mother, but I have to agree - it does rough up the roof of my mouth. Not cuts, but I notice it for a while afterward.

[@eurapeon]

What a fantastic teacher! 🙌

[@GailsonPvPwtf]

My ideal grilled cheese: -very lightly toast the outside (in toaster or on pan) just until you start to see color. This dries it out and when you put the butter (or mayo) on it spreads easier and will fry it better for a nicer more thorough crisp. -grill on pan and add cheese immediately and cover -when cheese is gooey, put one slice on top of the other -finish toasting and flipping to your desired toastness. Smashing is an option here.

[@oggaming7362]

No tomato soup. It's not perfect.

[@aclonymous]

nah it's fine

[@THEGlassIED]

I like to boil my grilled cheese in the tomato soup.

[@jcub5855]

Love seeing proper American cheese. It truly hurts my soul that people think the extent of American cheese only goes to Kraft Singles...

[@HappyHealthyWife]

How do you know that they didn't just peel the plastic off of the Kraft singles before filming?

[@Sonicfan138]

@@HappyHealthyWife It's not a perfect square, so it probably wasn't in the wrapping. It also doesn't look absurdly shiny like Kraft Singles.

[@xSintex]

@@HappyHealthyWife ...You can literally tell the difference in the cheese itself. I guess you can be Happy and Healthy and still be Stupid.

[@HappyHealthyWife]

@@xSintex Well, you see, one of the secrets of being happy is to be stupid

[@networkn]

Nice. Enjoyed it.

[@AlexGMason]

Looks delicious, Frank!