Mayo Grilled Cheese Classic (Print Version)

Golden crispy sandwich with mayonnaise for creamy, perfectly browned bread and melted cheese inside.

# Components:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices white or sourdough bread

→ Cheese

02 - 4 slices cheddar cheese or preferred melting cheese

→ Spread

03 - 2 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise

→ Optional Additions

04 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

# Directions:

01 - Arrange bread slices on a clean work surface.
02 - Spread a thin, even layer of mayonnaise on one side of each bread slice.
03 - If desired, spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on the opposite side of two bread slices.
04 - Place 2 slices of cheese between two bread slices with mayonnaise sides facing outward; repeat for second sandwich.
05 - Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat.
06 - Place sandwiches mayo-side down in skillet; cook 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown.
07 - Flip sandwiches and cook other side 3 to 4 minutes, pressing gently with spatula until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
08 - Remove from skillet, allow to rest 1 minute, then slice and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • That mahogany-brown crust forms with zero burnt edges, making the whole thing look professionally done despite being thrown together in minutes.
  • The mayo doesn't overpower anything—instead it creates this subtle savory depth while keeping the cheese melting like a dream inside.
02 -
  • Mayo browns at a lower temperature than butter, which means your heat needs to stay medium-low or you'll trick yourself into thinking the outside is done when the cheese inside hasn't even started melting.
  • The mayo layer needs to actually touch the skillet—a thin, even spread matters more than you'd think because uneven coverage means uneven browning.
03 -
  • Make sure your mayonnaise is truly room temperature or slightly cool, never straight from a hot kitchen counter—temperature affects how evenly it spreads and how it browns.
  • A nonstick skillet is genuinely important here because you want to flip these sandwiches with confidence, not while mentally calculating whether the spatula will cooperate.
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