Grilled Cheese with Bacon-Onion Jam

Just when you think grilled cheese is the most perfect food there ever was, somebody goes and puts BACON-ONION JAM in it.

I definitely could eat this bacon-onion jam with a spoon. Caramelized onion with crispy bacon cooked down with sugar and balsamic vinegar for the sweet and savory flavors of my dreams! My current favorite condiment.

I made it specifically with the end goal of putting it on grilled cheese, but if you have any leftover (which you probably will!) I think it would be good on.. um… everything? Grilled meat! Flatbread! Toast! Roasted veggies! Salads! From a spoon is also good.

Also also between slices of buttery grilled bread loaded with sharp and creamy gruyère and white cheddar.

I am doing my best to control myself here. THESE ARE SO GOOD.

Regular grilled cheese is a lunchtime staple around here, but sometimes it’s fun to jazz it up for dinner and make our most favorite sandwich a little fancier.

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Grilled Cheese with Bacon-Onion Jam

These are THE BEST gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Made with white cheddar and gruyère and slathered with caramelized bacon-onion jam for a low-key fancy, grown-up grilled cheese.

Makes 8 sandwiches.

Total Time45 mins

Author: Mandy Jackson

Ingredients

FOR THE JAM

• 1 1/2 cups chopped bacon (about 6 ounces)
• 3 cups diced sweet onion (from about 2 medium onions)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

FOR THE GRILLED CHEESE

• 1 (16 ounce) loaf of Italian bread, butts removed and cut into 16 slices
• 4 tablespoons softened butter
• 5 ounces shredded white cheddar
• 4 ounces shredded gruyère

Directions

FOR THE JAM

• Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high. Add bacon and cook until fat is rendered and bacon begins to crisp – about 7 minutes. Add the onions and continue cooking 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown.

  Reduce heat to low. Sprinkle brown sugar over the onions and – without stirring – pat sugar into an even layer. Cook 10 minutes, undisturbed. Brown sugar will be melted and gently bubbling.

  Stir in vinegar and simmer over medium heat until jam is thick – about 10 minutes. Season with salt.

  If not using immediately, bacon-onion jam can be stored in the refrigerator for 5 days.

FOR THE GRILLED CHEESE

• Spread one side of each slice of bread with butter. Combine cheeses in a medium bowl.

  To assemble sandwiches, layer cheese, bacon-onion jam, then more cheese on an unbuttered side of sliced bread. Top with another slice, buttered side out. Grill in a large skillet or griddle for 3-4 minutes per side over medium-low heat, until bread is browned and crisp and cheese is completely melted.