Grilled Cheese With Kimchi

Updated September 21, 2022

20150219-grilled-cheese-kimchi-sandwich-vicky-wasik-1.jpg — Photograph: Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

Toasting both sides of each slice of bread ensure maximum flavor and crispness in every bite—the perfect foil to melted and gooey cheese.
Using a moderately low flame for toasting ensures the bread turns an even golden brown without brining, and gives the cheese more time to melt.

The Grilled Kimcheeze is proof that kimchi belongs in a grilled cheese about as much as a slice of American cheese belongs in a bowl of kimchi jjigae. (That is, a lot.) This recipe takes our classic grilled cheese technique, which involves toasted both sides of each bread slice in butter so that it's delightfully crisp and flavorful throughout. Beyond that, there's not much to it—add the kimchi and cheese and get it all good and melty, making sure to do it all over a moderately low flame for a crust that's evenly golden-brown just as the cheese fully melts and not charred with cold cheese still in the center..

Recipe Details

Grilled Cheese With Kimchi Recipe

Cook 12 mins

Active 12 mins

Total 12 mins

Serves 1 sandwich

Ingredients

2 tablespoons (30g) butter, cut into 3 even pieces
2 slices hearty white bread, such as Pepperidge Farm or Arnold
2 slices American, cheddar, or Jack cheese
1/2 cup kimchi (3 ounces; 85g), drained and roughly chopped
Kosher salt

Directions

In a large non-stick skillet, melt one-third of butter over medium heat until foaming subsides. Add both bread slices and cook, swirling occasionally, until pale golden brown on bottom side, about 2 minutes.
Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez
Transfer to a work surface toasted side up. Place one cheese slice on top of one slice of bread. Top with kimchi and second cheese slice. Close sandwich, with both toasted sides facing inwards.
Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez
Melt one more piece of butter in the skillet and reduce heat to medium low. Add sandwich and cook, swirling occasionally, until deep, even golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove sandwich using a flexible metal spatula. Add the remaining butter. Return sandwich to skillet toasted-side up. Season with salt. Cook, swirling occasionally, until second side is deep, even golden brown and cheese is thoroughly melted, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
557	Calories
42g	Fat
27g	Carbs
19g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories	557
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 42g	54%
Saturated Fat 26g	128%
Cholesterol 111mg	37%
Sodium 1212mg	53%
Total Carbohydrate 27g	10%
Dietary Fiber 3g	9%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 19g
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 521mg	40%
Iron 4mg	23%
Potassium 228mg	5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.