Kimchi Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Printable)
Crispy sourdough loaded with sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and tangy kimchi for a spicy Korean-American fusion sandwich.
# What You'll Need:
→ Bread
01 - 4 slices sourdough or country-style bread
→ Cheese
02 - 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 2 slices mozzarella cheese
→ Kimchi
04 - 1/2 cup well-drained, chopped kimchi
→ Butter
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
→ Optional Add-ins
06 - 1 teaspoon gochujang (Korean chili paste), for extra heat
07 - 1 green onion, finely chopped
# How-To Steps:
01 - Pat the chopped kimchi dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. If desired, mix the kimchi with gochujang and green onion for enhanced flavor.
02 - Lay out the bread slices on a clean work surface. Spread butter evenly on one side of each slice.
03 - Flip the bread slices so the unbuttered side faces up. Place 1 slice of cheddar and 1 slice of mozzarella on two of the bread slices.
04 - Distribute the chopped kimchi evenly over the cheese layers, then top each with the remaining cheddar slices.
05 - Close the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices, ensuring the buttered side faces outward.
06 - Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Place the sandwiches in the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
07 - Remove from heat and let the sandwiches rest for 1 minute. Slice diagonally and serve hot.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The tangy kimchi cuts through rich melted cheese creating this perfect balance that regular grilled cheese can never achieve
- Ready in under 20 minutes but tastes like something from a fancy fusion restaurant
02 -
- Soggy kimchi is the enemy of crispy bread so take extra time draining it thoroughly before assembling
- Low heat is your friend here because high heat burns the bread before the cheese has time to melt properly
03 -
- Mix a tiny bit of gochujang into the softened butter before spreading for an extra layer of flavor on the exterior
- Grate your own cheese instead of using pre-sliced for faster, more even melting