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French Onion Grilled Cheese
By: Owen Han
Decadent, deeply savory, and all about that French onion soup vibe meets buttery grilled cheese sandwich indulgence.
40MINserves 2
Ingredients
Cheese
2 oz (or 1-2 slices) Tillamook Swiss
2 oz (or 1-2 slices) Tillamook Sharp White Cheddar
2 oz (or 1-2 slices) Tillamook Whole Milk Mozzarella
Caramelized Onions
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (plus extra for garnish)
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp sugar (optional, helps browning)
Splash of dry sherry, white wine, or beef stock (to deglaze)
Butter
3 tbsp softened Tillamook Extra Creamy Unsalted Butter
1 small garlic clove, grated
½ tsp fresh thyme leaves
Pinch of kosher salt
Assembly
4 slices thick-cut sourdough (or country loaf)
Butter mixture (for spreading)
Butter Mixture
Make butter mixture by mixing softened butter with garlic, thyme and salt until smooth. Set aside at room temp.
Caramelize Onions
In a skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium-low heat.
Add onions, salt, and thyme.
Cook slowly (30–40 minutes), stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown. If pan dries, splash in a little sherry/wine/stock to deglaze. Set aside.
Assemble Sandwiches
Spread a thin layer of the butter mixture on the outside of each bread slice.
Inside: layer cheeses and a generous spoonful of caramelized onions.
Top with second slice of bread.
Grill
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
Cook sandwiches 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
Serve
Slice diagonally. Garnish with extra thyme leaves if desired. Serve hot, maybe with a little French onion soup broth for dipping.
If you want it extra luxurious, stir a little Gruyère into the cheese blend (classic French onion pairing).
Shop this recipe
Tillamook Extra Sharp White Cheddar
Tillamook Whole Milk Mozzarella Slices
Tillamook Monterey Jack
Tillamook Extra Creamy Unsalted Butter
Meet the chef
Owen Han
Owen is a content creator coined the “King of Sandwiches”. He learned how to cook from his first generation Chinese father, Italian mother, and spent countless hours in his Nonna’s kitchen in Italy. Owen’s passion for combining flavors has inspired many mouth-watering recipes.
