Onion Jam Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Categories:

Savoury Dishes & Salads
Jams, Jellies & Spreads
Dinner
Lunch
Back To School
Fall
Egg-free
Nut-free
Soy-free
Vegetarian
Golden Yellow Sugar

Take your grilled cheese to another level! This stackable masterpiece is rich with caramelized onions, gooey cheese, and has a pleasant dash of spice. When it’s made with your favourite bread, it’s like a warm hug—one you feel on the inside!

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
30 to 35 minutes
A top view of an Onion Jam Grilled Cheese Sandwich cut in half, placed on parchment paper. The golden-brown toasted sandwich reveals melted cheese and caramelized onion jam.
Ingredients Equipment

Large heavy-bottomed saucepan OR Dutch oven

Scale OR dry measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Spatula OR wooden spoon

Liquid measuring cups

Airtight container OR mason jar

Nonstick skillet OR griddle

Chef’s knife

Cutting board

Servings
about 2 cups (500 ml) jam
For the quick onion jam:
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil or canola oil
  • 6 cups (750 g) onions (preferably yellow onions, but any can be used), diced
  • 1 cup (217 g) Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar, packed
  • 1¼ tsp (7 g) salt
  • 2 pcs dried bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • ¼ to ½ tsp (2 g) crushed chili flakes
  • ¾ cup (188 ml) apple cider vinegar (or white balsamic vinegar)
For the grilled cheese sandwiches:
  • Butter or mayonnaise
  • 8 slices sandwich bread (see Chef’s Tips)
  • 8 to 16 slices Gruyere cheese
Instructions

Step 1

In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, add oil and place over medium-high heat until shimmering.

Step 2

Add in the diced onions and saute until onions are translucent and golden in colour; 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 3

Reduce heat to medium-low and sprinkle the Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar and salt evenly over the cooked onions. Let sit without stirring to allow the brown sugar to slightly melt and meld with the onions; 3 minutes.

Step 4

Increase heat to medium and add bay leaves, fresh thyme, and crushed chili flakes to the saucepan. Gently stir to incorporate the brown sugar with the rest of the ingredients. Stir until the herbs and spices become fragrant and the remaining brown sugar is dissolved; 5 minutes.

Step 5

Carefully stir in apple cider vinegar. Increase temperature and bring to a boil. Reduce heat slightly and vigorously simmer until onions are soft and mixture thickens. Drag the spatula or wooden spoon through the mixture. If it leaves a “path” and it takes a few seconds before the “path” disappears, it is ready; 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 6

Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. Remove and discard the bay leaves and thyme before storing the completely cooled onion jam in an airtight container or mason jar. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

For the grilled cheese sandwiches:

Step 1

Evenly spread mayonnaise or butter on both sides of the bread slices.

Step 2

Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place an even number of bread slices onto the skillet; the number will depend on the size of your skillet. Cook until lightly browned.

Step 3

Flip slices over and place 1 to 2 slices of cheese on each slice of bread. Spread about 2 tablespoons of onion jam over the cheese on half the slices of bread.

Step 4

Close the sandwiches, using the cheese-only pieces as the top slice. Cook until deep golden brown in colour. Flip sandwich over to toast the other side, ensuring cheese is completely melted and onion jam is heated through.

Step 5

Repeat process with remaining bread and cheese. Serve immediately.

A stack of Onion Jam Grilled Cheese Sandwich halves, placed on a wooden board. The sandwiches have golden-brown toasted bread with melted cheese and caramelized onion jam oozing out. In the background, a jar of onion jam and a knife with jam are partially visible
Chef's Tips

*Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar or Redpath® Demerara Style Sugar can be substituted for the Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar. Note that the resulting jam and sandwiches may have a more caramel or complex and earthy flavour and may be darker in colour.

*Use your favourite bread for the sandwiches. Be aware that some breads will brown faster than others.

*Leftover onion jam can be used over meats (turkey, pork, chicken, beef), other sandwiches, or served with charcuterie boards.

*Dried thyme may be used in place of fresh. Use about ⅓ as much dried thyme as you would fresh thyme.

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