French Onion Grilled Cheese

Featured in: Easy Comfort Recipes

This sandwich blends sweet, deeply caramelized onions with melted Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses, grilled to golden perfection. Using sourdough bread lightly buttered and layered with Dijon mustard, each bite delivers a savory comfort experience. The balance of herbs and a splash of balsamic vinegar enriches the onions, while gentle grilling melts the cheeses for a gooey texture. Perfect for a satisfying vegetarian main dish that pairs well with tomato soup or a fresh green salad.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:13:00 GMT
Golden, bubbly French onion grilled cheese sandwich with caramelized onions oozing from toasted bread. Save to Pins
Golden, bubbly French onion grilled cheese sandwich with caramelized onions oozing from toasted bread. | spicra.com

A decadent twist on classic grilled cheese, this sandwich combines caramelized onions with gooey melted cheese for a deeply savory, next-level comfort food experience.

I love making this sandwich on chilly evenings when I want something simple yet indulgent that fills the kitchen with a wonderful aroma.

Ingredients

  • Caramelized Onions: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • Sandwich: 4 slices sourdough or country-style bread, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened, 1 cup (about 100 g) shredded Gruyère cheese, 1 cup (about 100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Instructions

Step 1:
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown and deeply caramelized, about 25 30 minutes.
Step 2:
Stir in thyme and balsamic vinegar cook another 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 3:
Butter one side of each bread slice. Spread Dijon mustard on the unbuttered side of two slices.
Step 4:
Layer half the Gruyère and mozzarella onto the mustard side. Top with a generous spoonful of caramelized onions, then the remaining cheese. Place the other bread slices on top, buttered side facing out.
Step 5:
Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Cook sandwiches 3 5 minutes per side, pressing gently and flipping once, until bread is golden and cheese is fully melted.
Step 6:
Let rest 1 minute before slicing. Serve hot.
Close-up of a perfectly grilled French onion grilled cheese, hinting at a symphony of savory flavors. Save to Pins
Close-up of a perfectly grilled French onion grilled cheese, hinting at a symphony of savory flavors. | spicra.com

My family gathers around the table eagerly whenever I make this sandwich; it never lasts long!

Required Tools

Large skillet, spatula, bread knife, cheese grater

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cheese butter), Wheat (bread), Mustard. If using store-bought bread, check for additional allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories 540, Total Fat 32 g, Carbohydrates 44 g, Protein 22 g per serving

Savory French onion grilled cheese, showcasing melted Gruyère and mozzarella on crusty sourdough, ready to eat. Save to Pins
Savory French onion grilled cheese, showcasing melted Gruyère and mozzarella on crusty sourdough, ready to eat. | spicra.com

This sandwich is best enjoyed fresh and hot with a side of soup or salad for a complete meal.

Questions & Answers

How do I properly caramelize the onions?

Cook thinly sliced onions slowly in butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown and soft, about 25–30 minutes. Adding sugar helps enhance the caramelization.

Can I substitute the Gruyère cheese?

Yes, cheeses like Comté or Swiss work well as alternatives, offering similar melting qualities and flavor profiles.

What bread type is best for this sandwich?

Sourdough or country-style bread with a sturdy texture helps hold the fillings and crisps nicely when grilled.

Why add Dijon mustard on the sandwich?

Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang that complements the sweetness of caramelized onions and the richness of melted cheeses.

How long should I grill the sandwich?

Grill each side over medium-low heat for 3–5 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has fully melted.

French Onion Grilled Cheese

A decadent sandwich layering caramelized onions with melted Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses.

Prep Time
15 min
Time to Cook
40 min
Overall Time
55 min
Recipe by spicra Olivia Carter

Dish Category Easy Comfort Recipes

Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Type American-French Fusion

Makes 2 Number of Servings

Dietary Details Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Caramelized Onions

01 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
03 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
04 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
07 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Sandwich

01 4 slices sourdough or country-style bread
02 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
04 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
05 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Cooking Steps

Step 01

Caramelize Onions: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown and deeply caramelized, approximately 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 02

Add Flavorings: Stir in thyme leaves and balsamic vinegar; continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 03

Prepare Bread: Butter one side of each bread slice. Spread Dijon mustard evenly on the unbuttered side of two slices.

Step 04

Assemble Sandwiches: Layer half of the Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses on the mustard-coated side of the bread. Add a generous spoonful of caramelized onions over the cheese, then top with remaining cheeses. Place the remaining bread slices on top, buttered side facing outward.

Step 05

Cook Sandwiches: Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Cook sandwiches for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, pressing gently and flipping once, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.

Step 06

Rest and Serve: Allow sandwiches to rest for 1 minute before slicing. Serve immediately while hot.

Necessary Tools

  • Large skillet
  • Spatula
  • Bread knife
  • Cheese grater

Allergy Details

Go through each ingredient to spot allergens. If unsure, reach out to a healthcare provider.
  • Contains milk, wheat, and mustard

Nutrition Info (each portion)

For informational use only—please talk to your doctor for health advice.
  • Calorie Count: 540
  • Fats: 32 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44 g
  • Proteins: 22 g