French Onion Grilled Cheese

Featured in: Everyday Cozy Meals

This indulgent sandwich marries deeply caramelized onions with a cheesy blend of Gruyère and mozzarella, layered between buttery toasted sourdough. The onions are slowly cooked with butter, sugar, thyme, and balsamic to develop a rich flavor that complements the creamy melted cheeses. Finished with a hint of Dijon mustard, the sandwich is cooked until golden and gooey, perfect for a satisfying, comforting meal.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:49:00 GMT
Golden, melted Gruyère and mozzarella oozing from a French Onion Grilled Cheese sandwich. Pin It
Golden, melted Gruyère and mozzarella oozing from a French Onion Grilled Cheese sandwich. | sweetbatata.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.

Ingredients

  • For the 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
  • For the 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.
Savory and aromatic, a close-up of a perfectly grilled French Onion Grilled Cheese sandwich. Pin It
Savory and aromatic, a close-up of a perfectly grilled French Onion Grilled Cheese sandwich. | sweetbatata.com

Warm, comforting, ready-to-eat French Onion Grilled Cheese on toast, ideal for a satisfying lunch. Pin It
Warm, comforting, ready-to-eat French Onion Grilled Cheese on toast, ideal for a satisfying lunch. | sweetbatata.com

Recipe Questions & Answers

How do I caramelize onions properly?

Cook sliced onions over medium heat with butter, sugar, salt, and pepper, stirring occasionally for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and deeply caramelized.

What cheeses work best for this sandwich?

Gruyère and mozzarella create a creamy, flavorful melt. You can also swap Gruyère with Comté or Swiss cheese for variations.

Can I use a different type of bread?

Sourdough or country-style bread is recommended for its texture and flavor, but any sturdy bread with a good crust works well.

How do I achieve a crispy crust on the sandwich?

Butter the outside of the bread slices and cook on medium-low heat, pressing gently and flipping once, until golden and crisp.

Can I prepare the onions ahead of time?

Yes, caramelized onions can be made in advance and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days, making assembly quicker.

French Onion Grilled Cheese

A savory sandwich featuring caramelized onions melted with Gruyère and mozzarella on toasted sourdough.

Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
40 min
Overall Time
55 min
Created by Nora James


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine American-French Fusion

Makes 2 Portions

Dietary Details Meat-Free

What You'll Need

Caramelized Onions

01 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
03 1 teaspoon 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 (about 3.5 oz)
04 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 3.5 oz)
05 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Cooking Steps

Step 01

Prepare Caramelized Onions: Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions turn golden brown and caramelize, approximately 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 02

Finish Onions: Incorporate fresh or dried thyme and balsamic vinegar into the onions. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until aromatic. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 03

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

Step 04

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

Step 05

Cook Sandwiches: Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Grill sandwiches for 3 to 5 minutes per side, pressing gently and flipping once, until bread is golden and cheese melts thoroughly.

Step 06

Rest and Serve: Allow sandwiches to rest for 1 minute before slicing. Serve warm.

Equipment Needed

  • Large skillet
  • Spatula
  • Bread knife
  • Cheese grater

Allergy Notice

Check each ingredient for allergens and reach out to a healthcare professional if you have concerns.
  • Contains milk (cheese, butter), wheat (bread), and mustard.

Nutrition Information (per portion)

Sweetbatata only offers this for informational use. Please don't treat it as personalized medical advice.
  • Caloric Value: 540
  • Fats: 32 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44 g
  • Proteins: 22 g