A rich, tangy-sweet version of the classic favorite, this spectacular Cranberry Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich will blow you away!
Our 5-ingredient, 10-minute Cranberry Apple Grilled Cheese sandwich recipe, with healthy whole wheat bread, cheddar cheese, leftover Thanksgiving cranberry sauce, sliced apples, and butter, is sweet, savory, and scrumptious! It’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or an anytime snack!
A Fantastic Use of Holiday Leftovers!
Cranberry sauce is a staple on most holiday tables, am I right? The problem is: What can you do with the leftovers? Turn them into a gourmet grilled cheese with crisp, buttery, golden-brown edges and a melty cheddar center!
With a thin slice of apple and a spread of leftover cranberry sauce, you’re bound to enjoy this phenomenal sandwich as much as our Thanksgiving leftovers classic, the Monte Cristo Turkey Sandwich!
Other Recipes to Use Leftover Cranberry Sauce
- Cranberry Sauce Muffins use leftover cranberry sauce to make healthy, delicious breakfast muffins!
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken is a sweet & tart spin on barbecue chicken – you’ll love this!
Ingredients
Bread: We love crusty Italian bread for this sandwich, but sourdough would also be yummy!
Cheese: Cheddar is a classic choice for a tasty grilled cheese!
Fruit: The fruit components are what turn this grilled cheese into a gourmet specialty! We’re using cranberry sauce and apple slices for a sweet, crispy combination.
Butter: Butter for the bread, butter for the skillet, butter for rich flavor!
How to Make Cranberry Apple Grilled Cheese
STEP ONE: Spread one tablespoon of cranberry sauce on each slice of bread. Layer the cheese and apple slices over the cranberry sauce on two of the bread slices. Then place the top piece of bread on the sandwich, with the sauce side facing the filling.
STEP TWO: Melt two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. When the pan is warm, carefully place the sandwiches in the skillet and gently press them down with a spatula. Cook for about 5 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. While the sandwiches cook, spread another tablespoon of butter over each top bread slice. Then flip the grilled cheeses and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.
STEP THREE: Take the sandwiches out of the skillet, and plate them as is or cut them in half before serving warm.
Tips for Success
- Not gonna lie, a couple of slices of crispy bacon would be a delicious addition to this sandwich.
- You could also combine (or substitute) white cheddar, Gouda, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or Brie with the cheddar cheese for a deeper flavor profile.
- For optimal nutrition, be sure you’re buying “whole” wheat bread and not just wheat bread (which is basically white bread colored with molasses).
- Add a spoonful of mayo into the skillet along with the butter for a perfectly golden cheese toasty with a melted, gooey center.
What’s the Key to Making a Great Grilled Cheese Sandwich?
The beauty of a grilled cheese sandwich is that you almost can’t make a bad one! With a combination of your favorite bread and cheese, you’re bound to create a very lovely, yummy sandwich. But if there’s one thing that really takes a grilled cheese from good to great, it’s butter. Butter both sides of your bread before searing it in the skillet. The result is a rich and crispy toasted sandwich with a gooey, flavorful center. It just can’t be beat!
Can You Freeze Cranberry Sauce?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze leftover cranberry sauce! The best way is to scoop it into an ice cube tray, freeze until solid, then pop them out of the tray and into a freezer bag where you can remove a cube or two as needed for terrific recipes like this Cranberry Grilled Cheese!
Other Melty, Molten, Cheesy Sandwich Recipes!
- Brisket Grilled Cheese
- Keto Cauliflower Grilled Cheese
- Monte Cristo Sandwich
- Pizza Grilled Cheese
- Cuban Sandwich
- Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
*This post originally posted on 10/02/2015.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 slices Italian bread or sourdough
- 4 tablespoons cranberry sauce
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 apple sliced
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Spread 1 tablespoon of cranberry sauce on each of the bread slices, so it covers one side. Layer the cheddar and apple slices over the cranberry sauce on two of the bread slices. Place the other two bread slices, sauce side down, over the filling.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Carefully place sandwiches in the skillet, and gently press down on them with the back of a spatula. Cook until the first side is golden brown, about 5 minutes. (While the grilled cheeses cook, spread 1 tablespoon of butter over the top of each sandwich.)
- Flip the sandwiches over and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted. Transfer to a plate and serve warm.
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