If you’re not making a grilled cheese sandwich with sourdough bread, you’re really missing out.

Whether it’s a midnight snack or a midday lunch, a grilled cheese sandwich is always perfect. While some people are convinced that they taste better at a restaurant, there’s really no way to mess them up at home. There are, however, plenty of ways to improve them—and if you’re not making your homemade grilled cheese sandwich with sourdough bread, you’re seriously missing out. There are a few reasons why Tasting Table’s ultimate grilled cheese sandwich recipe uses sourdough. It’s an essential ingredient in making the best grilled cheese sandwich because of its size, flavor, and texture. Another crusty bread might do the trick, but it just won’t be as good.

Sourdough bread is unique from other breads because of its slightly tangy flavor. Fermentation adds another element to your homemade grilled cheese sandwich while complementing the rich salty flavor of the cheese. However, fermentation also goes hand in hand with the texture of this bread, helping it rise and giving it a soft, airy quality. Its size, in turn, only increases the surface area of ​​the pan, helping you achieve that beautiful golden color on both sides. That being said, sourdough bread offers everything you look for in a good grilled cheese sandwich: flavor, color, and a combination of crispy and chewy textures. But it’s not the only ingredient in a great grilled cheese sandwich.

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The best grilled cheese sandwich is more than just bread

Whether you’re making grilled cheese in your air fryer or a cast iron skillet, bread alone won’t cut it. You’ll want to grab a few other items along with sourdough bread, with cheese being the most obvious. Surprisingly, the type you use depends on your preference. A combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella or Gruyere are common choices. Shredding or grinding them will help ensure your cheese melts more evenly and quickly. But there’s another ingredient that can help.

You’ll notice that mayonnaise is included in most of Tasting Table’s grilled cheese sandwich recipes, even the pimento cheese grilled cheese sandwich. That’s because it allows the bread to toast without burning, meaning you have more time for the cheese to fully melt. Technique also plays a role here, with one method for a perfectly melted grilled cheese sandwich being to put a lid on the pan. Butter is another obvious ingredient, but it all depends on how you use it. It’s often said that butter should be reserved for the pan. Used in conjunction with mayonnaise, not only will it help the bread brown, but it will coat the outside of your sandwich so that the buttery flavor reaches your tongue first. Those are just the classic ingredients, though. There are plenty of additions you can make to elevate your grilled cheese sandwich, but it’s best to master the basics first.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.