A classic grilled cheese gets even better when made with a hearty slice of sourdough and a creamy, cheesy jalapeño spread. We love adding a little ham, turkey, or chicken to turn it from a simple sandwich into a satisfying meal.
The best part is that you can use fresh, pickled, or candied jalapeños, depending on whether you're looking for fresh heat, tangy heat, or a little sweet-and-spicy flavor.
Ingredients
For the Jalapeño Cheese Spread
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup shredded cheese
- 1–2 tablespoons finely chopped jalapeños
- Fresh for a crisp, spicy bite
- Pickled for tangy heat
- Candied for a sweet and spicy twist
For the Sandwich
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- 2–3 slices of your favorite cheese
- 1–2 slices ham, turkey, or cooked chicken, optional
- Butter, softened
Cheese suggestions: Cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, Provolone, or Swiss all work beautifully.
Instructions
1. Make the Jalapeño Cheese Spread
In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, and chopped jalapeños.
Adjust the amount of jalapeño to your taste. A little goes a long way!
2. Build Your Sandwich
Spread the jalapeño cheese mixture on one side of each slice of sourdough.
On one slice, layer your sliced cheese and your choice of ham, turkey, or chicken.
Top with the second slice of sourdough, spread-side down.
For a classic grilled cheese, simply leave out the meat.
3. Butter the Bread
Generously butter the outside of both slices of bread.
The butter helps create that beautiful golden, crispy crust while keeping the sourdough rich and flavorful.
4. Grill
Heat a skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-low to medium heat.
Place the sandwich in the pan and cook slowly until the bottom is golden brown and crisp and the cheese begins to melt.
Carefully flip and continue cooking until the second side is golden and the cheese is completely melted.
Don't rush it! Keeping the heat moderate allows the bread to get beautifully crisp while giving the cheese time to melt.
5. Slice & Serve
Let the sandwich rest for a minute before slicing.
Cut in half and serve warm with your favorite soup, salad, or a side of pickles.
Our Favorite Combinations
Classic Jalapeño Grilled Cheese
Sourdough + cheddar + jalapeño cheese spread.
Candied Jalapeño & Ham
Sourdough + sharp cheddar + ham + candied jalapeños mixed into the creamy cheese spread.
Turkey Pepper Jack
Sourdough + turkey + Pepper Jack + pickled jalapeño cream cheese spread.
Chicken & Cheddar
Sourdough + sliced chicken + cheddar + fresh jalapeño cheese spread.
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Pair your grilled cheese with a bowl of homemade Root & Table tomato soup for the ultimate comfort-food combination.
Make It Your Own
This recipe is especially good for using whatever you have in the refrigerator or pantry. Try adding:
- Caramelized onions
- Sliced tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Bacon
- Avocado
- Spinach
- Roasted peppers
- Hot pepper jelly
- A little garlic or Italian seasoning
And don't be afraid to mix cheeses! Combining a sharp cheddar with a good melting cheese like mozzarella or Monterey Jack gives you both big flavor and that wonderful cheese pull.
From Our Kitchen to Your Table
One of the things we love about sourdough is that a simple loaf can become the foundation for an entire meal. Add cheese from the fridge, leftover meat, a few jalapeños from the pantry, and a little creativity—and you've got something completely different from the loaf you started with.
It's exactly the kind of use-what-you-have cooking that we grew up with and still love today.
🥖 Start With a Good Loaf
Ready to make your own?
Our homemade sourdough loaves are baked fresh in small batches and are perfect for grilled cheese, sandwiches, toast, and so much more.
🥖 [Pre-Order Your Sourdough Bread]
Freshly baked in our kitchen and available for Wednesday porch pickup.
Good bread doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it just needs cheese, a hot skillet, and a little creativity.
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