Gruyere Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Caramelized Onion and Black Forest Ham

Courtney is the author, photographer, and flour dusted girl behind…

Simple enough for a weeknight dinner, but elegant enough for a party, especially a party filled with people who have as much love for grilled cheese as you do.

Each fall for the past several years, I’ve hosted a grilled cheese party at my house. This is my favorite party to plan. I love trolling the fancy cheese section of our grocery store looking for new cheeses and toppings to try. I rarely allow myself free reign in the cheese aisle (we do have a mortgage to pay, after all), but for this party I make an exception. I fill my cart with spicy cheeses and stinky cheeses, melters and flavor boosters. I usually can’t resist an infused honey or an interesting jam. Then, I move onto the deli and add a few smoked meats, sliced prosciutto, or ham, and finish off my selections with olives and fresh or pickled veggies.

I end up with quite the array of options, but every year I keep a few classics around: gruyere, mozzarella, ham, and pesto are my must haves for every grilled cheese party. My favorite part of the whole process is, of course, the making and eating of ALL the grilled cheeses. I love seeing the combinations my friends make and discussing which cheeses and toppings make the best, meltiest, most irresistible grilled cheese.

Last year I added two new toppings to the mix, but I’m pretty sure they’re going to be standards from here on out. Caramelized onions and fig jam have officially earned their place on the grilled cheese party circuit. It was inevitable from the beginning that those golden onions and that thick, sweet jam would make their way onto a sandwich piled with gruyere and black forest ham. They were destined to be together, and from here on out, together they shall be.

This sandwich is about all a girl could ask for on a wet, cloudy day. It’s warm and gooey, with that crispy buttery crust that makes me a little weak in the knees. But it’s really the sweetness lent by the sticky fig jam and deeply caramelized onions that do me in. This is a combination you’ve got to try. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner, but elegant enough for a party, especially a party filled with people who have as much love for grilled cheese as you do.

Step by Step Guide to Making Gruyere Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Caramelized Onion and Black Forest Ham

Caramelize the Onions:
- Heat olive oil in a pan over low heat.
- Add a pinch of salt and the thinly sliced onion, stirring to coat.
- Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until onions are soft, golden brown, and caramelized.
Prepare the Sandwiches:
- Spread one side of each bread slice with softened butter.
- On the unbuttered side of two bread slices, layer half of the cheese slices, then the ham slices, followed by the caramelized onions.
- Top with the remaining cheese slices.
- Spread fig jam on the unbuttered side of the remaining two bread slices and place them, jam side down, on top of the cheese.
Grill the Sandwiches:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until the bottom is golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.
- Carefully flip the sandwiches and continue cooking until the second side is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
Serve Warm:
- Cut the grilled cheese sandwiches in half and serve warm.

Recipe Notes:

For extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of thyme or rosemary to the caramelizing onions.
If Gruyere cheese is not available, substitute with another melty cheese such as Emmental or Swiss.
Adjust the amount of fig jam based on your sweetness preference.
For a crispier crust, press down gently on the sandwiches while grilling.