Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food to enjoy any time of the day or year. While a gooey, melty grilled sandwich is a satisfying meal on its own – pairing it with a side can take it to the next level. From soups to salads and everything in between, it might be hard to decide what goes with grilled cheese because there are so many options. Level up your grilled cheese game with 33 delicious sides!
What is Grilled Cheese?
A grilled cheese sandwich typically consists of one or more slices of cheese placed between two slices of bread that are toasted or grilled until the cheese melts and the bread becomes crispy.
The classic comfort food incorporates a variety of cheese or bread options, and some variations may include other ingredients like ham, bacon, tomato, or avocado.
What Goes With Grilled Cheese?
From warm and hearty to light and refreshing, plenty of side dishes complement and elevate the flavor of a grilled cheese sandwich. Check out our collection of tasty and easy-to-make side dishes to complete your meal.
- 1. Homemade Tomato Soup
- 2. Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup
- 3. Thai Tomato Soup
- 4. Tomato Basil Soup
- 5. Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
- 6. Air Fryer Carrot Fries
- 7. Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- 8. Blistered Tomatoes
- 9. Air Fryer Acorn Squash
- 10. Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
- 11. Gluten Free Pasta Salad
- 12. Vegetable Chopped Salad
- 13. California Chicken Salad
- 14. Cobb Salad
- 15. Vinegar Coleslaw
- 16. Pressgurka
- 17. Honey Lime Summer Salad With Mint
- 18. Homemade Coleslaw with Mint and Cilantro
- 19. Broccoli Salad
- 20. Cucumber Carrot Salad
- 21. Easy Caesar Salad
- 22. Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
- 23. Carrot Pumpkin Soup
- 24. Hamburger Soup
- 25. Instant Pot Potato Soup
- 26. Roasted Red Pepper Soup
- 27. Roasted Potatoes
- 28. Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
- 29. Cottage Fries
- 30. Healthy Potato Salad
- 31. Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
- 32. Southern Potato Salad
- 33. Microwave BBQ Potato Chips
Tomato Soup is a Classic Pairing!
Tomato soup is a perfect complement to grilled cheese. The acidity and tanginess of the soup perfectly cut through the richness of the cheese and balance the flavors, creating a satisfying and classic combination.
1. Homemade Tomato Soup
Homemade tomato soup is a time-honored accompaniment to grilled cheese. All you need is a few simple ingredients, and you’ll be dunking your sandwich in no time.
2. Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup
Instant Pot tomato soup is rich, creamy, and delicious. Enjoy this silky-smooth bisque made with fresh tomatoes in under 40 minutes. This soup is a quick, easy, gluten-free comfort food, whether you want to impress guests or get cozy with a hot bowl!
3. Thai Tomato Soup
Enjoy a twist on the classic side and make Thai tomato soup with rich and creamy coconut milk and Thai red curry paste; Thai tomato soup is spicy and loaded with flavor.
4. Tomato Basil Soup
Homemade tomato basil soup made with roasted tomatoes, fresh garlic, lightly caramelized onions, and fresh basil is delicious and easy to make.
Vegetable Sides for Grilled Cheese
5. Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Air Fryer brussel sprouts are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, and you can serve them in less than an hour, which makes them perfect for a quick meal with grilled cheese.
6. Air Fryer Carrot Fries
This side dish is one of those deliciously crispy on the outside and tender on the inside vegetable dishes. Air fryer carrot fries may become your favorite go-to side dish.
7. Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Elevate any meal with sweet and savory air fryer butternut squash, a delicious side made with simple pantry ingredients.
8. Blistered Tomatoes
Blistered tomatoes add a special touch to any meal. In less than 10 minutes, turn cherry or grape tomatoes into something extra delicious with garlic, shallots, and basil.
9. Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Making air fryer acorn squash is simple and quicker than using the oven. Crispy and caramelized squash is the perfect addition to any meal, and it comes together in 30 minutes.
Salad Sides for Grilled Cheese
10. Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
Loaded with fresh herbs, juicy tomato, crisp cucumber, and creamy avocado- olive oil and lime finishes the avocado cucumber tomato salad for a perfect side dish or light meal.
11. Gluten Free Pasta Salad
Enjoy our fresh take on gluten free pasta salad made with a variety of greens! The mouth-watering pasta salad is perfect for a light lunch or side dish with any meal.
12. Vegetable Chopped Salad
Eating vegetables is effortless with our vegetable chopped salad. Finely cut cabbage, kale, carrots, and radishes are the base for this salad recipe, but get creative and make it your own!
13. California Chicken Salad
Savor creamy, crunchy, and slightly sweet California chicken salad. Serve it as a tasty dip or salad topping alongside a savory grilled cheese sandwich.
14. Cobb Salad
Nothing is more satisfying than a classic cobb salad loaded with crispy lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, blue cheese, bacon, and smothered in the tasty dressing; this salad is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the mouth and perfect with gooey grilled cheese.
15. Vinegar Coleslaw
Tangy homemade vinegar coleslaw perfectly complements your favorite main dishes, adding a refreshing zing and a satisfying crunch to every bite.
16. Pressgurka
Pressgurka is a quick pickled salad balanced with sweet and sour; pair the pressed cucumber salad with savory dishes like grilled cheese.
17. Honey Lime Summer Salad With Mint
Honey lime summer salad combines the fresh flavors of summer fruits with a hint of mint and a subtle sweet honey glaze to elevate your fruit salad.
18. Homemade Coleslaw with Mint and Cilantro
Our homemade coleslaw incorporates cabbage, carrots, mint, cilantro, scallions, and an umami-rich dressing for coleslaw you’ll want to serve with everything!
19. Broccoli Salad
Enjoy broccoli salad with our upgraded and lightened-up dressing that’s to die for; it’s the perfect addition to a mouthwatering grilled cheese sandwich!
20. Cucumber Carrot Salad
Refreshing and tangy, cucumber carrot salad is a great way to enjoy fresh vegetables. Pair the salad with an entree like grilled cheese, or eat it as a light snack.
21. Easy Caesar Salad
Easy caesar salad recipe omits ingredients like anchovies and eggs. The dressing uses simple ingredients you likely already have on hand, and homemade garlic butter croutons add a nice texture to each bite.
Soup Sides for Grilled Cheese
22. Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
When you want a quick and easy side dish, make healthy Instant Pot butternut squash soup your go-to; it’s ready in 30 minutes and has the perfect balance of savory and sweet.
23. Carrot Pumpkin Soup
One-pot pumpkin carrot soup simmers for less than an hour to bring you the flavor of autumn in a bowl. The soup is a delicious stand-alone meal, and it’s perfect if you’re considering what goes with grilled cheese.
24. Hamburger Soup
Our hearty hamburger soup boasts rich tomato-based broth, ground beef, and fresh vegetables for an easy and filling one-pot dinner or side dish.
25. Instant Pot Potato Soup
Curl up with a warm bowl of hearty Instant Pot potato soup. Our combines simple ingredients from your pantry to make creamy and delicious comfort in a bowl.
26. Roasted Red Pepper Soup
Indulge in a delicious and flavorful bowl of roasted red pepper soup, the ultimate comfort food for a chilly evening – pair it with a grilled cheese for a satisfying and heartwarming meal.
Potato Sides for Grilled Cheese
27. Roasted Potatoes
Make perfectly seasoned and irresistibly crispy roasted potatoes in the oven, and since they’re so versatile, you can pair them with anything.
28. Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Make crispy air fryer Hasselback potatoes in 20 minutes by slicing the potatoes accordion-style and coating them in rich and flavorful garlic butter.
29. Cottage Fries
Crispy oven-roasted cottage fries make a great side dish for chicken, burgers, and sandwiches like grilled cheese. Make delicious cottage fries with a few basic ingredients.
30. Healthy Potato Salad
Our protein-packed healthy potato salad combines boiled potatoes with eggs, celery, pickle, onion, and a yogurt-based sauce for a side you’ll want to serve with everything.
31. Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
If you want restaurant-quality french fries, you should make air Fryer frozen sweet potato fries; this delicious side is ready and on the table in 15 minutes.
32. Southern Potato Salad
You’ll love our creamy, old-fashioned Southern potato salad; fork-tender potatoes are dressed in a creamy sauce made of mayonnaise, and mustard, and seasoned to perfection.
33. Microwave BBQ Potato Chips
Did you know you can easily make delicious and healthy potato chips in the microwave? This homemade microwave BBQ potato chips recipe is a must-try, and it’s guaranteed to be a hit with everyone!
Toppings for Grilled Cheese
If you’re considering what goes with grilled cheese, you need to consider the toppings you can add to the grilled cheese to give it that extra kick; this is where the creativity and craft of making a good grilled cheese sandwich come in. These are just some ideas to get you started but feel free to experiment with your favorite toppings to create a grilled cheese sandwich that’s perfect for you.
- Sliced avocado adds mild flavor and creamy texture to complement the cheese.
- Caramelized onions and mushrooms are a sweet and savory addition.
- Sliced tomatoes impart a juicy and slightly acidic taste to the grilled cheese.
- Sumac onions or pickled onions provide a nice contrast to the savoriness of the sandwich.
- Sliced jalapeños add a perfect spicy kick.
- Include thinly sliced apples for a crisp texture and sweet and fruity flavor.
- Sliced roasted red peppers infuse the sandwich with a sweet and slightly smoky flavor.
- Fresh spinach is a perfect way to balance out the richness of the cheese.
What to do with the Leftovers
- Storage – Place the grilled cheese in an airtight container or bag and store it in the fridge; it will keep for 3-4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What meat goes with grilled cheese?
The primary ingredient for grilled cheese sandwiches is cheese, but if you’re looking to add meat to your sandwich, here are a few options to complement the flavor of the cheese.
• Ham
• Bacon
• Turkey
• Chicken
What condiments go with grilled cheese sandwich?
Liven up your grilled cheese sandwich by adding a delicious sauce and condiment. Ketchup is a go-to option for many, especially kids. For those who crave a bit of heat, try some hot sauce, skhug, or Sriracha.
Want to add some zest to your bite? Opt for pico de gallo. Alternatively, a dollop of pesto provides a fresh and herbaceous twist, while our fig jam creates a sweeter profile.
What are some quick, no cook sides to serve with grilled cheese?
• Potato Chips
• Cottage Cheese
• Tomato, Avocado Slices, Carrot Sticks
• Pickles
• Nuts
• Kimchi, Sauerkraut
• Apple Slices, Strawberries, Oranges
