What Goes with Grilled Cheese? Grilled cheese sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food. While they are great on their own, a tasty side dish can make them even better! With so many choices, it’s hard to pick the best pairing, but there are the absolute best sides for grilled cheese sandwiches.
What is a 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. Brussel Sprouts
- 6. Carrot Fries
- 7. Butternut Squash
- 8. Blistered Tomatoes
- 9. Acorn Squash
- 10. Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
- 11. Pasta Salad
- 12. Vegetable Chopped Salad
- 13. California Chicken Salad
- 14. Cobb Salad
- 15. Vinegar Coleslaw
- 16. Pressgurka
- 17. Summer Salad With Mint
- 18. Homemade Coleslaw
- 19. Broccoli Salad
- 20. Cucumber Carrot Salad
- 21. Caesar Salad
- 22. Butternut Squash Soup
- 23. Carrot Pumpkin Soup
- 24. Hamburger Vegetable Soup
- 25. Potato Soup
- 26. Red Pepper Gouda Soup
- 27. Roasted Potatoes
- 28. Hasselback Potatoes
- 29. Cottage Fries
- 30. Healthy Potato Salad
- 31. Sweet Potato Fries
- 32. Southern Potato Salad
- 33. BBQ Potato Chips
- What Meat Goes with Grilled Cheese?
- What Condiments Go with a Grilled Cheese Sandwich?
- What are the Best Vegetable Toppings for a Grilled Cheese?
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.
Photo Credit: Homemade in the Kitchen
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!
Photo Credit: Cupcakes and Kale Chips
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.
Photo Credit: I Heart Vegetables
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.
Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon
Vegetable Sides for Grilled Cheese
5. Brussel Sprouts
Air Fryer Brussels sprouts are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, and you can serve them in less than an hour, perfect with a grilled cheese.
6. 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.
Photo Credit: The Typical Mom
7. 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.
Photo Credit: Foxes Love Lemons
9. Acorn Squash
Making air fryer acorn squash is simple and faster than baking them in the oven. The caramelized acorn squash is the perfect addition to any meal, and it’s ready in 20 minutes.
Photo Credit: Recipes They Want
Salads 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. 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!
More Dressing Recipes:
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.
Photo Credit: The Salty Side Dish
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. 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.
Photo Credit: Pass Me A Spoon
18. Homemade Coleslaw
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!
Photo Credit: The Healthy Epicurean
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. 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.
Photo Credit: Bites with Bri
If you enjoy these side dishes, pair them with one of these meals!
Soup Recipes to Pair with Grilled Cheese
22. 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 Vegetable Soup
Our hearty hamburger vegetable soup boasts rich tomato-based broth, ground beef, and tasty vegetables for an easy and filling one-pot dish.
25. 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. Red Pepper Gouda 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.
Photo Credit: Recipes They Want
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. 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.
Photo Credit: Nibble and Dine
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. 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. 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!
Photo Credit: Kimspired DIY
No Cook Sides for Grilled Cheese
For easy no-cook sides with your grilled cheese, try crunchy potato chips or creamy cottage cheese. Fresh veggies like tomato slices, avocado, celery, and carrot sticks are classic choices, while pickles add a tangy touch. You can also serve the sandwiches with mixed nuts, kimchi, sauerkraut, or fresh fruit like apple slices, strawberries, blueberries, and oranges!
Toppings for Grilled Cheese
When deciding what goes with grilled cheese, think about adding toppings to give the sandwich an extra kick. Here are some ideas to get you started, but feel free to experiment with your favorite toppings to make the perfect grilled cheese for you.
What Meat Goes with Grilled Cheese?
While cheese is the star of any grilled cheese sandwich, adding meat is a tasty option. Sliced ham, turkey, thin-cut chicken breast, turkey bacon, and thick bacon strips complement the rich, gooey cheese.
What Condiments Go with a Grilled Cheese Sandwich?
Liven up your grilled cheese sandwich by adding creamy sauces to boost the flavor. Ketchup is a go-to option for many, especially kids. For those who crave a little spicy, try adding a small amount of skhug, shatta sauce, or your favorite hot sauce like Sriracha.
Try a spoonful of pico de gallo or pistachio pesto for a zesty twist, and you can spread fig jam onto the bread if you enjoy a sweeter sandwich.
You can also try green chili aioli, ancho aioli, chipotle lime sauce, and kimchi aioli for even more flavor.
What are the Best Vegetable Toppings for a Grilled Cheese?
Adding veggies to your grilled cheese can make it even better. Try classic toppings like avocado (not a vegetable, but you get the point) or tomato slices. Pickled yellow onions or zesty sumac onions are a tasty addition to the sandwich.
And if you prefer more heat, why not add fresh or pickled jalapeño slices? You can also add roasted red peppers, caramelized onions and mushrooms, and fresh arugula or spinach leaves to help balance the savoriness of the cheese.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Storage: Store leftover grilled cheese sandwiches in an airtight container or bag for 3-4 days.