Havarti & Caramelized Leek Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Golden sourdough layered with melted Havarti and sweet caramelized leeks creates an indulgent twist on the classic.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium leeks, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
04 - Pinch of salt
05 - Pinch of black pepper

→ Cheese

06 - 4 ounces Havarti cheese, sliced

→ Bread & Spreads

07 - 4 slices artisan or sourdough bread
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# How To:

01 - Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced leeks with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are soft and caramelized, about 12–15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - Lay out all bread slices. Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each slice.
03 - Place two bread slices buttered side down on your work surface. Distribute caramelized leeks evenly over both slices. Layer Havarti cheese slices on top of the leeks. Complete each sandwich with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing up.
04 - Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches in the pan and cook until bread turns golden brown and cheese melts completely, approximately 3–4 minutes per side. Press gently with a spatula during cooking for even grilling.
05 - Remove sandwiches from skillet and slice each in half diagonally. Serve immediately while hot and gooey.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The caramelized leeks add an unexpected sweetness that balances perfectly with mellow Havarti
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like you spent much longer on it
02 -
  • Low and slow is the secret to caramelized leeks. Rushing them over high heat makes them bitter instead of sweet.
  • Medium low heat for grilling ensures the bread gets crispy before the cheese burns.
03 -
  • Clean leeks thoroughly by slicing them first, then soaking them in a bowl of water to remove all the grit hidden between layers.
  • Let the sandwiches rest for a minute after cutting so the cheese sets slightly and doesn't ooze out completely.
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