Over Thanksgiving weekend, my family was tired of digging into leftovers. They were delicious, but you can only eat so many turkey, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce sandwiches. Luckily, we were staying with my parents, and my mom, as always, was ready to start pumping some different snacks out of the kitchen.
This is tradition throughout the holidays in my family. The key is keeping things simple: cooking things that require little equipment and effort, and whipping up recipes that can be made in bulk for a large group to share in a casual, “take what you want, when you want it” buffet style.
You never know what my mom is going to come up with once she gets on a roll. We’re intuitive cooks, and that makes us wildcards in the kitchen! It could be toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon made with leftover holiday ingredients, a few homemade pizzas made with dough and sauce she found in the freezer—or in the case of this past Thanksgiving, a platter full of crispy, crunchy, melty grilled cheeses. But she made them in a way I hadn't experienced in over a decade. I forgot how much I love my mom’s grilled cheese sandwiches made with her secret ingredient.
The strong flavor and acidity from mustard elevates everything about a grilled cheese sandwich, from the toasty flavor and crunchy golden texture of the bread to the distinct flavors of whatever cheese you opt for. A thin layer of mustard, along with some butter, adds a distinct tangy, and subtle spicy flavor to the sandwich, which compliments and cuts through the richness of the melty, gooey cheese. It’s a simple method but adds so much complexity to the traditional bread, butter, and cheese combo. You have to try it for yourself to understand just how delicious grilled cheese with mustard can be!
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This is tradition throughout the holidays in my family. The key is keeping things simple: cooking things that require little equipment and effort, and whipping up recipes that can be made in bulk for a large group to share in a casual, “take what you want, when you want it” buffet style.
You never know what my mom is going to come up with once she gets on a roll. We’re intuitive cooks, and that makes us wildcards in the kitchen! It could be toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon made with leftover holiday ingredients, a few homemade pizzas made with dough and sauce she found in the freezer—or in the case of this past Thanksgiving, a platter full of crispy, crunchy, melty grilled cheeses. But she made them in a way I hadn't experienced in over a decade. I forgot how much I love my mom’s grilled cheese sandwiches made with her secret ingredient.
How My Mom Makes the Best Grilled Cheese
We’ve all seen the internet craze over grilled cheese with mayonnaise. Call me biased, but nothing can match up to my mom’s grilled cheese with mustard! Before you scrunch up your nose to this approach, remember how skeptical many of us were about adding mayonnaise, and the pleasant surprise that awaited us once we tested it out for ourselves.The strong flavor and acidity from mustard elevates everything about a grilled cheese sandwich, from the toasty flavor and crunchy golden texture of the bread to the distinct flavors of whatever cheese you opt for. A thin layer of mustard, along with some butter, adds a distinct tangy, and subtle spicy flavor to the sandwich, which compliments and cuts through the richness of the melty, gooey cheese. It’s a simple method but adds so much complexity to the traditional bread, butter, and cheese combo. You have to try it for yourself to understand just how delicious grilled cheese with mustard can be!
Mom’s Tips For Mustard Grilled Cheese
- Use our favorite mustard. If you ask my mom, the best mustard to add to grilled cheese, hands down, is Dijon. It’s her go-to, and she’s the pro here! The spiciness and acidity of Dijon mustard cuts through the cheese’s fat, and creates a balance of intense flavor and creamy texture that actually makes it hard to stop digging to. Trust me, I’ve done the leg work! If you’re not a Dijon fan, spicy brown mustard is another great option. The spice won’t be overpowering with either of these mustards, so don’t worry about bringing the heat if you don’t love spicy food.
- Choose the best bread. You can never go wrong with sliced white bread for grilled cheese. This is the classic, the safe option, and always reliable. If you’re looking to switch it up, Dijon mustard grilled cheese also tastes delicious on earthy and nutty rye, slightly tangy sourdough, rich brioche, or thick cut Texas toast.
- Pair your cheese wisely. My mom always makes more than a few classic grilled cheese sandwiches with sliced yellow American cheese. But when she’s putting her platter together, she (and everyone else) also loves the balance of Swiss, provolone, gouda, or sharp Cheddar. Rich and nutty cheeses pair beautifully with acidic and tangy mustard on crunchy, golden bread.
- Get fancy with some fixins’! There’s nothing wrong with a classic. But if you’re throwing together a few different options, see what you have in the kitchen and get a little creative. Some ideas from my family’s kitchen to yours include sliced apple or tomato, caramelized onion, crisp bacon, savory prosciutto, or slightly spicy arugula.
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" Well no shit, I can add whatever I want. The mayo thing was different altogether; you spread it on the outside to toast it. Handy tip if you don't have butter. 
