Havarti & Caramelized Leek Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Golden bread layered with melted Havarti and sweet caramelized leeks for a rich, satisfying bite.

# 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 oz Havarti cheese, sliced

→ Bread & Spreads

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

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced leeks, 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 the bread slices. Spread one side of each slice with softened butter.
03 - Place two slices, buttered side down, on a clean surface. Distribute the caramelized leeks evenly on top. Layer with Havarti cheese slices. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
04 - Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3–4 minutes per side. Press gently with a spatula for even grilling.
05 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The leeks become naturally sweet without any sugar, creating this incredible depth you cant get from regular grilled cheese
  • Havarti melts into this silky puddle that holds everything together while still letting you taste the caramelized leeks
  • It takes barely any extra effort than a normal grilled cheese but tastes like something from a fancy café
02 -
  • Low and slow is the secret to perfectly melted cheese without burning the bread. Rush this and youll have raw cheese in the middle
  • Leeks hide dirt between their layers. Slice them lengthwise first, then swish them around in a bowl of cold water to remove all the grit before cooking
03 -
  • Make a big batch of caramelized leeks and keep them in the fridge. Theyll last several days and transform quick weeknight meals
  • If your bread is very fresh, let it sit out for an hour before grilling. Slightly stale bread actually makes better grilled cheese
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