Bacon Havarti grilled cheese is one of the best Havarti cheese recipes ever! Filled with two kinds of cheese, whole grain dijon mustard, and caramelized onions, it's such a delicious savory treat. And for more savory recipes, try my Puff Pastry Pizza, my Baked Boursin Pasta, or my Southern Baked Mac and Cheese!
![Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe with Bacon, Havarti, and Caramelized Onions | Chenée Today (1) Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe with Bacon, Havarti, and Caramelized Onions | Chenée Today (1)](https://i0.wp.com/cheneetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/havarti-grilled-cheese-sandwich-recipes-1024x1024.jpg)
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Havarti Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic easy comfort food snack. When you want something simple, but totally delicious, grilled cheese is definitely the way to go. But there are some times when you just want more. Something that is satisfying, but also sophisticated and flavorful. That's when you need this Havarti grilled cheese sandwich. It's got two types of cheese, seeded rye bread, and it's also filled to the brim with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and whole grain dijon mustard.
So let's get started making this amazing Havarti grilled cheese sandwich. And what's the most important part of a fancy grilled cheese sandwich? Fancy cheese, of course!
What are the best cheeses for grilled cheese?
For this grilled cheese sandwich we're using not one, but two of my favorite cheeses for grilled cheese! Our first cheese is one of my favorites for sandwiches: Havarti! Havarti is a Danish semisoft cow's milk cheese that has a smooth yet tangy flavor. It also melts well, so it's perfect for this fancy grilled cheese!
What cheese goes well with Havarti?
Next, we'll use Emmental, a Swiss cheese made from unpasteurized cow's milk that has a nutty, creamy flavor. Emmental is a major ingredient in fondue, so it melts very well and provides lots of flavor. Together, these two cheese impart the perfect flavor and texture to make a grilled cheese sandwich that is downright elegant.
![Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe with Bacon, Havarti, and Caramelized Onions | Chenée Today (2) Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe with Bacon, Havarti, and Caramelized Onions | Chenée Today (2)](https://i0.wp.com/cheneetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_3342-1024x610.jpg)
What can I add to my grilled cheese?
Whatever you like! In our Havarti grilled cheese sandwich, we're grabbing some crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and our two cheeses for some amazing sweet and savory flavors.
But that's not all! To make this fancy grilled cheese even fancier we're using one of my favorite ingredients, whole grain dijon mustard! It adds that tangy dijon flavor with a bit of texture from the mustard seeds. I love using whole grain mustard in my cooking. If you can't find whole grain mustard, regular dijon works just as well, and complements the cheeses marvelously.
And if you like this grilled cheese, you've got to try this mushroom swiss burger!
Is mayo or butter better for grilled cheese?
The age-old debate! I personally prefer the flavor of butter, but I recognize that mayo is a better choice for browning and crispness. So for this Havarti grilled cheese, we're going with mayo to get the perfect toasty browned outer crust! You can even make your own homemade mayonnaise!
You can also use softened butter, or clarified butter to coat the outside of your bread slices. Either way, you're on your way to an amazing grilled cheese sandwich!
![Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe with Bacon, Havarti, and Caramelized Onions | Chenée Today (3) Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe with Bacon, Havarti, and Caramelized Onions | Chenée Today (3)](https://i0.wp.com/cheneetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/havarti-cheese-recipes-1024x576.jpg)
Ingredients
- rye bread - The best sandwiches start with a good bread. I love the flavor of seeded rye, especially with the Havarti and dijon mustard flavors. But you can also use a seedless rye, or sliced sourdough to fit the flavor-packed goodness of this fancy grilled cheese sandwich!
- whole-grain dijon mustard - I love the combination of dijon mustard and cheese flavor, especially with the caramelized onion. It makes me feel like I'm in a French café somewhere enjoying a quick ham sandwich on a baguette. I like this one, but you can use any whole grain or dijon mustard you like!
- crispy cooked bacon - For this recipe, you can use leftover bacon, or your favorite recipe for cooking bacon in the oven or the stovetop.
- Havarti and Emmental cheese - you can't have a Havarti grilled cheese sandwich without Havarti! Along with the nutty Emmental, it brings lots of flavor and creamy texture, which is perfect for grilled cheese!
- mayonnaise - As I mentioned above, mayo gives you the best toasty brown exterior for a grilled cheese sandwich. I'm from the midwest, where Hellmann's is king, but you can use your favorite mayo for this recipe.
- caramelized onions - These are truly the stars of this Havarti grilled cheese sandwich! You can buy prepackaged caramelized onions, but it's actually super easy to make them yourself! I like this method from The Kitchn. And you can even amp up the sweetness with a little apricot chutney!
Equipment
All you'll need for this recipe is a skillet, griddle, or nonstick pan to fry up your fancy grilled cheese. If you use a cast iron skillet to caramelize your onions, then you're already one step ahead!
Tips and F.A.Q.
Is Havarti a good melting cheese?
Definitely! Havarti is a semi-hard cheese that is super versatile and creamy! It also adds a mild nutty flavor to this havarti grilled cheese sandwich that you'll love!
What is a good cheese to use for grilled cheese?
Other than the Havarti and Emmental we're using in this Havarti grilled cheese, some other great cheese options are mild cheddar, provolone, Monterey Jack, and Muenster. These are all flavorful cheeses that melt well and aren't overly greasy, and they'll all perform well in a grilled cheese sandwich!
What is Havarti cheese best used for?
In addition to this Havarti grilled cheese, you can use your Havarti on burgers, in casseroles and pasta bakes, or in an omelet!
What is Havarti cheese comparable to?
If you can't find Havarti, you can look for other mild semi-hard cheeses like Gouda, Colby, Edam, or mild cheddar.
More Savory Recipes to Try
- Sweet Potato Patties with Chickpeas and Creamy Avocado Sauce
- Paleo Chicken Thigh Recipe with Roasted Vegetables
- Shrimp Macaroni Salad With Cajun Spices
- Rotisserie Chicken Salad
- Boursin Pasta – Tiktok Viral Recipe
📖 Recipe
Havarti Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Caramelized Onions
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Bacon Havarti grilled cheese is one of the best Havarti cheese recipes I can think of! Learn what meat goes with Havarti cheese and other Havarti cheese uses!
Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes minutes
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine :American, Dutch, French, Swiss
Servings: 1 sandwich
Calories: 651kcal
Recipe Source: Chenée Lewis
Equipment you may need
Ingredients
- 2 slices seeded rye bread
- 1 tablespoon whole-grain dijon mustard
- ¼ cup caramelized onions - (see note)
- ¼ cup crisp bacon - crumbled
- 2 slices Havarti cheese
- 1 slice Emmental cheese - or Swiss cheese, or Gruyère
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise - or butter
Instructions
Spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread.
1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 2 slices seeded rye bread
Place one of the slices, mayo side down, on a clean plate or work surface. Spread mustard onto slice and top with one slice of Havarti and one slice of Emmental.
1 tablespoon whole-grain dijon mustard, 1 slice Emmental cheese, 2 slices Havarti cheese
Top with caramelized onions evenly spread over cheese, then bacon, then one more slice of Havarti.
¼ cup caramelized onions, ¼ cup crisp bacon
Place second slice of bread on top with mayo facing up.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
Place sandwich in skillet to cook for 3-4 minutes each side, or until deep golden brown and cheese is melted.
Video
Notes
Caramelized onions: I like this method for making caramelized onions by The Kitchn, and they can be used as toppings and ingredients for so many dishes! You can also buy prepackaged caramelized onions.
Cheese Alternatives: If you can't find Havarti, some alternatives are Gouda, or Monterey Jack. If you can't find Emmental, try Jarlsberg, Gruyère, or Swiss.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 sandwich | Calories: 651 kcal | Carbohydrates: 39 g | Protein: 37 g | Fat: 39 g | Saturated Fat: 19 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 111 mg | Sodium: 1950 mg | Potassium: 267 mg | Fiber: 5 g | Sugar: 6 g | Vitamin A: 611 IU | Vitamin C: 5 mg | Calcium: 545 mg | Iron: 2 mg
Nutrition Disclaimer
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![Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe with Bacon, Havarti, and Caramelized Onions | Chenée Today (6) Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe with Bacon, Havarti, and Caramelized Onions | Chenée Today (6)](https://i0.wp.com/cheneetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/stout-gingerbread-cookies-12-683x1024.png)
![Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe with Bacon, Havarti, and Caramelized Onions | Chenée Today (7) Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe with Bacon, Havarti, and Caramelized Onions | Chenée Today (7)](https://i0.wp.com/cheneetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/SUBSCRIBE.jpg)
Last Updated on March 7, 2024 by Chenée Lewis