Quiet Luxury Grilled Cheese with Fig and Thyme

Organic Valley is passionate about food and protecting the food system. Our in-house chefs, product development team members and employee-foodies love finding twists to enhance traditional fare. We also enjoy trying new ways to use organic products to create delectable meals and snacks that you can feel good about sharing with your family.

Grilled Cheese being served next to Organic Valley Ghee.

This elevated grilled cheese pairs Organic Valley^® American Cheese Slices with fig jam, fresh thyme, and red pepper flakes for a perfectly balanced sweet-and-savory sandwich. Cooked on an outdoor grill and brushed with ghee, it delivers a crisp golden crust and a melted, creamy center.

5 min Prep8 min Cook13 min Total

5 min Prep•8 min Cook•13 min Total

1 Servings

5 min Prep8 min Cook13 min Total

5 min Prep•8 min Cook•13 min Total

1 Servings

Cooking Mode

Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.

Ingredients

2 slices artisan, thick-cut sliced bread like sourdough or brioche (no more than ½ inch)
1 tablespoon fig jam
⅛ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Pinch red pepper flakes

Directions

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-low heat (350 F).
Using a pastry brush, generously brush both sides of each slice of bread with melted Organic Valley® Ghee, brushing edge to edge for an evenly golden crust.
Divide the Organic Valley® American Cheese Slices evenly between the two bread slices (1 ½ slices per). On one slice, gently spread the fig jam evenly over the cheese, then sprinkle with fresh thyme and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Do not close the sandwich; both slices will be grilled open-faced.
Reduce the grill heat to low. Place both slices directly on the grill grates. Cover and grill for 4 to 6 minutes, checking occasionally and moving slices as needed to prevent burning, until the bread is golden and the cheese is fully melted.
Tips
- Keep the grill covered to trap heat and encourage melting before the bread browns too quickly.
Using a metal spatula, carefully lift the cheese-only slice and place it on top of the fig-topped slice to close the sandwich, pressing gently. Remove from the grill immediately and transfer to a cutting board. Slice diagonally and serve immediately.

Tips

Prep the sandwiches in advance for quick summer dinners or if you’re cooking for a crowd. Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet, keeping the tops and bottoms separate. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to grill.
To scale for 4 sandwiches, multiply all ingredients and grill in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.

Directions

Cooking Mode

Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-low heat (350 F).
Using a pastry brush, generously brush both sides of each slice of bread with melted Organic Valley® Ghee, brushing edge to edge for an evenly golden crust.
Divide the Organic Valley® American Cheese Slices evenly between the two bread slices (1 ½ slices per). On one slice, gently spread the fig jam evenly over the cheese, then sprinkle with fresh thyme and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Do not close the sandwich; both slices will be grilled open-faced.
Reduce the grill heat to low. Place both slices directly on the grill grates. Cover and grill for 4 to 6 minutes, checking occasionally and moving slices as needed to prevent burning, until the bread is golden and the cheese is fully melted.
Tips
- Keep the grill covered to trap heat and encourage melting before the bread browns too quickly.
Using a metal spatula, carefully lift the cheese-only slice and place it on top of the fig-topped slice to close the sandwich, pressing gently. Remove from the grill immediately and transfer to a cutting board. Slice diagonally and serve immediately.

Tips

Prep the sandwiches in advance for quick summer dinners or if you’re cooking for a crowd. Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet, keeping the tops and bottoms separate. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to grill.
To scale for 4 sandwiches, multiply all ingredients and grill in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.

Do You Know?

Organic Valley farms comprise more than 440,000 acres of land in the United States, and this organic acreage is home to more than 1,600 Organic Valley family farms and a whole lot of biodiversity.
Purchasing Organic Valley^® American Cheese Slices ensures the following: The product is USDA Certified Organic, meets the official criteria for American cheese, and is produced using milk from organic pasture-raised cows.
Organic Valley’s mission is to provide a stable, sustainable pay price to farmers so they can continue farming with their families. It all started in 1988, when seven farmers got together to find a way to market their goods and make a sustainable living by producing organically derived food.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Heat a heavy skillet over medium-low heat. Follow the same open-face method, then loosely cover the pan (leaving a small crack to allow steam to escape) to help the cheese melt fully before closing and serving.

Ghee has a higher smoke point than butter, making it ideal for grilling. It delivers rich dairy flavor while reducing the risk of burning at higher temperatures.

Melt the cheese fully, slice the sandwich diagonally, press halves together, and roll the top crust to center the cheese. Slowly pull apart for a dramatic cheese stretch.

Try thin slices of pear, a drizzle of hot honey, caramelized onions or shallots, or a sprinkle of flaky salt.