Crunchy Grilled Cheese with Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onions (2025)

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posted by Teri Turner on Feb 25, 2021 46 comments »

Jump To Recipe 7 reviews

I’m pretty excited to be in the kitchen with California Grown to bring you a brand new Magic Elixir and Grilled Cheese sandwich! Some of you may not know, but I am quite the professional sandwich maker. I’m going to give you some tips and tricks to perfecting your grilled cheese. And you’ll never believe that the secret ingredient to our Sweet Savory Caramelized Onions is California Prunes!

Crunchy Grilled Cheese with Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onions (1)

Let me just say, Prunes have certainly taken their name back. They are sweet, delicious, and packed with antioxidants that make you feel your best. And do you know that California produces 97% ofprunes? The farmers handle the produce with such care and integrity, so that’s why I always eat CA Grown. And if you love prunes as much as I do, I think you’ll love my Prune Pork Roast and Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Prune Cardamom Cookies!

Crunchy Grilled Cheese with Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onions (2)

Here, I’m using prunes in these delicious caramelized onions. And truly, this is one of my favorite new Magic Elixirs. They would be delicious on top of my Everyday Roast Chicken Breasts or a Baked Potato, and nothing beats a grilled cheese!

Grilled Cheese

The secret to a good grilled cheese is patience. You have to cook it low and slow to give the cheese the time it needs to melt. I also learned that a combination of light olive oil and butter creates the perfect golden crust on the bread.

Crunchy Grilled Cheese with Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onions (3)

Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onions

For the sweet & savory caramelized onions, make sure you stand by your pan. You need to babysit these onions! You want to be stirring continually and monitor the heat to avoid burning your onions. Once you add the prunes, keep stirring to make sure they fully break down. It’s going to make the best Magic Elixir for your grilled cheese.

If you try the grilled cheese, be sure to rate and review it below. And if you want to follow along, head toInstagramandPinterestfor more inspiration!

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Crunchy Grilled Cheese with Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onions (4)

Crunchy Grilled Cheese with Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onions

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 7 reviews

  • Author: Teri Turner
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
Print Recipe

Description

This grilled cheese sandwich is so delicious, and it’s the perfect comfort food for lunch or dinner!

Ingredients

For the Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onion Magic Elixir

6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

6 cups thinly sliced in half-moons, Spanish onions (about 2 large onions)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ cup California Prunes (about 10 to 12 prunes), soaked in hot water for ten minutes, then chopped super fine

For Crunchy Grilled Cheese

Cheese of choice, we used white sharp cheddar and Fontina and Gruyere

Bread of choice, sliced into ¾ inch slices (we used sourdough)

Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onion Magic Elixir

1 tablespoon light olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

Make the Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onion Elixir

In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add the olive oil to the pan to warm. Reduce to medium-low and add the onions to the pan. Stirring continuously and watching carefully to not scorch the onions, cook until lightly golden and starting to brown around the edges, about 15 minutes.

Avoiding any clumping, add the prunes to the pan and stirring continuously, cook until the prunes are mostly broken down and well incorporated with the onions, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Make the Crunchy Grilled Cheese

Place your desired amount of cheese on one slice of bread and evenly spread 2 tablespoons of the Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onion Magic Elixir on another slice. Combine the two together to make a sandwich. Set aside.

In a large sauté pan over low to medium-low heat, add the light olive oil and butter, stirring to combine. When well combined and warm, place the sandwich in the pan and cook until golden brown, about 6-8 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden brown, about 6-8 minutes. Serve and Enjoy!

Notes

Make sure to watch the onions very carefully so they do not burn. After 5-10 minutes, you may need to turn down the heat.

The onions need to be stirred continually before and after adding the prunes.

Cook time really depends on your pan. Typically, when using a non-stick pan, the onions take less time to cook.

Lifestyle Magic Elixirs Recipes Vegetarian Weeknight Dinners What's For Dinner?Recipe

published on Feb 25, 2021

46 comments Leave a comment »

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46 comments on “Crunchy Grilled Cheese with Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onions”

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  1. Korena Reply

    I would love the pearl or rainbow Ted bowl! I’m making this grilled cheese this weekend for sure!

    • Teri Turner Reply

      Wonderful… Be sure to head out to the last Instagram post and then enter

  2. Korena Reply

    I would love the Pearl bowl!!

    • Teri Turner Reply

      Fantastic make sure to head to the Instagram post and enter

  3. Brenda S Reply

    Your IG reels making this was sandwich had me craving this & I just had a grilled cheese for lunch! What do prunes taste like… I thought they were Kalamata olives in your video! Yes i entered.?

    • Teri Turner Reply

      They are so delicious and sweet and wonderful it’s an absolute must do

  4. Maureen La Vigne Reply

    Teri, I have always loved grilled cheese on a great bread BUT this takes it over the top, carmelized onions, prunes and several kinds of cheese. Count me in! Maureen

    • Teri Turner Reply

      You’re gonna love this Maureen… And be sure to go to the last Instagram post to enter the giveaway

  5. Heidi Bennett Reply

    This looks truly phenomenal, Teri!!

    • Teri Turner Reply

      Thank you so much Heidi up

  6. Linda Reply

    Looks yummy ? Do you think dates soaked in hot water n diced will work?

    • Teri Turner Reply

      no .. Get prunes

  7. Annie Callister Reply

    I’m making this right now, but I only have yellow onions and dates instead of prunes. I’ll let you know how it turns out!

    • Teri Turner Reply

      it’s just not the same. Dates do not have what prunes do in terms of depth of flavor and the way they break down. If you like dates I have a perfectly lovely dressing with dates but for this dish you absolutely need prunes

  8. Victoria Sargent Reply

    Teri what is your favorite bread for the grilled cheese.I love prunes and they are so good for us.

    • Teri Turner Reply

      So many good choices. If u like crunchy get a good sourdough. I’m gluten free so i would find a good one for that

  9. Mimi Fowlkes Reply

    Gooey greatness. I just made this with Brie. Yes, Brie. I also added a few In soaked chopped prunes inside the goo after I grilled. Flava-fab!

    • Teri Turner Reply

      sounds great ! u can use lots of different cheeses but the prunes are essential

  10. Kirstin C Reply

    Ooooohhhh this is so tantalizing!!

  11. Laura Theis Reply

    Carmalized onions yes but prunes? No I’d leave out for sure don’t mix with onion s in my stomach or head???to each his own!

    • Teri Turner Reply

      well I wouldn’t knock it until you’ve tried it… Think of it as sweet and salty. A lovely caramelized onion and then spectacular Juicy bit of loveliness. That’s chopped small sautéed in and it all becomes something like a wonderful jam… People are making them and absolutely loving them

  12. angela Reply

    I can not wait to make this sandwich for the family. On the menu for next week! I LOVE the idea of adding the prunes to the onions. I’m certain this new magic elixir takes it over the top! And, the cheese combo. Yum! I may even serve this with a side of creamy tomato soup.

    • Teri Turner Reply

      it’s so good and perfect with tomato soup

  13. Jordan Reply

    Just phenomenal. I didn’t think there was anything to add to a perfect grilled cheese, and you proved me wrong!

    • Teri Turner Reply

      This is what we love to hear… Thank you so much

  14. Charity Reply

    We made this recipe and it was absolutely delicious!

    • Teri Turner Reply

      thanks love

      • Michelle

        Love the combo of 3 cheeses and that golden crust. The prune addition sounds yummy!

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  19. Tikkamasla Reply

    Tikka Masala Grill menu have popular Indian delicacies You should try our Chicken and Fish Tikka Masala also taste our grilled food like Panner Tikka Grill and Chicken Tandoori We also serve Rice and Indian Bread, Beverages, and Organic Food.

  20. kati Roll Reply

    Kati Roll Company offers different varieties of tasty rolls, yummy Frankies, Bowls and drinks. Visit our gallery and have a look at some of our Indian Delicacies.

  21. kati Roll Reply

    Kati Roll provides Desi Street food in Los Angeles. Visit our press page to know more about our food, take a look at every article. From Frankies, Rolls, Rotis to Bowls we offer every Indian food you are craving for.

  22. Chelsea Reply

    These turned out really well! My husband (who LOVES onions) gave these a 10! I did have to cook my onions about 10 mins longer than the suggested 15, but that worked out great for me. I used White American, Havarti, and Gruyere cheeses and will be making these again. Sharing on my IG as we speak!

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  24. Jessica Reply

    Chef’s kiss! Simply the best grilled cheese I have ever had! The prunes is a must as it brings everything together!! This will now become a staple item in my household. Thank you!

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  31. Cebe Reply

    Served this for my family over Christmas and they were all SO vocal about how much they loved it! Took your suggestion and added 2 small adobe peppers, and that smokiness and spice were perfect! No one expects that adobe flavor, but when it hits, you can practically see everyone’s face light up! Thank you, Teri!

  32. Julie Reply

    I made these onions to go on grilled cheeseburgers for dinner and they were fabulous! I added some fresh thyme and a drizzle of some black mission fig balsamic vinegar and it was a flavor bomb. I can’t wait to try them on grilled cheese sandwiches next!

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Crunchy Grilled Cheese with Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onions (2025)
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