Meatless Monday Challenge

Crispy Havarti Grilled Cheese

on November 18, 2021
last updated April 21, 2023
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This simple classic is the most delicious way to curb your cheese cravings. Only 3 ingredients are required to make this Havarti Grilled Cheese.
pulling apart two halves of a perfectly golden brown havarti grilled cheese

Hungry for a nostalgic classic? This Crispy Havarti Grilled Cheese is ooey-gooey golden-brown perfection.

Sometimes simple is best. And simple has never tasted better than this 3 ingredient sammy that will quickly become your favorite option for a vegetarian lunch.

So how can I back up the claim that something so simple can be so delicious? When it comes to grilled cheese, it’s all about technique.

When done right, grilled cheese is buttery and crispy on the outside, gooey and cheesy on the inside, with enough salty and slightly nutty flavor to knock your socks off.

pulling apart grilled cheese with cheese pull

As an environmental scientist, I am always trying to make eco-conscious food choices. One easy way to improve your ecological footprint is by finding ways to enjoy more meatless meals.

Green tip: Industrial meat production has a huge impact on the environment, especially because of the amount of land it takes to sustain and its high amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing your meat consumption is one great way to reduce your ecological footprint.

Havarti Grilled Cheese Ingredients



This delicious sandwich only requires three simple ingredients! Here’s everything you’ll need:

  • Sourdough. Or any other sandwich bread of your choice.
  • Havarti. Such a great option for grilled cheese. It melts perfectly, has a buttery taste, and is mildly sweet which is the perfect contrast to the subtly sour taste of the sourdough bread.
  • Butter. To get that crispy, buttery exterior on your bread. Elevate the flavor by using this Garlic Bread Spread or Pesto Butter in this recipe!
sourdough bread, havarti cheese, butter

Havarti Grilled Cheese Tips and Tricks



Butter Your Bread

Add a generous amount! The butter will caramelize on the bread in the pan, giving you that golden brown that you want with any grilled cheese.

You only need to butter one side on each slice. The buttered side will touch the pan directly.

spreading butter on two slices of bread

Say {Havarti Grilled} Cheese!

Once you’ve buttered one side of each slice of the bread, take one slice and flip it over, so the buttered side is down. We will be stacking our Havarti cheese slices on top of the side that is not buttered.

You can buy your cheese pre-sliced or you can buy a block, and cut it into thin slices.

adding three slices of havarti cheese onto buttered bread

Get Your Pan Hot

Before placing your sandwich on your pan, get the pan nice and hot over medium heat.

Place your pan on the stove over medium heat for 3-5 minutes to heat up before adding your sandwich.

Green tip: Look for organic and palm oil-free butter if you can. Buying organic means you are supporting farms that do not use damaging pesticides and fertilizers, and palm oil production is a huge driver behind deforestation.

Cover It Up

Use a pan fitted with a lid to trap the heat and get your Havarti super melty. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side covered. You’ll know it’s ready when both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted and oozing.

adding cover to hot pan with grilled cheese in it

What To Serve This Sandwich With

There are plenty of yummy sides that work well with this sandwich.

I love serving this up with Baked Old Bay Fries, Fresh Avocado Salad, or Confetti Orzo Salad.

Green tip: Organic farms rely on biodiversity to generate rich soil, avoiding the use of pesticides and fertilizers, which means no toxic runoff. Consider organic ingredients for this sandwich.

Optional Add-In Ideas

This Havarti Grilled Cheese is delicious on it’s own, but if you’re feeling gourmet, here are some add-in ideas for you:

a stack of 4 halved grilled cheese with hand picking up the top half

Havarti Grilled Cheese Frequently Asked Questions



Can you grill Havarti cheese?

Havarti cheese is a great melting cheese for sandwiches, like in this Havarti grilled cheese, but also a delicious addition to a burger on the grill.

Havarti cheese melts easily and is a great option for adding on top of whatever you’re grilling. However, it is not like Halloumi cheese, where you can directly add it to the grill with it keeping its original shape.

Is Havarti a good melting cheese?

Absolutely! Havarti melts easily and has a mild, buttery, and slightly sweet flavor, making it a super versatile melting cheese.

What cheese is best for grilled cheese?

While Havarti is one of my all-time favorites for grilled cheese, there are a number of great options including: Cheddar, American, Gouda, Gruyere, and Muenster.

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Why You Should Make this Havarti Grilled Cheese



  • It’s melty. That Havarti is PERFECT for grilled cheese.
  • That crispy crust. Just look at the golden-brown bread.
  • It’s incredibly easy. Doesn’t get much easier than 3 simple ingredients and 10 minutes.

If you’re loving this Crispy Havarti Grilled Cheese and want more cheesy lunch options, check out these Herbed Cheese Portobello Mushroom Wraps and Vegetarian Philly Cheesesteak.

pulling apart two halves of a perfectly golden brown havarti grilled cheese

Crispy Havarti Grilled Cheese

5 from 3 votes
Marley Goldin
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This simple classic is the most delicious way to curb your cheese cravings. Only 3 ingredients are required to make this Havarti Grilled Cheese.
Prep Time 4 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices sourdough bread
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 slices Havarti cheese
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Instructions
 

  • Generously spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Flip bread over so buttered side is facing down.
  • Stack sliced cheese on the non-buttered side of bread.
  • Add the second slice of bread to the top with the buttered side up.
  • Get a frying pan fitted with a lid hot over medium heat, then place the sandwich in the center of the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes covered over medium heat, until the bread is golden brown.
  • Remove the lid, flip and replace the lid. Cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side until both slices of bread are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
  • Slice in half, and enjoy hot.

Pro Tips

  • Want to elevate this sandwich? Substitute the butter with this Garlic Bread Spread or Pesto Butter!
  • You can really use any bread with this grilled cheese and have a successful sandwich. Use your favorite!
  • Salted butter will work in place of unsalted butter in a pinch.
Course Lunch
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Keyword 30 Minutes or Less, 5 Ingredients or Less, Easy, Grilled Cheese, Quick
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