What's The Best Cheese For A Grilled Cheese Sandwich?

We're a pretty easy going bunch, but there are a few things we'll get into a fistfight over. One of those things is the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. The cheese you choose for your sandwich says a lot about you as an eater. Do you prefer a gooey, creamy cheese or a chewy, stringy cheese that will put up a fight?

This iconic sandwich is so popular and so satisfying, we know we're not the only ones who have strong feelings about how to make them. So for now, lay down your weapons in regard to whether to toast with butter or dry, whether to butter the bread or the cooking surface: this battle is all about the cheese.

Here's how this thing will work:

• Starting today at 4:00pm Eastern, vote for your first-round picks.


• Tomorrow, August 9th at 12:00am Eastern, Round Two will begin.


• Friday, August 10th, at 12:00am Eastern you'll be able to start voting in Round Three.


• Round Three will last until Monday, August 13th at 12:00am Eastern, to make sure any slackers get their final Grilled Cheese Deathmatch picks in.

Let the gooey battle begin!

Also on HuffPost:

Loading Slideshow

• Pulled Barbecued Chicken Panini With Swiss And Red Onion

  Reinterpret your leftover chicken with this simple and satisfying panini. Shred any leftover chicken and toss with your favorite barbecue sauce. Layer the meat with Swiss cheese and red onion on sourdough bread and grill until the cheese is melted. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/pulled-barbecued-chicken-_n_1061489.html" target="_hplink">Pulled Barbecued Chicken Panini with Swiss and Red Onion</a> recipe</strong>

• Fig Relish And Ham Sandwiches

  A savory homemade fig relish is the key to this amazing sandwich, which features layers of thinly sliced prosciutto, cheese, fresh basil and arugula. Make extra fig jam for assembling more sandwiches or try it as a condiment for grilled meats. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/fig-relish-and-ham-sandwi_n_1061271.html" target="_hplink">Fig Relish and Ham Sandwiches</a> recipe</strong>

• Triple-Decker Tomato And Avocado Panini With Mozzarella And Pesto

  These towering sandwiches are packed with Mediterranean flavor with a homemade basil pesto and layers of sliced avocado, tomato and buffalo mozzarella. If you're short on time, use store-bought pesto. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/triple-decker-tomato-and-_n_1057883.html" target="_hplink">Triple-Decker Tomato and Avocado Panini with Mozzarella and Pesto</a> recipe</strong>

• Caponata, Mozzarella And Basil Panini

  This sandwich is easy to put together when you use store-bought caponata, mozzarella and fresh basil leaves. You'll find caponata, an eggplant and tomato condiment, in your supermarket's Italian aisle. Prepare the sandwich easily in a panini press or use two skillets -- one to cook it in and one as a weight. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/caponata-mozzarella-and_n_1057250.html" target="_hplink">Caponata, Mozzarella and Basil Panini</a> recipe</strong>

• Caramelized Onion, Chicken And Fontina Panini

  This recipe is great for using up leftover chicken, which gets layered with caramelized onions and melty fontina cheese to create this mouthwatering panini. A smear of Dijon mustard and some peppery arugula round out the flavors. Make some extra caramelized onions to use in other recipes. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/caramelized-onion-chicke_n_1057252.html" target="_hplink">Caramelized Onion, Chicken and Fontina Panini</a> recipe</strong>

• Multigrain Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

  Look no further for the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich, because this recipe is the one to beat. This elite version features three cheeses (Manchego, Cheddar and Gouda) layered with roasted plum tomatoes on multigrain bread. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/multigrain-grilled-cheese_n_1058571.html" target="_hplink">Multigrain Grilled Cheese Sandwiches</a> recipe</strong>

• Grilled Gruyere-and-Zucchini Sandwiches With Smoky Pesto

  Grilled zucchini, gruyere cheese and basil pesto make a terrific combo in these sandwiches. A touch of smoked paprika adds a nice smoky flavor to the homemade pesto (or use store-bought). Make the sandwiches on English muffins, which get exceptionally crispy when grilled. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/grilled-gruyre-and-zucch_n_1058447.html" target="_hplink">Grilled Gruyere-and-Zucchini Sandwiches with Smoky Pesto</a> recipe</strong>

• Ham, Gruyere, Honey And Red Onion Panini

  The combination of pungent gruyere, savory ham and sweet honey make this panini very appealing. Sliced red onion and pickles add a sharp contrast and tang to balance out all the flavors. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/ham-gruyere-honey-and-_n_1057254.html" target="_hplink">Ham, Gruyere, Honey and Red Onion Panini</a> recipe</strong>

• Minute Steak Sandwich With Fried Onions And Sweet Mustard

  This sandwich is a meat lover's dream. You'll want to use a thin steak, which cooks quickly in a skillet. Slice the meat and layer it with fried onions and tangy mustard on a baguette and grill until the bread is crisp. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/27/minute-steak-sandwich-wit_n_1383220.html" target="_hplink">Minute Steak Sandwich with Fried Onions and Sweet Mustard</a> recipe</strong>

• Oregon Tuna Melts

  Take the average tuna melt up a couple of notches with this recipe. Instead of mayonnaise, the tuna salad mixture features sweet balsamic vinegar and olive oil. But the mayonnaise doesn't go away altogether -- it's spread on the rolls, which are layered with Swiss cheese and dill pickles, before grilling. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/oregon-tuna-melts_n_1058587.html" target="_hplink">Oregon Tuna Melts</a> recipe</strong>

• Bistro Flank Steak Sandwich

  Bring a bit of the bistro into you home with this fulfilling sandwich. It's spread with roasted garlic (prepared on the grill), grilled bell peppers and of course thin slices of grilled flank steak. Assemble it on whole-wheat country bread with a bit of mayonnaise and lettuce. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/bistro-flank-steak-sandwi_n_1056426.html" target="_hplink">Bistro Flank Steak Sandwich</a> recipe</strong>

• Roasted Vegetable, Tofu And Pesto Panini

  Roasted eggplant, zucchini and bell peppers form the vegetable trio in this vegetarian-friendly panini, which also includes tofu for a boost of protein. Spread the bread with store-bought pesto and top with the vegetables and with provolone cheese. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/roasted-vegetable-tofu-a_n_1057197.html" target="_hplink">Roasted Vegetable, Tofu and Pesto Panini</a> recipe</strong>

• Braised Greens And Cannellini Bean Panini

  A cannellini bean spread made with onion, garlic and white wine is a great match for braised kale in this vegan panini. Feel free to vary the recipe with another leafy green, like spinach or collard greens. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/29/braised-greens--cannelli_n_1311444.html" target="_hplink">Braised Greens and Cannellini Bean Panini</a> recipe</strong>

• Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches

  These vegetarian sandwiches are packed with flavor, all without the presence of meat. The baguette is spread with goat cheese and tapenade, then layered with grilled zucchini, roasted red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes. The recipe serves eight, so it's great for entertaining. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/grilled-vegetable-sandwic_n_1058476.html" target="_hplink">Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches</a> recipe</strong>

• Fig And Goat Cheese Panini

  The combination of sweet fig preserves, tangy goat cheese and tart-sweet balsamic vinegar really sets this sandwich apart from others. Make it with multigrain bread or walnut bread for some extra texture. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/fig-and-goat-cheese-panin_n_1057253.html" target="_hplink">Fig and Goat Cheese Panini</a> recipe</strong>

• Brie And Smoked Turkey Panini

  This panini features a classic pairing of sweet and savory flavors: brie, pear, mustard and turkey (you could also try it with ham). Make the sandwich on a baguette and grill lightly using a panini press or skillet until the cheese melts. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/brie-and-smoked-turkey-pa_n_1057251.html" target="_hplink">Brie and Smoked Turkey Panini</a> recipe</strong>

• Grilled Ham And Cheese With Strawberry-Red-Wine Jam

  Strawberries and cheese? Yes it's a proven pairing. Savory ham and gruyere are the base for this grilled cheese, which is made on fluffy brioche bread. Mixing a few spoonfuls of red wine into the jam adds a unique flavor profile. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/grilled-ham-and-cheese-wi_n_1058449.html" target="_hplink">Grilled Ham and Cheese with Strawberry-Red-Wine Jam</a> recipe</strong>

• Grilled Eggplant Panini

  Eggplant is a great vegetarian option for grilled sandwiches -- it has a meaty flavor and texture that even meat-eaters will have a hankering for. To make the sandwiches, you'll want to grill the eggplant (topped with cheese) and the bread separately, then assemble with red onion slices and jarred roasted red peppers. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/grilled-eggplant-panini_n_1049197.html" target="_hplink">Grilled Eggplant Panini</a> recipe</strong>

• WATCH: How To Make A Grilled Cheese Sandwich On The Grill

  Watch as Sam Talbot makes a delicious goat cheese grilled cheese with fresh roasted peppers and hand-torn basil that no one will be able to pass up.

Comments

[Ronnie Campbell]

12:14 PM on 08/20/2012

I can't believe you don't have Gruyere or Jarlsberg up there! Two fantastic melting cheeses. How about Comte? I agree...cheddar is great-tasting, but really doesn't melt as well as these.

[theredpony]

11:59 AM on 08/15/2012

Muenster on your favorite rustic type bread. Ever so lightly spread with butter on the outside.

[ZenCrusader]

08:37 PM on 08/14/2012

try introducing pickles to your grilled cheese sandwiches - surprisingly good.

[yasunari]

04:14 AM on 08/13/2012

A long Italian roll, a slice of crunchy baked bacon, and pepper jack....

[bahkey]

11:08 AM on 08/12/2012

Who here is making the tomato soup?

[mlaiuppa]

12:36 AM on 08/14/2012

In the summer, fresh sliced tomatoes.

[bahkey]

09:54 AM on 08/14/2012

as long as they're not cooked.

[oldgraymare]

09:01 AM on 08/11/2012

Open faced, on an english muffin or slice of rustic bread. Chutney, tomato, medium/sharp cheddar or smoked gouda.

[mlaiuppa]

05:44 PM on 08/10/2012

Cheddar does not melt well (becomes too oily and requires too high heat) and is also very pungent.

Grilled cheese is the ONE recipe where I choose American over other cheeses. But only a real American cheese, not those fake cheese food products that try to pass themselves off as cheese.

[wnayjr]

01:49 PM on 08/10/2012

You should try Coby.

[mlaiuppa]

05:45 PM on 08/10/2012

You mean Colby?

[bahkey]

11:03 AM on 08/12/2012

She's from Denver,but still spelt his name wrong.

[Shannon Averill]

01:42 PM on 08/10/2012

Smoked Gouda would win this hands down if everyone would have tasted it... The problem is most people only know American and Cheddar.... Expand your tastebuds people!!!!

[spartanmom]

05:46 PM on 08/10/2012

Smoked Gouda is a favorite for noshing.
Love Brie, Ementhaller, Guryere, Provalone, Romano, Parm., Buffalo Mozz., chevre, Muenster, Roquefort, Gorganzolla, Monchego, Petit Basque, etc., etc., etc.

BUT for grilled cheese I still think super sharp New York or Vermont Cheddar is best.

[trainer3]

01:42 PM on 08/10/2012

Yesterday I went a few houses down and bought tomatoes from the farmer and bought country white bread, came home and I thick sliced Cabots Sharp Cheddar, smeared 1/4 pound of butter on 2 sandwichs with the tomatoes and carmelized the crusts to perfection.

I got a couple kudos from that.

[tomanjeri]

01:37 PM on 08/10/2012

Cheese is secondary, as long as it tastes good to you, it will taste good in a grilled cheese sandwich (for those complaining cheddar doesn't hold up well because the oil separates out, it's because you're letting it melt too much before serving). The key to any grilled cheese is mayonnaise instead of butte on the outside.

[DJ Sapien]

01:30 PM on 08/10/2012

I like smoked Gouda myself.

[consumesoup]

01:19 PM on 08/10/2012

American cheese by far...hate the processed stuff but for a grilled cheese sand nothing beats it...the better question would be what kind of bread goes best? Or Which spread- margarine, butter, mayonnaise or nothing at all?

[settleUdown]

01:12 PM on 08/10/2012

Cheddar blows in a grilled cheese, it gets grainy and the oil separates from the cheese. It's the nast, man.

[Billy Liar]

12:55 PM on 08/10/2012

You need a good bread, too, something substantial. I like a nice onion sourdough, but don't fork out good $ for a fresh loaf - buy it on the day-old rack for half price. After all, you're toasting it....