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Steak Grilled Cheese

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Ooey gooey melted cheese and tender seasoned steak make this steak grilled cheese a gourmet sandwich the perfect choice for dinner tonight.
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Table of Contents
  1. Steak Grilled Cheese Ingredients
  2. Substitutions And Additions
  3. How To Make This Steak Grilled Cheese Recipe
  4. How To Serve Your Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  5. How to Store Leftover Grilled Beef Sandwiches
  6. Why This Steak Grilled Cheese Recipe Is The Best
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. More Recipes You’ll Love
  9. JUMP TO RECIPE

Ooey gooey melted cheese and tender seasoned steak make this Steak Grilled Cheese a gourmet sandwich, and the perfect choice for dinner tonight.

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A good grilled cheese sandwich is one that is stuffed full of yummy fillings and we think these grilled steak sandwiches fits the bill. Delicious seasoned steak topped with fried onions, surrounded with ooey gooey cheese on your favorite bread? Perfection!

close up shot of a Steak Grilled Cheese sandwich on a plate

Steak Grilled Cheese Ingredients

Steak Grilled Cheese raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

  • ¾ pound flank steak, very thinly sliced (1 ½ – 2 inch long strips about ⅛ inch thick)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 cup yellow onion, thinly sliced (approximately ¼ inch thick)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 4 slices hearty white bread (thick sliced bread)
  • 1 cup shredded medium white cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded muenster cheese

Substitutions And Additions

Our recipe for Steak Grilled Cheese Sandwiches is a simple take on this versatile recipe. Feel free to adjust as you see fit to make this yummy sandwich your own creation.

Steak: This sandwich can be made using leftover steak. Thinly slice the cold steak. Cook the onions as you would for the recipe, and add the steak to warm it up. Ribeye, hangar steak, or any other cut you have on hand can work, but flank steak is the perfect thickness.

Toppings: You can saute thinly sliced fresh mushrooms or green peppers while you are cooking the onions for an added twist.

Sauce: Spread a thin layer of horseradish sauce or stone ground mustard to the unbuttered side of the bread for a spicy kick.

Bread: The sky’s the limit for which bread to choose. Italian bread, white bread, or whole wheat bread all work. You can try pumpernickle or sour dough, too. Try to pick a sturdy bread so that none of the cheesy goodness leaks out.

Cheese: Try Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack cheese, American cheese, provolone cheese – any cheese you like on your grilled sandwiches would be a great substitute.

Seasonings: If you don’t want to just stick to garlic salt and pepper to season your steak, try sprinkling Montreal steak spice or another similar steak seasoning. This is also a great time to add hot sauce or red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Or try a steak sandwich marinade for plenty of extra flavor.

How To Make This Steak Grilled Cheese Recipe

Making a grilled steak and cheese sandwich is a pretty easy way to make a cozy dinner on any weeknight. Here are the steps to follow:

PRO TIP: A little trick to get your cheese to melt quickly on your sandwich is to let it sit out at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before you start cooking.

STEP ONE: Prepare the ingredients by thinly slicing the steak and onions. Gather the rest of your ingredients, so you’re ready to cook your sandwiches.

STEP TWO: Sprinkle the garlic salt and pepper over the sliced steak.

STEP THREE: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large frying pan and heat over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned steak to the skillet in a single layer. Cook the steak for a few minutes on each side or until the meat is browned and cooked through.

steak cooked on a skillet

STEP FOUR: Remove the cooked and browned steak from the skillet and place on a clean plate. Add the remaining ½ tablespoon olive oil to the same hot skillet and then the sliced onions. Saute the onions for three to four minutes or until golden brown and tender, then remove the skillet from the heat.

PRO TIP: Don’t clean the skillet before adding the onions. All the bits leftover from the steak will add plenty of flavor to the onions.

onions sautéed on a skillet

STEP FIVE: Butter one side of each slice of bread. The buttered side of the bread will be the outside of your beef grilled cheese sandwich.

butter spread on top of the slices of bread

STEP SIX: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle to medium-low heat. Once hot, set one slice of bread, buttered side down, on the hot surface. 

PRO TIP: This would also be fantastic grilled in a panini press instead of on the stovetop.

STEP SEVEN: Top the bread with ¼ cup of the shredded white cheddar cheese and ¼ cup of the shredded muenster cheese.

Next, top the cheeses with half the browned steak, half the sauted onions, another ¼ cup shredded white cheddar cheese and ¼ cup shredded muenster cheese.

cheese topped with browned steak, onions, and cheeses on a skillet

STEP EIGHT: On top of the cheese, add a second slice of bread, butter-side-up!

STEP NINE: Heat the steak grilled cheese for 2-3 minutes, then flip and heat the opposite side for 2-3 minutes. Cook until the outside of the bread is toasted and golden brown, and the cheese is melted.

PRO TIP: Adjust the temperature up or down to avoid burning the sandwich, and resist the urge to press down on your bread as it cooks! 

steak grilled cheese cooked on a skillet

STEP TEN: Repeat steps six through nine for the second steak grilled cheese sandwich.

How To Serve Your Grilled Cheese Sandwich

We think just about the best way to enjoy any meat grilled cheese is with a bowl of tomato soup on the side and a glass of cold milk to wash it down. This sandwich would be a great option for a quick lunch or light dinner.

Serve With Soup: Other soup options we love for your cheesesteak grilled cheese dinner are pumpkin soup, broccoli and cheese soup, or minestrone soup to add some extra veggies.

Game Day Lunch: Serve these hot off the grill grilled cheese sandwiches on game day with beer cheese soup for a hearty afternoon meal that’s warm and comforting. 

Assorted Grilled Cheese Platter: To accommodate plenty of tastes and preferences, you can make a platter of grilled cheese sandwiches with various tasty fillings. Try our pizza grilled cheese, jalapeno popper grilled cheese, and sloppy joe grilled cheese for ultra-yummy options! 

Family Dinner: Serve with family-friendly sides like oven-baked sweet potato fries, easy roasted potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, or Crock Pot mac and cheese for a meal the kids will rush to the table for and devour! 

Lighter Options: These steak grilled cheese sandwiches are nicely complemented by a fresh salad like a simple Caesar or cucumber salad.

How to Store Leftover Grilled Beef Sandwiches

While this grilled steak sandwich recipe is best served hot and fresh, you can reheat your leftovers if needed. You can also make part of this recipe ahead of time if you prefer. Here’s how:

MAKE AHEAD: If you want to prepare the steak grilled cheese sandwiches ahead of time, you can precook your steak and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook. You may want to allow your beef to come to room temperature and slightly warm it in a skillet before adding it to your sandwiches.

IN THE FRIDGE: If you have leftover grilled steak grilled cheese sandwiches that you’ve already cooked, let them cool to room temperature before storing them. Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place them in an airtight container. They should be consumed within two to three days for the best quality, but keep in mind the bread will likely become a bit soggy from storage.

IN THE FREEZER: Wrap your sandwiches tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and freeze for up to one to two months. For best results, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

HOW TO REHEAT: We recommend you reheat your grilled cheese on the stovetop. Preheat a skillet over medium heat, then add your sandwich. Set a lid overtop to help trap the heat in. Cook for three to five minutes on each side or until the sandwich is warm and the cheese is melted.

Why This Steak Grilled Cheese Recipe Is The Best

You could make a regular old grilled cheese, but this recipe, with slices of steak and tons of melty cheese, is worth the extra trouble. Here’s why:

Reasons we love this recipe:

Perfectly Seasoned Steak: The seasoning used in this recipe is simple, but it’s just enough. It allows the taste of the meat to shine without any messy marinades.

Caramelized Onions: We add sautéed, golden brown onions for even more sweet and savory flavor. Cooking them in the same skillet as the beef keeps things simple and keeps the dishes to a minimum.

Warm and Comforting Recipe: This recipe is more filling than a plain grilled cheese, so it has all the nostalgic coziness of the classic. The addition of sliced steak is an upgraded version of the original comfort food.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cut of steak?

While flank steak is recommended for its tenderness and flavor, you can try using other cuts like skirt steak or thinly sliced ribeye for variation. However, adjust cooking times accordingly as different cuts may require different cooking times.

Can I use pre-shredded cheese?

Yes, pre-shredded cheese can be used if you’re short on time. However, freshly shredded cheese typically melts better and has a better texture.

How thin should I slice the steak?

Aim for very thin slices, approximately ⅛ inch thick, to ensure quick and even cooking.

Do I have to butter the bread?

Buttering the bread adds flavor and helps achieve a crispy exterior. However, if you prefer, you can use mayonnaise or olive oil instead. Don’t try to grill plain bread as it will just burn!

Can I make these sandwiches ahead of time?

While it’s best to assemble and cook the sandwiches fresh, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to assemble and grill.

What’s the best way to cook the steak?

Cooking the steak in a single layer in a hot skillet ensures even browning and flavor development. Be careful not to overcrowd the skillet, as this can result in steaming rather than browning.

How do I know when the steak is cooked through?

The steak should be browned on the outside and no longer pink in the center. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare doneness.

Can I add other toppings to the sandwich?

Feel free to customize your sandwich with additional toppings like sliced tomatoes, avocado, or bacon for extra flavor and texture.

The yummiest, cheesiest steak grilled cheese is as easy as pie. Whip up this indulgent dinner for your family tonight!

close up shot of a Steak Grilled Cheese sandwich on a plate

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Steak Grilled Cheese

5 from 1 vote
Ooey gooey melted cheese and tender seasoned steak make this steak grilled cheese a gourmet sandwich the perfect choice for dinner tonight.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ pound flank steak, very thinly sliced (1 ½ to 2 inch long strips about ⅛ inch thick)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 cup yellow onion, thinly sliced (approximately ¼ inch thick)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 4 slices hearty white bread, thick sliced
  • 1 cup shredded medium white cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded muenster cheese

Instructions
 

  • Season the sliced flank steak with the garlic salt and black pepper.
  • To a large skillet on medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned steak to the skillet in a single layer. Cook and brown the steak for 2-3 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
  • Remove the browned steak from the skillet. Add the remaining ½ tablespoon olive oil and the sliced onions. Saute the onions for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and tender. Remove the onions from the heat.
  • Butter one side of each of the bread slices. The buttered side of the bread will be the outside of your steak grilled cheese sandwich.
  • To a non-stick skillet or griddle, on low to medium-low heat, place one slice of bread buttered side down onto the skillet.
  • Top the bread with ¼ cup of shredded white cheddar cheese and ¼ cup of shredded muenster cheese.
  • Next, top the cheeses with half the browned steak, half the sauteed onions, another ¼ cup shredded white cheddar cheese and ¼ cup shredded muenster cheese.
  • Add a second piece of buttered bread with the buttered side facing up.
  • Heat the steak grilled cheese on both sides for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the outer surfaces of the bread are toasted and golden brown.
  • Repeat steps 5 – 9 for the second steak grilled cheese sandwich.

Notes

  • Adjust the temperature up or down to avoid burning the sandwich, and resist the urge to press down on your bread as it cooks! 
  • This would also be fantastic grilled in a panini press instead of on the stovetop.
  • Don’t clean the skillet before adding the onions. All the bits leftover from the steak will add plenty of flavor to the onions.
  • A little trick to get your cheese to melt quickly on your sandwich is to let it sit out at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before you start cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 638kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 1770mg | Potassium: 523mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 789IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 500mg | Iron: 4mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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