A grilled cheese may seem a little basic, as it’s made with only a few ingredients, but one could argue that’s part of what makes it perfect. There’s beauty within its simplicity — two slices of bread, the choice of gooey cheese, and heated butter or oil to provide its crispy texture — just describing it can make anyone want one. Moreover, its recipe can be enjoyed as is, or act as a springboard to something even better. This includes additional fillings, using a different cooking spread, or even switching out the heating device being used. One sure way to take the next one to a new level is by adding a dab or smear of Worcestershire sauce.
Before raising those eyebrows, this makes a lot more sense than you might think. The umami notes of Worcestershire sauce’s tangy flavors pair extremely well with the sweet and salty flavor of cheese. Dash in the savory notes of butter and oils, granting that golden hue and crunchy texture of a choice bread for your grilled cheese, and you have a dish that can comfort and satisfy just about any hunger. Enforcing this idea is the history behind that legendary culinary team-up. While it’s a bit murky, it’s said that the traditional pairing of Worcestershire sauce with cheese on toast — that’s the British equivalent of an open-faced grilled cheese — has been a beloved culinary ritual across the pond.
Other grilled cheese upgrades to pair with Worcestershire sauce
Given its versatility, the only fault that can be found in a grilled cheese is that its name is technically a fib, depending on how it’s cooked. Commonly, the sandwich is actually griddled, not grilled, on the stove. Certainly, the sandwich can be properly grilled, given the use of a grate and an open flame. Doing so would even introduce a nice, blackened smokiness to the dish. This would be in addition to the flavor notes of any charcoal or woodchips being used. Semantics aside, there are plenty of ways one can upgrade their grilled cheese. Aside from adding in a unique dressing, one can swap out the butter with mayo when pan-frying the bread for an extra flavorful crisp that won’t burn as easily. Grilled cheese sandwiches can also team well with sweet ingredients like fruit and berry jams that’ll not only upgrade the flavor, but could also provide other benefits like antioxidants when using a raspberry jam.
Without question, adding a dab of Worcestershire sauce is worth trying. To make yours the best way, consider using sourdough bread, swapping out cheddar cheese for Gruyère or Comté for extra meltiness, and a sprinkle of chili flakes for spicy complexity. You can even pull inspiration from a Croque Monsieur’s ham ingredient by adding in a generous helping of corned beef with a hint of mustard to up the savory umami-ness of the dish.
