8 Grilled Cheese Recipes to Cure the Winter Blues

You know the feeling… around this time of year, we occasionally get a warm weather day where the birds are chirping and the sun is shining before you get out of bed. You might see a few flowers starting to sprout out of the ground, and it feels like spring is just around the corner. However, unfortunately, the official start of spring is still several weeks away.

February and early March can often bring on the feeling of hanging in the balance—in most places the snow has stopped falling, and yet the air is still heavy with a wintry chill. We call this feeling the “winter blues.”

If we just described how you’re feeling, don’t stop reading now! We’ve curated a special set of recipes for just this feeling—recipes that contain tasty previews of summer while being tucked between the comfort of toasted bread and cheese.

Keep reading for our grilled cheese recipe suggestions to cure the winter blues!

Cure #1 – Featured Recipe: Crab Grilled Cheese

Crab Grilled Cheese (particularly this recipe) is a pinnacle example of curing the winter blues with a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. The signature flavor of seafood is reminiscent of vacations on the beach in the summer, while gooey Havarti cheese adds the winter-comfort-food flair.

Ingredients:

• 4 Slices Martin’s Old-Fashioned Real Butter Bread
• ½ Cup Crab Meat, cooked
• 1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise
• 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
• 1 ½ Teaspoons Old Bay
• 1 Heaping Teaspoon Green Onions, minced
• 4 Slices Havarti Cheese
• 3 Tablespoons Butter, softened

To make this grilled cheese, mix together crab meat, mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, pepper, and green onion. Then, layer Havarti cheese in between two buttered pieces of Martin’s Old-Fashioned Real Butter Bread along with a few spoonfuls of the crab mixture. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until both sides are golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Full recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/crab-grilled-cheese/

Cure #2 – Herbed Havarti and Pork Grilled Cheese

Originally designed for our Easter Grilled Cheese blog, this recipe is a prime example of ooey-gooey grilled cheese. Capers, herbs, and fresh arugula contribute a bright taste, while hearty sliced pork and melty Havarti keep this dish safely in the “comfort food” category.

Tip: This is what we call a “leftovers” grilled cheese. Try whipping up this sandwich the day after a pork tenderloin dinner!

Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/herbed-havarti-and-pork-grilled-cheese/

Cure #3 – Featured Recipe: Sweet, Salty, & Spicy Grilled Cheese

Just like the weather during this time of year, Sweet, Salty, and Spicy Grilled Cheese is a mixed bag of different elements. First, creamy peanut butter and blackberry pie filling bring on an initially sweet flavor. Then, crunchy bacon and salty white cheddar cheese are added to balance the palate. Finally, a kick of pepper jam really makes this grilled cheese a melting pot of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 4 Slices Martin’s Potato Bread
• 4 Slices Bacon, cooked
• 2 Tablespoons Creamy Peanut Butter
• 6 Slices White Cheddar
• 4 Tablespoons Butter, softened
• Blackberry Pepper Jam
  • ¼ Cup Pepper Jam
  • 1 Tablespoons Blackberry Pie Filling

To make this grilled cheese, prepare blackberry pepper jam by mixing ingredients until well combined. Then, layer white cheddar, jelly, peanut butter, and bacon between two buttered pieces of Potato Bread. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until sandwiches are golden brown on each side and the cheese has melted.

Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/sweet-salty-spicy-grilled-cheese/

Cure #4 – White Cheddar & Raspberry Grilled Cheese

Simple. Flavorful. Easy to make. This next “cure” is made up of just two ingredients – raspberry jam and white cheddar – between sweet Martin’s Cinnamon-Raisin Swirl Potato Bread. We like this option because it utilizes the cozy flavors of swirl bread while incorporating the spring-like taste of bright berries. The best of both worlds!

Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/white-cheddar-raspberry-grilled-cheese

Cure #5 – Salami & Pickle Grilled Cheese

(Recipe & image courtesy of: The Chunky Chef)

This recipe by The Chunky Chef, is surely a creative grilled cheese to remember. If you love the bitey taste of dill pickle and the hearty flavors of salami, gruyere, and cream cheese, you’ll surely love how they combine in this melty creation.

Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/salami-pickle-grilled-cheese/

Cure #6 – Grilled Vegetable Panini

While we love piling on numerous cozy ingredients into our grilled cheese, this next recipe is a slightly brighter and more summer-focused creation. Made with fresh-cut vegetables like zucchini, red onion, and bell pepper, this grilled cheese will have you ready for spring gardening season in no time.

Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/grilled-vegetable-panini/

Cure #7 – Caprese Grilled Cheese

(Recipe & image courtesy of: Self Proclaimed Foodie)

While caprese salad is most frequently enjoyed during peak tomato season, with some selective produce choices at the supermarket, this recipe can practically be enjoyed all year round! Just layer on sliced tomato, fresh basil, mozzarella, bacon, and balsamic vinegar between two slices of buttered Martin’s Old-Fashioned Real Butter Bread and cook in a skillet or sandwich press until golden brown and melty!

Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/caprese-grilled-cheese/

Cure #8 – Smash Burger Grilled Cheese

Our final recipe is for those who are just “over” winter and want to start indulging in summer food again! It’s a delicious smash burger transformed into a sandwich between Martin’s Potato Bread.

Made with homemade special sauce and thinly sliced, caramelized onions, we curated this recipe to be a little taste of Pennsylvania Dutch food culture. And, now, for those feeling the winter blues, it can be a comforting little taste of summer!

Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/smash-burger-grilled-cheese/

Inspired to make more grilled cheese? Don’t forget that we’re in the middle of a series of grilled cheese giveaways on Instagram! Learn more and get plenty more melty grilled cheese recipes here: https://potatorolls.com/melt.

Related:

• If grilled cheese is the answer to your winter blues, try making a DIY Grilled Cheese Bar!
• Check out our new Grilled Cheese for Every Holiday video on YouTube!
• Can’t get enough cheesy recipes? Read our 50 Ooey Gooey Recipes for the Cheese Lover