This shallot grilled cheese recipe is a delicious new take on the classic sandwich. Buttery and crispy sourdough bread is stuffed with Bourbon caramelized shallots, chopped tarragon and melted, extra-sharp white cheddar cheese. And to make it even better, the cheese is mixed with dry mustard for extra punch!

Reader comment: "OMG!!!!!!!!!! So good!!!!!!!!!!! Next level, no, top level easy gourmet grilled cheese!"
Recipe ingredients and notes:
- The bread slices I used here were about 7 inches long. If you use slices much smaller than that, you may want to make 3 sandwiches instead of 2.
- I don't recommend substituting mayonnaise for butter in this recipe. The signature tanginess of mayonnaise often works well with grilled cheese, but here it clashes with the flavor of the Bourbon shallots.
- Dry mustard (mustard powder) is a fantastic spice for grilled cheese. The sharpness of dry mustard intensifies the flavor of cheddar without adding the acidity that prepared (wet) mustard would add.

How to make it:
See full ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below!

- Peel, then thinly slice the shallots crosswise.

- Cook the shallots in melted butter until browned. Turn the heat off, then add the Bourbon. Turn the heat back on and cook until all liquid is evaporated. Set aside.

- Mix cheese and dry mustard together in a bowl.

- Spread butter onto one side of each of the four bread slices.

- Turn two of the bread slices over and top the unbuttered sides with tarragon.

- Add the cheese mix on top of the tarragon.

- Add the shallots onto the cheese.

- Top with the two remaining slices of buttered bread, keeping the buttered side on the outside. Heat an empty nonstick pan or a cast iron skillet until hot. Fry each sandwich on both sides.
How to serve it:
Serve the grilled cheese sandwiches by themselves or with a pickle on the side. (I recommend these cinnamon clove-flavored homemade refrigerator sweet pickles!)
Full Recipe

Grilled Cheese with Bourbon Caramelized Shallots
Ingredients:
Equipment:
Method:
- Peel the shallots, then thinly slice them crosswise. Set aside.
- Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a pan.
- Add the shallots and cook uncovered over medium heat until brown, about 13 minutes.
- Turn the heat off, then add the Bourbon to the shallots. Turn the heat back on and cook for another minute.
- Take the pan off the heat and set aside.
- Mix the cheese and the dry mustard together in a bowl. Set aside.
- Spread butter onto one side of each slice of bread.
- Turn 2 of the slices over and sprinkle with the chopped tarragon.
- Sprinkle the cheese/dry mustard mix onto the tarragon.
- Evenly divide the shallots on top of the cheese.
- Top the sandwiches with the remaining 2 slices of buttered bread, keeping the buttered side on the outside.
- Heat an empty nonstick or cast iron pan large enough to fit one sandwich on medium heat for 3 minutes.
- Fry each sandwich until the cheese has melted and the bread is browned (3 to 4 minutes per side).
Marla Celeri says
OMG!!!!!!!!!! So good!!!!!!!!!!! Next level, no, top level easy gourmet grilled cheese!
Nicole B. says
I am so thrilled to hear that, Marla! You made my day! :) Thank you so much for coming back and leaving such awesome feedback, I really appreciate that!