By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 1
762 cal · 20 min
Kimchi Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Recipe GLPR545c7a512ed5b1
A creative fusion of Korean and American comfort food, this grilled cheese combines melted cheddar cheese with spicy, tangy kimchi and sweet caramelized onions, all pressed between buttery, golden-brown bread slices. The result is a crispy exterior, gooey center, and bold flavors.
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Ingredients
2 (1/2-inch) thick slices rustic white bread or sourdough
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup caramelized onions
1/3 cup jarred kimchi, drained, excess juice squeezed out, and chopped
3-4 ounces sliced cheddar cheese
Directions
Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until well preheated.
Brush one side of each bread slice generously with the melted butter.
Place one bread slice buttered-side down into the hot skillet.
Mix the caramelized onions and chopped kimchi together, then spread the mixture evenly over the bread slice in the skillet.
Layer the cheddar cheese slices over the kimchi and onion mixture, breaking pieces as needed to cover the surface and allowing some cheese to extend beyond the bread edges.
Top with the second bread slice, buttered-side up.
Place another skillet on top to press the sandwich and cover it. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese is melted and starting to brown at the edges.
Carefully flip the sandwich using a spatula and grill the other side for another 3-4 minutes until it is golden and crispy.
Transfer to a plate and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Comments
Kimchi, onions, cheddar, and butter are all stocked at every major Charlotte grocer including Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Kroger, Walmart, and ALDI, so no special trips needed. The 20-minute estimate is honest for a single sandwich, though realistically you'll spend 5 minutes on prep (slicing onions, draining kimchi) and 10 on cooking. Cost per serving lands around $2.50–$3.00 depending on bread and cheese quality, making it a solid budget lunch. The real caveat is portion: this is a single-serving sandwich, so families will need to multiply ingredients and time proportionally, and the caramelized onion step demands active attention on the stovetop, making it less of a hands-off weeknight meal.
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