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    Home » Recipes » Sandwiches and Burgers

    Blackberry Grilled Cheese

    Published: Jan 28, 2022 · Modified: May 27, 2022 by Jessie · This post may contain affiliate links; if you buy something we'll earn a commission at no cost to you.

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    Put a different (and delicious!) spin on a grilled cheese sandwich with this easy Caprese inspired blackberry grilled cheese. We're working with goat cheese, mozzarella, plenty of basil, and fresh blackberries for this gourmet twist on a classic melt!

    Four blackberry grilled cheese sandwiches in a stack in front of a white wall. this recipe

    I'm a sucker for these blackberry + goat cheese grilled cheese sandwiches (oof, say that five times fast).

    This is the best grilled cheese recipe for spring and summer. It's inspired by a classic Caprese combo of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella, and it's the perfect way to use those fresh, gorgeous blackberries (or any berries!) while they're in season.

    Also: it feels fancy AF.

    All you need for this blackberry grilled cheese

    • A few slices of good sourdough or homemade crusty bread
    • Unsalted butter - Let this come to room temperature so it's soft and easy to work with!
    • Fresh blackberries - We recommend slicing them into halves or quarters so they lay flatter in the sandwich, but you can skip that step if you're in a hurry!
    • Shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese - Making grilled cheese with mozzarella is the best, because it gets ultra melty and gooey (perfect for a gorgeous cheese pull!)
    • Goat cheese - Gives this sandwich a nice tang and a bit of brightness!
    • Fresh basil - Slice this into small pieces so you get all of the flavor without accidentally pulling the whole leaf out of the sandwich as you take a bite.
    Blackberry grilled cheese ingredients measured into individual ceramic bowls.

    How to make this sandwich

    Here's our basic order of operations:

    1. Butter one side of each piece of bread, then put the slices butter-side down in a big skillet on the stove top.
    2. Spread a thin layer of goat cheese across each bread slice, then top with blackberries, basil, and mozzarella.
    3. Top sandwiches with the remaining bread, turn the skillet to medium heat, and cook until the bread is golden brown. Flip, repeat, and enjoy!

    Pro tip: Skillets often have "hot spots" in the center or towards one side that can cause grilled cheese to brown more on one side than the other. Check the sandwiches as they cook, and rotate them towards or away from your hot spots if needed so they cook evenly.

    Assembling grilled cheese sandwiches in a large black skillet.

    What to serve with grilled cheese

    We know that grilled cheese is great on its own, but what else is it good with? A few of our favorite sides for these easy, cheesy sandwiches:

    • 5 Minute Lemon Arugula Salad - perfect if you're in a hurry!
    • Easy Roasted Tomato Soup - trust me, this flavor combo totally works.
    • Spinach Prosciutto Salad - with a quick basil vinaigrette!
    • Pear, Walnut, and Arugula Salad - so good.

    Riffs and Substitutions

    This grilled cheese recipe is very forgiving. Some of our favorite swaps:

    • Add some protein. Add crispy bacon or prosciutto to these sandwiches to make them a bit heartier.
    • Swap the blackberries for raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, pears, or sliced tomato.
    • Add some greens. Layer a bit of spinach or arugula between the cheeses for a pop of color. This sandwich is also good with a bit of sliced avocado in the mix!
    • No fresh basil? Add a layer of basil pesto or our favorite arugula pesto.
    • Mix up the cheeses. We love the tart + creamy combo of goat cheese and mozzarella here, but use what you have! We like swapping brie, white cheddar, whipped feta, or havarti for some or all of the cheeses in this recipe.
    • Make it mini! Use baguette slices instead of larger bread slices for bite-sized grilled cheeses.
    Hands pulling two halves of a grilled cheese sandwich apart.

    A few FAQs

    Can grilled cheese be made in the oven?

    Yes! Grilled cheese is easy to make in the oven - it's our favorite way to prep these sandwiches for a crowd! Butter your bread slices, assemble each sandwich as directed, then lay sandwiches on a large sheet pan and bake at 400° F for 5-7 minutes (or until the tops are lightly toasted), then flip the sandwiches over and bake another 5-7 minutes or so until browned.

    Can I make this sandwich without butter?

    Yes! Mayonnaise is a popular (and delicious) swap for the butter in this recipe. You can also brush olive oil over each bread slice if you prefer that to mayo.

    You might also like

    • Roasted Mushroom Grilled Cheese Sandwich
    • Bacon, Brie, and Apple Grilled Cheese
    Grilled cheese on a white plate with arugula salad.

    Video: How to make blackberry grilled cheese

      Print
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    A stack of four blackberry grilled cheese sandwiches on a white table.

    Blackberry Caprese Grilled Cheese

    ★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews
    • Author: Jessie
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
    • Category: Sandwich
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This easy blackberry grilled cheese is the perfect gourmet twist on a classic sandwich!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 8 slices crusty bread (we like using our crusty artisan bread or a nice sourdough!)
    • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
    • 4 ounces (about ½ cup) goat cheese, softened
    • 4 ounces fresh blackberries (about ½ cup), cut into quarters
    • ¼ cup fresh basil, sliced
    • 2 ounces (about ½ cup) fresh mozzarella , torn into small pieces

    Instructions

    1. Generously butter one side of each bread slice, then place half of the bread slices butter-side down in a large skillet (reserve the other half of your bread slices for the top of your sandwiches!) You may have to work in batches depending on the size of your skillet.
    2. Spread a thin layer of goat cheese on the non-butter sides of bread in the skillet.
    3. Place cut blackberries on top of the goat cheese. Place basil on top of blackberries.
    4. Divide the mozzarella cheese between the sandwiches and place on top of the basil.
    5. Place remaining bread on top of sandwiches, butter side up. Turn the skillet to medium heat. I like to start with a cold skillet because it gives the cheese more time to melt as the skillet heats up, and the butter will still help the bread get crispy. This method ensures a crispy sandwich with super oozy, melty cheese! (YUM).
    6. Cook sandwiches 2-3 minutes on each side (once skillet is hot) or until bread has lightly browned and cheese has melted. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Additions and Substitutions. Add crispy bacon or prosciutto for some extra protein. Swap the blackberries for blueberries, strawberries, peaches, or pears. Use pesto in place of the fresh basil if you like. Replace some or all of the cheeses with brie, white cheddar, whipped feta, or havarti.

    How should I soften the butter and goat cheese? We recommend taking them out and letting them come to room temperature for 15-30 minutes before you assemble your sandwiches! The goat cheese will soften more quickly than the butter; if your butter is still too cold, check out this tutorial to soften butter quickly.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 572
    • Sugar: 7.8 g
    • Sodium: 1039.4 mg
    • Fat: 20.9 g
    • Carbohydrates: 72.4 g
    • Protein: 24.6 g
    • Cholesterol: 46.1 mg

    Keywords: melt, sandwich, fruit

    Tag @lifeasastrawberry on Instagram to show us what you're cooking! Nutrition information is calculated per serving; it is approximate and will vary based on many factors.

    This recipe was originally published in 2013. It was updated in 2022 with new photos, notes, and more streamlined instructions.

    The photos for this recipe were taken by Casey at The Mindful Hapa!

    More Easy Sandwich and Burger Recipes

    • Cranberry Brie Grilled Cheese
    • Bacon, Brie, and Apple Grilled Cheese
    • Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
    • Roasted Mushroom Grilled Cheese

    I'm Jessie, and I like to talk about food. Tag your recipes #LifeAsAStrawberry on social media to share your creations! Learn about our team!

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    1. Genie

      August 31, 2022 at 5:01 pm

      OMG this was unbelievably delicious! So glad I came across this recipe! Easy to make, & a joy to eat❤️

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Team Life As A Strawberry

        August 31, 2022 at 8:20 pm

        YAY! We're so happy you loved it!

        Reply
    2. Casey Colodny

      February 09, 2022 at 2:26 pm

      The perfect combination of sweet and salty, especially with that little bit of basil!! Loved these!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Team Life As A Strawberry

        February 09, 2022 at 5:41 pm

        YIPPEE! So happy you loved them!

        Reply

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