Description

A mouthwatering twist on the classic grilled cheese, the Ultimate Hot Honey Apple Cheddar Beef Bacon Grilled Cheese features crispy beef bacon, thinly sliced roast beef, sharp cheddar, crunchy apple slices, and a drizzle of spicy-sweet hot honey all sandwiched between buttery toasted sourdough bread. Perfect for an indulgent lunch or dinner, this sandwich balances savory, spicy, sweet, and creamy flavors with a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread and Spread

2 slices sourdough bread (or challah, brioche, or country white bread)
Butter or mayonnaise (for spreading)

Cheese

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Meats

4 slices beef bacon
4 oz thinly sliced roast beef (deli style)

Produce

1/2 Granny Smith apple (or Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced

Condiments

Hot honey (store-bought or homemade), about 2 tablespoons

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Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients: Make your hot honey if preparing homemade and allow it to cool slightly. Cook the beef bacon until it reaches a crisp texture, then drain on paper towels. Thinly slice the apple and grate the cheddar cheese if not prepped. If needed, warm the deli roast beef in a pan or microwave briefly to remove chill.
Butter or Mayo the Bread: Spread butter or mayonnaise generously on one side of each bread slice. These will form the outside surfaces of the sandwich for grilling.
Assemble the First Layer: Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, into a cold skillet. Evenly sprinkle half the grated cheddar over this slice.
Add the Fillings: Layer the apple slices, crispy beef bacon, and warmed roast beef atop the cheese inside the skillet.
Drizzle and Layer More Cheese: Generously drizzle hot honey over the stacked fillings, then top with the remaining grated cheddar cheese.
Top and Grill: Cover with the second slice of bread, buttered side up. Turn the stove to medium-low and place the skillet on the burner.
Cook to Perfection: Grill for 4 to 6 minutes on the first side. Lift a corner carefully to check for a golden brown crust.
Flip Carefully: Using a spatula, turn the sandwich over and grill the other side for another 4 to 6 minutes until golden and the cheese is melted.
Serve Immediately: Remove from skillet, let rest for about one minute on a cutting board, slice diagonally, and enjoy the flavorful combination.

Notes

Use mayo instead of butter on the bread outsides for an extra crispy and flavorful crust if desired.
Adjust the amount of hot honey to taste depending on your preferred level of heat and sweetness.
For a vegetarian version, omit the beef bacon and roast beef and add grilled mushrooms or roasted vegetables instead.
Letting the sandwich rest briefly after cooking helps the cheese set slightly for easier slicing.