In addition to trying out some new grilled cheese recipes during National Grilled month I wanted to update a few older ones and top on my list was one of my favourites, the kimchi and bacon grilled cheese! Kimchi is a spicy fermented cabbage that works surprisingly well in a sandwich with lots of ooey gooey melted cheese! Bacon and kimchi are like a match made in heaven and I can hardly resist adding some to a kimchi grilled cheese! It actually works out kind of well since kimchi can be a little wet and since you don’t want a soggy grilled cheese is is a good idea to saute the kimchi a bit to reduce the excess liquid and using a little bit of the bacon grease works perfectly!
A kimchi grilled cheese sandwich goes really well with sweet potato fries or chips along with some gochujang ketchup for dipping!
Kimchi and Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Spicy kimchi and salty bacon are an amazing flavour combination that only gets better when bathed in melted cheese and wrapped in toasted buttery bread.
ingredients
- 2 slices bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons kimchi, drained and coarsely chopped
- 1 tablespoon salted butter, room temperature
- 2 slices bread (gluten-free for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (or 2 slices), room temperature
directions
- Cook the bacon in a pan over medium heat, set aside on paper towels to drain reserving 1 teaspoon of grease in the pan.
- Add the kimchi and saute until it starts to caramelize, about 3-5 minutes.
- Butter one side of each slice of bread, place one slice in the pan with buttered side down, top with half of the cheese, the kimchi, bacon, the remaining cheese and finally the other slice of bread with buttered side up.
- Grill in a pan, preheated over medium heat, until golden brown on both sides and the cheese has melted, about 2-4 minutes per side.
Kimchi Quesadillas
Kimchi Reuben Sandwich
Kimchi Chicken Salad Sandwich
Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Green Tomato and Jalapeno Jam
Kimchi, Bacon and Shiitake Mushroom Pizza
Kimchi Chicken Melt
Brussels Sprout Hash with Sweet Potato and Bacon
Korean Meatloaf Patty Melt
Pot Roast Grilled Cheese French Dip Sandwich with Spicy Miso Au Jus
Patrick B. says
Wow, I can't believe I've never heard of this combo before. Genius.
Velva says
Your grilled cheese sandwiches rock!
Jenn@slim-shoppin says
Ha! I liked to dip my grilled cheese in ketchup too Kevin!
Love your combo there. Very creative you are sir!
Aleksis says
Ugh looks sooo good! I always dip my grilled cheese sandwiches in mustard though! 😉
LMac says
kevin, i just recently stumbled upon your blog and i am super impressed wih your recipes this far. but man, today you nailed it. ive been living in korea (from DC) for 7 months now and love kimchi! kimchi grilled cheese. pure genius. i cant believe i didn't think of it first. keep up the great ideas and i look forward to seeing what else you come up with. cheer.
Justine says
Wow this sounds so amazing. Great creativity!
Nina Timm says
You make my sandwiches look awfully drab, Kevin!!
Quinn says
You're a genius when it comes to flavour, seriously.
MaryMoh says
Mmmm…I like this. Anything with kimchi is my favourite. What a great idea to use it for sandwich!
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
Absolutely mouthwatering!
Cheers,
Rosa
Joanne says
I'm not sure how much I would love the ketchup since I can't smell ketchup without getting nauseous but I love the idea of kimchi and bacon in grilled cheese. Another grilled cheese masterpiece by you.
Dani says
sounds delicious!
Kathleen Valentine says
I'm a big fan of grilled cheese and make different kinds all the time — like "puttnesca" grilled cheese with pizza sauce, anchovies, black olives, capers and asiago cheese. I'm going to have to look for kimchi.
Sook says
I love all this Korean fusion food that you come up with! Love it!
Cookin' Canuck says
Another brilliant dish, Kevin! There's no reason to go back to regular grilled cheese sandwiches.
FoodTherapy4Me says
Now that sounds like something I would love!!
couture prom dresses says
I just love the coloring. Next time I feel blue, I'll make this to feel happier first by looking at it and then by eating it..
Jane says
Words fail me. This has got to be pure genius. I wonder if you can cut these into little squares and serve them at a party. Why not?
Amanda says
This looks amazing! Have you posted it to the Grilled Cheese Academy yet? http://www.grilledcheeseacademy.com/
woo young says
hi kevin,
allow introduce myself to you!:)
im woo- young from korea.
i also interested in making creative food!!
and i really surprised that you really INTO kimchi! 🙂
ive never thought like this combinations. cheese and kimchi.
it looks so delicious!
isnt spicy?
i think its really hot!! even korean 🙂
this is my blog
http://www.rhada.pe.kr
its not about food, but there is a lot of travel stories that ive experienced 🙂
thank you for reading 🙂
Maria Choi says
Kevin, either you're INSANE or a genius. Please tell me you're an insane genius!!! Maria
Kevin says
Maria Choi: Just kimchi obsessed! 🙂
goodlookincook says
Lookin good! Great concept with the kimchi, can't wait to try it.
Marie @ Little Kitchie says
I'm a kimchi FREAK. This looks awesome!!!
a lovin' forkful says
Kevin, just gotta say, you're innovation fro grilled cheese sandwiches is amazing!!