Introduction

This Crispy Blueberry Grilled Cheese sandwich offers a unique twist on a classic comfort food. Sweet and tangy blueberry lemon thyme jam pairs beautifully with creamy white cheddar and mozzarella, all melted between crisp sourdough slices. It’s a delightful balance of flavors perfect for a cozy meal.

The image shows a grilled sandwich cut into two halves placed on a white marbled surface. Each half has two toasted bread slices with a golden brown crispy texture and a sprinkle of coarse salt and green herb leaves on top. Inside, there are two layers: a creamy, melted white cheese that looks soft and smooth, and a dark purple layer of fresh blueberries or berry jam peeked through the cheese. Around the sandwich, there are scattered fresh blueberries and small green herb sprigs. Two small light wooden bowls, one filled with blueberries and the other with coarse salt, are partly visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pint fresh blueberries
1/4 cup white sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
1 small bundle lemon thyme, bundled with kitchen twine
8 slices sourdough bread, each 1/4 inch thick
4 oz white cheddar, grated
4 oz whole mozzarella cheese, shredded
4 tbsp butter
Flaky sea salt, for finishing

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Blueberry Lemon Thyme Jam by combining the blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon thyme bundle in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Lower the heat to low and continue to simmer the jam for another 10 minutes, stirring often, until thickened. Remove and discard the lemon thyme bundle. Let the jam cool for 10 minutes before using.
Step 3: Assemble the sandwiches by laying out 4 slices of sourdough bread. Spread the cooled blueberry lemon thyme jam evenly on each slice, then sprinkle white cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the jam. Top with the remaining 4 bread slices to form sandwiches.
Step 4: Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat and melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Place two sandwiches in the skillet, cover with a lid, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is golden.
Step 5: Flip the sandwiches and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the other side is golden and the cheese has melted. Adjust heat as necessary to avoid burning. Transfer cooked sandwiches to a cutting board.
Step 6: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and repeat the grilling process with the remaining two sandwiches.
Step 7: Cut each sandwich in half and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and extra lemon thyme leaves if desired for an aromatic finish.

Tips & Variations

Use day-old sourdough bread for better texture and crispiness when grilled.
Swap mozzarella with gouda or fontina for a different cheese flavor profile.
For a vegan version, substitute cheeses with plant-based alternatives and use vegan butter.
If you prefer a less sweet jam, reduce the sugar by half.

Storage

Store leftover sandwiches wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to retain crispiness and allow the cheese to melt without burning.

How to Serve

Two grilled sandwich halves rest on white parchment over a white marbled surface, showing three layers inside each: the top and bottom layers are golden-brown toasted bread with textured crusts and visible oats, and the middle layer has melted creamy cheese blending with dark purple blueberries. The top of each sandwich half is sprinkled with coarse sea salt crystals and small fresh green thyme sprigs. Around the sandwiches are scattered whole blueberries and fresh thyme leaves. In the background, there are wooden bowls filled with blueberries and coarse salt. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the blueberry lemon thyme jam ahead of time?

Yes, the jam can be prepared up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Just bring it to room temperature before assembling the sandwiches.

What if I don’t have lemon thyme?

You can substitute lemon thyme with regular thyme or fresh lemon zest for a similar citrus-herb flavor, though the taste will be slightly different.