The Foolproof Hack For The Gooiest Grilled Cheese Every Time

Ah, grilled cheese, one of the most nostalgic, unfussy comfort foods on the planet. After all, what could possibly be simpler than layering a few slices of cheese between two pieces of buttered bread and toasting them in a pan? Plus, the result is way more delicious than something so simple has any right to be — golden toasted bread, warm melty cheese, crunchy and velvety textures all come together to create the perfect bite. It's also ridiculously easy to elevate an ordinary grilled cheese by swapping the butter with tangy mayo for extra flavor and an unbeatably crispy texture.

Because that's the crux of a truly delicious grilled cheese sandwich, isn't it — the texture. If the bread isn't toasted properly, you end up with a mushy, greasy mess. Same goes for improperly melted cheese. The interior of this childhood staple should be gooey, melty, and uniform. No one wants to bite into a hard, cold piece of cheddar when they're recovering from a long day at work or school. Fortunately, there's an unbelievably easy way to avoid this texture faux pas, as steam is the secret to perfectly melted cheese in any dish.

The idea is to create just the right amount of steam in your grilling pan by slipping an ice cube into it when your sandwich is just about ready. Pop the lid on to trap the resulting steam, which will create a moist, hot environment that will melt the interior of your grilled cheese into stretchy, gooey perfection.

The biggest drawback to trying this gooey grilled cheese hack is that you risk of ruining the crispy, golden exterior of your sandwich. Since toasted bread is essentially a sponge ready to suck up any moisture it encounters, it's crucial to keep water from the melting ice away from direct contact with your sandwich to protect its structural integrity. It's also important for your pan to be hot enough for the ice cube to start steaming almost immediately, creating water vapor instead of melted water.

The first thing to note is you probably won't need a full-sized ice cube. Half, or even a quarter, of a regular cube should be just about perfect. The second thing to think about is the temperature of your pan. When the sandwich is pretty much finished, you'll want to turn the heat up a little to make sure the ice sizzles as soon as it hits the surface. After tossing the cube in, slide your pan lid into place quickly to trap the steam. Your cheese should be fully melted in less than a minute.

If this sounds a bit complicated, another way to ensure gooey, melty cheese is to grate your cheese instead of slicing it and mix it with a little cream cheese. Not only does this help create that perfect texture, it provides an opportunity to elevate your grilled cheese with the flavors of a crab rangoon, or use flavored cream cheese to mimic your go-to bagel order.