strawberry pepper balsamic grilled cheese

the perfect changeover from winter >> spring

My new favorite summery grilled cheese. Sweet-tart strawberries get macerated in sugar and balsamic to coax out their jammy side, then tucked between buttery sourdough with melty Monterey Jack, gooey Brie, hot honey, and a serious shower of black pepper. It’s salty-sweet, punchy, rich — and borderline inappropriate in the best way.

sweet heat strawberry grilled cheese

⏱️ TOTAL: 20 mins | PREP: 10 mins | COOK: 10 mins

🍽️ SERVES: 1 | DIFFICULTY | 🟢 | DISHES: 🟢

Browse all my recommended tools in one place: Complete Kitchen Collection.

• Chef’s knife

• Cutting board

• Cheese grater

• Large frying pan

• Spatula

*Note: Links above are for US retailers. Click here for Canadian options. 🇨🇦

• 2 large slices sourdough

• 4–6 strawberries, sliced ⅛" thick

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 2 tbsp good butter, room temp

• ½ cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

• ¼ cup grated Brie (see tip below)

• Hot honey, to drizzle

• Fresh black pepper, lots (about ½ tsp)

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1. Macerate your strawberries

• add sliced strawberries to a bowl with sugar and balsamic. Toss to coat and set aside while you prep everything else, about 5 minutes, or up to 30. You’re looking for soft, glossy berries and a syrupy little puddle at the bottom.

  why this step matters: Unless your berries are peak-season perfect, this helps amp up the sweetness and flavor so they don’t get lost in the sandwich.

2. Assemble

• grate your cheeses

  Tip: Freeze the Brie for 20–30 minutes first for easier grating. Otherwise, use a serrated knife to slice it thin.

• butter each slice of bread and flip them butter side down. To one side, add half of each cheese, and a lot of fresh black pepper. Layer with strawberries. Finish with remaining cheese and a drizzle of hot honey, then top with other slice of bread (butter on the outside).

3. Grill

• add grilled cheese to your cold non stick frying pan. Set to medium heat and cook until golden - about 5 minutes. Flip and cook until golden again - about 3 minutes. Low and slow = maximum melt and no burnt bread.

• remove from the pan and let it sit for 1 minute before slicing. (Trust me, the cheese and strawberries need a sec to set or they’ll slip right out when you cut into it.)

• Cheese swaps: Monterey Jack melts cleanly without getting too runny. All-Brie gets very gooey. This combo keeps things in balance.

• No hot honey? Use regular honey and a pinch of chili flakes.

• Make it extra: Add fresh basil or arugula after cooking for a little green snap.

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Questions? Drop a comment below if you have any questions, and don’t forget to let me know if you make it!