Make Your Grilled Cheese Hawaiian-Style For 10x The Flavor

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Hankering for a filling snack? An all-American grilled cheese is sure to sate your appetite, but the style we propose is not your basic sandwich. Sure, there is a grilled cheese variant out there for everyone, whether you use white bread or sourdough, cheddar or gruyere, but the ingredients don't have to end there. As a thought experiment, we love the idea of crafting flavorful grilled cheeses inspired by a state with some of the best foods you probably haven't tried yet: Hawaii. 

What foods do you envision when it comes to Hawaii? Some may think of Spam from the iconic Spam musubi, made with slices of the processed pork cooked in a teriyaki-esque sauce and served with sushi rice. The savory elements of Spam musubi will certainly boost the grilled cheese's flavor. Others might think of pineapple. Pairing the tropical fruit with cheese is something any Hawaiian pizza fan (or detractor) is familiar with (even though it was invented in Canada), and grilled pineapple happens to be delicious. Or maybe you think of Hawaiian sweet bread, which, yes, is sweet, but it's also a tasty stand-in for sandwich bread.

When making a grilled cheese inspired by the Islands, don't be afraid to get creative. Start with your usual grilled cheese components (or this ultimate grilled cheese sandwich recipe), then add whichever Hawaiian-inspired ingredients you like. A tropical vibe in your toasted sandwich may seem unexpected, but you may develop a fantastic flavor profile you return to again and again.     

Want to use Spam, pineapple, and King's Hawaiian bread to elevate the flavor of your grilled cheese? It's not too complicated to prepare. Full-sized King's Hawaiian rolls and Hawaiian sliced bread can be tricky to find, so if the 12-pack of smaller rolls is what you grab, consider making grilled cheese sliders instead. For the Spam, you could buy a can that is already teriyaki-flavored, or go for a low-sodium version and sauté it in soy sauce or teriyaki sauce. Just remember to slice it thinly to give your sandwich bite without overpowering the cheese. A slice of pineapple is the perfect finishing touch, and if you are not grilling your fruit, you should be! Feel free to use your preferred cheese (or mix of cheeses), and give the sandwich a press in a hot pan to make sure all the ingredients meld together. Serve warm and marvel at why you have not had this incredibly flavorful combination before.

You may be wondering if restaurants out there are serving Hawaiian-style grilled cheese. There are, but the idea of what defines "Hawaiian-style" is up for interpretation. Honolulu Magazine wrote of notable grilled cheese sandwiches across the archipelago, though they mostly skew towards modernizations of classic fillings. On the island of Kauai, you can get a grilled cheese at Porky's Cart that contains Havarti, provolone, and kalua pulled pork on cheesy bread. We can get behind that!