The Secret Ingredient In Kardea Brown's Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a staple comfort food for a reason — there's just nothing quite like the simple perfection of toasted bread with gooey melted cheese. Unlike some comfort food classics that require hours simmering on the stovetop or baking in the oven, grilled cheese sandwiches are incredibly simple to make, don't require many ingredients, and can be whipped up by even the most novice of home cooks. Another benefit is that you can create endless variations and customized versions of the cheesy dish. Sure, you could certainly just grab some packaged American cheese and fluffy white bread and make a version similar to what you might remember from your childhood. 

However, you can also branch out, using different blends of cheese, from creamy brie to decadent Gruyere, or try out different bread options, from hearty rye bread to buttery brioche. And, of course, you can mix things up by incorporating different add-ins, including spreads like pesto, flavor-packed ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and much more. Kardea Brown brings her decadent Southern dishes to audiences across the U.S. on her Food Network show, "Delicious Miss Brown," and if you're looking for a tip to level up your grilled cheese sandwich, she has you covered — and there's a good chance you might even have this ingredient in your pantry already.