'The ultimate comfort food': For National Grilled Cheese Day, cook your own or find a deal
The grilled cheese sandwich may be as traditional as foods gets, but it's gotten some timely attention ahead of National Grilled Cheese Day on Saturday.
The meal of choice for NASA astronaut Suni Williams after she and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore returned home from nine months in space? A grilled cheese sandwich.It's "something that reminds you of home," Williams said. "My father was a vegetarian, so I had a good grilled cheese sandwich when I got home. Reminded me of family."
For sure, the taste of a grilled cheese sandwich is akin to a time machine. "Grilled cheese is nostalgic," Shane Schiably, senior vice president of culinary strategy for First Watch, which has more than 570 restaurants in 30 states.
"It's more than just melted cheeses and crispy bread. It takes people back to their childhood and simpler times," he told USA TODAY. "It's the ultimate comfort food.”
The basics of the grilled cheese are simple: ooey gooey cheese between two pieces of grilled bread. Either because of its simplicity or its malleability, Americans consume them by the billions.
About 2.4 billion grilled cheese sandwiches were eaten at home in the 12 months ending in February 2025, according to Circana's National Eating Trends and Consumer Reporting of Eating Share Trends. Another 171 million were ordered at restaurants and retail food service outlets, Circana says.
"Cheese isn’t just half the sandwich’s name, it’s the heart of what makes grilled cheese so beloved," said Jenny Mehlman, senior director of marketing for cheese, taste and flavors at Dairy Farmers of America, told USA TODAY. "There’s a warm, nostalgic feeling that comes with both the thought and enjoyment of this classic."
Harrison Ford's grilled cheese secret
Actor Harrison Ford likes to experiment with the classic grilled cheese, his son told food website Mashed last year.
"He would make this grilled cheese sandwich for me on whole wheat with just really good sharp cheddar and tomato and Worcestershire sauce of all things," said Ben Ford, now executive chef and owner of Ford's Filling Station in Culver City, California, and author of "Taming the Feast," a cookbook.
The tale has resurfaced recently on several news sites with the return in February of "Yellowstone" prequel "1923," which co-stars Ford and Helen Mirren. Ford also appeared in "Captain America: Brave New World," which stars Anthony Mackie and becomes available to buy and rent on digital platforms on April 15.
On Parade.com, journalist Jessica Wrubel noted that Ford's sandwich recipe is a simplified take on Welsh rarebit, which can be made with Worcestershire sauce to add a savory flavor. Her verdict? "A more-than-decent grilled cheese that both kids and adults would love (much like Ford's movies)."
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What's your go-to for a grilled cheese?
Nearly half of all grilled cheese lovers (47%) keep it simple with just melted cheese between toasted bread, according to a survey of 2,515 adults, of which 2,330 make grilled cheese sandwiches, conducted March 17-19 for Borden Cheese by YouGov.
However, when you go beyond the basics of grilled cheese sandwiches, the permutations can get personal. Take the bread, for instance. While Harrison Ford went for wheat, many stick with traditional white. Chef Carla Hall likes pumpernickel.
With the bread and cheese foundation, cooks can "get creative, adding fresh toppings or unique flavors to truly make it their own," Mehlman said.
Here's what Americans are cooking, according to the Borden Cheese survey:
Cheese: American (49%) and cheddar (46%) are the cheese of choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. Other favorites include Mozzarella (27%), Swiss (22%), pepper jack (21%), and Colby jack (20%), While most (57%) use two slices of cheese, more than 20% prefer three or more.
Coating: 65% said they spread butter on the outside; 14% use mayonnaise.
Toasting preference: About 70% want the bread toasted a golden brown, while 12% prefer the bread well done to burnt. About 30% of parents said they had to remake a grilled cheese because the toast level wasn’t quite right. Want a guide to toasting? Borden made a free Grilled Cheese Swatch Book (to identify the color of your toast level) with recipes that you can sign up for on bordencheese.com. You can also sign up for a chance to win free cheese for a year.
Additional ingredients: About 27% said they add sandwich meat like ham or turkey. Other added ingredients include tomato (27%), bacon (23%), onions (16%), avocado (10%), and other (4%). Some folks, perhaps this author, have even used homemade jalapeño jam concocted by their mother and late brother.
How to elevate your grilled cheese experience
American cheese remains the favorite for grilled cheese and Organic Valley has recently brought to market new American Cheese Blocks, which make it easy to customize the amount of cheese.
"They’re made for cheese lovers who appreciate the nostalgic, comforting goodness of American cheese, but look for high-quality, organic ingredients," Devin Thorson, senior product development manager at Organic Valley, told USA TODAY.
Change the cheese: You can go beyond American and cheddar. Thorson suggests trying Muenster, baby Swiss or provolone. You could also add some crumbled blue cheese or another shredded cheese like mozzarella, which delivers a spectacular cheese pull. Organic Valley also created grilled cheese recommendations based on your astrological sign.
Try a new kind of bread: Grilled cheeses can be made with all kinds of bread including brioche, sourdough and Texas Toast. But try thinking out of the box with a rye or ciabatta.
Do some prep: Let the butter and cheese get to room temperature before cooking. Your butter spreads more evenly and the cheese will more easily melt. A favorite: In the movie "Chef," Jon Favreau butters both pieces of bread, squirts some olive oil into the pan then places each piece of bread, butter-side down, onto the oil and slides them around. Then he puts slivers of cheese on each half. Only when there's visible melting does he put the two halves together.
Zest it up: For an added layer of flavor, try using ghee, a South Asian clarified butter, Thorson says. "It adds a rich note that takes your grilled cheese to the next level." Cheeses such as Monterey Jack with jalapeño or habanero peppers will add some kick. Like Borden, most cheese brands have kicked-up cheese options; Organic Valley just brought to market new Fiesta American Cheese Blocks with peppers and spices.
Cooking tips: Another simple trick is to cover your sandwich with aluminum foil or a pot lid while it cooks to trap heat and encourage a smoother cheese melt, Thorson says.
National Grilled Cheese Day deals at la Madeleine and Sonic
Not in the mood to cook? Some restaurants will have specials for National Grilled Cheese Day.
At la Madeleine restaurants on Saturday, you can get a grilled cheese for $7.99 (original price: $9.99). The offer is available for dine in, to go and delivery, with standard sides included.
Sonic has a Buy One Entrée, Get One Free reward in the Sonic app you can use to get two grilled cheese sandwiches for the price of one or a free grilled cheese with the purchase of any entrée. Offer good through April 20 (mobile ordering available only at select locations; hours may vary).
Mike Snider is a reporter on USA TODAY’s Trending team. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National Grilled Cheese Day. Find restaurant deals or make your own
