apple, sage, and caramelized onion grilled cheese

last updated on October 29, 2026

I am always in the mood for a grilled cheese, especially when it is this apple, sage, and caramelized onion grilled cheese! It encapsulates all the best fall flavors plus when we add a drizzle of honey on top, it really just warms your soul.

One of my favorite things to do when we are with my family is to have “gourmet grilled cheese night”. We make 3-4 types of fancy grilled cheeses and keep cooking them until everyone is full. It is the BEST and I will definitely be adding this one to the rotation! Especially in the fall/winter.

ingredients for apple, sage, and caramelized onion grilled cheese

The title is quite telling of what is in this grilled cheese, haha, but here is the list of ingredients you will need for this sammy!

• 1 yellow onion
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/4-1/3 cup water
• 4 slices bread (I love a more hearty multigrain bread, but any type will work!)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 apple (I love fuji, but any red apple will work)
• 4 leaves of fresh sage
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp honey

You probably have most of these ingredients in your house already! The sage might be the only tricky one, but it can be found in any grocery store. You can make it without the sage, but I think it adds a great depth of flavor and would add it if you can!

how to caramelize onions

Caramelizing onions is surprisingly easy, and doesn’t have to take very long! There is a low and slow method, but we are using the quick and easy method. All you need is a yellow onion, butter, and a little bit of water.

Add the butter to a large pan and add your sliced onion. The onion will start to cook down and soften. After 4-5 minutes, pour about a tablespoon of water into the pan. The water will deglaze the pan and help the onions to steam — both of which are helping to caramelize the onions. After 2-3 more minutes, add more water and stir again. Repeat this process for about 15 minutes until you have beautiful, caramelized onions! They have such a rich flavor that go great with so many things, including this grilled cheese!

how to make the perfect grilled cheese

As I have mentioned, I am a connoisseur of grilled cheeses. I have tried out a few methods and these are my best tips to get the perfect grilled cheese:

1. Always butter the pan / the bread. It doesn’t really matter if you butter the bread directly or just put it into the pan, but we need plenty of butter.
2. Low and slow! Having your stovetop too hot can ruin your grilled cheese. The bread will get golden brown quickly, but your cheese likely won’t be melted. No one wants a grilled cheese with non-melted cheese! So, turn your stovetop to medium-low and let the sandwich cook slowly.
3. If you are in a bit of a rush, you can cover the pan with a lid to speed up the cooking time! Alternatively, you can also add a few drops of water before putting the lid down to help the sandwich steam and the cheese melt.
4. Grilled cheeses must be eaten immediately. If you leave a grilled cheese out for too long, the cheese gets cold and the magic is gone. So for all of us, just eat it right away.

other grilled cheese recipes you will love

• jalapeño popper grilled cheese
• pulled pork and apple grilled cheese
• caramelized onion grilled cheese
• zupas ultimate grilled cheese

apple, sage, and caramelized onion grilled cheese

[category] Main Course, Snack

[published] September 7, 2021

[PREP] 10 minutes mins

[COOK] 20 minutes mins

Print recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 yellow onion
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/4-1/3 cup water
• 4 slices bread
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 red apple
• 4 leaves of fresh sage
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. Cut the onion into half, then into long slices. Add 1 tbsp butter to a large pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat. When the butter melts, add the onion. Let the onion cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. When the onions start to stick to the pan or brown, add about 1 tbsp of water and continue to stir. This will deglaze the onions from the pan and add steam for the onions to continue to cook.
3. After a few more minutes, add another splash of water. Repeat this process until the onions are golden brown and caramelized. This should take about 15 minutes. Take onions off the heat.
4. In a small pan, add olive oil over medium heat. When the olive oil is warm, add sage leaves and carefully fry on each side. Remove onto a paper towel.
5. Core apple and slice into thin slices.
6. In a large pan, add remaining 1 tbsp of butter over medium-low heat. Add two slices of bread and top each with mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions, apple slices, and fried sage. Add remaining slices of bread to the top.
7. Let the sandwiches cook until golden brown on each side and the cheese is melted. Enjoy immediately with a drizzle of honey!