A Better for You Protein-Packed Grilled Cheese Recipe
The following post is sponsored by Oscar Mayer. For our sponsored post policy, click here.
Grilled cheese is one of those great sandwiches. The kind of sandwich you crave on a cold day or a rainy day or a sick day or — let’s face it— any day. Melty cheese and buttery bread is kind of an amazing combination, huh?
Another reality we all must face: grilled cheese isn’t exactly the healthiest of choices when it comes to sandwiches. There’s not much protein … no veggies … and it’s got a decent amount of saturated fat in it.
So we decided to create a better-for-you grilled cheese recipe that rights those wrongs, while still being totally and absolutely delicious. In fact, we’ll go so far to say our version is actually tastier than the original. (Yeah, we’re talking trash on you, plain grilled cheese!)
Our version cuts down on the amount of cheese and subs in delicious and filling Oscar Mayer Selects Natural Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast for added protein (making it a great post-workout meal!), along with sneaking in fresh tomato and red onion, and swapping butter for avocado and a little olive oil.
Not to brag, but, guys, it’s amazing. Full of flavor with just the right amount of crunch from the red onion and savoriness from the turkey and cheese.
Plus, when you cut the sandwich in half and put it on a smaller plate, like a salad plate, it makes it seem like it’s extra big, even though it’s just your usual sandwich size. (Side note: eating off of smaller plates is one of my favorite tricks to keeping portions in check!) It’s just so dang beautiful, huh?
And let’s talk about how incredible that protein source is for a second. All of the Oscar Mayer Selects Natural cold cuts are made with no artificial ingredients and are minimally processed. They have no artificial preservatives, no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, no gluten and no by-products. Just look at that nutrition label!
Plus, it tastes great, whether or not it’s in a grilled cheese sandwich. In fact, Oscar Mayer Selects Natural is the perfect choice for anyone looking for quality cold cuts that have no artificial ingredients and delicious taste. (Like us!)
Another fun fact about this grilled cheese recipe? Well, it includes a bit of a hack in it. Over the years, we’ve found that to get a truly gooey grilled cheese sandwich, there’s one extra step you have to do: toast your bread before you begin! It takes an extra minute or two, but it keeps your bread dry and melts your cheese and warms your turkey. So. Totally. Worth. It. (Bye-bye soggy microwaved sandwich!)
- 2 slices bread
- 1 slice muenster cheese
- 1 tablespoon avocado
- 2-ounce serving of Oscar Mayer Selects Natural Applewood Smoked Turkey
- 2 large slices of fresh tomato
- 1 large thin slice of red onion
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Toast bread in a dry skillet over medium heat until light brown and warm.
- Remove from skillet and immediately add cheese to one side. Spread avocado on the other side. Layer turkey, red onion and tomato on top of cheese.
- Put pieces of bread together to form a sandwich, then brush the outside of the sandwich lightly with olive oil.
- Grill sandwich over medium-low heat until perfectly browned!
Oscar Mayer Selects Natural is available in five tasty varieties including Applewood Smoked Turkey, Slow Roasted Turkey, Rotisserie Seasoned Chicken, Applewood Smoked Ham and Slow Roasted Roast Beef. Although we used the Applewood Smoked Turkey in our grilled cheese recipe, we bet it would also be delicious with any variety. You can learn more about Selects Natural and all the Oscar Mayer products on OscarMayer.com, Facebook, Twitter and on Tumblr.
With Oscar Mayer Selects Natural, you don’t need to give up the good stuff to enjoy the quality cold cuts your family deserves. And you never, ever have to eat a boring plain grilled cheese sandwich again! Protein up!
What’s your favorite way to spice up grilled cheese? Next time I might try sprinkling on some paprika or using goat cheese and the Slow Roasted Roast Beef. Just the idea of it has my stomach growling! —Jenn