Yes, you can reheat a grilled cheese sandwich in the microwave. While the microwave won’t give you the same crispy, golden brown texture as grilling or pan-frying, it will quickly heat up and melt the cheese inside the sandwich.
How to Reheat a Grilled Cheese in the Microwave
Here are some tips for reheating a grilled cheese in the microwave:
- Use 30-second intervals to slowly reheat the sandwich and prevent it from overcooking.
- Cover the sandwich with a paper towel or wax paper to prevent it from drying out.
- Add a small glass of water to the microwave when reheating to create steam and help melt the cheese.
- Butter or mayo the bread before microwaving to keep it from drying out.
- Don’t microwave more than 1-2 sandwiches at a time, as overcrowding can lead to uneven heating.
Why Reheat a Grilled Cheese in the Microwave?
There are a few reasons you may want to reheat a grilled cheese in the microwave rather than recreate it on the stove or grill:
- Speed: The microwave provides a fast, convenient way to reheat a sandwich in just 30-60 seconds.
- Less mess: You avoid having to dirty a skillet and deal with hot grease splatters.
- Melty cheese: The steam created in the microwave helps melt and soften the cheese.
- Soft bread: Covering the sandwich prevents the bread from drying out.
Tips for the Best Results
Follow these tips to get the best results when reheating a grilled cheese in the microwave:
- Use low-moisture, processed cheese slices rather than high-moisture fresh cheeses that can make the bread soggy.
- Let the sandwich sit for 1 minute after microwaving to allow the heat to evenly distribute.
- Add extra cheese slices or shredded cheese on top to help hold in moisture and prevent drying out.
- Spread the sandwich slices with mayo or butter before microwaving for added moisture.
- Microwave at 50% power for a gentler reheating.
Alternatives to Microwaving
If you want to recreate the crispy texture of a freshly grilled sandwich, try these alternatives to microwaving:
- Pan-fry in butter or oil over medium heat until crispy on both sides.
- Use a sandwich press, panini maker or waffle iron to crisp the bread.
- Bake in a 350°F oven wrapped in foil for 10-15 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Toast or broil for 1-2 minutes to recrisp the bread without overcooking.
Conclusion
While the microwave can’t replicatethe crispy browned texture of grilling, it does provide a quick and convenient way to reheat a grilled cheese sandwich. Use short 30-second intervals, cover it to prevent drying out, and add steam for perfectly melted cheese. With a little trial and error, you can easily recreate a hot, melty grilled cheese in just a minute or two in the microwave.