For A Spicy Twist On Classic Grilled Cheese, Add A Sprinkle Of This Canned Veggie

When it comes to inexpensive comfort foods that are quick to make and always satisfying, it's hard to beat a grilled cheese sandwich. These all-time faves also have the advantage of being super customizable, as you can enhance them with a variety of ingredients such as sliced tomato. But there's another compatible vegetable, which you may already have in the pantry, that gives your grilled cheese sandwich a layer of texture and a hint of spiciness in one fell swoop: canned green chiles.

Since canned green chiles are already cooked, all you need to do is open the can, drain them, and spoon them over the cheese before grilling the sandwich. You can leave it at that, or elevate it even further with other ingredients in combination. Green chiles are a nice addition to a stacked Tex-Mex grilled cheese, and they will work perfectly in concert with other add-ins to elevate your grilled cheese. 

Commercial canned or jarred green chiles can be one of many varieties including Anaheim, Hatch, and New Mexican, and come in mild, medium, and hot, giving you a range of spiciness. Aside from heat, these chiles are packed with flavor, especially the fire-roasted variety, which will have a hint of smokiness. Each type of green chile will have its own flavor profile.

The earthy, slightly sweet, and tangy flavor of green chiles pairs well with various types of cheeses and breads to craft a unique grilled cheese sandwich. They are perfect with your classic or white cheddar, Colby, or pepper jack if you want an extra peppery kick. 

But if you want to go more gourmet, a nutty cheese like Emmental or gouda will be amazing, and you can highlight the smoky profile of the chiles with a tangy, smoked cheese like provolone. Or, you can do a mix like the one in this ultimate grilled cheese recipe. For the bread, a sourdough with a toothy, chewy texture will hold well, and a seeded whole grain loaf will pair with the earthy sweetness of the chiles. 

There are other Southwest inspired condiments you can play with. Sprinkle the cheese with taco seasoning, or even add some taco meat, to make it a sort of Tex-Mex patty melt. To give your grilled cheese a smoky, spicy kick, try adding chopped canned chipotles in adobo. These are certainly spicier than green chiles, so a little chipotle will go a long way. 

An easy way to incorporate this flavor without too much heat is by spreading a bit of the adobo on the inside of the bread, or by making your own homemade chipotle mayo. Spread it on the side of the bread that you're going to grill instead of butter, and proceed to make a fabulous grilled cheese.