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Packing grilled cheese for lunch can work, but the trick is cooling it before it goes into the lunchbox so the bread stays crisp instead of soggy. Below, I'll show you exactly how to pack it, then share the grilled cheese recipes I've made for my kids on repeat.
Grilled Cheese for School Lunch
I've packed grilled cheese for my kids for years, and these are the combinations that have made it into their lunchboxes on repeat. Some are simple twists on the classic, while others use leftovers to make the sandwich more filling. Cool them completely before packing and they'll hold up much better until lunch.
How to Pack Grilled Cheese in a Lunchbox
- Assemble the sandwich.
Add cheese and any fillings you want. - Butter the outside.
Lightly butter or spray both outer sides of the bread. - Grill it.
Cook over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden and the cheese is melted. - Cool completely.
Remove the sandwich from the pan and let it sit uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes so the steam can escape. - Pack it.
Slice if needed and place it in the lunch container by itself.
How to Keep Grilled Cheese from Getting Soggy
A grilled cheese releases steam as it cools, so packing it while it's still warm traps moisture and softens the bread. Let it cool completely for 5 to 10 minutes while you pack the rest of lunch, then add the sandwich last.
Grilled Cheese Ideas for School Lunch
These are the grilled cheese sandwiches my kids have asked for on repeat over the years. Let them cool completely, then pack them using the same method above.
Laura’s School Lunch Packing Tips
Pack juicy fruit, vegetables, dips, and other wet foods in a separate compartment so moisture doesn't soften the grilled cheese.
You can keep grilled cheese warm, or you can keep it crisp, but it's difficult to do both. For a warm grilled cheese, wrap it loosely in foil and place it in a preheated insulated container. Trapping heat also traps some moisture, so the bread will be softer than a freshly grilled sandwich.
Yes. My kids have eaten grilled cheese cold from the lunchbox for years. Let it cool completely after cooking, then pack it with a cold pack like any other perishable school lunch. The cheese will firm up, but the sandwich still tastes good and is much less likely to get soggy.
Lunchbox Grilled Chicken & Cheese Sandwich
Watch How It’s Made:
Ingredients
- 1 cup grilled chicken strips
- 4 slices sandwich bread
- 2 slices Cheddar cheese
- Butter, for grilling
Instructions
- Layer the grilled chicken strips and cheese onto 2 slices of bread. Assemble the sandwiches and lightly butter both sides.
- In a medium non-stick pan over medium-high heat, grill the sandwiches for 2 to 3 minutes, until the bottom is golden brown. Flip and continue to grill until the cheese is melted.
- Remove from heat and allow the sandwich to cool to room temperature before slicing in half and packing inside a lunch container.
Karlee says
One question, I assume this lunch is not kept refrigerated before lunch. What if the lunch is in the refrigerator for a few hours before eating? Does that change the bread texture?
MOMables-Laura says
Hi Karlee, this will cause the bread the cheese to get hard and the bread to dry out.
Jen says
I tried this today but it became soggy, don’t know what’s wrong. I made sure it wasn’t hot before I put them in the lunch box
MOMables - Laura says
It was not cooled down long enough. Sorry!
Faith Reed says
I want to send my kids with items like grilled cheese. Where do I get the stainless steel container you packed this grilled cheese in? Thank you.
MOMables says
Faith, you can find that container here: http://amzn.to/2kdSsZI
Jen says
I would love to be able to pack grilled sandwiches for my boys, but right now, we can’t afford the stainless steel containers (18.00 x 3)…for something that I’m not sure they would like in the lunches! Do you have any other ideas on how to keep a grilled cheese “warm” ?
MOMables says
it’s hard to keep food warm when it’s not inside a thermos for long periods of time. Yes, 3-4 hours is a long period of time. if you have a thermos, i suggest you cut the sandwich in strips and make grilled cheese stix. otherwise, you can try wrapping it in foil. if you are not sure they would like something in their lunch, you need to try it at home first, this way, you are not wasting food.
Sheena says
I read on another site to wrap the grilled cheese with foil to keep it warm. I thought it was pretty ingenious! They didn’t say if the foil kept the sogginess away though. I think it probably does. I will be trying it this year.
Anna says
wrap it in a paper towel and then foil to help keep soggy away. That’s how my Dad sends me breakfast sandwiches to work with Mom.
Renee K says
What a great idea–warming the thermos with hot water while the soup is cooking–can’t believe that I didn’t think of that! Cannot wait for the new recipe ideas! One question: when is MOMables coming out with her cookbook? I know quite a few people who could benefit from your fantastic ideas and recipes.
Laura says
thanks Renee. One day…
Jill b says
Any way to keep a grilled cheese warm for lunch.? She doesn’t like cold food. We have a subscription and love your ideas.!! Thank you.!
Laura says
Hi Jill! the ONLY way is in a metal container or inside a thermos. We mostly “grill” for the crunchyness and melting the flavors together.
Angie Rush says
When you place the cooled grilled cheese in the stainless steel container, do you add ice packs on top of it? It doesn’t sound like it would be safe to leave it at the room temperature. Thanks!
MOMables says
I do not pack ice packs when I grill a sandwich. I’m ok with it this way for my kids. Everything in the sandwich has been “cooked”.
angela says
Do you have the creamy homemade tomato soup recipe? Thanks.
Laura says
Angela, I love Alison’s recipe on her personal blog (she’s a contributor here). It’s simple and delicious http://thishomemadelife.com/creamy-tomato-soup If you like “thicker” soups… reduce some of the broth. Hers comes out delicious every time. :)
Andrea says
Hi! Was wondering where you got your insulated cup? I want to send soups, etc to school with my daughter, but she can’t stand the metallic after taste that the stainless steel ones have.
Thanks in Advance!
Laura says
The one in our post is a really old one… but in our “store” tab, click on lunch essentials and you’ll find a non-metal thermos on page 3. Sold right through Amazon.