Summer picnics, ball games, family outings, hikes and camping trips are great occasions to grill sandwiches. You can eat them hot off the grill or cook them ahead for a portable lunch. Grilling turns even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches into a warm, gooey delight. However, grownups probably want something a little more sophisticated. Ready to try some new and exciting grilled sandwiches?

Why Grill a Sandwich?

Because it makes the outside of the bread (or wrap) toasty and crispy, and makes the filling all warm and gooey. If you cook it on an outdoor grill, you’ll add smoky flavour to an otherwise ordinary sandwich.

How do I Grill a Sandwich ?

If you have an outdoor barbecue, fire it up, oil the grate and throw (well, not literally) your sandwich or wrap on the grill. Be careful not to let the filling drip through the grates.

If you don’t have an outdoor barbecue, you can grill a sandwich on your stove top, using a frying pan, a cast iron skillet, a cast iron griddle or a grill pan. Other options are the George Foreman Grill, a panini grill or a toaster oven. For more information on these indoor grilling options, scroll down below the recipes.

A Grilled Monte Cristo Sandwich, courtesy of Kevin Lynch, Closet Cooking

Grilled Sandwich Ideas

• Here's an easy breakfast sandwich: Slice a croissant or an English muffin in half and butter the insides, or butter two pieces of your choice of bread. Place on a hot griddle, or frying pan butter side down and grill until you like it. Remove to a plate. Place a slice of cheese on one side and a slice of cooked Canadian bacon (or another meat of your choice) on the other. Meanwhile, fry two eggs and when they're done, assemble your sandwich with the eggs in the middle. Season to taste. The heat from the hot eggs will melt the cheese and you'll have a tasty breakfast sandwich!

• Surprise your kids and make a Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. Make it healthy by using natural peanut butter and all fruit preserves. Want to Reinvent the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich? Here's a list of ideas, including bacon, bananas (the Elvis sandwich), mayonnaise, potato chips and raisins.

• Here's an excellent example of Grilled Vegetable Panini using a panini grill. Step-by-step instructions with photos show techniques and ingredients for a delicious game-time sandwich. These can also be made on the barbecue or a stove top griddle using a weight to flatten the sandwiches.

• This Grilled Monte Cristo Sandwich (shown above) will knock your socks off! It's basically a ham and cheese sandwich, dipped in egg and milk and French toasted. Paired with strawberry jam and mustard, this is a real unique taste treat!

• Grilled Chili Cheese Quesadillas can be put right on the barbecue for a fast outside summer lunch.

• Start with your basic delicious Grilled Cheese Sandwich, then dress up your Grilled Cheese for company by using these 9 variations.

• What is a Cuban Sandwich? I've had a fascination with these sandwiches ever since I had one at a local restaurant. It was succulent and full of flavor. It also looked easy to make. Cuban Sandwiches for Beginners is a great place to start for lots of tasty ideas. This simple Grilled Cuban Sandwich uses sliced turkey and ham, cranberry jelly, cheese and a pickle.

• There's no rule in the handbook that says you can't grill a BLT! Although not technically a grilled sandwich, the all-American and beloved BLT would be awesome if you toasted it on a hot griddle.

Stove-Top Grilling Options

• Cast Iron Skillet: This might have been the first grill pan ever to be used! Save some money and dig out your trusty old cast iron pan. It holds the heat, it grills evenly and if it's been well seasoned over the years, it's virtually non-stick!

• Cast Iron Griddle: I have a large rectangular cast iron griddle that is ridged on one side and flat on the other. It lays across 2 burners and uses the heat from the stove for cooking. I've used this not only for sandwiches, but also French toast, pancakes, grilled chicken and much more.

• Grill Pans: Special non-stick grill pans come with either ridged or flat surfaces. The square pan is the perfect shape for square sandwiches! These come in handy when you want to make a quick sandwich and don't want to plug in or buy another appliance. The advantage to these pans? They can be taken camping, too!

Counter-top Grilling Options

• The George Foreman Grill is probably the most well-known electric grill today. Foreman claims that it "Seals in the flavor and knocks out the fat!" They come in all sizes and prices and are non-stick, making them a good choice for sandwiches.

• Panini grills are not just for restaurants. You can get them in virtually any size and price range. Wise Geek has the best explanation, but it's a counter-top grill that is hinged and grills both sides of the sandwiches, hopefully with those appetizing ridge marks. It's either a great time-saver or a big space-waster, depending on the size of your kitchen and how often you use it.

• Toaster Oven: There's probably a wedding gift sitting on a shelf in your basement covered in dust. Get that toaster oven out and start using it! It keeps the kitchen cool on a hot summer day and does a lot more than make toast! It broils open-faced sandwiches, makes an excellent Tuna Melt, and kids of all ages will love English Muffin Pizzas! Have the best of both worlds with English Muffin Pizzas with Tuna Fish!

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