This rich, sweet, and savory Vegan Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Grilled Cheese is an easy meal. Caramelized onions elevate grilled vegan cheese to another level!
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Caramelized onions are one of those ingredients that elevate any dish that you add them to. Pairing them with hearty baby portobellos and rich vegan Swiss cheese is the perfect combination of flavors.
This rich, sweet, and savory Vegan Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Grilled Cheese feels really indulgent. You may want to pair this with my sangria recipe.
Normally I like to use vegan cheddar or vegan cream cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich. Sometimes I'll use vegan Mozzarella or vegan jalapeño Havarti.
Using vegan Swiss cheese is a first for me. I was inspired to make this after making a Vegan Reuben and a Vegan Monte Cristo. They both needed Swiss to complete the recipe.
I've found that using the same ingredients several times in different recipes throughout the week is an extremely efficient way to work. It's great for using up ingredients where you want to change it up each time you make a meal.
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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- It is rich and comforting.
- It has the perfect balance of flavors. Pair it with Sun Dried Tomato Soup.
- Caramelized onions and mushrooms elevate a classic vegan grilled cheese.
🧾 Ingredients
- Onion: You could use a yellow onion, sweet onion, or white onion.
- Olive oil: For cooking the onions.
- Balsamic vinegar: I like to deglaze the pan when cooking the caramelized onions. It adds sweetness. You could also sprinkle sugar or brown sugar on them. A little goes a long way. You could also leave it out.
- Mushrooms: I used baby portobello mushrooms. You could use any variety of mushrooms you like.
- Tamari: I used low-sodium gluten-free tamari. You could also use soy sauce, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos.
- Bread: I used gluten-free bread. Use your favorite bread.
- Vegan Swiss cheese: I used Daiya Swiss cheese slices because they melt well.
- Vegan butter: To cook the sandwich in. You could also use vegan mayo.
- Salt: Enhances flavors.
To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Cook the onions in olive oil until caramelized.
Step 2: Add balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan.
Step 3: Stir to combine.
Step 4: Add mushrooms and tamari.
Step 5: Cook on medium heat until tender. Add salt.
Step 6: Spread vegan butter on the outside of a slice of bread. Spread caramelized onions and mushrooms on bread. Place the vegan Swiss on the bread. Place the other piece of bread on top.
Step 7: Add a pat of vegan butter in a skillet. Place the sandwich in the pan with the buttered piece of bread side up.
Step 5: Cook until golden brown, flip and cook the other side.
🍽 Serving
This vegan grilled cheese recipe goes well with my Spicy Cucumber Salad recipe, Vegan Broccoli Tots, and No-Mayo Miso Potato Salad.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
I used Daiya Swiss cheese slices for this recipe because they melt well. Daiya is also the only brand that I know of that has vegan Swiss cheese.
🥪 Other Vegan Grilled Cheese Recipes
If you tried this Vegan Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Grilled Cheese Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
I originally posted this recipe on April 12, 2017. I added new photos and text when I republished it.
📋 Recipe
Vegan Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups sliced onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup sliced baby portobello mushrooms
- 2 teaspoons low sodium gluten free tamari
- Vegan butter
- 4 slices gluten free bread
- 4 slices vegan Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a hot pan. Add sliced onion and cook on medium heat for about 35-40 minutes, or until onions are caramelized. Add balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan.
- Add sliced mushroom and tamari, and cook until mushrooms are tender.
- Spread vegan butter on the outside of a slice of bread. Spread caramelized onions and mushrooms on bread. Place the vegan Swiss on the bread. Place the other piece of bread on top.
- Add a pat of vegan butter in a skillet. Place the sandwich in the pan with the buttered piece of bread side up. Cook until golden brown, flip and cook the other side.
Nutrition
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*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Cindy says
I normally have a plain old grilled cheese, but this is my new favorite way to make one! Thanks for sharing!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Cindy!
Chanel van Reenen says
these look so good! I love that their vegan and use a dairy free cheese. I have been trying to limit my dairy in take!
jessica says
a vegan and gluten free grilled cheese...yes please!!!!
Mira says
I make the hubs vegan grilled cheese all the time. I use daiya mostly. I should try adding the shrooms though!
Willow Moon says
I used Daiya Swiss for this and really liked it. The caramelized onions and mushrooms really add a lot to the sandwich - you should try it!
Kate says
I have been vegetarian for over a year now and feel SO GOOD and I am honestly really flirting with veganism. One thing I have not yet fully embraced is vegan cheese, though. I tried one brand once and I didn't like it at all. My friends who are vegan then told me that was the worse tasting one out there! I will have to give it another chance. This sandwich looks delicious!
Willow Moon says
I was a vegetarian for a year before going vegan. Cheese was hard for me to cut out also. But after I did I couldn't stand the smell in the deli section, and I can't stand the smell of butter - it is worse than smelling meat cooking. I would definitely try different brands of vegan cheese. I like Follow Your Heart and a couple of the Daiya vegan cheeses. I have yet to try other brands. You could also look into making your own. I make my own Tofu Feta and Tofu Ricotta and love them.