Campfire Grilled Ham & Cheese
Buttery crisp grilled ham and cheese with sharp cheddar and melty Gruyère toasted in a cast-iron skillet. Easy campsite lunch ready in 22 minutes.
🍽 4 servings
⏱ Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 12 min
⏰ Total: 22 min
📊 Easy
Ingredients
- 8 slices Sturdy sandwich bread or sourdough
- 8 oz Thinly sliced deli ham
- 4 oz Sharp cheddar cheese, sliced or shredded
- 4 oz Gruyère cheese, sliced or shredded
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard, optional
Instructions
- Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-low to medium heat.
- Lay out the bread slices. Spread a thin layer of Dijon on four slices if using.
- Divide ham evenly among those four slices. Top with cheddar and Gruyère.
- Close with remaining bread slices. Spread softened butter over the OUTSIDE of both sides of each sandwich.
- Place sandwiches into the skillet. Cook approximately 3–4 minutes on the first side.
- Press very lightly with a spatula only to encourage even contact. Flip carefully.
- Reduce heat if the bread is browning too quickly. Cook another 3–4 minutes until the second side is golden and the cheese is completely melted.
- If necessary, cover the skillet briefly with a lid or foil to help the cheese melt without burning the bread.
- Rest approximately 1 minute. Slice and serve hot.
Nutrition
520 cal/serving
28g protein
38g carbs
26g fat
Chef's Notes
TWO CHEESES: Cheddar provides sharp flavor while Gruyère melts extremely well and pairs naturally with ham. LOWER HEAT: Grilled cheese is better over moderate heat. Excessively hot cast iron burns the bread before the center melts. BREAD: Sturdy bread travels better at a campsite than extremely soft sandwich bread.