Indulge in the Ultimate Comfort: Apple BBQ Pork & Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese
This apple BBQ pork & smoked Gouda grilled cheese is a truly exceptional way to repurpose leftover pork roast. Get ready to whip up a gourmet grilled cheese that will undoubtedly WOW your entire family!
There’s a special place in everyone’s heart for a good grilled cheese sandwich. But let’s be honest, we’re not talking about those basic American cheese slices on white bread – though a classic grilled cheese with a side of creamy tomato soup certainly holds nostalgic charm! Today, we’re elevating the game entirely. Imagine biting into a sandwich crafted with good, crusty artisan bread, premium cheese, and a delightful “something extra” that transforms it into a truly unforgettable meal. This Apple BBQ Pork & Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese is packed with so much delicious “something extra,” it’s practically a culinary masterpiece.
This isn’t just another sandwich; it’s a celebration of flavor and an ingenious way to bring new life to your leftover pork. The combination of sweet and tangy apple BBQ pork with the smoky, nutty notes of Gouda cheese, all nestled between slices of perfectly toasted bread, creates a harmonious blend that tantalizes the taste buds. It’s a comfort food classic reimagined, offering a sophisticated twist that’s surprisingly easy to achieve.
The Essential Foundation: Why Sourdough is Supreme for Grilled Cheese
When it comes to crafting the perfect grilled sandwich, the bread choice is paramount. My absolute favorite bread to use is sourdough. Who am I kidding? I believe sourdough bread is pure perfection in every form, period! But take that incredible loaf, slather it generously with butter, and grill it to golden perfection? Utterly divine! Sourdough offers a unique tanginess that cuts through rich fillings, preventing the sandwich from becoming overly heavy. Its robust crust provides a satisfying crunch, while the interior remains soft and yielding, creating an ideal texture contrast with the gooey cheese and tender pork.
We frequently use sourdough to make our beloved Grilled Turkey Havarti Sandwiches, and when I was at the bakery contemplating the ideal bread for this particular creation, nothing else sounded nearly as appealing. Sourdough it was, and it was absolutely the right choice! The slight chewiness and substantial texture of sourdough stand up beautifully to the hearty filling, ensuring that each bite is packed with flavor and structural integrity.
From Leftovers to Legend: Repurposing Pork Roast into a Gourmet Filling
Last week, I made a delicious Apple Pork Tenderloin in the slow cooker, and as often happens, we had leftovers. Don’t get me wrong, the original dish was scrumptious, but since my oldest son is away at college, I’m still perfecting the art of cooking for a smaller household. These leftovers, however, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. A while back, I encountered a similar sandwich concept at a restaurant – a truly sensational idea that immediately inspired me to create my own version.
Keeping the apple theme in mind, I took the leftover cooked pork and combined it with some apple juice in a pan on the stovetop. As the mixture heated, the pork rehydrated beautifully and became incredibly easy to shred with a fork. I let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes, allowing the meat to fully absorb the apple juice, which infused it with a subtle sweetness and extra moisture. Once the pork was perfectly tender and shredded, I tossed it with some of my Homemade BBQ Sauce, ensuring every shred was coated in that smoky, tangy goodness. Then, I set it aside, ready to be transformed into our gourmet grilled cheese.
This method of preparing the pork is key to the sandwich’s success. The apple juice adds a layer of complementary flavor and keeps the pork from drying out, while the BBQ sauce provides that classic, irresistible smoky and savory kick. It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference, transforming what might have been just leftover meat into a vibrant, flavorful filling.
Crafting Your Apple BBQ Pork & Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese Masterpiece
The assembly of this gourmet grilled cheese is straightforward, yet each step contributes to its exceptional outcome. First, I generously coated one side of two slices of sourdough bread with butter. I then placed these buttered sides down on a preheated skillet over medium-high heat, grilling them until they achieved a beautiful golden toast. This initial toast creates a slight barrier, helping to prevent the bread from getting soggy from the filling while adding a delightful textural element to the interior of the sandwich.
Once the buttered sides were perfectly golden, I flipped them, so the toasted side faced inward. On one slice, I layered a generous amount of the prepared apple BBQ pork, ensuring an even distribution. On the other slice, I placed slices of smoked Gouda cheese. The choice of smoked Gouda is crucial here. Its distinctive nutty, slightly sweet, and wonderfully smoky flavor profile harmonizes impeccably with the apple-infused BBQ pork, adding depth and sophistication that a simple cheddar could never achieve. As the cheese begins to soften from the residual heat, it creates a gooey, melty texture that is absolutely essential for any great grilled cheese.
After layering the pork and cheese, I gently brought the two halves together, creating a beautiful sandwich. Then, I buttered the *outsides* of the assembled sandwich slices before placing it back on the skillet. I continued to grill the sandwich, turning it once, until the smoked Gouda was gloriously melted and oozing, and the exterior of the sourdough bread was toasted to a rich, golden-brown hue. The aroma filling the kitchen at this stage is truly intoxicating – a blend of sweet apple, savory BBQ, smoky cheese, and buttery bread. Once perfectly grilled, I removed the sandwich from the skillet, allowed it to rest for a moment, then cut it in half, revealing the magnificent layers within.
The result? My kids absolutely went nuts for it! This is genuinely an incredibly good way to spice up your leftovers and turn a humble ingredient into a spectacular family meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, thoughtfully combined, can create culinary magic.
More Delicious Ideas for Your Leftover Pork
If you’re wondering how to get the best BBQ pork for these sandwiches, look no further! My most popular recipes are my Dr. Pepper BBQ Pork Ribs, and they are the absolute perfect source for the succulent pork needed for this grilled cheese. I have a fantastic recipe that makes them in the Instant Pot for a quick and easy option, and another that uses a slow cooker for that classic, fall-off-the-bone tenderness. These sandwiches are, hands down, my FAVORITE thing to make with the leftovers when I prepare either of these incredible recipes!
Imagine tender, flavorful pork ribs that practically melt in your mouth, infused with the unique caramel notes of Dr. Pepper. When you have a batch of these ribs, you’ll likely have some delicious meat remaining, which is ideal for this grilled cheese. The sweetness and tanginess from the Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce already present in the pork blend seamlessly with the additional apple juice and BBQ sauce we use to rehydrate and flavor it for the sandwich.
Whether you’re short on time and opt for the speed of the Instant Pot, or prefer the low-and-slow approach of the crock pot, these Dr. Pepper BBQ Ribs consistently deliver a rich, flavorful pork that’s perfect for shredding. The savory depth of the pork, combined with its inherent BBQ flavor, forms the ideal base for our gourmet grilled cheese, making the entire experience even more delicious.
Serving Suggestions and Beyond: Enhancing Your Grilled Cheese Experience
While this Apple BBQ Pork & Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese is a meal in itself, pairing it with the right accompaniments can elevate the experience even further. A classic bowl of creamy tomato soup is always a fantastic choice, its acidity and warmth providing a perfect counterpoint to the rich sandwich. Alternatively, a crisp, fresh coleslaw or a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette would offer a refreshing contrast, balancing the robust flavors. For a truly hearty meal, consider serving it alongside some sweet potato fries or homemade onion rings.
And if you are a fan of Gouda Cheese — and I know you are, or you wouldn’t be looking at this smoked Gouda grilled cheese in the first place — you just HAVE to try my friend’s recipe for Gouda Mac n Cheese! It’s another brilliant way to showcase the creamy, nutty goodness of Gouda. You will absolutely LOVE it! Pinkie swear! It’s a perfect side dish for this sandwich if you’re looking for ultimate comfort food decadence.
This Apple BBQ Pork & Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to explore delicious flavor combinations and make the most out of your kitchen endeavors. It proves that with a little creativity, leftovers can be transformed into something even more exciting than the original meal. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your skillet, and prepare to create a grilled cheese sandwich that will become a new favorite in your home. Enjoy these truly sensational sandwiches!
LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!
Print Recipe
Apple BBQ Pork & Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 cups Pork Tenderloin Roast cooked and shredded, ideally from BBQ ribs or slow-cooked pork
- 3/4 cup apple juice for rehydrating pork
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce your favorite brand or homemade
- Sour Dough Bread thickly sliced, for optimal grilling
- Smoked Gouda cheese sliced or shredded, for rich, smoky flavor
- Butter softened, for grilling the bread
Instructions
-
In a pan, over medium heat, add the shredded cooked pork tenderloin and the apple juice. As it heats up, the pork will easily shred further with a fork. Allow it to heat until the meat re-hydrates itself fully with the juice, typically about 10 minutes or so, stirring occasionally.
-
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in your preferred BBQ sauce until the pork is well coated. Set this flavorful pork mixture aside.
-
Generously butter one side of two slices of sourdough bread. Turn your skillet to medium-high heat. Place the buttered side of the bread down on the hot skillet and grill until beautifully toasted golden brown. Once toasted, flip the slices, so the golden side faces inward. On one slice, add a layer of sliced smoked Gouda cheese, and on the other, a generous portion of the apple BBQ pork mixture.
-
Carefully bring the two halves of the sandwich together. Butter the outsides of the bread and return the sandwich to the skillet. Grill, flipping once, until the cheese is perfectly melted and gooey, and both outsides of the bread are toasted to a rich golden brown.
-
Once golden and melted, remove the grilled cheese from the skillet. Cut it in half diagonally and serve immediately for the best experience.