Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese on a Blackstone Griddle: The Ultimate Family Meal

Discover the delightful fusion of two beloved comfort foods: the hearty Sloppy Joe and the classic Grilled Cheese. Prepared on a Blackstone Griddle, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, weekend lunches, or feeding a crowd. Its ease of preparation and universally loved flavors make it a guaranteed hit, especially when the kids are home and you need a quick, satisfying dish.

Why the Blackstone Griddle is Your Go-To for Gourmet Grilled Cheese

If you haven’t yet experienced the versatility of a Blackstone Griddle, now is the perfect time to explore its potential! These outdoor cooking powerhouses are rapidly becoming a staple for home cooks, offering a large, flat cooking surface that ensures even heat distribution and allows you to cook multiple items simultaneously. From breakfast feasts to juicy burgers and, of course, the crispiest grilled cheese sandwiches, the Blackstone handles it all with ease. Its ability to create a consistent, golden-brown crust on your bread while perfectly melting the cheese and warming the Sloppy Joe filling is unparalleled. It truly takes outdoor cooking to the next level, making meal prep enjoyable and efficient.

Choosing Your Blackstone Griddle: Finding the Perfect Size

My own journey with Blackstone griddles began with the compact 17-inch model, an ideal size for portability. This smaller griddle is fantastic for camping trips, tailgating, or even cooking lunches for a crew at a job site. Its convenient size means you can take delicious, freshly cooked meals wherever you go. However, my passion quickly grew, leading me to upgrade to the magnificent 36-inch griddle, which has claimed a permanent spot on my back porch. This larger model is perfect for family gatherings, entertaining friends, or simply cooking bigger batches of your favorite meals. If you’re new to the world of outdoor griddling, I highly recommend checking out my comprehensive guide to griddles for tips on choosing the right one for your needs and maintaining it for years of delicious cooking.

You can find Blackstone Griddles at these popular retailers:

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Blackstone Products

Essential Blackstone Griddle Accessories for Any Cook

Whether you’re a seasoned Blackstone owner or just getting started, the right accessories can significantly enhance your griddle cooking experience. For a recipe like Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese, having the proper tools makes all the difference. I find that larger spatulas are incredibly helpful for flipping sandwiches and moving ingredients around the expansive griddle surface. A sturdy scraper is also indispensable for cleaning up any residue or food bits, ensuring your griddle stays seasoned and ready for its next use. Additionally, squeeze bottles for oil and water are crucial. They allow for precise application and keep your cooking surface perfectly lubricated, preventing sticking and aiding in the caramelization process, which is key to achieving that perfect golden crust on your grilled cheese. Invest in these simple tools, and you’ll elevate your griddling game immensely.

Consider these highly-rated griddle accessories:

Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese Ingredients: What You’ll Need

Crafting the perfect Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese is surprisingly simple, requiring just a few key components. The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility, allowing you to use either homemade sloppy joes or a convenient canned variety. Here’s a detailed look at the ingredients that will make your taste buds sing:

• Texas Toast Bread: Its thick slices are ideal for holding the juicy sloppy joe filling without getting soggy and achieve a superb crispy exterior.
• Butter: The secret to that irresistible golden-brown crust. Use real butter for the best flavor and texture.
• Shredded or Sliced Cheese: While shredded cheddar is a classic, feel free to experiment with your favorite melting cheese. Havarti provides a creamy, rich texture, while good old American cheese offers that familiar, comforting gooeyness.
• Sloppy Joes: Whether you prefer to make them from scratch or opt for the convenience of a canned sauce like Manwich, the sloppy joe mixture is the heart of this sandwich. Homemade versions, such as a Crockpot Sloppy Joes recipe, can add an extra layer of flavor and are fantastic for using up leftovers!

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese on the Griddle

Making Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese on a Blackstone griddle is straightforward and fun. Follow these detailed steps to achieve a perfectly cooked, mouthwatering sandwich every time:

1. Prepare Your Griddle: Begin by adequately preparing your Blackstone Griddle. Ensure it’s clean and apply a fresh, thin layer of cooking oil. If you’re uncertain about how to properly maintain your griddle, please refer to my guide on How To Maintain Your Blackstone Griddle. A well-seasoned and oiled griddle ensures even cooking and prevents sticking, making cleanup a breeze. Ideally, your griddle should already be ready to go from previous use, requiring minimal prep.
2. Butter the Bread: Take two slices of Texas Toast for each sandwich and generously butter one side of each slice. The buttered side will be placed directly on the griddle, ensuring a crispy, golden-brown finish. This step is crucial for flavor and texture.
3. Choose Your Sloppy Joes: You have options for your sloppy joe filling! While store-bought canned sloppy joes (like these on Amazon here) are incredibly convenient, homemade versions often boast a richer flavor. My family particularly loves Crockpot Sloppy Joes (find the recipe here). If you’re using leftover sloppy joes from the fridge, I highly recommend microwaving the meat mixture for a minute or two beforehand. This ensures the filling is warm when assembled, allowing it to heat through completely during the grilling process without overcooking the bread.
4. Assemble the Sandwich: Evenly spread a generous amount of your sloppy joe mixture onto the unbuttered side of one slice of bread. Don’t be shy – a good amount of filling makes for a satisfying sandwich!




5. Add the Cheese: Top the sloppy joe filling with your choice of cheese. Sliced Havarti cheese offers a wonderfully creamy melt, while traditional Kraft American Cheese is a classic for a reason, delivering that perfectly gooey texture kids adore. Layer it generously for maximum cheesy goodness.




6. Complete the Sandwich: Place the second buttered slice of Texas Toast on top of the cheese, buttered side facing up. Your sandwich is now ready for the griddle!
7. Preheat the Griddle: Fire up your Blackstone Griddle to a low-medium heat setting. If you don’t have a griddle, a pan on your stovetop will work just as well, though the griddle offers a larger cooking surface and more even heat. Allow it to fully warm up before placing your sandwich.
8. Grill the Sandwich: Once the griddle is warm, carefully place the assembled sandwich onto the hot surface, buttered side down.
9. Flip for Golden Perfection: Allow the sandwich to cook undisturbed until the bottom slice achieves a beautiful golden-brown color and a satisfying crispness. This usually takes a few minutes. Then, using a wide spatula, carefully flip the entire sandwich to cook the other side.




10. Melt the Cheese to Perfection: After flipping, for an extra-gooey interior, I like to cover the sandwich with a melting dome. This traps the heat, allowing the cheese to melt beautifully and ensuring the sloppy joe filling is piping hot. If you don’t own a melting dome, a metal bowl or a tight-fitting lid can work wonders as a substitute.
11. Serve Immediately: Once both sides are golden and the cheese is thoroughly melted, remove the sandwich from the griddle. Slice it in half diagonally for easy handling and serve immediately while hot and fresh!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

While a grilled cheese sandwich is undoubtedly best enjoyed fresh off the griddle, you can certainly store leftovers. If you happen to have any remaining Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese, simply place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. For reheating, avoid the microwave if you want to maintain some crispness; it often leads to a soggy sandwich. Instead, reheat it gently in a skillet or on the Blackstone griddle over low heat until warmed through and the bread regains some of its crisp texture. This method will give you the best chance of enjoying a near-fresh experience.

Choosing the Best Bread for Your Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

The foundation of any great grilled cheese is the bread, and it’s especially important when dealing with a hearty filling like sloppy joes. You need a bread that is sturdy enough to hold the ingredients without falling apart during flipping, yet still becomes wonderfully crisp on the outside. Here are some excellent choices:

• Frozen Texas Toast: A fantastic convenient option, often pre-buttered and seasoned, designed specifically for grilling. It’s thick and holds up well.
• Texas Toast Loaf: This is my personal favorite. Its robust slices prevent sogginess and consistently grill to a perfect golden brown, offering an excellent balance of softness and crunch.
• Sourdough Bread: Its tangy flavor complements savory fillings beautifully, and its dense texture makes it a great choice for grilled sandwiches.
• French Bread: Similar to Texas toast, a good crusty French bread loaf can provide a substantial base that crisps up well.
• Ciabatta: With its airy crumb and rustic crust, ciabatta makes for a grilled cheese with fantastic texture.
• Rye Bread: For those who enjoy a more pronounced flavor, rye bread adds a unique dimension to the sloppy joe.
• Whole Wheat: A healthier alternative that still offers good structure, especially thicker-cut varieties.
• Artisan Bread: Many artisan loaves with a good crust and denser crumb are excellent for grilled cheese, offering complex flavors and textures.

Explore More Blackstone Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipes

Once you’ve mastered the Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese, the possibilities for griddle-cooked sandwiches are endless. Here are some other delectable grilled cheese creations perfect for your Blackstone:

• Blackstone Pizza Grilled Cheese
• Blackstone Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese
• Smoked Brisket Grilled Cheese
• Prime Rib Grilled Cheese
• Vegan Cheese and Feta Grilled Cheese

Unleash Your Griddle’s Potential: Other Blackstone Favorites

Beyond grilled cheese, the Blackstone Griddle is a culinary playground. From sizzling fajitas to savory fried rice and hearty breakfast spreads, there’s virtually nothing you can’t cook. I love using mine for everything from everyday family dinners to transforming leftover smoked meats into exciting new dishes!

• Amazing Blackstone Griddle Recipes
• Delicious Blackstone Breakfast Recipes
• How to Make Blackstone Fajitas
• A Collection of Blackstone Grilled Cheese
• How To Make Blackstone Quesadilla
• Easy Blackstone Fried Rice Recipe
• Blackstone Breakfast Hash Recipe

Don’t forget to check out my guide to must-have Blackstone Griddle accessories for even more ways to upgrade your outdoor cooking!

Recipe Card: Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese on a Blackstone Griddle

Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese on a Blackstone Griddle is an easy and incredibly satisfying comfort food. Serve it alongside a warm bowl of tomato soup for a truly filling and nostalgic meal! This recipe is incredibly versatile; you can use delicious homemade sloppy joes or even a quick canned Manwich for convenience. Feel free to customize your cheese choice – cheddar, American, mozzarella, Havarti, or a blend will all work wonderfully.

Author: Guy Who Grills

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 5 mins

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American, BBQ

Servings: 1 Serving (easily adjustable)

Equipment:

• Blackstone Griddle
• Long Griddle Spatulas
• Melting Dome (optional, but recommended)

Ingredients:

• 2 Slices Texas Toast
• Butter, softened
• 1 cup (approx.) Cheddar or desired cheese, shredded or sliced
• 1 cup (approx.) Cooked Sloppy Joes (homemade or canned)

Instructions:

1. Generously butter one side of each slice of Texas Toast. You will need two slices per sandwich.
2. Prepare your sloppy joe filling. You can use canned sloppy joes for convenience or homemade ones.
3. If using leftover sloppy joes from the refrigerator, briefly microwave the meat mixture to warm it slightly. This helps ensure even heating during cooking.
4. Spread the sloppy joe meat onto the unbuttered side of one slice of bread.
5. Top the sloppy joe filling with your preferred cheese, either sliced or shredded. Havarti slices melt wonderfully, or use classic Kraft American Cheese for a familiar taste.
6. Place the second buttered piece of bread on top of the cheese, with the buttered side facing up.
7. Preheat your Blackstone griddle to low-medium heat, or use a pan on the stovetop.
8. Once the griddle is warm, carefully place the assembled sandwich onto the cooking surface.
9. Allow the sandwich to cook until the bottom slice is golden brown and crispy, then carefully flip the entire sandwich.
10. After flipping, cover the sandwich with a melting dome (or a suitable lid/metal bowl) to help the cheese melt perfectly and create a gooey center.
11. Once both sides are golden and the cheese is thoroughly melted, remove the sandwich from the griddle and serve immediately.

Video: Watch How to Make Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese!

See the full process in action and get expert tips for mastering this delicious recipe on your Blackstone Griddle.

Click here to watch the Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese video!

Keyword: blackstone grilled cheese, Grilled Cheese, sloppy joe grilled cheese

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