Tennessee Hot Grilled Cheese on the Arteflame

Introduction

This Tennessee Hot Grilled Cheese sandwich is a flavor-packed twist on the classic, grilled to perfection on the Arteflame. Featuring spicy Tennessee-style hot seasoning and sharp cheddar, this sandwich crisps beautifully on the Arteflame’s flat top griddle while melting the cheese to gooey perfection. Whether you're making comfort food for a crowd or spicing up your weekend meal, this recipe brings incredible heat, crunch, and melty satisfaction right off the grill—with no pots, no pans, and no oven needed.

Ingredients

• 8 slices thick white or sourdough bread
• 12 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tsp Tennessee hot seasoning (or cayenne-paprika blend)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• Pickle chips (optional, for serving)
• Hot honey (optional, for drizzling on top)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire Up the Arteflame

1. Pour a bit of vegetable oil onto three paper napkins and place them in the center of your Arteflame grill.
2. Stack firewood over the napkins and light them carefully.
3. Let the grill heat up for about 20 minutes until the flat top griddle is sizzling hot.

Step 2: Prepare the Butter Blend

1. In a small bowl, mix softened butter with Tennessee hot seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and sea salt.
2. Spread this spicy butter mixture onto one side of each bread slice evenly.

Step 3: Assemble the Sandwiches

1. Lay four slices of bread (butter-side down) onto a cutting board.
2. Top each slice with a generous amount of shredded sharp cheddar.
3. Place the remaining bread slices on top, butter-side up.

Step 4: Grill the Sandwiches

1. Place the sandwiches on the Arteflame flat top griddle—position them closer to the center for a deeper sear, or further out for slightly gentler heat.
2. Grill each side for 2–3 minutes, pressing lightly with a grill press or spatula for an even crust, until deeply golden brown and cheese is melted.
3. Move sandwiches around the cooktop to manage heat and prevent scorching; use the Arteflame’s indirect heat zones to your advantage.

Step 5: Serve

1. Remove sandwiches and let rest for 1-2 minutes before slicing.
2. Optionally, serve with pickle chips and a drizzle of hot honey.

Tips

• Use high-quality sharp cheddar for maximum flavor contrast with the Tennessee hot spice.
• Don't rush the grilling process—let the flat top create that perfect crust.
• For extra crunch, add crushed potato chips inside the sandwich before grilling.
• The butter mix can be spiced up further with a dash of hot sauce or chili flakes.
• Experiment with your placement on the Arteflame to maximize texture and melt.

Variations

1. Tennessee Hot Ham & Cheese: Add thin slices of smoked ham for a heartier, meatier twist.
2. Sweet Heat Grilled Cheese: Add a dollop of hot pepper jelly between the cheese layers for a sweet-spicy combo.
3. Tennessee Hot Pimento Melt: Replace cheddar with pimento cheese for a Southern flare.
4. Tennessee Avocado Melt: Add grilled avocado slices for creaminess and a cool mellow flavor.
5. Smoked Turkey & Tennessee Heat: Layer in smoked turkey and a touch of mustard to balance the fiery cheese.

Conclusion

One bite of this Tennessee Hot Grilled Cheese and you'll see how easy it is to turn a simple sandwich into something extraordinary right on the Arteflame. By using the flat top griddle's unique heat zones and the right blend of seasoned butter and bold cheddar, this dish becomes a fiery, golden, melty masterpiece.

Best Pairings

• Grilled tomato soup on the Arteflame side griddle
• Charred sweet corn with lime and chili
• Cider vinegar coleslaw
• Pickled vegetables
• Sweet iced tea or a hoppy IPA