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How to Make a Cheese and Red Onion Sandwich

A cheese and onion sandwich is a British classic. Here I show you the easiest and most delicious way to make it at home!

For those of you in the UK, this tastes JUST like ones you get from the supermarket (dare I say, better 😬). For everyone else just follow me. You're gonna love it…

3 sandwich halves on wooden board with crisps and juice blurred in background

Cheese and Onion Sandwich Filler

I know, can you really get much more of a pungent combo? 🤣 It's gotta be done though. Here's what you're gonna need:

  • Cheese – 50/50 combo of Cheddar and Red Leicester (or more cheddar, preferably red).
  • Onion – Red Onion and Spring Onion. Both VERY finely diced.
  • Mayo – Whole egg & full fat of course. No healthy subs for this!
  • Black Pepper – A good pinch of freshly cracked black pepper works wonders in this.

Can I make this ahead of time?

If you want to save time between you crying over the chopping board from the onions and actually eating the sandwich, you can absolutely make the filling ahead of time. Just tightly seal in the fridge until needed.

Process shots: add all filling ingredients to a bowl (photo 1), stir with spatula then check for seasoning and adjust accordingly (photo 2).

2 step by step photos showing how to make cheese and onion sandwich filler

Cheese and Onion Sandwich

When it comes to making the sandwich, as you can imagine it truly couldn't be easier!

What bread to use?

Classically some form of seeded/wholemeal bread is used. However it's not a deal breaker if all you have is white bread. In all cases just make sure it's soft (not toasted) and in medium slices.

Let there be butter!

Certainly don't forget the butter here. It not only adds a mild bit of flavour, but also prevents the mayo from seeping into the bread.

Process shots: slice bread (photo 1), spread with butter (photo 2), divide filling (photo 3), top with more buttered bread and slice diagonally (photo 4).

4 step by step photos showing how to make a cheese and onion sandwich

Serving a Cheese and Onion Sandwich

  • Crisp/Chip Recommendation: Salt & Vinegar, always and forever.
  • Side Recommendation: This works great as part of a soup and a sandwich. Roasted Tomato Soup is perfect!

Alrighty, let's tuck into the full recipe for this cheese and onion sandwich shall we?!

4 sandwich halves stacked on each other on wooden board served with crisps

How to make a Cheese and Onion Sandwich  (Full Recipe & Video)

3 sandwich halves on wooden board with crisps and juice blurred in background

Cheese and Onion Sandwich

A cheese and onion sandwich is a British classic. Here I show you the easiest and most delicious way to make it at home!

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Course: lunch

Cuisine: British

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings (click & slide): 4 sandwiches

Calories per serving: 676 kcal

Cost per serving: £1.50 / $2

  • Medium Sized Mixing Bowl & Spatula

  • Sharp Knife & Chopping Board

  • Cheese Grater

  • 8 medium slices of Seeded Bread
  • 1 cup / 100g Cheddar, grated
  • 1 cup / 100g Red Leicester, grated (or more cheddar, preferably different colour)
  • 2/3 cup / 160g Mayonnaise (Whole Egg, Full Fat)
  • 1/2 cup / 2oz / 60g Red Onion, very finely diced/minced (or other sweet onion)
  • 2 large / 1.4oz / 40g Spring/Green Onion, very finely diced
  • Butter, as needed
  • pinch of Cracked Black Pepper, to taste
  • In a medium sized mixing bowl add cheese, onion, spring onion, mayo and a good pinch of cracked black pepper. Give it a good stir, then test for seasoning and adjust accordingly.

  • Spread one side of all of your slices of bread with butter. Divide filling among 4 of those slices (spread right to the edges). Top with second slice of buttered bread, cut diagonally and enjoy!

a) Subs - The above combo, in my opinion, is pretty much identical those cheese and onion sandwiches you get from the supermarkets. As such, I don't recommend making any big subs (i.e yogurt or sour cream with or instead of mayo, different cheeses etc). Small subs like bread are fine.

b) Make Ahead - Feel free to make the fillings ahead of time! Just tightly cover in the fridge for 4-5days.

c) Calories - based on using 8 tsp butter in total, then per sandwich:

Nutrition Facts

Cheese and Onion Sandwich

Amount Per Serving

Calories 676 Calories from Fat 486

% Daily Value*

Fat 53.95g 83%

Saturated Fat 18.91g 118%

Trans Fat 0.735g

Polyunsaturated Fat 18.377g

Monounsaturated Fat 12.829g

Cholesterol 83mg 28%

Sodium 840mg 37%

Potassium 240mg 7%

Carbohydrates 26.28g 9%

Fiber 4.5g 19%

Sugar 4.83g 5%

Protein 21.64g 43%

Vitamin A 869IU 17%

Vitamin C 3.9mg 5%

Calcium 456mg 46%

Iron 1.8mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.


If you loved this Cheese and Onion Sandwich Recipe be sure to Pin it for later! Already made it or got a burning question? Give me a shout in the comments below!

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How to Make a Cheese and Red Onion Sandwich

Source: https://somethingaboutsandwiches.com/cheese-and-onion-sandwich/