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    Home » Dinner » Main Dishes

    Stinky Cheese Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    Published: Nov 28, 2016 · Modified: Nov 24, 2023 · 14 Comments

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Save Recipe Saved!

    This Stinky Cheese Recipe features a stinky grilled cheese sandwich for the food adventurer!  This tasty grilled cheese uses a washed rind "stinky cheese," avocado, and tomato in dark pumpernickel bread for a flavor celebration!

    Washed rind cheese, tomato, avocado grilled in pumpernickel bread, with tomatoes and avocado in the background

    The husband has a theory.  

    He's convinced that there are two types of people in this world-- those who like blue cheese, and those who don't.  

    The blue cheese lovers-- these people like strong flavors, and have adventurous palates.  

    Blue cheese haters-- well, they don't.

    He is so convinced of this that when we started dating, it was one of his first questions.  

    "How do you feel about blue cheese?!"  

    It's a good thing I like it, right!?!

    Anyway — is he right?  

    I'm not sure, but I am sure that there are people who are willing to try any new food handed their way.  

    People who think, "That looks weird — give me a bite!"

    If you are an adventurous eater, and love strong flavors, then this Stinky Cheese Recipe is for you!  

    Dig into pumpernickel bread filled with flavorful, and yet pungent, washed rind cheese, along with layers of tomato and avocado.

    Looking for a milder grilled cheese? Try this brie grilled cheese, which also uses sweet jam!

    What is Washed Rind (Stinky) Cheese?

    To make this Stinky Grilled Cheese, first you need to get your hands on some cheese.  

    Specifically, some stinky washed rind cheese.

    Washed rind cheeses smell strongly because of the salt-water brine they're "washed" in, and come in a range of flavors.  

    Learn more about stinky cheese from cheese expert Amanda at Striped Spatula.

    For this grilled cheese, I usually buy a French washed rind, like Morbier, Raclette, or St Nectaire-- but a Limburger cheese might be the easiest to find!

    If you're feeling extra daring, try Epoisses de Bourgogne-- a cheese with such an overwhelming odor, it's rumored to be banned from the Paris metro!  

    This might just be an urban legend, but you get the point-- it's stinky!

    I haven't, of course, gotten my hands on every possible washed rind cheese, but each time I try this cheesy avocado concoction with a new cheese-- it's been a fantastical, odorous, flavor-palate adventure.

    Once you've found the perfect cheese, grab an avocado, a tomato, a little butter, and a little sea salt.  You'll also need pumpernickel bread-- you can use dark rye bread instead if you want, but I prefer pumpernickel.

    Plus, you get to say "pumpernickel" while you're cooking, and who can say that without grinning?  

    "Pumpernickel."  

    See?  

    You're laughing already.  

    (Right?)

    Washed rind stinky cheese, tomato, avocado grilled in pumpernickel bread, with tomatoes and avocado in the background

    Making the Sandwich

    Once you've stopped laughing, mash up half of the avocado, and spread it on a slice of bread.  

    Sprinkle it with some salt, and add the tomatoes.

    The cheese will go on the other slice of bread, and then sandwich it all together.  

    Grill your sandwich in butter on medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side, and dig in.

    Then, go apologize to your upstairs neighbors for your smelly sandwich.  

    If they want to share your cheesy goodness, you know it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

    Can't find a washed rind cheese? This sandwich is also delicious with a sharp white cheddar.

    This Stinky French Grilled Cheese with Avocado is for the food adventurer! This tasty grilled cheese uses a washed rind "stinky cheese," avocado, and tomato in dark pumpernickel bread for a flavor explosion!
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 4 votes

    Stinky Cheese Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    This Stinky Cheese Recipe features a stinky grilled cheese sandwich for the food adventurer!  This tasty grilled cheese uses a washed rind "stinky cheese," avocado, and tomato in dark pumpernickel bread for a flavor celebration!
    Makes 1 Sandwich.  Serving suggestion is ½ sandwich.
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Total Time10 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Servings: 2 person
    Calories: 248kcal
    Freezer Friendly?
    No
    Will It Keep?
    No
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon butter, divided
    • 2 slices dark pumpernickel bread (or substitute dark rye)
    • 2 ounces "stinky" washed-rind cheese (example- Limburger, St Nectaire, Raclette, or Morbier)
    • ½ avocado
    • 2 slices of fresh tomato
    • pinch sea salt

    Instructions

    • Preheat a small pan (non-stick or cast iron) on medium heat with half the butter.
    • Prepare the bread by layering the cheese slices over one piece of bread. Smash the avocado in a bowl with a fork, and then scoop onto the other piece of bread. Sprinkle the avocado with a pinch of sea salt. Top avocado with tomato slices.
    • Assemble sandwich, and set into hot pan with melted butter. Cook 3-4 minutes, and then flip. Add remaining butter. Cook sandwich another 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
    • Serve immediately.  Sandwich pairs well with tomato soup.

    Notes

    Recipe Variation: Swap the "stinky" cheese for a sharp white cheddar cheese
    Nutrition information assumes Limburger cheese.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 248kcal (12%) | Carbohydrates: 9g (3%) | Protein: 7g (14%) | Fat: 21g (32%) | Saturated Fat: 9g (56%) | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 40mg (13%) | Sodium: 293mg (13%) | Potassium: 571mg (16%) | Fiber: 4g (17%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 1825IU (37%) | Vitamin C: 21.9mg (27%) | Calcium: 168mg (17%) | Iron: 0.8mg (4%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!

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    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    5 from 4 votes

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    Comments

    1. Meg | Meg is Well says

      November 28, 2016 at 9:49 am

      5 stars
      This post title made me laugh out loud when I saw it in my inbox. I'm a stinky cheese lover but haven't tried any washed rind cheese and I've never heard of any of those. Can't wait to check them off my list though! I hope my grocery store has them. And asking a first date if they like blue cheese seems like a good way to start a solid relationship.

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        November 28, 2016 at 9:52 am

        Hehehe- glad I can keep you entertained 😉 Hey, try it with any pungent cheese lol!
        (And right!?! They should add that to those 'dating question' lists hahaha)

        Reply
    2. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      November 28, 2016 at 10:01 am

      I LOVE stinky cheese....the stinkier the better, I say 😀 Pair it with good bread and avocado and you've got a winner right there. Great post and had a little laugh...never a bad thing on Monday 😉

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        November 28, 2016 at 10:13 am

        Haha thanks! You'd love then!!! And Mondays need all the help they can get hehe

        Reply
    3. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

      November 28, 2016 at 6:08 pm

      The stinkier the better! My brother once brought a cheese to Christmas dinner that smelled (and tasted) like an old shoe -- but when you had it with a sip of wine, it was ethereal! I am all about this sandwich!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        November 28, 2016 at 7:21 pm

        Haha that's awesome.. I'd have totally eaten that!

        Reply
    4. Suchi @elegantmeraki says

      November 28, 2016 at 7:41 pm

      5 stars
      Hmm I still have to get used to a stinkier cheese like Brie. Hope I can fight my fears and be brave sometime soon!! BTW I threw a whole block of cheese my husband got from some fancy cheese shop, only later I found out that it was supposed to smell like that!!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        November 28, 2016 at 7:45 pm

        Noooo hahaha! And Brie isn't super stinky at all.. but yes start with that and get braver slowly hehehe

        Reply
    5. Sarah says

      November 28, 2016 at 8:57 pm

      5 stars
      "Give him the high, stinky cheese!" is one of the best lines from Rookie of The Year...one of my favorite movies ever...and now every time I hear that line I'll think of this sandwich...that looks AMAZING! XO

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        November 28, 2016 at 8:59 pm

        Hahaha.. yes!!! Now I will tooooo lol. Enjoy!!!

        Reply
    6. Platter Talk says

      November 28, 2016 at 9:05 pm

      5 stars
      I love the name of your sandwich but I don't get to stink till I hit Limburger- which I love. Avocados are always good in a sandwich, as far as I'm concerned!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        November 28, 2016 at 9:06 pm

        Go ahead and try it with that cheese than 😉 any stinky cheese is good in my book! Lol

        Reply
    7. Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says

      November 28, 2016 at 10:27 pm

      I would not get along with your husband! 😉 I love all cuisines, will try anything once - but I just don't get the blue cheese craze. I don't hate it and it doesn't gross me out, but I don't like it enough to want to spend my 'cheese calories' on it. Stinky cheeses just don't wow me!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        November 28, 2016 at 10:28 pm

        LOL- well that's ok! This is pretty delicious with a sharp white cheddar too 😉

        Reply
    bio

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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