Smoked Ham Grilled Cheese Melt

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This smoked ham and cheese grilled cheese melt is rich, crispy, cheesy, and incredibly easy to make with simple ingredients. The smoky ham adds extra flavor and makes the sandwich feel a little heartier while still keeping that classic comfort food feel.

It’s also really easy to customize depending on the cheese, bread, or sauce you want to use. And if you add the optional honey mustard sriracha sauce, it gives the sandwich a sweet and spicy kick that works perfectly with the smoky ham.

What Is This Smoked Ham and Cheese Grilled Cheese Melt Like?

This sandwich is crispy on the outside, soft and melty in the middle, and packed with smoky, savory flavor from the ham. The cheese melts around the ham while the bread turns golden and crisp in the skillet, giving you that classic grilled cheese texture with a little something extra.

The optional honey mustard sriracha sauce adds a sweet and tangy heat that pairs especially well with the smoky ham and rich cheese without overpowering the sandwich.

How to Make Smoked Ham and Cheese Grilled Cheese Melt – Overview

You can find the full recipe details, including ingredient amounts and the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but first, here’s a quick overview of how to make smoked ham and cheese grilled cheese melt!

Start by spreading mayo or butter on the outside of your bread, then layer cheese and smoked ham into the sandwich. If using the optional honey mustard sriracha sauce, drizzle a little over the ham before adding the second slice of cheese. Cooking the sandwich low and slow helps the bread turn perfectly golden and crispy while giving the cheese enough time to fully melt around the smoky ham.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

This smoked ham and cheese grilled cheese melt is already packed with flavor, so I usually keep it pretty simple, but there are still a few easy ways to switch things up depending on what you have on hand.

Processed cheese gives you that smooth, classic melt, while sharp cheddar adds a little more richness and flavor. Swiss also works especially well with smoked ham if you want something a little different.

The honey mustard sriracha sauce is optional, but I really like the sweet and spicy flavor it adds with the smoky ham. If you prefer a more classic grilled cheese flavor, you can easily leave it out.

You can also use different breads depending on the texture you like. Sourdough and thicker bakery-style breads get especially crispy in the skillet. And while I always prefer mayo on the outside of the bread, butter still works perfectly fine if that’s what you usually use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this technically a grilled cheese or a melt?

Technically, once meat is added, it becomes a melt rather than a classic grilled cheese. But since it’s cooked the same way and still has that crispy, cheesy comfort food feel, most people still casually call it grilled cheese.

What kind of ham works best for this sandwich?

I prefer smoked ham because it adds a richer flavor that works really well with melted cheese and crispy grilled bread.

Do I need to use the honey mustard sriracha sauce?

No. The sandwich is still delicious without it, but the sweet and spicy flavor pairs really well with the smoky ham if you want a little extra flavor.

Why use mayo instead of butter?

I personally prefer mayo because it spreads more evenly and gives the bread a crispier, more evenly golden texture. Butter still works perfectly fine if that’s what you normally use.