Chow Chow (Cha Cha) Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This Cha Cha grilled cheese layers gooey melted American and Grueyere cheeses with tangy Southern chow chow relish between crisp, golden bread. Rich, sharp, crunchy, and a little unexpected, it’s comfort food with something to say.

Cha Cha Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This chow chow grilled cheese starts with everything you want in a good grilled cheese sandwich: golden bread, crisp edges, and plenty of melted cheese. Then a spoonful of tangy Southern Cha Cha comes along and wakes the whole thing up.

It’s rich. It’s sharp. It’s crunchy. And it’s ridiculously easy to make.

Cha Cha, also known as chow chow relish, is traditionally made with a mixture of pickled garden vegetables. Depending on the recipe, that might include green tomatoes, cabbage, peppers, and onions.

Usually, chow chow sits alongside beans, greens, meats, and other Southern staples. But there’s no reason it has to stay politely on the side of the plate.

Why chow chow works on grilled cheese

A good grilled cheese needs contrast.

Melted cheese and buttery bread bring richness. Meanwhile, Cha Cha brings acidity, crunch, and a little sweetness. Put them together and you get a grilled cheese with chow chow that feels familiar and unexpected at the same time.

The trick is to drain your relish well before adding it to the sandwich. Too much liquid can make the bread soggy. You also want a cheese that melts easily, so you get that gooey center against the crisp vegetables.

Then give the sandwich some time in the skillet. Medium to medium-low heat lets the cheese melt while the bread slowly turns golden and crisp.

A new place for an old favorite

I love finding ways to bring traditional foods into the meals I actually want to eat today. This Cha Cha grilled cheese does exactly that.

It doesn’t reinvent chow chow. It simply gives it somewhere new to go.

Serve this sandwich with tomato soup, a simple salad, or a cup of vegetables for an easy lunch or dinner. You can also cut the sandwiches into smaller pieces and serve them as a snack when people are gathered around the table.

Or eat one standing over the stove while the second sandwich cooks.

I know nothing about that.

Sometimes keeping a tradition alive doesn’t mean leaving it exactly where you found it.

Sometimes you put it between two pieces of bread.

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