Thai Basil Pesto Grilled Cheese with Tom Yum Paste is a quick, flavorful twist on classic comfort food — crispy, cheesy, and packed with bold Thai flair. Use my homemade Thai basil pesto for the best flavors!
This recipe is quick, comforting, and full of Thai flair — perfect for busy weeknights, picky eaters, cozy lunches, or dipping into my Thai basil pesto avocado soup, Thai basil pesto grilled cheese, Pesto rice, Thai pumpkin curry, pumpkin soup with sausage, or Mango curry with chicken.
Jump to:
- Inspiration for this Thai Fusion Recipe
- Ingredients
- Kitchen Tip: Choosing Tom Yum Paste
- How to Make Thai Basil Pesto Grilled Cheese
- How to Serve
- Kitchen Tips
- Best Cheeses for Thai Grilled Cheese!
- Storage Tips
- Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Thai Basil Pesto Grilled Cheese
- Related
- Hi there, I’m Suwanee!
Inspiration for this Thai Fusion Recipe
I didn’t grow up eating grilled cheese in my small village in Surin — it’s not part of Thai cuisine. But being on The Great American Recipe (Season 4) reminded me how much joy there is in creating recipes that blend my Thai roots with the foods my kids and American family love.
This Thai Basil Pesto Grilled Cheese with Tom Yum Paste does exactly that — golden sourdough, melty cheese, and a bold mix of herby pesto and tangy Tom Yum come together for a cozy, flavor-packed twist on a classic.
Ingredients
- Sourdough bread. Sturdy and toasty with a mild tang that balances the rich fillings.
- Butter. For that golden, crisp exterior — don’t be shy.
- Thai basil pesto. Use my homemade version for maximum flavor and authenticity.
- Tom Yum paste. Adds a tangy, spicy punch. Find it at any Asian market or online.
- Cheese. I love mozzarella, provolone, or muenster — melty and mild.
- Neutral oil. Helps crisp the bread evenly when pan-frying. Use my scallion oil for an extra flavor added!
Want to read more about the different types of Thai basil? Read more here.
Kitchen Tip: Choosing Tom Yum Paste
I used the vegetarian Dragonfly brand for this recipe.
- Dragonfly (Vegetarian Tom Yum Paste). Fragrant and well-balanced, great for stir-fries or fried rice — my go-to for this recipe and my Stuffed Spaghetti Squash.
- My Homemade Tom Yum Paste. The freshest and most aromatic option — made with lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves from your local Asian market. Make a big batch and freeze extras for later.
- Aroy-D Tom Yum Paste. Bold, tangy, and flavorful — perfect in soups, marinades, or noodle dishes.
- Maesri Tom Yum Paste. Authentic and full of lemongrass-lime punch — a reliable pantry favorite, bold, tangy, and great in everything from roasted pumpkin seeds to Tom Yum meatballs.
- Por Kwan Brand. Milder but still solid, great for those who prefer a less spicy option.
- American Brands. If Asian brands aren’t accessible, look for options labeled “Thai-style Tom Yum Paste.” Taste and adjust seasoning — a splash of lime juice and a bit of fish sauce or soy sauce can help bring out that classic Thai balance.
How to Make Thai Basil Pesto Grilled Cheese
- Butter the bread. Spread a generous layer of butter on one side of each slice.
- Spread the sauces. On the unbuttered sides, spread one with Thai basil pesto and the other with Tom Yum paste.
- Add the cheese. Layer your cheese slices on the pesto side. Top with the Tom Yum slice, buttered side out.
- Cook. Heat a pan over medium heat with a little oil. Grill each sandwich until golden and crispy, 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently.
- Serve. Remove from the pan and cut in half and serve hot — ideally with a bowl of Thai Basil Pesto Avocado Soup for dipping.
How to Serve
Serve hot, cut, and pair it with soups like Thai Pumpkin Curry or Thai Basil Pesto Avocado Soup. A sprinkle of chili flakes or a drizzle of crispy fried basil leaves (recipe below) with some Thai basil oil. A drizzle of scallion oil adds a most fragrant and delicious touch too.
Kitchen Tips
- Cook over medium heat — too high and the bread will brown before the cheese melts.
- Mix and match cheeses! Pepper jack adds spice; provolone adds creaminess, muenster cheese is my currrent favorite and used for this recipe.
- Make it extra decadent by adding sliced avocado, roasted red peppers, or tomatoes inside.
Best Cheeses for Thai Grilled Cheese!
For the perfect melt, use mozzarella, provolone, or muenster — they’re creamy and balance the bold Thai flavors beautifully. For a little kick, try pepper jack. Avoid sharp cheeses like aged cheddar; they overpower the herby pesto and tangy Tom Yum.
Storage Tips
This sandwich is best enjoyed fresh, but the beauty of this recipe is how easy it is to customize — make one or a whole batch! If you do save leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Reheat on a skillet over low heat or in an air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes to bring back that crispy, melty perfection. Any longer, and the bread can turn soggy or too firm.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Thai Basil Pesto Pasta with Shrimp
- Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
- Butternut Squash Pasta with Bacon
- Roaste acorn squash with Tom Yum paste
- How to Make Thai Chili Paste, Nam Prik Pao
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Sourdough gives the best crunch, but ciabatta or thick white sandwich bread works great too.
Yes. The sandwich is still delicious with just Thai basil pesto — add chili oil or sriracha for heat.
Absolutely. Use a vegetarian Tom Yum paste and skip fish sauce if your pesto includes it.
Yes, but homemade Thai Basil Pesto adds the freshest, most authentic flavor.
It’s best eaten fresh, but prep the pesto and Tom Yum paste in advance to save time.
Thai Basil Pesto Grilled Cheese
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Thai Basil Pesto Grilled Cheese with Tom Yum Paste is a quick, flavorful twist on classic comfort food — crispy, cheesy, and packed with bold Thai flair. Use my homemade Thai basil pesto for the best flavors!
Ingredients
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- ½ cup Thai basil pesto
- 6 ounces mozzarella, provolone, or Muenster cheese
- ½ stick butter
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
- 3 tablespoons Tom Yum paste. Or my homemade recipe here.
Instructions
- Butter the bread. Spread a generous layer of butter on one side of each slice.
- Spread the sauces. On the unbuttered sides, spread one with Thai basil pesto and the other with Tom Yum paste.
- Add the cheese. Layer your cheese slices on the pesto side. Top with the Tom Yum slice, buttered side out.
- Cook. Heat a pan over medium heat with a little oil. Grill each sandwich until golden and crispy, 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently.
- Serve. Remove from the pan and cut in half and serve hot — ideally with a bowl of Thai Basil Pesto Avocado Soup for dipping.
Notes
- Cook over medium heat — too high and the bread will brown before the cheese melts.
- Mix and match cheeses! Pepper jack adds spice; provolone adds creaminess, muenster cheese is my currrent favorite and used for this recipe.
- Make it extra decadent by adding sliced avocado, roasted red peppers, or tomatoes inside.
- Best Cheeses for Thai Grilled Cheese: For the perfect melt, use mozzarella, provolone, or muenster — they’re creamy and balance the bold Thai flavors beautifully. For a little kick, try pepper jack. Avoid sharp cheeses like aged cheddar; they overpower the herby pesto and tangy Tom Yum.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: fusion, easy
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai fusion
Related
Looking for more delicious recipes like this? Try these Thai fusion recipes below-extremely easy and tasty!
Hi there, I’m Suwanee!
I’m the person behind this Thai food blog. I spent the first thirteen years of my childhood in Thailand, where I fell in love with the flavors of Thai cooking. What started as sharing recipes from my kitchen has grown into a journey from home cook to restaurant chef — and now one of just eight contestants chosen nationwide for PBS’s The Great American Recipe, Season 4. You’re in the right place if you love to cook Thai food. Come by often, and let’s get cooking!
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