Strawberry, Basil and Goat Cheese Panini
A simple, grilled strawberry and goat cheese sandwich with gourmet flavor, no panini press required. Serve with a side of easy-to-make balsamic honey sauce.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on October 22, 2024
For once, Iโm feeling really refreshed after the weekend. I tidied up my place yesterday morning and abandoned my to-do list for the afternoon, choosing instead to camp out on my bed with a book. Necessary! Later on, my friend and I rode our bicycles to a bar to watch the Oklahoma City Thunder game, because suddenly I care about basketball. Iโm not quite sure whyโmaybe itโs because weโre in the playoffs, or because our players are cute, or because Iโm turning into my mother. Please donโt say itโs the latter (sorry, Mom).
Anyway, this strawberry panini is great and Iโd like for you to make it pronto, please. The word sandwich falls short as a descriptor; this is a panini, or more accurately a singular panino, regardless of the lack of grill marks. This panino consists of warm, jammy strawberries, tangy goat cheese and fresh basil sandwiched between golden brown, buttery whole wheat levain, served with a side of balsamic honey dipping sauce. You want to make it right now, right?
Iโm thankful that Margarita chose the chocolate and cherry panini for this weekโs Food Matters Project recipe, because now I know how to make panini sandwiches at home without one of those newfangled panini cookers or grill pans. Basically, itโs as simple as making a grilled cheese and squishing it with something heavy (find more detailed instructions in the recipe below).
I knew I wanted to attempt a savory take on the chocolate and cherry panini recipe, so I first tried a goat cheese and cherry filling, but it wasnโt quite right. As much as I enjoy fresh cherries, they seem to be cloyingly sweet when cooked. Later, I spied the strawberries next to the basil in my fridge and this panini was born. It is, if I say so myself, perfect, especially with the addition of balsamic honey sauce.
The balsamic honey sauce is a super simple recipe from Alice Medrichโs new dessert cookbook, Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts. I was walking out the door when I found this cookbook wrapped up on my doorstep, so of course I had to pause to flip through it. Then, entranced by the ingenious simplicity of the recipes and the unexpectedly stunning photographs by Sang An, I had to sit down and admire the pages more carefully. The balsamic honey sauce is only my first recipe to try from the book and itโs so simple it barely counts as a recipe, but I assure you there will be many more. Alice Medrich is known for producing foolproof, well-tested recipes, and this book is brilliant and inspiring. You should probably get a copy so we can obsess over it together.
Strawberry, Basil and Goat Cheese Panini
A simple grilled sandwich with gourmet flavor, served with a side of balsamic honey sauce. No panini press required!
Ingredients
Panini
- 2 slices of whole wheat levain bread, thinly sliced
- 1.5 ounces goat cheese
- 3 to 4 strawberries
- a few basil leaves, whole or roughly chopped
- black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon butter, or less
Balsamic Honey Sauce
- โ cup balsamic vinegar
- โ cup honey
Instructions
- Spread a layer of goat cheese over both slices of bread. Slice your strawberries relatively thinly by cutting off slices from the outside of the strawberries, leaving the center behind. Spread strawberries over one slice of bread, and basil on the other. Sprinkle both sides with black pepper, and lay the basil slice face down on top of the strawberry slice.
- Heat a small to medium skillet (cast iron is best) over medium heat. Melt one to two teaspoons of butter in the skillet, then add the sandwich. Cover it with a plate or appropriately sized dish and weigh it down with something heavy, like canned beans or a cast iron skillet. Cook until the bottom of the bread is lightly browned, about two to three minutes, then lift the sandwich from the pan, add another pat of butter, let it melt, and return the sandwich to repeat on the other side. Slice each sandwich in half and serve warm.
- To make the balsamic honey sauce, combine the balsamic vinegar and honey in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Simmer, stirring constantly, until the liquid is reduced by about half (15 minutes or more). Pour the liquid into a small bowl to cool.
Notes
Panini adapted from The Food Matters Cookbook by Mark Bittman. Balsamic honey sauce from Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts by Alice Medrich.
Preparation tip: I recommend making the balsamic honey sauce first. Save leftovers for drizzling over Greek yogurt, vanilla ice cream, pizza, peaches and berries.
Scale this recipe: If youโd like to make multiple sandwiches at once, you might try Bittmanโs other cooking method: preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and butter your slices of bread on one side. Place the bread, butter side down, on a baking sheet and spread the topsides with goat cheese. Add fillings as directed below, and top with another slice of bread, spread with goat cheese on the underside and butter on the topside. Cover the sandwiches with another baking sheet and weigh the sheet down with something heavy, like a cast-iron skillet or canned goods, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Remove the weight and the top baking sheet and bake the sandwiches until the bottom of the bread is lightly browned, about 5 minutes, and then repeat on the other side.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionistโs advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
YUM! I love your savory take on this weekโs recipe and your dipping sauce looks divine! I think Iโll take your advice and find a way to make this for lunch today!
Mmmmm, this looks absolutely amazing. Canโt wait to try it! Anything with goatโs cheese and strawberries is a winner with me.
That balsamic honey sauce sounds amazing; in fact, the whole sandwich sounds amazing! I love the freshness of using strawberries in more savoury dishes especially when thereโs basil involved too!
oh lovely! i enjoy the combination of strawberries + basil.
i donโt have a panini press either, so i created the grill marks with a creme brulee torch.
I keep meaning to tell you, isnโt it fun that our b-ball home teams are playing each other? Iโm not so into it since Danโs a Knicks fan so Iโm not allowed to be much of a Heat fan anymore, but it makes me think of you! Also, I want to eat this. :)
It is funny! I was thinking I should tweet you about the game last night.
These simple fruit and cheese (and of course lots and lots of basil) paninis have become my โthingโ in the last few weeks. Iโm on a mission to not let my basil plant bolt too early this year and this has become my strategy to accomplish that. :)
This reminds me of goat cheese and strawberry bruschetta that my mom used to make for me! That balsamic dipping sauce really seals the deal. Canโt wait to try this one!
Such a great idea for a warm weather lunch! On especially hot days I usually just make a salad but this seems almost as easy.
I just fell over.
oh fam you need a bandaid ?
Hummm !!! Great idea !
I just got a new stack of pretty books in the mailโฆ
Strawberries and basil are in the fridgeโฆ
This is happening to tonight! Not bad for a Monday ;)
Oh, gosh. My bf is a HUGE fan of the OKC Thunder (and โhuge fanโ doesnโt even accurately describe it). These past few games have been stressful! Maybe Iโll make this sandwich to calm his nerves a bit. Thanks!
Mmm I am making something very similar tonight for dinner but with apricot and ricottaโฆ I love the basil idea and may use that!
I love your version and that sauce โฆ. Definitely making that here!
I love everything about this, over and over again. Great flavors!!
Most genius sandwich idea EVER!!
Taking the weekend off is always a YES, especially if it involves a good book. Speaking ofโฆany recommendations? Also, this panini certainly does look stellar.
Strawberries with basil and balsamic is my idea of heaven. Love this!
Mmm canโt wait to try this out. Looks super fabulous!
I love afternoons spent with a good bookโฆand the combination of strawberries/basil in the summer. This panini looks amazing!
This sounds great Kate! Ohโฆunbelievable basketball this series!
As always, Kathryn, your recipe is to die for. Nice work!
Iโm usually not a huge fan of goat cheese because itโs too overpowering for me but I think Iโm going to have to give this a try! I donโt know how you keep coming up with these recipes that always sound amazing but keep it up! :)
Oh my gosh, yum! This panini looks amazing, and better yet, thereโs a delicious balsamic sauce to go with it.
I think I could probably drink that balsamic honey sauce! It sounds so good!
It is SO good! Itโs good on everything, seriously. Yogurt, ice cream, pizzaโฆ
Yum! Very easy and vibrant panino! Love it.
wow the flavor combinations you have here are exquisite!
xo
The little tang of goat cheese and the sweet strawberries in basil together sounds amazing!
These look absolutely AMAZING! Love it. Mouth-watering photography too!
Wow, I just found your blog and I absolutely love it! Amazing photographs, and the recipes look equally as awesome. I love this sandwich tooโthanks so much for sharing!
Glad you found me! Thanks for saying hello. :)
LOVE the idea of dipping this in a honey balsamic sauce! Makes me think of a goat cheese/strawberry saladโฆbut with carbs, so obviously better. :)
I chanting โwant want wantโ in my head. Thatโs the only thing I can think about looking at this panini.
I LOVE this recipe!!! I ended up adding some lightly sautรฉed vidalia onions and it was perfect! Even my husband loved itโฆand trust me, that is saying a lot! I am also making an uncooked version for lunch at work tomorrow. I plan to just drizzle a little leftover balsamic honey glaze inside the sandwich. I know it will be great though!
Thatโs terrific, Samantha! So glad you and your husband enjoyed the panini. Vidalia onions sound like a great addition!
Wow, this looks amazing! I love all elements of this idea, but would have never have thought to combine them! Delicious!
Yes, yes, yes! Vegan goat cheese shall now soon be pouring out of my kitchen, so I can have one of these! Iโve never had strawberries on a sandwich before, but this looks quite intruigingโฆ
Hey Kate! Iโve been reading your blog for a while now, and finally decided to make these. I LOVED them! I hope you donโt mind, but I blogged about them, too. I linked to you so you get all the credit :)
http://tryitandseeblog.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/strawberry-basil-and-goat-cheese-paninis/
Thanks for all the good ideas!
i have been reading your blog for a while now and i finally am getting around to saying your pictures are awesome, your recipes are inspiring, and your pup is adorable. this recipe looks especially delicious and i dont think i am going to make it one day without trying it myself!
Just finished eating this and I think Iโm in love! Next time (which will be soon) I think Iโll chop the basil. I found myself pulling it out with each bite and ran out before I ran out of sandwich. And that sauceโฆ I want it with every meal.
So glad you enjoy the sandwich, Alicia! I think Iโll chop the basil next time, too.
Wowโฆ.Strawberry paninis!! We might try this for when we cook lunch for our Dad :o)
Maybe a sandwich version? Such a great idea!
P.S Beautiful photographs on your blogโฆ
Love this. A good variation is pumpernickel with laughing cow creamy swiss light.
My sister and I just made these after stumbling upon your blog earlier today. Best. Decision. Ever.
Iโm already addicted and will be trying out a few more recipes within the week!
Happy to hear it, Srikar! Happy cooking to you both. :)
Thank you for this awesome recipe! Iโm so glad I found your blog, and really, really appreciate your blogging and photography tips, as Iโm starting a blog as well and welcome the help.
Youโre welcome, Amani. Iโm so glad you appreciate the blogging tips. Best of luck with your blog!
I made these sandwiches for lunch yesterday and they were so delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe, I will be making this one again!
Thank you, Tami! Iโm glad you enjoyed the panini.
My family loves this recipe. Thanks!
Youโre welcome!
Pretty good! I wasnโt an enormous fan of the vinegar/honey dipping sauce but I find vinegar tolerable on its best days. It tasted better than it smelled.
The combo of strawberries and basil is always a winner in my book. The goat cheese is a great addition! And the fresh black pepper is a nice touch. I think if I make these again Iโll just drizzle a bit of honey on the contents of the sandwich and call it a day there.
Omnivore husband actually gave this one a 3.5/5 which surprised me. I felt similarly but the quick, simplicity of it seems enough to give it a four. I only wish step 3 was written as step 1 because I had forgotten after my initial read of the recipe that the sauce took 15 minutes to reduce. Oops.
Thank you for your feedback, Carly! Iโm glad you were able to enjoy it.