Indulge in the irresistible goodness of a Starbucks grilled cheese sandwich made at home! This elevated version features a perfect blend of tangy sourdough bread, gooey mozzarella, and rich white cheddar cheese, with a savory garlic Parmesan butter crust on the outside. What sets this apart from ordinary grilled cheese is the incredible compound butter that creates a golden, crispy exterior packed with flavor. This is comfort food at its finest, and you can make it for a fraction of the café price.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Table of Contents
What makes the Starbucks Grilled Cheese so good?
One grilled cheese sandwich is pretty much like another, right? Wrong. Not when you’re making Starbucks’ version of this classic comfort food. The magic lies in perfectly melted white cheddar and mozzarella cheese, combining two slices of tangy sourdough bread, all enhanced by an incredible Parmesan and garlic butter spread. This creates a crispy, flavorful exterior that transforms an ordinary grilled cheese into something extraordinary.
Why you’ll love this recipe
If you have ever ordered a grilled cheese at Starbucks, you already know it’s addictively good. The only downside is the price tag that comes with café dining. When you make this copycat Starbucks grilled cheese recipe at home, you save money without sacrificing any of the incredible taste. While this recipe requires a few more ingredients and slightly more time than standard grilled cheese sandwiches, it’s not complicated and worth the minimal extra effort.
Starbucks Grilled Cheese Sandwich ingredients
For the Garlic Parmesan Butter:
- Unsalted butter – Creates the rich, spreadable base and provides golden browning when heated
- Parmesan cheese, finely grated – Adds sharp, nutty flavor and helps create the signature crispy crust
- Garlic clove or garlic powder – Provides aromatic depth that complements the cheese flavors
For the Sandwich:
- Sourdough bread – Offers tangy flavor and sturdy structure that holds up to the rich filling
- Mozzarella cheese, sliced – Contributes mild flavor and excellent melting properties for stretchy texture
- White cheddar cheese, sliced – Provides sharp, complex flavor that balances the mild mozzarella
The exact measurements are on the printable recipe card below.
How to make a Starbucks-style Grilled Cheese Sandwich
To prepare a homemade version of the grilled cheese from Starbucks:
- Put the unsalted butter on the counter to soften.
- Crush the fresh garlic, if using, in a garlic press and set aside.
- Mix the softened butter, Parmesan cheese, and crushed garlic or garlic powder in a small bowl to make a parmesan butter spread.
- Heat a skillet or griddle pan over medium-low heat.
- While the cooking surface is warming up, spread the seasoned butter on one side of each of the slices of bread.
- When the cooking surface is hot, lay two slices of sourdough bread, buttered side down on it.
- Place half the mozzarella and half the white cheddar on each slice. Top the cheese with a slice of sourdough bread with the buttered side of the sourdough bread facing up.
- When the bottom of the bread turns golden brown, flip the sandwiches over and continue cooking until the other side browns and the cheese melts. If the bread is toasting without the cheese melting, turn down the heat and cover with an upside-down pan for a minute or two.
- Cut the sandwiches in half, if desired, and serve hot.
Recipe variations
Although the grilled cheese at Starbucks is good, there’s no reason you can make a few changes at home. These are a few additions and substitutions you may want to try:
- Add bacon and tomato. A couple of pieces of cooked bacon and a slice or two of tomato give the sandwiches smoky and tangy elements that go great with the richness of the cheeses.
- Switch up the cheese. Replace one or more of the cheeses with another one. Romano is an ideal substitute for Parmesan, and you can use Swiss, Monterey Jack, smoked Gouda, provolone, gruyere, yellow cheddar, or even Brie to replace the White Cheddar and mozzarella.
- Use different bread. Some people don’t enjoy the tang of sourdough, and switching to a different type is easy. Multigrain is a good choice, and fruit and nut bread is an exciting alternative.
- Sauce it up. Spread some basil pesto or fig jam on the inside to take it to the next level and give it a gourmet twist.
What to serve with a Starbucks Crispy Grilled Cheese
Make this sandwich a more filling meal by pairing it with one of these options:
- Tomato soup. Tomato soup and grilled cheese is a classic combo for a reason. The tang of the tomatoes helps to balance the richness of the cheeses.
- Side salad. A basic salad of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions with a tangy vinaigrette is easy and pairs well with grilled cheese.
- Potato chips. This no-cook side adds a lot of crunch with zero cooking.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the bread texture and cheese quality deteriorate significantly when frozen and thawed.
- Make-Ahead Storage: Assemble sandwiches and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before cooking. Pre-cooked sandwiches can be wrapped in aluminum foil and stored for 1-day before becoming soggy.
- Reheating Method: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place sandwiches on non-stick baking sheet and heat for 6 minutes. Flip and cook 4-5 minutes more until heated through and crispy. Avoid microwaving as this makes bread soggy.
Love Starbucks food? Try these copycat recipes!
- Starbucks Bacon Gouda Sandwich
- Starbucks Blueberry Muffin
- Starbucks Blueberry Scone
- Starbucks Cake Pop
- Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars
- Starbucks Egg Bites
- Starbucks Protein Box
- Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
- Starbucks Pumpkin Muffin
- Starbucks Spinach Feta Wrap
Favorite sandwich recipes
- Arby’s Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Chick Fil A Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Waffle House Texas Bacon Patty Melt
Check out my easy sandwich recipes and the best copycat Starbucks recipes on CopyKat!
Starbucks Grilled Cheese Recipe (Copycat)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 garlic clove grated, or 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- 2 ounces mozzarella cheese sliced
- 2 ounces white cheddar cheese sliced
Instructions
- Place the butter, Parmesan, and garlic in a small bowl and stir until smooth.
- Spread the butter mixture evenly on one side of each piece of bread. Layer the mozzarella and cheddar cheese slices on the uncoated side of two slices of bread. Place the remaining bread slices on top, with the buttered side facing outward.
- Flip the sandwiches carefully and continue cooking until the second side is also golden brown and the cheese has completely melted.
- Slice and serve the sandwiches while they are still hot. Enjoy!
Leave a Reply