If you love the café version, this Starbucks Grilled Cheese Recipe makes it easy to recreate at home in under 15 minutes. Thick slices of sourdough bread, gooey melted cheese, and a Parmesan garlic butter spread come together for an extra crispy, golden crust that's every bit as satisfying as the original. It's an easy copycat that's perfect for a quick lunch!
Starbucks Grilled Cheese Recipe at a Glance
- 🧄 Flavor & Texture: Buttery, crispy, cheesy, garlicky, and rich with a savory Parmesan crust.
- 🛒 Main Ingredients: Sourdough bread, butter, mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese
- ⏱️ Total Time: 5 minutes prep + 6 minutes cooking = 11 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: Make 1 sandwich but easy to scale up
- 🥗 Dietary Info: Vegetarian
- 🍚 Best Served With: Tomato soup, fresh fruit, chips, or a simple green salad.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: No, best enjoyed fresh while the bread is crisp and the cheese is perfectly melted.
- ❤️ Why You Will Love It: Just like Starbucks but made at home so you save money and don't need to leave the house.
Summarize and Save This Content On
I created this copycat Starbucks grilled cheese for when I want something comforting without making a big meal, and it has become one of my favorite easy weeknight dinners for one.
The original uses mozzarella and cheddar and lists two different spreads in the ingredient panel, but I combined those flavors into one spread in this simple homemade version.
If you're looking for more Starbucks copycat recipes, I recommend this cold brew apple coffee and these copycat Starbucks egg bites in a silicone mold.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Cheaper than buying at Starbucks: The cost of the ingredients to make this grilled cheese at home is much cheaper than grabbing it from Starbucks!
- Easy to make for lunch or dinner: It's quick and easy enough for lunch or even an easy dinner on a busy night.
- Layers of flavor: The butter spread and combination of cheeses of the sourdough provide amazing depth of flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
You'll find the most important elements of this grilled cheese sandwich recipe listed below.
- Sourdough bread: Thick-cut sourdough from the bakery section is what we use here. Thinly sliced bread just doesn't hold up the same. If you love this bread, try a sourdough egg sandwich!
- Butter: Allow it time on the counter to soften and then mix your softened butter and Parmesan until no grains are visible. An under-mixed spread lets the butter melt out and drop the Parmesan into the pan instead of crisping onto the bread.
- Cheeses: This grilled cheese uses mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan cheese. This combination brings the prefect flavor and texture to the sandwich. Be sure to finely grate the Parmesan because shredded does not incorporate well with the butter. I use sharp white cheddar because I love the flavor contrast, but if you want it to be closer to the Starbucks version, use mild.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Canadian version: Combine the cheddar with gouda instead of mozzarella cheese for a Canadian twist.
- Bacon tomato: Add slices of cooked bacon and fresh tomato for more flavor and texture.
- Add jam: Try a spread of jam like fig jam or this jalapeno jam for a sweet and spicy combo.
How to Make a Starbucks Grilled Cheese at home
Here are the steps needed to make this Starbucks copycat grilled cheese at home! Have all of your ingredients measured and ready to go before you get started.
Step 1: Prepare the butter spread. Combine the softened butter with Parmesan and garlic powder in a small bowl.
Step 2: Add bread and cheese. Bring your skillet to medium-low heat, spread the butter on one slice, and place it butter side down into the pan. Then, layer the slices of cheese on top.
Step 3: Add second slice and toast. Spread the remaining butter onto the other slice of bread and lay it on the cheese with the butter side up.
Step 4: Flip, toast, and serve. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until golden; flip, and repeat until the other side of the sandwich is also golden and the cheese is melted. Remove it from the pan and serve it with steak fries in the air fryer.
Expert Tips
- Preheat the pan: Allow the pan to preheat over low heat before you get started. This ensures it's hot and ready when you have the grilled cheese assembled.
- Watch the heat for browning: Keep the heat at medium-low. This allows the crust to develop without burning while also melting the cheese.
- Don't freeze leftovers: If you have any extra, don't freeze it. Grilled cheese doesn't thaw or reheat well because the bread becomes a bit soggy.
- Storage directions: It's always better fresh, but you can keep it in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container.
Another simple yet comforting sandwich is this grilled ham and cheese sandwich.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic soup pairing: You can't go wrong with a Starbucks crispy grilled cheese and a cup of crockpot tomato soup.
- Try a salad: A simple salad with grilled cheese is one of my favorite easy lunches. I highly recommend this Greek lentil salad with feta cheese for freshness.
- Sauces and spreads: If you like sweet and spicy, I love this cranberry jalapeno jelly spread on the grilled cheese.
Starbucks Grilled Cheese Recipe FAQs
Sure! Any sliced cheese that melts well, like American or even provolone, would be an acceptable swap. If you switch up the bread, ensure it's thick-sliced like Texas toast so it holds up to the Parmesan butter.
Yes. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F and cook the grilled cheese for 4-5 minutes on the first side and 3-5 minutes on the second side.
Yes, you can. Assemble the grilled cheese sandwich (or sandwiches) up to 24 hours in advance and keep it uncooked in the fridge until you're ready to toast it.
Absolutely. This recipe is for one sandwich, but it's easily doubled, tripled, or you can make as many as you need to feed the family.
More unique Grilled Cheese Recipes
Do you like grilled cheese recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Starbucks Grilled Cheese Recipe
Equipment
- skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter room temperature
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- 2 slices Mozzarella cheese
- 2 slices sharp white cheddar cheese or mild if you prefer
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the butter, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Set aside.
- Place the 2 slices of bread on a cutting board; spread 1 side of each slice with half of the butter.
- Heat a dry small nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Place 1 slice of bread, butter side down, in the pan and top with the cheeses, alternating types. Mozzarella and then white cheddar, then mozzarella, then the final piece of white cheddar. Arrange the second slice of bread, butter side up, on top.
- Cook the sandwich until golden brown underneath, about 2 minutes. Carefully flip the sandwich using a flat spatula. Gently press down on the sandwich with that spatula to encourage even browning and help the cheese melt.
- Cook until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Once golden brown on both sides and the cheese has melted, remove from the heat. Cut the sandwiches in half and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Prepare the sandwiches up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate them uncooked. Toast when you're ready to serve for the best texture.
- Preheat the skillet over low heat before assembling the sandwich so it's evenly heated and ready to create a perfectly golden, crispy crust.
- Cook the grilled cheese over medium-low heat so the bread turns golden and crispy while the cheese has time to melt completely.
Cristina Sanchez says
I want to try this, but it doesn't say what temperature is the oven.
Thank you
Karin and Ken says
Try this. Place a griddle or skillet over medium heat. When hot, put the sandwiches on and allow to cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until the first side is brown. Flip the sandwiches and tent with aluminum foil, reducing the heat to medium low. Cook until the second side is brown and the cheese is melted. Hope this helps. Enjoy every bite! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we all do! All the best. Karin
Sandra says
Excellent recipe. We all loved it Will definitely make again Thank you KD for another winner I am never buying one at Starbucks again.you’re the best Thanks
Karin and Ken says
You’re most welcome! I stopped going to Starbucks too! Thank you for taking the time to let me know. You made my day. All the best. Karin
Kim says
Best copycat recipe we’ve triedThank you for sharing it No need to go to Starbucks when I crave their grilled cheese anymore Your recipe really hits the spot
Karin and Ken says
I’m so glad you like this easy recipe. We love it too. Thank you for taking the time to let me know you made my day. All the best. Karin
Sally says
I’m impressed We all are This grilled cheese is just as good if not better than Starbucks Definitely cheaper We will be making this recipe again It’s a keeper Thx for sharin
Karin and Ken says
Thank you for your kind words. We love this easy recipe too. Glad we’re not alone! Thank you for letting me know. Enjoy your day! Karin