If you’ve ever been tempted by a Starbucks’ grilled cheese, but didn’t know how to recreate it at home, we’re glad to help!
What Kind Of Cheese Is Used In Starbucks’ Grilled Cheese Recipe?
The main ingredient in this delicious sandwich is an aged cheddar cheese that’s coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden brown.
The crumb coating adds some crunchy texture while also helping to keep the cheese from burning.
But what exactly makes up the breadcrumbs?
It turns out they are made largely of ground-up corn flakes, which have nothing to do with the coffee bean.
But if you want to try your hand at making these cheesy sandwiches yourself, here’s how to make them without using any store-bought ingredients.
- 1/3 cup milk powder (or 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk)
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Salt as desired (start with about 2 teaspoons)
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine, softened
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 10 slices white bread
- 6 sheets frozen puff pastry dough, thawed according to package directions
To make the cheese sauce, combine all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.
Set aside for now.
In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter or margarine.
Spread half of the remaining butter evenly across both sides of 6 pieces of the bread.
Place each piece on top of another slice so that there is one layer of toast per stack.
Repeat with the remaining three stacks of bread.
Lay two of the stacks side by side in the pan to create four layers.
Place the pan in the oven and cook for 5 minutes, then flip the stack of toast over and cook for an additional five minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before flipping the stack again and placing back into the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bread.
When done, remove the stack from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, preheat the broiler and place an oven rack 4 inches away from the heating element.
Combine the remaining tablespoon of butter or margarine with the cheese sauce.
Using a spoon, spread the mixture onto the center of each stack of bread.
Top off each stack with a slice of cheese that has been placed directly onto the stovetop.
Broil for approximately 30 seconds, or just long enough to melt the cheese.
Serve immediately.
How Is The Cheese Melted In The Grilled Cheese Recipe?
This type of sandwich was first introduced as part of an ongoing promotion called “The Meltdown,” which saw customers receive a free small iced coffee or hot chocolate if they ordered one of the new sandwiches.
Today’s version of this sandwich has changed slightly from its original form.
While the original featured two slices of American cheese and a slice of Swiss cheese on top of a piece of toast, today’s version includes three pieces of a cheddar-style cheese blend that are placed over the middle layer of toast instead.
In addition to the changes made to the ingredients list, there have also been some slight alterations made to the method for creating the sandwich.
The most noticeable difference lies in the fact that the bread is now placed directly onto a griddle pan rather than being cooked and then flipped to allow both sides to be heated simultaneously.
While flipping the bread can result in uneven heating, placing it directly on the pan ensures that all parts will heat evenly and quickly.
Additionally, since the bread is not flipped, the entire surface of each side cooks more slowly, ensuring that the inside is warm before it reaches the outside.
Of course, if you prefer your grilled cheeses extra crispy, feel free to flip them halfway through cooking.
Finally, the process of melting the cheese is much simpler than it would be were you using traditional methods.
Since the cheese is already mixed into the bread when it comes out of the oven, simply place the sandwich back under the broiler until the cheese is fully melted.
Alternatively, you could use a microwave to melt the cheese in a single step.
Ready to get started making your own grilled cheese? Let’s take a look at what else makes up our favorite Starbucks grilled cheese recipe below.
What Kind Of Bread Is Used In Starbucks’ Grilled Cheese Recipe?
The original grilled cheese recipe from Starbucks includes a brioche bun and American cheddar cheese.
However, since many people have difficulty finding brioche (and even if they do find it), this article will use sourdough instead.
While sourdough isn’t as popular as its more common counterparts like French or Italian baguettes, it’s still very good for sandwiches.
It has a nice light texture that doesn’t get too soggy when it sits out overnight.
Plus, it’s easy to make, so it’s perfect for anyone who struggles with time management issues.
Sourdough can be found in any grocery store, though some specialty stores may carry it specifically.
If you don’t see it on your local shelves, you might want to try asking around online.
Or, check out these places where you can buy sourdough products near you.
Ingredients for the sourdough bread
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
Ingredients for the grilled cheese recipe
- 8 slices sourdough bread
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pinch of sugar
How Is The Grilled Cheese Recipe Served?
The traditional grilled cheese includes two slices of white or wheat toast and melted American cheese on one side of each slice.
Starbucks’ version, however, takes that basic concept and adds an extra layer of taste with its secret sauce.
The recipe has also evolved over time as more people are trying to make their own versions at home.
In 2020, Starbucks updated its recipe so that customers can now choose from three different types of grilled cheeses (cheddar, swiss, and pepper jack) along with four different sauces (maple chipotle honey BBQ, balsamic parmesan garlic herb, sweet chili mango habanero, and creamy basil pesto).
Here’s what’s included in your order:
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Cheddar, Swiss, Pepper Jack Cheeses
- Secret Sauce – Maple Chipotle Honey BBQ, Balsamic Parmesan Garlic Herb, Sweet Chili Mango Habanero, Creamy Basil Pesto
You can either add the Secret Sauce to the grill for a few seconds before adding the sandwich if you’d like some added kick, or use the secret sauce straight out of the bottle to top off your sandwich when ordering.
What Is The Grilled Cheese Recipe’s Calorie Count?
The grilled cheese recipes on this article have an average of 380 calories and 17 grams of fat per serving.
These amounts should be considered moderate for most adults eating them as part of their daily diet, although they may still cause weight gain if consumed too often or over long periods of time.
If you want to lose weight, try this grilled cheese recipe instead.
How Many Grams Of Fat Are In The Grilled Cheese Recipe?
The grilled cheese has an average total fat content of 4.5 g per serving (3 slices).
That’s 1/4 teaspoon of butter or margarine.
To calculate your own grilled cheese calories and fats, simply use this formula:
(Total Fat x % Serving) + Total Carbohydrate = Calories
For example, if you have 2 tablespoons of butter, one slice of bread, and 3 ounces of sliced turkey breast, that would equal about 100 calories for each piece of toast.
You can also check out our full list of food nutrition facts so you can get more precise information on any particular ingredient.
How Many Grams Of Protein Are In The Grilled Cheese Recipe?
The Grilled Cheese Recipe from Starbucks has 1 gram of protein per slice.
A single, plain grilled cheese is only 4 calories and 2 grams of fat.
The Starbucks version adds 5 grams of fat for every two slices, which makes it the most fattening one on this list.
How Many Grams Of Carbohydrates Are In The Grilled Cheese Recipe?
The total carbohydrate count for this copycat recipe comes out to about 10% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA).
The majority of that is from the butter and cheese used here.
Butter contains mostly saturated fat and monounsaturated fat.
Monounsaturated fats have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol (bad) while increasing HDL cholesterol (good), which can reduce risk factors associated with heart disease.
But not all types of fats are created equal.
Saturated fats raise blood cholesterol levels more than other fats do, so they increase the risk of coronary artery disease.
To get the best balance between good and bad fats when choosing ingredients, look for foods high in unsaturated fats like olive oil or avocado.
Grilled Cheese Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 slices American cheese
- 6 ounces (170 g/5.7 oz.) low-fat cheddar cheese
- 8 slices whole wheat bread
- unsalted butter
To make the grilled cheese, heat up 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat on an outdoor grill pan set outside or indoor stovetop burner.
Once hot, add 4 pieces of sliced American cheese onto the pan.
Cook until golden brown on one side before flipping them over and adding 6 ounces of shredded low-fat cheddar cheese directly into the melted cheese.
Cook the remaining 2 slices of bread on each side until golden brown and place them between two layers of foil to keep warm until ready to eat.
This process takes just under 5 minutes per slice.
Enjoy!
What Is The Sodium Content Of The Grilled Cheese Recipe?
The original grilled cheese recipe has 2,000 milligrams (mg) of sodium per sandwich.
However, if you decide to add an extra ingredient that contains salt, like caramelized onions or pickled jalapeños, your total sodium intake will be higher than what’s recommended for healthy adults.
For example, the grilled cheese recipe from Starbucks has 1,800 mg of sodium per sandwich and 1 cup of caramelized onion adds another 200 mg of sodium, bringing the total amount of sodium to 3,200 mg.
According to the Mayo Clinic, most people should limit their daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg/day.
If you eat more than this amount every day, you can develop high blood pressure which puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke.
What Are The Ingredients In Starbucks
Starbucks has a wide variety of food options available for customers who want something different from what they normally order.
Many people consider their breakfast sandwiches to be among the best on the menu.
The key ingredient in these sandwiches isn’t bread or butter — it’s the signature sauce made famous by the chain.
It can be found on many other items as well, such as croissants and cinnamon rolls.
The sauce is also used in some baked goods including brownies and doughnuts.
For this article, we’ll focus on the grilled cheese that comes in a large size with two slices of sourdough bread topped with American cheese and smothered in the sweet-and-sour sauce.
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (melted)
- 6 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 cup) or your favorite shredded cheese
- 8 ounce package sliced pepper jack cheese (shredded)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ⅛teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼cup corn syrup (light or regular)
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 4 egg yolks (beaten)
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold water
- Celery sticks or pickles, optional
- Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter and cheeses using an electric mixer until combined thoroughly.
- Season both sides of each slice of sourdough bread generously with salt and pepper.
- Spread half of the mixture onto one side of each piece of bread.
- Place the bread in a pan over medium heat, cover, and cook 10 minutes per side or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from heat and top with remaining sourdough bread pieces.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce.
- Combine the milk, sugar, corn syrup, molasses, lemon juice, egg yolks, and cayenne pepper in a medium sized pot set over medium heat. Stir frequently with a wooden spoon as the mixture begins to thicken.
- When thickened, remove from heat and stir in the flour. Return to low heat and continue stirring constantly while cooking 1 minute longer.
- Slowly pour 3/4 cup of the hot liquid into the beaten eggs while whisking continuously. Continue mixing until smooth.
- Return the sauce to the stovetop without stirring and bring back up to temperature, about 5-10 minutes. Once heated through, turn off heat and keep warm.
- To assemble the sandwich, place the bottom piece of bread on a plate, then spread the sauce evenly across the surface and add the first layer of cheese. Top with second layer of bread and press down gently. Serve immediately.
Equipment
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter softened
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- 2 slices mozzarella cheese
- 2 slices white cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Combine butter and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
- Each slice of bread should have a generous amount of butter mixture spread on one side.
- Slices of mozzarella and cheddar cheese are arranged on the bread’s unbuttered side. The slices might need to be torn in order to fit. Sandwiches can be topped with the remaining bread slices.
- A big skillet should be heated at medium/low. Sandwiches are added and browned for 1–2 minutes on each side, or until the cheese melts. To give the cheese a chance to melt, make sure the heat is kept low to medium. Pro tip: To hasten the melting of the cheese, cover the skillet with a cookie sheet!
- Slice the grilled cheese in half, remove from the skillet, and serve right away.
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Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.