Want that tasty Starbucks grilled cheese but want to make it at home? With this Starbucks grilled cheese recipe, you can make your own copycat Starbucks grilled cheese at home and proudly say “we got Starbucks at home baby’
You do not have to Spend over six bucks for a grilled cheese sandwich when you know you can make it at home for less. That’s why I’ve done some research, experimented and made my own tweaks to create the perfect Starbucks grilled cheese copycat recipe
Alright, no further fluff, let’s get to the recipe for making a grilled cheese sandwich tastes just as good as the real thing.
Table of Contents
How To Make Starbucks Grilled Cheese
This sandwich stands out with its golden crust and melty center. You’ll use sourdough bread coated in a parmesan butter spread, then fill it with white cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. It cooks fast on a skillet, giving you that starbucks sanwich quality right from home.
Ingredients
Here’s what you need for one sandwich. Grab these items, and you’re set to go.
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- 2 slices white cheddar cheese (about 1 ounce each)
- 2 slices mozzarella cheese (about 1 ounce each)
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Follow these steps to make your sandwich. It takes about 12 minutes from start to finish.
- Mix 2 tablespoons softened butter with 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese in a small bowl until smooth.
- Spread the butter mix on one side of each sourdough bread slice.
- On the unbuttered side of one slice, layer 2 slices of white cheddar cheese and 2 slices of mozzarella cheese.
- Top with the second slice of bread, buttered side facing out.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Put the sandwich in the skillet.
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on one side until golden brown. Flip it over.
- Cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes until the bread is golden and the cheese melts.
- Take it off the skillet. Let it sit for a minute, then cut in half and serve.
Tips For Perfect Starbucks Grilled Cheese
A few tricks can make your sandwich even better. These come from testing and what works well.
- Pick fresh sourdough bread with a good crust. It holds up to the cheese and toasts nicely.
- Soften the butter before mixing with parmesan. This makes it spread smooth and even.
- Keep the heat at medium. Too high, and the bread burns before the cheese melts.
- Press the sandwich lightly with a spatula while cooking. It helps the cheese melt and keeps the bread crisp.
- If the cheese isn’t melting fast enough, cover the skillet with a lid for a minute. This traps heat and speeds things up.
Servings and Pairings
This Starbucks grilled cheese sandwich recipe makes just one sandwich, great for a solo meal or a snack. It goes well with lots of sides to round out your plate.
Try it with a bowl of tomato soup for a classic match. A small green salad with a light dressing adds freshness. Pickles on the side bring a sharp bite that cuts through the richness. You can also try it with our sicilian meat sauce
For a Starbucks vibe, pair it with a cup of hot coffee or iced tea. Some apple slices can lighten it up. If you’re really hungry, serve it with a small cup of chili for a filling combo.
Storing
This sandwich shines when it’s fresh, but you can save it if needed. Here’s how to keep it good.
Wrap any leftovers in foil or put them in a sealed container. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days. To warm it up, heat it in a skillet over low heat for a few minutes on each side until hot and crisp again.
Ingredient Swap/Substitutes
Running low on some ingredients or need to adjust for what’s in your pantry? Don’t worry, you can still make this sandwich taste close to the Starbucks original. I’ve got some solid swaps that work well and keep the flavor and texture on point. Here’s what you can use instead.
For the Bread
If you don’t have sourdough bread on hand, no need to stress. Whole wheat bread is a good stand-in, especially if it’s got a thick crust to hold all that cheese. A hearty white bread works too, just make sure it’s not too soft or thin so it doesn’t get soggy. You could also grab a rustic country loaf from the store; it’s sturdy like sourdough and toasts up nicely with that crisp edge.
For the White Cheddar Cheese
Out of white cheddar cheese? You can swap it with regular cheddar, which melts just as smoothly and brings a familiar sharpness to the sandwich. Gouda is another option if you’ve got it; it’s creamy and adds a slightly nutty taste that pairs well with the other flavors. Both keep that gooey melt you want, so your sandwich won’t miss a beat.
For the Mozzarella Cheese
If mozzarella cheese isn’t in your fridge, there are other cheeses that can step up. Provolone is a great choice because it melts easily and has a mild, stretchy quality that mimics mozzarella perfectly. Swiss cheese works too, giving a bit of a nutty flavor while still melting into that stringy texture you expect. Either one keeps the sandwich rich and satisfying.
For the Butter
No butter in the house? Margarine can take its place without much trouble; it spreads the same way and browns the bread nicely. A plant-based spread is another route if you’re avoiding dairy, and it’ll still give you that golden crust you’re after. Mayonnaise is an option some folks swear by; it spreads thin, crisps up well, and adds a slight tangy note, though it’s a little different from the Starbucks taste.
For the Parmesan Cheese
Missing parmesan cheese for the spread? Grated pecorino romano can fill in; it’s salty and sharp like parmesan, so the crust will still have that special kick. If you don’t have either, you could use a little grated asiago if it’s around, though it’s milder. Skipping it altogether is fine too, but the bread won’t get that extra crispy, cheesy layer that makes this sandwich stand out.
Done and Dished
Now you’ve got a Starbucks grilled cheese recipe that’s simple, cheesy, and ready in about 12 minutes. With sourdough bread, a mix of white cheddar and mozzarella, and that parmesan butter spread, it’s a home run every time. You can enjoy this whenever you want, like I said we have got Starbucks grilled cheese at home baby.
What’s your next move? Maybe pair it with your favorite soup or tweak the cheeses to your taste. I’d laugh if you told me you ate this every day, but honestly, I wouldn’t blame you.

Ingredients
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- 2 slices white cheddar cheese (about 1 ounce each)
- 2 slices mozzarella cheese (about 1 ounce each)
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Mix 2 tablespoons softened butter with 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese in a small bowl until smooth.
- Spread the butter mix on one side of each sourdough bread slice.
- On the unbuttered side of one slice, layer 2 slices of white cheddar cheese and 2 slices of mozzarella cheese.
- Top with the second slice of bread, buttered side facing out.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Put the sandwich in the skillet.
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on one side until golden brown. Flip it over.
- Cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes until the bread is golden and the cheese melts.
- Take it off the skillet. Let it sit for a minute, then cut in half and serve.