Starbucks' Grilled Cheese: What's The Cheesy Secret?

Starbucks' grilled cheese sandwich is a blend of white cheddar and mozzarella cheeses on sourdough bread, topped with a Parmesan butter spread. The sandwich is buttery on the outside, with a tangy and sharp flavour, and gooey texture. The secret to its delicious taste is the parmesan butter spread, which gives the sandwich extra depth of flavour, crunch, and saltiness.

Mozzarella

Starbucks uses sliced mozzarella, not fresh mozzarella, as fresh mozzarella would be too watery for the sandwich. The sliced variety can be found in the deli section of your local grocery store.

The Starbucks grilled cheese is made with a combination of two cheeses, creating a unique flavour and texture. The mozzarella brings a soft, mellow, creaminess to the sandwich, while the white cheddar adds a sharper, tangier flavour. The parmesan crust adds a salty, savoury note and a crunchy texture.

White cheddar

The white cheddar and mozzarella cheeses are sliced and placed inside the sandwich. The parmesan butter spread is made by mixing together softened butter, parmesan, and garlic powder. This spread is then spread on the outside of the sourdough bread slices.

The Starbucks grilled cheese sandwich is a popular item on their menu, and it is surprisingly delicious for a coffee shop. It is buttery on the outside with a tangy and sharp flavor, and a gooey texture. It has hints of garlic and a generous amount of parmesan and decadent butter.

The white cheddar cheese adds a sharp bite of cheese and the perfect melt to the sandwich. The combination of white cheddar and mozzarella cheeses creates a smooth and milky flavor with just the right amount of sharpness.

To make the Starbucks grilled cheese sandwich at home, simply mix together the softened butter, parmesan, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Spread the butter mixture on the outside of the sourdough bread slices. Layer the white cheddar and mozzarella cheese slices on the non-buttered side of the bread. Place the remaining bread slices on top, buttered side facing outward.

Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium-low heat. Place the sandwiches on the griddle or skillet and cook slowly until golden on the bottom, which should take about 5 minutes. Flip the sandwiches and cook until the second side is golden and the cheese is melted.

Parmesan butter spread

The Starbucks grilled cheese sandwich is a delicious, grown-up take on a classic comfort food. The sandwich is made with a blend of white cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, sandwiched between slices of sourdough bread, and topped with a parmesan butter spread. This spread adds a unique depth of flavour to the sandwich, giving it a crunchy, salty kick.

Ingredients

To make the parmesan butter spread, you will need:

• Butter (salted or unsalted)
• Finely grated parmesan cheese
• Salt (if using unsalted butter)
• Garlic powder (optional)

Method

• In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, parmesan, garlic powder (if using), and salt (if using unsalted butter). Mix until well combined.
• Spread the butter mixture onto the outside of your chosen bread.
• Layer your chosen cheese onto the non-buttered side of the bread.
• Place the remaining slice of bread on top, with the buttered side facing outward.
• Cook in a skillet or on a griddle over medium-low heat until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.

Tips

• For the best flavour, use good-quality butter and freshly grate your parmesan cheese.
• If you prefer a stronger garlic flavour, you can use a clove of finely grated garlic instead of garlic powder.
• For a more intense parmesan flavour, you can increase the amount of parmesan cheese in the spread.
• To ensure your sandwich doesn't burn, cook it slowly over medium-low heat, and cover with a lid to help the cheese melt.

The parmesan butter spread is a key component of the Starbucks grilled cheese sandwich, adding a delicious, savoury twist to this classic comfort food.

Sourdough bread

When making the Starbucks grilled cheese sandwich at home, it is recommended to use a plain loaf of sourdough bread, similar to San Francisco bread. This type of bread is the closest to what Starbucks uses. However, some people also suggest using cracked wheat sourdough bread from Trader Joe's.

For the best results, it is important to spread the butter mixture generously on the sourdough bread. The sandwich should be cooked slowly on medium-low heat until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted. This will create a crispy and cheesy sandwich with a perfect ooey-gooey, cheesy pull.

The Starbucks grilled cheese sandwich is a popular item on their menu, and it can be easily recreated at home with simple ingredients and a few easy steps.

Other cheeses to use

The Starbucks grilled cheese sandwich is made with a blend of white cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, with a parmesan butter spread. However, you can use other cheeses to make this sandwich. Here are some suggestions:

• Provolone: This cheese has a mild flavour and melts well, making it a good substitute for mozzarella.
• Havarti: A semi-soft cheese with a mild, buttery flavour that would pair well with the other ingredients in the sandwich.
• Fontina: This cheese has a creamy texture and a slightly nutty flavour, which can add depth to the sandwich.
• Yellow cheddar: While Starbucks uses white cheddar, you can use yellow cheddar, which has the same flavour but a different colour due to added food colouring.
• Gouda: A good substitute for mozzarella, gouda has a mild, nutty flavour and melts well.
• Gruyere: This Swiss cheese has a more assertive flavour than some of the other options, but it melts well and can add a unique taste to the sandwich.
• Brie or Blue Cheese/Gorgonzola: These cheeses will make the sandwich taste very different from the Starbucks version, but they can be delicious in a grilled cheese sandwich.

When choosing cheeses for this sandwich, consider the flavour profiles and melting properties of each cheese. You want a combination of cheeses that will complement each other and create a gooey, stretchy texture.

Frequently asked questions