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This Miso Butter Grilled Cheese sandwich is SIMPLE but DELICIOUS! Just butter, miso paste, garlic, and herbs sandwiched together with gouda cheese. Then pan-fried until the cheese is melty and the bread is crisp. It’s salty, herby, and heavy on the cheese…the most perfect twist on the classic grilled cheese. Drizzle each grilled cheese with spicy honey and sea salt. It takes this grilled cheese from really good to addictingly delicious.


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Sometimes all I need is one thing to help inspire a recipe or an idea. Recently, I’ve really been into cooking with miso and adding it to dishes you might not expect. I’ve made miso ramen…two actually, but I wanted to experiment a little with the flavor.
This sandwich is savory, salty, and has an incredible umami flavor, which is the traditional base in most Japanese cooking. Adding cheese isn’t something that’s often done, but something about the pairing of salty miso and creamy cheese sounded like it could really work and be delicious.

Details
This recipe is very basic but I don’t let that fool you. The flavor is delicious, all thanks to the miso, garlic, and herbs.
First up, find yourself some really nice sourdough bread. I like to grab mine fresh from Whole Foods.
For the miso, I love to use white miso paste. But if I’m being honest I have not experimented much with red miso. However, you can use them interchangeably, just keep in mind that red miso has a deeper, bolder flavor. So you might want to use a little less if you go for the red.
Mix the miso with butter, garlic, and herbs. I use basil and or cilantro, but whatever herbs you have on hand are great!

Spread the miso butter on the inside of both pieces of bread. You’ll want to use the inside of the bread to get the most health benefits from the miso. And of course, for added flavor.
Now the cheese. Creamy, sweet, and melty gouda cheese is key. Yes, any cheese will be really great, but I felt like the gouda made things extra special.
I also used some Monterey jack. I think it really helps to elevate this grilled cheese to great. It’s very mild, but melts so well.
Pan fry the sandwich with olive oil or even just another pat of butter. Five minutes later you’ll have the best grilled cheese. The cheese on the inside melts into that gooey goodness we all love so much. While the outside of the bread becomes crisp.

The spicy honey
Lastly, I always finish this grilled cheese with a drizzle of spicy honey (just chili flakes and honey) and a pinch of flaky sea salt. The sweetness with the cheese and salty miso is the most wonderful combination.
The honey and sea salt is a MUST (it’s honestly beyond words how good it is).
And that’s it! SIMPLE but crave-worthy and just so delicious. Excited to make this for Kai, Red, and Hailey when they return home from China. It’s one of those recipes they will love.

Looking for other sandwich recipes, try these:
Roasted Turmeric Chicken Pitas with Garlic Lemon Tahini
Spinach and Artichoke Pita Grilled Cheese
Broccoli Cheese Quesadilla with Chipotle Sauce
Crispy Cheese Poblano Avocado Burrito
Lastly, if you make this Miso Butter Grilled Cheese be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Garlic Miso Butter Grilled Cheese

Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon white miso
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, basil, and cilantro
- 1 jalapeño, seeded if desired, and chopped, (optional)
- black pepper
- 6 slices sourdough bread
- 1 cup shredded gouda cheese
- 1 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded
- hot honey, for drizzling
Instructions
- 1. In a bowl, combine the butter, miso, garlic, herbs, jalapeño, and black pepper 2. Spread the inside of each piece of bread with miso butter. Sandwich evenly with cheese. Then add the top piece of bread. 3. Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until golden on each side, about 3-5 minutes per side. Drizzle with honey.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.


























This is has become my favorite sandwich. Thanks to it, gouda has become a must-stock in my kitchen. I’m having a blast trying all kinds of different bread and cheese combos, but the core is just so good!
Hey Kira,
Happy Holidays! Thank you so much for making this recipe and your comment, love to hear it turned out well for you!
This twist in a classic grilled cheese is so delicious! I put the butter/miso mixture on the inside AND outside of the bread because it was that good! Sooo much flavor, even though we omitted the jalapeños.
Hey Rosie,
Fantastic! I’m so glad to hear this recipe was a hit, thanks a bunch for making it!🍁
We love this recipe! It’s simple yet flavorful! A fun twist on a classic meal! Always comes out perfect!!
Hey Brianna,
Happy Tuesday!! Thanks for making this recipe so often, so glad to hear it always turns out nicely for you!
This is easily the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had! I used pickled jalapeños instead of fresh and I used my homemade miso paste.
I’m happy I came across this recipe and I’ll definitely be making it again.
Thank you so much, Jessica! So glad to hear this recipe was a winner, I appreciate you making it! xx
I used pepper jack instead because I couldn’t get the Colby jack and it was amazing
Hey Naomi,
Fantastic! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it turned out nicely for you! xT
Tomato soup and grilled cheese weeknight dinner was never so epic. Rave reviews from both the foodie and the picky eater in my family. Followed exactly as written and will definitely make again.
Hey Lauren,
Fantastic!! So glad to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for giving it a try and your comment! Xx