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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.
So so good. The Husband is doing the dishes and is still commenting every few minutes about how much he loved this. “Best grilled cheese of all time.”
Thank you!
Hey Kailey,
Happy Wednesday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
Made this for dinner with sweet potato fries. One of the best recipes I made in awhile! The hot honey the perfect finishing touch.
I did omit the jalapeno, but I honestly didn’t miss it. I also used a mix of parsley, rosemary and thyme instead of basil and cilantro.
Hey Claire,
Awesome!! Thanks for giving the recipe a try, I love to hear that it was a hit!! xxT
This was a definite experiment for me. I had some miso of unknown origin or type in my outside fridge (probably over 2 years old!) It was a cold day for Florida so I decided, “why not?” And I have a wonderful husband who is up for whatever I concoct in the kitchen. I used the smoked Gouda that I had on hand, some Colby Jack, and just regular sourdough sandwich bread. This recipe turned out great! A Keeper for sure! The spicy honey put it over the top and I’ll use this idea again. Thanks for a sweet, spicy, savory twist on an old favorite!
Hey there,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
This was next level grilled cheese!! My only problem is I am now going to want these a lot!!
Hey Sara,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
Made these for lunch today. My husband wasn’t as excited to try these as I was because “it’s just a grilled cheese, how great can it be?” Well, all it took was one bite and he was sold! These were absolutely delicious! So many amazing flavors that just work together! Thanks for yet another amazing recipe!
Hey Jamie,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a go, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xxT
Super Yummy! My jalapeno was not spicy. 🙁 Next time I make this, and there will be a next time, I will make sure the jalapeno is spicy, if it isn’t I will Jalapeno Jack cheese.
Hi Jane,
Awesome!! Love hearing that this recipe was a winner, thanks a lot for giving it a go! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
Wonderful flavor. But… while I like healthy fats, this is too much. I toast the bread on one side in a toaster oven, then spoon the miso mix on the other side. I hand shred Queso Oaxaca on top of the miso mix and sprinkle sesame seeds and nigella seeds (known as “the cure for death” in the Middle East) on top, then broil it until the cheese melts. I like this with a green salad dressed with a little olive oil and freshly squeezed lime. Provecho.
PS I can see using this miso butter to flavor soups, stews, and noodles from ramen to udon and more.
Yes! That’s what I was thinking!! A bit too much fat and definitely doesn’t need additional salt. I do like your broiler idea & will try that. I always make my grilled cheese sandwiches in the toaster oven with homemade fresh sourdough. It gets crispy enough for me.
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try Eleanor!
Seems like the perfect amount of fat for 3 servings of grilled cheese! Using miso to extend the butter is brilliant, Tieghan!
I hope you love the recipe Maegan!!
Yum so good! My husband and our kids loved it. I did t add jalapeños to the kids ones. I also used just a bit of dried basil because I didn’t have fresh herbs.
Hey Hayley,
Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a go, I love to hear that it was a winner!! xTieghan
This sounds and looks gorgeous! Making it soon. Xx
Thanks Kelly-Jane! I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Hello. Made this last night. I could not find the miso so just had to go without. The grilled cheese was still amazing with the butter mixture. On my second sandwich I added a slice of ham. My wife loved it. We I’ll keep this as a added rotation In our meal plan. Thank you for creating this.
Hey Jon,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a go, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xxT
Holy moly ! This sounds/ looks amazing! I can’t wait to try 🙂
Thanks Ashley!! I hope you love the recipe!! xTieghan
I made this for lunch today. P.E.R.F.E.C.T.I.O.N!!
A great twist to an old sandwich!! We loved it. Great job!
Hey Susan,
Fantastic!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it:) Have the best day! xxT
Curious if you tried making this with the miso butter on the outside of the bread?
Hey Caprice,
I haven’t you could give it a try, I just would be careful about the herbs burning. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope it turns out amazing for you! xTieghan
AMAZING recipe. my boyfriend will love it!!
Miki x
https://www.littletasteofbeauty.com/
Thanks so much!!
I love Miso and Butter combo! First discovered it through Gourmet magazine. They had recipes that tossed roasted vegetables with that combo. Now its the only way I like to prepare roasted veg. Thanks Tieghan!
I hope you love the recipe Tiffany!!
Hi there, where does the jalapeno come into play?
Will make as is but the idea of shoving some bacon and jalepeno in there ?
Yum!! Hope you love the recipe Michael!!
Hey Shawna,
You are going to add that to step 1. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan