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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.
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
Servings: 3 sandwiches
Calories Per Serving: 680 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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.
OMGGGG so good! My first recipe of yours. Thought you were just pretty pictures but I was wrong! What should I try next?!!! YUM!
Hi Gina,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out! A family fave is the penne alla vodka! Have the best weekend❄️ xTieghan
What would you substitute the Miso with? I have everything except that one ingredient
Hi Raquel,
For this recipe, you really want the miso, it’s really the whole point of this grilled cheese. Maybe try one of these recipes:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/everything-cheddar-tomato-bacon-grilled-cheese/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/3-cheese-everything-spice-grilled-cheese/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/sage-pesto-and-tomato-grilled-cheese/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
I just made these for my family for lunch and this is the best grilled cheese I’ve ever tasted. I used parsley as my herb, because that’s the only one I had on hand, and omg all the flavors combined were insane!
Hi Meaghan,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xx
I loved it! Instead of the herbs i took arugula. It was delicious.
Hey Elisabeth,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xx
OMG; I can never go back to regular grilled cheese. The miso gives it an incredible flavor. I have made this with a few variations (different cheeses, herbs & peppers) and they were all delicious! Today was Monterey jack, Cheddar, Peppadew peppers, cilantro & parsley. I forgot the honey and it was still outstanding!! (also good with garlic, olive oil roasted cherry tomatoes)
Hey Kathie,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a go:) xTieghan
Do you butter the outside of the bread? or is the olive oil enough to crisp up the bread?
Hi Shanna,
I did not butter the outside of the bread, just used the butter or oil in the pan. Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Made this today after seeing it on Instagram a couple weeks ago and it turned out fabulous! Spicy and salty and sweet and crunchy AND creamy! The herbs gave it some freshness and the hot honey was an unexpected twist that brought it all together! So delicious!
Hey Marie,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a go, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Can’t wait to make this…Am I missing the recipe for the hot honey?
Hey Kim,
You can use regular honey or store bought hot honey, either will work:) Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Kim – add hot pepper flakes to your honey. That’s what she did in the video that I watched.
Hi Tieghan!
I have made this recipe at least three or four times since I first saw it. It’s game changing! The first time I made it my honey & red pepper flakes mixture was a bit cold so it wouldn’t drizzle so I just threw a blob of it in the hot pan and spread it around on the pan a little bit and then flipped over the sandwich onto the mixture & let it cook a 30-60 seconds longer. I did the same on both sides and I’ve been making it that way ever since. Gives it a nice little sweet crunch to the entire side of the bread! xo
Hey Trisa,
Wonderful!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! xT
This tastes like something from a gastro pub. Love the balance of umami with the sweet and spicy! Will definitely be making again!
Hey Niketa,
Fantastic!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
So. Many. Yes’s. Gamechanger adding the miso and the red peppered honey, absolutely bomb. Thank you!!!
Hey Lauren,
Fantastic!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
I am vegan so I made this with vegan cheese, vegan butter and drizzled maple syrup on it and OMG so good!!
Hey Lauren,
Awesome!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a hit. Have the best week:) xx
Hi! Is it possible to use red miso?
Hey there,
Yes, that would work for you! Please let me know if you give it a try, I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
I actually couldn’t find the white miso-so red it was. I just used a little less than the white and it. was. amazing.
The flavors were good. I thought it was a bit greasy. I probably needed to use less butter per slice. I used gluten free deli style bread. It came out delicious.
Hey Brynne,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
Very tasty! I had to use gluten free bread, so I probably could have used some sea salt inside as well as outside the sandwich. This is a good jumping off point for adding new twists.
Hey Karin,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
I was a little worried it would be super greasy, but it wasn’t at all. Delicious! I ate a few bites without the honey drizzle, but then added it and that made it even better. Don’t skip the honey!
Hi Deb,
Happy Wednesday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan