Starbucks grilled cheese sandwiches are a popular menu item that many customers enjoy as a quick meal or snack. With calorie counts and nutrition information readily available, it’s easy to figure out just how many calories are in one of these warm, cheesy sandwiches.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at the calorie and nutrition facts for Starbucks’ grilled cheese options. We’ll compare the different types of grilled cheese sandwiches they offer and calculate the calories per sandwich. Whether you’re watching your calorie intake or just curious about the nutrition profile, read on to learn more about the calorie counts for Starbucks grilled cheeses.
Overview of Starbucks Grilled Cheese Options
Starbucks offers three types of grilled cheese sandwiches:
- Regular Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Ham & Cheese Grilled Sandwich
- Bacon & Gouda Grilled Cheese
The classic grilled cheese contains just cheddar cheese melted between slices of brioche bread. The ham and cheese option adds sliced ham to the traditional grilled cheese. And the bacon gouda grilled cheese features smoky bacon and gouda cheese.
Nutrition Facts for Regular Grilled Cheese
Here are the basic nutrition facts for Starbucks’ classic grilled cheese sandwich without any additions:
Regular Grilled Cheese Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 370 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 10g |
| Trans Fat | 0.5g |
| Cholesterol | 30mg |
| Sodium | 730mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 41g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 3g |
| Protein | 13g |
As you can see, a regular Starbucks grilled cheese sandwich contains 370 calories. It also has 18g of total fat, 730mg of sodium, and 41g of carbohydrates.
While the classic grilled cheese is not extremely high in calories, it does contain a significant amount of fat and sodium. This comes from the buttery brioche bread and melty cheddar cheese in between.
Calories in Ham and Cheese Grilled Sandwich
Starbucks’ ham and cheese grilled sandwich packs more calories and sodium compared to the regular grilled cheese. Here are the nutrition facts:
Ham & Cheese Grilled Sandwich Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 450 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 12g |
| Trans Fat | 0.5g |
| Cholesterol | 75mg |
| Sodium | 1160mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 39g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 3g |
| Protein | 20g |
The ham and cheese option contains 450 calories, which is 80 more calories than the regular grilled cheese. It also has 24g of total fat, 1160mg of sodium, and 20g of protein.
The addition of sliced ham adds more fat, sodium, cholesterol, and protein compared to the original sandwich. So when calculating calories for this menu item, be sure to account for the extra ham.
Calorie Count for Bacon & Gouda Grilled Cheese
For an even more indulgent grilled cheese, Starbucks offers the bacon & gouda version. With smoky bacon and creamy gouda cheese, this sandwich is higher in calories than the previous two.
Bacon & Gouda Grilled Cheese Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 510 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 28g |
| Saturated Fat | 16g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 105mg |
| Sodium | 1030mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 33g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 2g |
| Protein | 28g |
With 510 calories, the bacon and gouda grilled cheese delivers the most calories out of Starbucks’ three grilled cheese options. It also contains 28g of fat, 1030mg of sodium, and 28g of protein.
The crispy bacon adds significant calories, fat, and sodium to this indulgent grilled cheese. And the gouda cheese bumps up the fat and protein compared to cheddar.
Comparing Calories in Starbucks Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
To summarize, here is an overview comparing the calories in all three Starbucks grilled cheese sandwiches:
| Grilled Cheese Type | Calories |
|---|---|
| Regular Grilled Cheese | 370 |
| Ham & Cheese Grilled Sandwich | 450 |
| Bacon & Gouda Grilled Cheese | 510 |
As you can see, calories range from 370 calories for a classic grilled cheese up to 510 calories for the bacon and gouda option.
The regular grilled cheese makes a lighter option if you are watching your calorie intake. However, the ham and bacon options both deliver more protein.
So in determining calories, be sure to consider which sandwich you are ordering. Personalize your order by asking for light cheese or no bacon to lower fat, sodium, and calories if needed.
Tips for Creating a Lower Calorie Grilled Cheese
If you want to enjoy a Starbucks grilled cheese but make it a bit healthier, there are easy ways to reduce the calorie count:
- Ask for just one slice of cheese instead of two.
- Opt for cheddar cheese rather than higher-fat gouda.
- Skip the ham or bacon as add-ons.
- Request your sandwich be made on whole grain bread instead of brioche.
- Order a half sandwich instead of a full.
- Avoid any spread like butter to top the bread.
- Pair your grilled cheese with a side salad or fruit instead of chips.
Implementing some of these tweaks can help reduce fat, sodium, carbs, and calories in your grilled cheese sandwich. You can also balance out the meal by adding in some veggies or protein on the side.
Conclusion
Starbucks grilled cheese sandwiches range from 370 to 510 calories, depending on the type you order. While grilled cheese is not the healthiest choice, there are ways to reduce the calorie count if needed.
To minimize calories, stick to the classic grilled cheese, hold any fatty add-ons like extra cheese or bacon, and opt for whole grain bread. Pairing your sandwich with a salad or fruit makes for a more balanced meal.
Understanding the calorie content in Starbucks grilled cheeses allows you to make informed choices and customize your sandwich to fit your dietary needs. So enjoy this warm, cheesy favorite knowing exactly what you’re getting!
