What Pairs Well With Cheese?

Category: Dairy

Cheese is a dairy product made from curdled or coagulated milk. It is typically produced by adding rennet or an acid to milk to separate the curds from the whey. The curds are then pressed and aged to create different varieties of cheese, each with its own unique flavor, texture, and aroma. Cheese can be made from the milk of cows, goats, sheep, or other mammals, and can be enjoyed on its own or used as an ingredient in a wide variety of dishes.

Flavor Profiles:

Nutty
Creamy
Savory
Salty
Pungent
Umami
Sour
Tangy

What goes with Cheese:

Walnuts – Walnuts and cheese pair well together because walnuts have a slightly sweet and buttery flavor with a hint of bitterness, while cheese, particularly hard and aged varieties, have a rich, savory, and sometimes tangy taste, creating a balanced and complementary flavor profile when combined.
Nuts – The combination of nuts and cheese is often enjoyed because the flavors, textures, and nutrients of many nuts complement various types of cheese, creating a satisfying and indulgent taste experience.
Honey – Honey’s sweetness complements the saltiness and tanginess of cheese, creating a delightful flavor combination.
Almonds – Almonds pair well with cheese due to their complementary flavors and textures, with the mildly sweet and buttery taste of almonds contrasting and balancing the rich, savory, and sometimes tangy qualities of cheese.
Dark Chocolate – The bitterness of dark chocolate provides a nice contrast to the sweetness of some cheeses, particularly those with a higher fat content.
Arugula – Arugula’s peppery flavor balances and complements the rich, creamy taste of cheese, creating a delightful combination in salads, sandwiches, and pastas.
Balsamic Vinaigrette – The sweet-tart flavor of balsamic vinaigrette complements the rich, tangy taste of cheese, creating a harmonious balance that enhances the flavors of both components.
Garlic – Garlic pairs well with cheese due to the strong, pungent flavor of garlic complementing and balancing the rich, creamy taste of cheese.
Olive Oil – Olive oil, with its fruity and peppery notes, complements and balances the rich, tangy, and sometimes salty flavors of cheese.
Butter – Butter’s creamy richness and mild flavor provide a delicious contrast and complement to cheese’s various textures and strong, tangy tastes.
Pasta – Certain types of pasta, such as those with a robust flavor profile or a tendency to stick together, can benefit from the creaminess and smooth texture that cheese can provide, creating a harmonious and enjoyable eating experience.
Dried Fruits – Dried fruits, such as apricots or figs, have a sweet and intense flavor that pairs well with cheese, especially stronger, more pungent varieties.
Mixed Greens – The variety of flavors and textures in mixed greens salads complements the rich, tangy, or mild tastes of different cheeses, creating a balanced and enjoyable meal.
Flour – Flour, when combined with water, creates gluten which gives cheese-based dishes structure, helping them hold their shape and providing a desirable texture. This is why flour is commonly used in recipes for cheese sauces, souffles, and pastries.
Sour Cream – Sour cream’s tangy and creamy flavor complements the rich and savory taste of cheese, creating a delightful contrast that balances and enhances each other in various dishes.
Bacon – Bacon’s salty, savory flavor and crispy texture complement cheese’s creamy, tangy taste and varied consistencies, creating a harmonious and indulgent combination that satisfies a wide range of palates.
Chives – Chives’ mild onion flavor and delicate texture complement various cheeses, adding a hint of savory taste and a touch of green color, making for a visually and gastronomically pleasing combination.
Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise, with its creamy and tangy flavor profile, provides a delicious contrast to the rich and savory taste of cheese, enhancing its flavors while also adding moisture and smoothness to each bite.
Mustard – Mustard’s tangy and pungent flavor complements cheese’s rich and creamy texture, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Black Beans –
Corn – The natural sweetness of corn complements the savory and sometimes tangy flavors of cheese, creating a harmonious and satisfying combination in dishes like elote, grilled corn on the cob with cotija cheese, or creamy corn and cheese casseroles.
Spinach – Spinach pairs well with cheese because the creaminess and richness of cheese complements the earthy and slightly bitter flavor of spinach, creating a balanced and flavorful combination.
Onions – Onions’ sweetness and sharpness balance cheese’s rich and often salty flavors, creating a harmonious combination in various dishes.
Tomatoes – Tomatoes and cheese complement each other well because the acidity of tomatoes balances the richness of cheese, while the creamy and sometimes salty taste of cheese enhances the sweet and bright flavor of tomatoes.
Cilantro –
Bread – “Bread pairs well with cheese because its mild flavor and sturdy texture provide a perfect base for showcasing the diverse flavors and textures of various cheeses.”
Lettuce – Lettuce, with its crisp texture and mild flavor, provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, tangy taste of cheese, creating a balanced and satisfying combination in sandwiches and salads.
Onion – The sharp, pungent flavor of raw onions complements the rich, creamy taste of cheese, creating a balanced and flavorful combination.
Raisins – Raisins pair well with cheese due to the contrasting flavors and textures, with the sweetness and chewiness of raisins complementing the saltiness and creaminess of cheese.
Dried Fruit – Dried fruit pairs well with cheese because its natural sweetness complements the saltiness and richness of cheese, while its chewy texture offers a satisfying contrast to the creamy or crumbly texture of cheese.
Apples – Similar to grapes, apples provide a sweet contrast to cheese, but their tartness can also help cut through the richness of creamy cheeses.
Pine Nuts – Pine nuts provide a buttery, subtle sweetness that complements the rich, tangy flavors often found in cheese.
Vegetables – Vegetables pair well with cheese due to the combination of their contrasting flavors and textures, as well as the way cheese can enhance the natural taste of vegetables while adding creaminess and richness.
Basil – Basil’s mildly sweet and slightly peppery flavor complements the rich, tangy, and sometimes strong tastes of cheese, enhancing their savory qualities while adding a refreshing, aromatic note.
Green Onions –
Beans – Beans and cheese complement each other well because beans provide a creamy, earthy flavor and cheese adds a rich, salty depth, creating a balanced and satisfying dish.
Grapes – The sweetness of grapes complements the saltiness of many cheeses, creating a balanced flavor profile.
Salt – Salt’s ability to enhance and balance flavors makes it a natural complement to the rich, tangy, and sometimes mild flavors of cheese.
Pepper – Pepper’s slight heat and flavorful kick complement the rich, creamy taste of cheese, creating a delicious and savory combination.
Prosciutto – Prosciutto and cheese pair well together because the saltiness of the cured meat complements the rich, tangy, and creamy flavors of various cheeses.
Figs – The sweetness of figs pairs well with the saltiness of cheese, and their soft texture complements the harder texture of many cheeses.
Baguette – The crispy and airy texture of a baguette provides a satisfying contrast to the creamy and rich taste of cheese, while its mild flavor allows the cheese to take center stage.
Mushrooms – Mushrooms and cheese pair well together because the earthy, savory flavors of mushrooms are enhanced and balanced by the creamy, rich taste of cheese.
Cream – Cream and cheese both contain fat, which carries and enhances flavor, making them a classic and delicious combination.
Red Wine – Red wine’s tannins and cheese’s proteins create a balanced combination, each neutralizing the other’s strong flavors, leading to an enhanced taste experience.
Avocado – Avocado pairs well with cheese due to its creamy texture and mild, slightly nutty flavor, which complements the rich, tangy, and salty qualities of many cheeses.
Fruit –
Crackers – Crackers provide a crispy, bland contrast that allows the flavors of cheese to shine.
Olives – The briny and salty flavor of olives complements the richness of cheese, while their meaty texture provides a satisfying contrast.
Tomato – Tomatoes and cheese complement each other well in dishes because the acidity of tomatoes balances the richness of cheese, while the creamy texture of cheese enhances the sweetness of tomatoes.
Dressing –
Milk – Milk and cheese both come from the same source, milk, and traditionally, many cheeses are aged with regular feedings of milk, making them natural complements in terms of taste and texture.
Ham –
Jalapenos – The creaminess of cheese complements the mild heat of jalapenos, creating a balanced and flavorful combination.
Tortillas – Tortillas and cheese pair well together because the warm, toasted tortilla enhances the melted cheese’s flavor and texture, creating a harmonious, versatile, and delicious foundation for various Mexican-inspired dishes.
Lime –
Chutney – Chutney adds a sweet and spicy flavor to cheese, making it a great accompaniment to milder cheeses and crackers.
Pineapple – The sweet and tangy flavor of pineapple complements the saltiness and creaminess of cheese, creating a delightful combination that balances and enhances each other’s flavors.
Salsa – “Salsa’s bold, tangy flavors complement the creamy, mild taste of cheese, creating a delicious and popular combination in many dishes.”
Tortilla Chips – Tortilla chips and cheese pair well together because the crispy, salty chips provide a satisfying crunch that complements the creamy, rich cheese, while the corn flavor of the chips enhances the taste of the cheese.
Guacamole –
Charcuterie –
Pears – Pears have a sweet and slightly tangy flavor that pairs well with cheese, especially stronger, funkier varieties.
Baguette Slices – Baguette slices, with their crispy exterior and soft interior, provide a satisfying crunch and neutral flavor that complements the creamy texture and tangy or mild tastes of various cheeses.
Crusty Bread – The rough, crusty exterior of the bread complements the smooth, creamy texture of cheese, while the airy, porous interior of the bread provides a perfect vessel for holding and enhancing the flavor of melted cheese.
Chesnut – Chesnut pairs well with cheese due to its sweet and earthy flavor profile, which complements the rich, tangy, and sometimes pungent tastes found in various cheeses.
Raittas – Raittas, a spicy and tangy Indian side dish, provides a delicious contrast to the rich and creamy flavors of cheese, making for a harmonious and flavorful combination.
Red Pepper Flakes – Red pepper flakes and cheese pair well together because the heat from the pepper flakes complements the creamy richness of the cheese, creating a balanced and flavorful combination.
Quince Paste – The sweet and tangy taste of quince paste provides a nice contrast to the saltiness of cheese, and its smooth texture complements the crumbly texture of many cheeses.
Buns – The savory, fatty quality of cheese complements the slight sweetness and soft texture of buns, creating a harmonious contrast of flavors and textures.
Toast –
English Muffin – The nooks and crannies of English muffins provide an ideal surface for melted cheese to pool and solidify, creating a delightful textural contrast and enhancing flavors.
Jam –
Vinaigrette –
Vinaigrette Dressing – The tangy acidity in vinaigrette dressing complements the rich, creamy flavor of cheese, creating a balanced and harmonious taste sensation.
Pickles – The combination of pickles and cheese creates a delightful contrast in taste and texture, with the tangy, salty, and sour pickles complementing the rich, creamy, and often mild cheese.
Corn Tortillas – Corn tortillas and cheese pair well together because the corn tortillas provide a subtle, slightly sweet flavor and a sturdy yet pliable texture that complements the rich, melty, and savory qualities of cheese.
Ketchup – The sweet and tangy flavor of ketchup complements the rich and savory taste of cheese, creating a balanced and delicious combination.
Apple Slices – The sweetness of apple slices complements the saltiness of cheese, providing a delightful contrast in flavors.
Peppers –
Hoagie Rolls –
Roasted Nuts – The combination of roasted nuts and cheese offers a delightful contrast in texture and a balance of flavors, as the rich, creamy cheese complements the crunchy, savory nuts while also providing a satisfying sweet-salty interplay.
Burger Buns – The soft, slightly sweet texture of burger buns complements the savory, melted cheese, creating a balanced and enjoyable sensory experience in each bite.
Champagne – Champagne’s acidity and fine bubbles cleanse the palate, balancing the richness and saltiness of cheese.
Toppings Of Choice – Toppings of choice, such as vegetables or meats, add diverse flavors and textures that complement the creamy, tangy, or savory taste of cheese, enhancing the overall sensory experience of a dish.
Blackberry Jam – Blackberry jam’s sweet-tart flavor and jammy texture provide a delicious contrast to the savory, creamy, and sometimes tangy or sharp taste of cheese, enhancing and balancing each other’s flavors in every bite.
Sweet Wine –
Toppings –