The Best Cheeses to Pair with Corned Beef for Ultimate Flavor

I absolutely love corned beef. There’s just something about the salty, rich flavor of the cured brisket that is so satisfying. But while corned beef on its own is tasty, I find that adding the right cheese takes the flavors to the next level. The creamy texture and complementary flavors of cheese enhance corned beef sandwiches, baked casseroles, and more.

So what cheese goes best with corned beef? Here are my top picks for kicking up the flavor of corned beef with melty, delicious cheese.

Swiss Cheese

Swiss cheese is one of my go-to choices for corned beef. The nutty, slightly sweet flavor adds nice balance to the saltiness of corned beef. I also love how Swiss cheese slices melt beautifully when layered on sandwiches. The firm yet flexible texture stands up well and doesn’t get lost among the heartiness of the meat.

For hot corned beef and cabbage, I’ll grate some Swiss cheese on top. Gruyère is an excellent Swiss variety that pairs wonderfully. The complex flavor doesn’t compete but adds pleasant notes.

Cheddar Cheese

You just can’t go wrong matching corned beef with cheddar, The sharp tang of good cheddar cheese highlights the seasoning of the meat Aged orange cheddar has that quintessential sharpness that I love with corned beef,

Cheddar also has a creamy texture that helps cut through the unctuousness of the fatty brisket And it melts like a dream for perfect grilled cheese sandwiches featuring corned beef

Blue Cheese

Looking to kick up the flavor a notch? Reach for the blue cheese! The spice, saltiness, and funk of blue cheese makes an awesome match for assertive corned beef.

I’m a big fan of using crumbly Gorgonzola. The veining adds creaminess while the flavor remains bold. Stilton and Roquefort also pair well. Add some blue cheese dressing on the side of your Reuben for a flavor boost.

Havarti

Havarti is my choice when I want something more subtle with corned beef. This Danish cheese has a buttery flavor and smooth creamy texture that complements without overwhelming the brisket.

Since Havarti melts so well, it’s perfect for grilled sandwiches featuring corned beef. I also love it in quiche or baked egg dishes with corned beef. The mild creaminess lets the meat shine.

Pepper Jack

Sometimes I want to spice up my corned beef with some heat. For those times, pepper jack is ideal. The spicy kick of jalapeño and habanero peppers adds excitement to sandwiches layered with the meat.

Pepper jack has a great creamy texture that melts over corned beef beautifully. The heat and spice contrast so well with the rich saltiness of the brisket. Definitely try it if you like things on the spicier side.

Mozzarella

Fresh mozzarella cheese may seem like a simple choice, but it’s so delicious with corned beef. The delicate milky flavor and soft texture balance the assertiveness of the meat.

Because it melts without getting oily or rubbery, fresh mozzarella works great on flatbreads and pizzas with corned beef. I’ll also add it to caprese salads with sliced corned beef for an easy appetizer.

Gouda

Gouda is one of my favorite pairings since it has deep, complex flavors that complement corned beef. The creamy texture and meltability of gouda also work very well.

I like to use an aged gouda that develops crunchy bits within for texture contrast. The salty sharpness and caramel notes in aged gouda stand up boldly against the corned beef’s intensity.

Feta Cheese

For a tangy, salty cheese pairing, feta is fantastic. Good feta has a crumbly texture and strong salty bite that offsets the richness of fatty corned beef beautifully.

I’ll often add feta crumbles to Greek salads topped with sliced corned beef. Feta also shines as part of an appetizer platter served alongside corned beef. The briny creaminess is a perfect match.

Provolone

Sharp provolone is another excellent cheese choice with corned beef. Aged provolone develops a bold tanginess and firm, dense texture ideal for sandwiches.

Provolone’s firmness holds up well when layered on rye bread with corned beef. Yet it also melts nicely when you want cheesy baked dishes like casseroles, meatballs, or stuffed peppers featuring corned beef.

Cream Cheese

For an easy creamy addition, whip up some herbed cream cheese. I like to blend chives, garlic, or other herbs into plain cream cheese. This punches up the flavor while the cream cheese itself has a neutral taste that lets the corned beef shine.

Use herbed cream cheese as a sandwich spread, in creamy dips, or formed into an appeteaser cheese ball. It goes great with any dish featuring salty corned beef.

Closing Thoughts

There you have my picks for the best cheeses to pair with tasty corned beef. Pay attention to textures and flavors that complement without overpowering the meat. Cheese and corned beef are better together!

The creaminess offsets the saltiness and richness perfectly. Melty cheeses like cheddar or Havarti work great in sandwiches and baked dishes. And bold cheeses like gorgonzola or aged gouda can stand up to corned beef for an flavorful culinary pairing.

So go beyond just eating your corned beef plain. Add one of these delicious cheeses to take your meal to the next level of amazing flavors! Your taste buds will thank you.