The easiest way to impress people and look like you put in a lot of work is with a meat and cheese platter. But don’t worry—we’ll teach you some simple tricks and tips right here.
Just like you’d pair wine and cheese, certain meats and cheese complement each other better than others. We have put together a full guide on how to pair meat and cheese and make the best charcuterie board ever. Start planning your next party now.
Pork and cheese make an undeniably tasty duo The rich, savory flavor of pork serves as the perfect canvas for cheeses of all varieties. With endless options to choose from, what cheeses pair best with the various cuts of pork?
Here we’ll suggest 12 sensational cheeses that complement pork wonderfully. Read on for ideal pairings, serving tips, and answers to frequently asked questions about matching cheese with pork.
12 Best Cheeses to Serve with Pork
Try these 12 fantastic cheeses that marry flawlessly with pork
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Blue cheese – The bold pungent flavor of blue cheese offers the ideal punchy contrast to balance pork’s richness. Crumble over pork chops or blend into stuffing.
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Aged cheddar – For a classic combo, turn to the mellow, nutty tang of aged cheddar. Slice for sandwiches, shred for casseroles, or top pork with a smooth cheddar cheese sauce.
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Swiss – With its signature nutty sweetness and satiny texture, Swiss makes a wonderful partner for pork. Thin slices over pork cutlets or on a ham sandwich take this duo to new heights.
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Goat cheese – The tangy creaminess of goat cheese brilliantly offsets pork’s richness. Crumble over pork medallions, tacos, or sandwiches instead of mayo.
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Gouda – Gouda’s subtle sweet caramel tones pair marvelously with pork. Shred gouda over pulled pork or tacos, or stuff pork chops alongside sundried tomatoes.
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Pepper jack – For a spicy kick, pepper jack’s jalapeño zing highlights pork’s richness fantastically. Add to Cuban sandwiches or pork quesadillas.
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Provolone – With its mild, smoky flavor profile and smooth meltability, provolone melds wonderfully with pork. Layer on subs, hoagies, and pork-centric sandwiches.
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Havarti – Havarti’s buttery, herbaceous taste makes a fantastic partner for pork. Include in grilled cheese with ham or carnitas tacos for delightful duos.
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Gruyère – Nutty, fruity Gruyère adds incredible richness to any pork dish. Enjoy alongside prosciutto on a cheese plate or melting over pork chops.
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Fontina – Fontina’s piquant nuttiness feels right at home with pork. Bread pork cutlets and top with melted fontina and tomato sauce for amazing Parmesan.
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Muenster – Mild, melty Muenster pairs perfectly with pork on sandwiches. Add to Cubanos or Reubens for gooey satisfaction.
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Parmesan – Finally, Parmesan’s sharp savoriness makes it a natural fit for pork in chicken Parmesan or Milanese recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Beyond slicing atop pork dishes, here are creative ways to serve cheese with pork:
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Stuff mushrooms or peppers with cheese and Italian sausage
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Make loaded mashed potatoes with bacon, cheddar, and sour cream
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Toss shredded barbecue pork with gooey mac and cheese
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Bake French toast or waffles filled with ham and Swiss or cheddar
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Top cheese grits with shrimp, pork bits, and melty cheese
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Fill omelets, frittatas, and quiches with diced ham and mixed cheeses
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Load nachos with carnitas, cheese sauce, pico de gallo and jalapeños
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Stuff biscuits or croissants with sausage, egg, and cheese for breakfast
Pairing Tips
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Match intensity – pair milder cheeses with subtle pork like tenderloin, stronger cheeses with richer cuts like shoulder
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Contrast textures – breaded cutlets love oozing, melted cheese
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Accent flavors – spicy pepper jack highlights pork’s richness; sharp cheddar cuts through fat
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Avoid very sweet cheeses like mascarpone that clash with pork’s savory essence
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Vary accompaniments – apple, pear, or fig chutneys contrast nicely with pork and cheese
With endless tasty cheese options, you can’t go wrong pairing melty, delicious cheese with savory pork dishes. Experiment to find your favorite cheese and pork combinations.
Must-try meat and cheese pairings
We’re not in the business of cheese discrimination; all cheeses and cured meats are delicious. Nonetheless, it can be overwhelming. Here are a few of our favorite must-try combinations.
Salami is a charcuterie crowd-favorite and honestly, you really can’t go wrong with this cheese pairing. Try pairing it with gouda, a semi-hard cheese with roots in the Netherlands. Gouda comes in multiple varieties – aged, smoky, or flavor-infused – to suit whichever mood you’re in. Marieke® Gouda is one of our favorites. It comes in many different flavors, such as pepper, paprika, coriander, honey clover, fenugreek, allspice, and onion.
Salty, crumbly parmesan and buttery prosciutto meet in a sensual dance of flavors on your tongue. Prosciutto is an Italian dry-cured ham, often sliced ultra-thin. Both prosciutto and parmesan are typically aged, making them super flavorful and salty-sweet in the best way. You’ll have to excuse us for a moment while we daydream about meat and cheese.
Soppressata, a dry salami, can be made with both pork or beef. Whichever kind you choose, you can’t go wrong pairing it with havarti, a creamy, semi-soft cheese. The herbs and spices in the soppressata stand out against the soft, buttery taste of Havarti, which brings out the nutty, earthy notes of the cheese.
‘Nduja (“en-doo-yah”) is the element for your charcuterie board that you didn’t know you needed. This trendy Calabrian dish is a soft, spicy pork spread that will go well with your cheese platter. Alpine-style cheese is the perfect pairing for it. Its creaminess will take the edge off the ‘nduja’s hot red peppers and balance its other flavor components. We would be remiss if we didn’t say that ndjua is also a great way to spice up a grilled cheese. Heres our recipe for a delicious nduja grilled cheese.
Meat and cheese accompaniments
When done right, pairing meat and cheese is an art that brings out the best in each other’s taste, texture, and experience. But adding other things to your cheese board takes it to the next level, making it more interesting to look at and bringing out flavors that go well together. Try adding sweet, crunchy, and savory elements to your next charcuterie board.
Some cheeses are slightly sweet, so eating them with fruit is a great way to bring out those sweet notes. Figs are great with parmesan or blue cheese. Since they’re at their freshest in June and July, they’re great as an appetizer at a summer picnic or party. You can store dried apricots for months and they taste great with gouda or cheddar. They are also a great addition to a cheese board you threw together quickly because your in-laws dropped by unexpectedly. ) Pears play off feta, and cantaloupe is a great pair with prosciutto.
Some cured meats may have a bit more bite to them, but most of the cheeses on a typical cheese board will be soft. Adding in crunchy accompaniments is a great way to add some more interest and variety. Nuts are a great place to start. Try some pecans with gouda or cashews with blue cheese. You can also add crunch to your food with sesame sticks, which go well with Asiago or Parmesan cheese.
Olives bring a savory, salty element that spices up your cheeses. Try Kalamatas with feta for a classic Mediterranean feel or green olives with swiss or gouda. Cranberry chutney hits that sweet-savory balance just right and is particularly festive around the winter holidays. Try it with cheddar and prepare for your socks to be knocked off. Cornichons, which is French for “tiny pickles,” are both cutely small and deliciously sour. They add much-needed acidity to cut through foods that are too rich. Try them with emmental and salami. A whole-grain Dijon mustard is a great addition to an aged cheddar.
The best parties are ones with a big charcuterie board. Whether this is your first time putting together a cheese platter or you’ve done it a million times, here are some tips to keep in mind.
There’s nothing more tragic than leftover cheese that’s been sitting out slightly too long to salvage. Making sure that your guests get the right amount of food will keep tasty meat and cheese from going to waste.
I’ve never eaten such delicious pork chops! Quick and Easy Garlic Honey Pork Chops Recipe
FAQ
What kind of cheese goes well with pulled pork?
What mixes well with pork?
What tastes go well with pork?
What cheese goes well with pork?
You see, pork comes in several shapes. For example, pulled pork, medallions, chops, etc. And one of these tastes the best with one cheese then another one with a different one. But cheeses that team very well with this pork are Cheddar, Mozzarella, and blue cheese. Whether it’s been used as a sauce or stuffed, it always tasted godly to me.
What is the healthy substitute of cottage cheese?
Cottage cheese itself is a healthy option to include in daily diet as it is made of milk and rich in protein and calcium. If one has to substitute cottage cheese for various reasons then tofu is one such option which can be used and has good protein content too. Or mozzarella cheese or other types of low fat cheese options can be used to certain extent as a substitute.
Which cheese is best for pulled pork?
Swiss: Swiss cheese has a nutty flavor and melts easily, making it a great choice for adding a subtle cheese flavor to your pulled pork. When choosing the right cheese for your pulled pork, it’s important to consider the flavor, texture, and appearance of the cheese.
Can you add cheese to pork?
Well, unfortunately, no! Because different kinds of cheese taste different. So, when you add different cheese to your pork the taste will vary. Therefore, as per your demand, we’re gonna explore how many cheeses go together with pork. And how many pork and cheese recipes you can try with different cheese. Oh God!