Earthy and tart flavor with strong odor of goat milk, goat cheese has a slight note of bitterness with extra thick creaminess. This kind of cheese is similar to ricotta or blue cheese due to its resemblance in taste and texture.
Goat cheese requires certain foods to eat with for maximum enjoyment. It is versatile to serve at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, however not every dish goes well with the richness of goat cheese.
What to eat with goat cheese? Goat cheese has artful crumble and mild tang flavor that works perfectly with main entrees, starters and some desserts. A small amount of goat cheese is great in salads, soups, risottos, sandwiches, and on a charcuterie board.
Typically served in savory dishes, goat cheese also blend well with sweets such as ice cream, cheesecake, mousse, cookies, and pudding. It gives desserts a soft and mellow tang with hint of sweetness throughout each and every bite.
Crumbly goat cheese has lots of great uses from spread for crackers to topping for salads, and a delicious creamy addition to brighten up dull recipes. If you are looking for ways to make goat cheese taste better, this article goes deep into the flavor profiles that pair perfectly with goat cheese.
What does goat cheese pair well with?
Pair goat cheese with nuts, vegetables, beer, wine, spices, fruits, meats and even other cheese types. If paired correctly, there won’t be a goaty aftertaste or a strong flavor that will overpower the dish.
Examples of excellent goat cheese pairings include:
- Vegetables: cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, potatoes, green onions, shallots, arugula
- Nuts: almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, pine nuts
- Herbs and spices: thyme, tarragon, cinnamon, sage, vanilla, parsley, star anise
- Cheese: cheddar, parmesan, ricotta cheese
- Dairy: Greek yogurt, cream cheese
- Beer: Saison, Belgian beer
- Wine: Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Merlot, rose champagne, Chablis, Sancerre, sparkling wine
- Condiments: honey, olive oil, maple syrup
What meat goes with goat cheese?
Goat cheese pairs best with cured meats, especially on a charcuterie board as an appetizer. When serving goat cheese with meat, consider whether it is meant to be a snack or main dish.
Served on omelets and paninis, goat cheese pairs excellently with meats of all kinds due to its very unique flavor profiles, earthy tones and tart flavors.
- Meat: beef, filet mignon, steak, chicken, lamb, pork, turkey, duck
- Cured meat: salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, ham, bacon
- Cooked meat: roast beef, beef sirloin, pan-roasted steak, skillet meat, spicy meat
What fruit goes with goat cheese?
The sweetness in fruits goes with goat cheese to bring out specific flavor notes and provides a contrast to its saltiness.
These are fruits that pair exceptionally well with goat cheese:
- Stone fruits: persimmons, apricots, green apples, cherries, pears, pomegranates
- Dried fruits: figs, dates, cranberries
- Citrus fruits: oranges, lemon, grapefruit
- Berries: strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries
What flavor goes well with goat cheese?
Plain goat cheese is a great canvas to accentuate with flavor versions by adding a drizzle of maple syrup or honey to make it extra sweet. Chopped figs and dried raisins are a perfect addition as well as black pepper, fresh herbs or even sun-dried tomatoes.
To achieve savory flavor, add salt to taste, then go in with fresh or dried herbs such as tarragon, parsley, or basil. For additional spices, sprinkle in some onion powder, chili flakes, cinnamon, or nutmeg.
To add a nutty taste and a bit of crunch, roll a goat cheese log in chopped pecans, pine nuts, and almonds.
Here are classic ingredients to serve with goat cheese to enhance the original flavor:
- goat cheese + fennel + sausage + hot peppers
- goat cheese + prosciutto + caramelized onions + mushrooms
- goat cheese + pecans + honey + baguette + thyme
- goat cheese + pine nuts + asian pear + olive oil + honey
- goat cheese + strawberry jam + butter + deli ham + toast
Eat with Goat Cheese: Conclusion
With goat cheese, the possibilities are endless. It’s fairly versatile and can be paired with meat, fruits, cheese, nuts, and vegetables.
To flavor goat cheese, add different types of herbs and spices. And if you love that extra sweetness, don’t forget to go with maple syrup, honey, and dried fruit.
Fun crumbly texture with tart taste, goat cheese is served as a spread for crackers or sandwich, salad topping, soup, creamy risotto, and as part of a charcuterie board.
Not only in savory dishes, this cheese also blend well with sweets including ice cream, cheesecake, mousse, cookie, and pudding to give a tang and smooth texture.
Whether you are looking to enjoy goat cheese for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert, use above list of fruit and meat pairing as well as ingredients to add-on to your favorite dishes.