Burgers' Best Cheese: Finding The Perfect Match

There are many different types of cheese that can be used to elevate the classic cheeseburger. The best cheese for burgers melts well, pairs with the patty and toppings, and brings an essential flavour profile, whether smoky or sharp. A popular choice is American cheese, a processed cheese that usually blends a few different varieties, creating the perfect cooking cheese. Other classic cheeses include cheddar, Swiss, and blue cheese. For those who want to get creative, options like Brie, smoked Gouda, and goat's cheese can add a unique twist to the traditional burger. Ultimately, the choice of cheese depends on personal preference, as there are hundreds of varieties to choose from, each adding a new dimension of flavour to this all-American dish.

The best cheeses for melting

A cheeseburger is a classic American dish, but choosing the right cheese to top it off can be a challenge. The best cheese for burgers melts well, pairs with the patty and toppings, and brings an essential flavour profile, whether smoky or sharp. Here are some of the best cheeses for melting on your burger:

• Monterey Jack is an all-American favourite, with a mild and tender flavour. It is one of the best cheeses for melting and is perfect for a super-gooey cheese sauce.
• Muenster is a smooth and mildly flavoured cheese, even when cold. It has visually pleasing orange edges and pairs well with beef.
• American cheese is a processed cheese that usually blends a few different varieties to create the perfect cooking cheese. It melts without splitting and adds a savoury flavour to the beef.
• Provolone is a semi-firm, springy, and sliceable cheese that pairs well with sweet or hot Italian sausage. It is a great melting cheese with a buttery texture.
• Swiss cheese or Emmentaler has a distinctive mellow taste that makes it a great choice to add to a burger. It melts beautifully and pairs well with bacon.
• Cheddar is a classic, semi-hard cheese with a distinctive taste. It melts well and can be moist or dry with a range of flavours from milky and sweet to acidic and grassy, depending on aging and origin. Young cheddars with higher moisture content melt the best.
• Mozzarella, specifically Fior di Latte, is an elastic-textured cheese, making for excellent melting capabilities. It melts into a silky, thick layer without becoming runny.
• Raclette is an alpine cheese that melts particularly well due to its high moisture content.
• Blue cheese is a pungent and creamy cheese that makes a cheeseburger truly decadent. It can be melted on top or stuffed inside the patty.
• Gouda is a creamy and mild cheese that makes a fabulous cheeseburger. Smoked gouda is a delicious option, especially when paired with barbecue sauce.

Classic cheeses

The best classic cheeses for burgers are those that melt well, pair with the patty and toppings, and bring an essential flavour profile, whether smoky or sharp.

Cheddar

Cheddar is a classic cheeseburger helper and gives a nice "tang" with a bold flavour. It ranges from mild to sharp (or aged) and young (mild) cheddars will melt the best.

Swiss

Swiss cheese is another super-melting cheese and is especially tasty when paired with bacon or sautéed mushrooms. This nutty and buttery cheese has a very distinctive yet mellow taste.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese is pleasantly pungent and extremely creamy. It can be stuffed inside the burger or melted on top. It is commonly served in upscale steak restaurants and pairs well with high-end bacon.

American Cheese

American cheese is a melty classic. Although it is not considered "cheese" by everyone, it was the original cheeseburger topping, first served in 1934. It is made by blending a cheese base with other ingredients such as cream, water, salt, spices, and an emulsifying agent. It is one of the best melting cheeses.

French cheeses

Brie

Brie is a soft and creamy French cheese made from cow's milk. It has a low melting point and mild, earthy flavours. When melted on a burger, it adds a gooey, creamy layer without overpowering the taste of the patty. Brie pairs well with toppings such as sautéed mushrooms, bringing out umami notes in the dish. Its mild flavour also makes it a good match for turkey burgers.

Comté

Comté is a Swiss-style cheese that crisps similarly to Parmesan, adding a crunchy texture to burgers. It has a salty and slightly sharp flavour, providing a savoury contrast to the other ingredients.

Montrachet

Montrachet is a soft goat's milk cheese (chèvre) that adds a delightful creamy tang to complement the seared beef. It is best paired with gourmet toppings such as caramelized onions or homemade onion jam instead of ketchup.

French Blue Cheese

Although not specifically mentioned as a French cheese in the sources, blue cheese is commonly associated with France, so it is worth noting that blue cheese can be a good choice for burgers, especially if you want a strong flavour. However, some may find it too pungent and overwhelming, so use sparingly and consider the balance of flavours in your burger.

When choosing a cheese for your burger, consider the role you want the cheese to play. Do you want it to complement the meat without overpowering it, or do you want a more adventurous combination where the cheese takes centre stage? The "best" cheese for a burger ultimately depends on your personal preference and the specific burger you are crafting.

Blue cheese

If you are serving burgers as finger food, blue cheese is a good choice. Try mini bite-size burgers as hors d'oeuvres, with every mouthful filled with the perfect combination of flavours.

American cheese

However, some people tend to stay away from American cheese because it is heavily processed. It is a "melty classic", but there are many other cheeses that can be used on a burger, depending on the flavour profile you are looking for.

Frequently asked questions