Burgers And Cheese: The Perfect Pairing Guide

There are many types of cheese that can be used to make a delicious cheeseburger. The best cheese for a cheeseburger should have a combination of flavour and moisture, with meltability also being an important factor. While drier, aged cheeses like Parmigiano or Manchego won't work, there are plenty of other options to choose from.

A classic choice is American cheese, which melts well and has a mild, salty taste. Cheddar is another popular option, though younger cheddars with higher moisture content tend to melt better. Swiss cheese, Monterey Jack, and Mozzarella are also good choices for cheeseburgers as they melt well and have mild flavours that won't overpower the burger. For a more intense flavour, blue cheese is a common choice, though its strong taste may not be to everyone's liking. Other options include goat's cheese, smoked gouda, and pepper jack.

Mozzarella, provolone, and burrata are all stretchy and mild

Mozzarella is a popular choice for burgers, as it has a mild flavour that won't overpower the other ingredients. It is also elastic and has excellent melting capabilities, making it perfect for achieving that desirable, stretchy cheese pull. When melted, mozzarella develops a silky texture rather than becoming runny, making it an excellent choice for a juicy burger.

Provolone is another mild, stretchy cheese with excellent melting capabilities. It has a buttery texture and a smooth, mild flavour that pairs well with burgers without overpowering the other ingredients.

Burrata is a type of Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. It has a stretchy, elastic texture similar to mozzarella and a mild, slightly sweet flavour. It is an excellent choice for burgers, as it melts beautifully and adds a creamy element to the dish.

These three cheeses can be used in various ways to elevate your burger. They can be sliced and placed on top of the patty, stuffed inside the burger patty, or melted on top of the other ingredients. When paired with other toppings like caramelised onions, mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, and basil, they create a delicious, indulgent burger.

Mozzarella, provolone, and burrata are versatile cheeses that can take your burger to the next level. Their mild flavour, stretchy texture, and excellent melting capabilities make them ideal for creating a juicy, indulgent burger experience.

Cheddar is classic, but choose a younger variety for better meltability

Cheddar is a classic choice for a cheeseburger, but not all cheddars are created equal. When selecting the perfect cheddar for your burger, it's important to consider the age of the cheese. While mature cheddars aged one year or more have a distinctively crumbly texture and bold flavour, they don't melt as easily as their younger counterparts. For optimal meltability, opt for a young cheddar, aged for two to three months, with a higher moisture content. Varieties like Cabot or Tillamook are ideal, as they'll melt evenly across your burger without sacrificing that classic cheddar tang.

If you're looking for a cheddar with a more pronounced sharpness that still melts well, an extra sharp variety like Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Yellow Cheddar or Sargento sliced sharp natural cheddar cheese might be your best bet. These sharper cheddars will add a rich, tangy kick to your burger while still achieving that desired gooey texture.

To ensure your cheddar cheeseburger is the best it can be, consider grating the cheese before adding it to your patty. This will help the cheese melt more evenly and reduce the risk of a grainy texture.

So, the next time you're crafting the perfect cheeseburger, remember that when it comes to cheddar, youth is an asset. By choosing a younger variety, you'll achieve the perfect balance of flavour and meltability, taking your burger from good to extraordinary.

Raclette is an Alpine cheese that melts well due to its high moisture content

When it comes to burgers, cheese is key. While there are many cheeses to choose from, Raclette, an Alpine cheese, is an excellent option. Raclette is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese with a creamy texture and a salty, slightly sweet, and nutty flavour. It is a popular dish in Switzerland and other Alpine countries such as France, Germany, and Austria. Raclette's high moisture content makes it ideal for melting, a key characteristic when choosing a cheese for your burger.

Raclette has a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages when it was consumed by peasants in the mountainous Alpine regions. The traditional way to serve Raclette is to heat the cheese and scrape off the melted part onto bread or boiled potatoes. This method of preparation is where the cheese gets its name from, with "racler" meaning "to scrape" in French.

Today, Raclette is commonly enjoyed as a social dish, with family and friends gathering around a table-top grill to melt the cheese and pour it over their favourite foods. Raclette's ability to melt evenly and consistently makes it a perfect choice for burgers. The cheese will coat the patty in a thick layer, adding a wonderful creamy texture without becoming runny.

Raclette's mild and nutty flavour also makes it a great complement to the savoury meat of a burger. Its salty and slightly sweet notes will add depth to each bite without overwhelming the other flavours. Raclette's versatility allows it to be paired with a variety of toppings and condiments, making it a delicious addition to any burger creation.

Whether you choose to use Raclette or another cheese, the key to a great cheeseburger is finding a cheese that melts well and enhances the flavour of the burger. With its high moisture content and delicious flavour profile, Raclette is an excellent choice for anyone looking to elevate their burger experience.

American cheese is a classic, melting well and adding a hint of brightness to your burger

American cheese is a classic choice for cheeseburgers, adding a hint of brightness to your burger. It is a processed cheese, usually a blend of a few different varieties, that melts well and has a mild, buttery flavour. It is also available in white, yellow, or orange.

American cheese was first used on cheeseburgers in 1934 at Kaelin's restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky, in the hopes of adding a "new tang to the hamburger". The cheeseburger has since become a classic American dish, with American cheese remaining a staple topping.

American cheese melts well because it is a processed cheese, containing emulsifiers and oils. It has a creamy texture and a mild, salted flavour that pairs well with a juicy burger without being too overpowering. It also melts quickly, reducing the risk of overcooking the meat while waiting for the cheese to melt.

While some may prefer more sophisticated or adventurous cheese options, American cheese is a classic, nostalgic choice for cheeseburgers that complements the other ingredients without overwhelming them.

Goat's cheese can transform a humble diner dish into a stand-out meal

While a burger is a classic American dish, it can also go well with regional French cheeses. One such example is goat's cheese, which can transform a humble diner dish into a stand-out meal. Chavroux La Buche, a goat's cheese, can be easily sliced into burger-ready pieces, to top off a delicious, flame-cooked patty. It is best paired with a tangy, contrasting sauce – quince ketchup adds the perfect hint of sweet and sharp flavours. Finish with cooked winter vegetables, for a satisfyingly crunchy texture.

Goat's cheese is a soft cheese with a creamy tang that can complement the seared beef of a burger. It is a fine choice for those who have dairy sensitivities, as it is easier to digest than other cheeses. Goat's cheese also has a distinct flavour that can elevate the burger and make it more memorable.

For a French or Swiss take on the classic burger, try a cow's milk cheese like Comte or Gruyere, which has a complex flavour and melts beautifully. These cheeses have a higher moisture content, which makes them perfect for that gooey, stretchy texture that is so desirable in a cheeseburger.

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