Patrick Oconnell
Cheddar is a versatile cheese that pairs well with a variety of foods and drinks. When creating a pairing, it's important to consider both the texture and taste of the cheese. In terms of drinks, cheddar is a good match with wines such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, as well as beers like lager and pale ale. For food pairings, cheddar goes well with fruits such as apples, pears, and plums, as well as crackers, bread, pickles, and meats such as salami and chorizo.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fruits | Blackberries, plums, figs, crisp apples, pineapples, mangoes, peaches, strawberries, eggplants, pickled radishes |
| Breads | Wheat bread, brown bread, seeded bread, oat bread, date nut bread, cinnamon raisin bread, cranberry walnut bread |
| Crackers | Water crackers |
| Meat | Chorizo, ham, salami, prosciutto, capicola |
| Wine | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay |
| Beer | Lager, pale ale, IPA, amber ale, pilsner |
| Other | Honey, nuts, pickles, pumpkin, chilli, tortilla chips |
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What You'll Learn
- Fruits: mango, plums, peaches, blackberries, figs, apples, pears, and pineapples
- Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot
- Beers: lager, pale ale, IPA, amber ale, pilsner
- Breads: wheat, brown, seeded, oat, date nut, cinnamon raisin, cranberry walnut
- Pickles: dill, gherkins, cornichons, habanero, garlic
Fruits: mango, plums, peaches, blackberries, figs, apples, pears, and pineapples
The sharpness of cheddar pairs well with fruits that are sweet, tart, and juicy. Here are some specific fruits that complement cheddar:
Mangoes
Mangoes, with their gentle and sweet acidity, go great with cheddar. You can enjoy mangoes plain, or in a salsa or relish. The sweet honey flavours of mangoes, such as the Ataulfo varietal, pair well with an aged Parmesan-style hard cheese like Fiscalini Farms San Joaquin Gold.
Plums
Fresh plums offer dry, tannic, slightly bitter flavours in their skin and their flesh is sweet-tart, making them a great pairing with buttery, rich cheeses such as cheddar. You can also enjoy tree-ripened and dried Angelino plums for a more intense, sweet plum flavour.
Peaches
The bold flavour of Seriously Sharp cheddar is the perfect complement for the slightly tart sweetness of peaches.
Blackberries
Blackberries have notes that are reminiscent of cranberries. They pair well with a fig goat cheese, which is lightly tangy, crumbly, sweet, and spreadable.
Figs
Dried figs pair well with cheddar, adding a Mediterranean flair to your cheeseboard.
Apples
The crispness of apples complements the sharpness of cheddar, creating a classic and satisfying combination. A semi-sour apple pairing, such as a Granny Smith, is a particularly good match. For a sharper, sweeter combination, try a Fuji apple with a bit of honey.
Pears
The sweet and juicy flavour of pears pairs well with the citrusy tang of Extra Sharp Cheddar. Dried pears also work well with cheddar, adding crunch to the cheese's creamy texture.
Pineapples
The sweet and juicy tropical flavours of pineapples contrast with savory, salty cheeses like cheddar.
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Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot
Cheddar is a versatile cheese that pairs well with many wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Merlot.
Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied red wine, enhances the intense flavour of cheddar. For a successful pairing, opt for a fruity Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile or South Australia. The wine's tannins should also be considered, as they can affect the overall taste experience.
Chardonnay is another excellent choice to pair with cheddar. The fruitiness of the wine complements the bold tanginess of the cheese, creating a delightful combination.
Sauvignon Blanc, with its crisp and light-bodied characteristics, is also a good option. Its high acidity allows the flavour of the cheddar to shine without overwhelming it.
Merlot, a classic dry, dark fruity, or herbal wine, combines seamlessly with sharp and tangy cheeses. The key to a successful pairing is to match the sharpness of the cheddar with the dark fruit or herbal notes in the Merlot.
While sweet dessert wines generally do not pair well with cheddar, it is worth noting that the right amount of sweetness can complement the sharpness of vintage cheddar. Therefore, a carefully chosen sweet wine may enhance the cheddar's flavour rather than overwhelm it.
In addition to wine, cheddar pairs well with charcuterie meats, fruits, crackers, and pickles. When creating a charcuterie board, consider pairing cheddar with salami, ham, or prosciutto. For a sweet touch, add fruits like apples, pears, or plums, which offer a balance of sweetness and acidity. Crackers and wheat bread provide a neutral base for the cheddar, while tangy pickles can add a memorable contrast.
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Beers: lager, pale ale, IPA, amber ale, pilsner
When pairing cheese and beer, remember that strong cheese demands a strong beer, and light cheese goes well with light beer. The bitterness of a lager pairs well with the sharpness of aged cheddar. A light lager will be overpowered by a well-aged cheddar, so opt for a stronger, heavier lager with ripe, rich cheeses. A hoppy IPA will also complement a sharp cheddar, as the bitterness of the IPA matches the sharpness of the cheddar. A pale ale is another good option to complement the sharpness of aged cheddar.
If you're looking for a lighter option, a pale ale also pairs well with blue cheese. The lighter profile of a pale ale is a good contrast to the strong flavours of blue cheese. An IPA is another option for blue cheese, as the intense bitterness and fruity aromas of an IPA contrast with the pungency and creaminess of blue cheese.
A pilsner, which is a type of lager, is also a good choice to pair with cheddar, especially an aged gouda. The bitterness of the pilsner can cut through the richness of the cheese, while bringing out the sweetness of both.
For a milder cheddar, a pilsner is again a good option, as the lower-hopped beer will not overwhelm the delicate flavour of the cheese. An amber ale is another good option for a milder cheddar, as it is also lower in hops.
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Breads: wheat, brown, seeded, oat, date nut, cinnamon raisin, cranberry walnut
Wheat Bread
Whole-wheat cheddar bread is the ultimate homemade bread. To make two loaves, you'll need dried yeast, sugar, warm water, white flour, whole-wheat flour, salt, and grated cheddar. Once the dough is ready, cut it in half and shape it into loaves. Place the loaves in lightly oiled baking pans and bake for 40 minutes.
Brown Bread
Brown bread is a great option to pair with cheddar, especially if you're looking for a quick bread recipe. For a treacle brown bread, you can follow a recipe that includes treacle syrup, buttermilk, and self-raising flour. Alternatively, you can make an Irish-style brown bread with a recipe that includes whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and baking soda.
Seeded Bread
Seeded bread goes well with cheddar, and you can even make a seeded cheddar sunflower bread by adding grated cheddar to the dough and sprinkling seeds on top before baking.
Oat Bread
Oatmeal cheddar bread is a delicious option, especially if you're looking for a recipe without yeast. This bread is held together by strings of cheese, and it's perfect with a cup of tea or as an accompaniment to a soup.
Date Nut Bread
Date nut bread is a classic option for sandwiches and pairs well with cream cheese. You can make this bread with dates, butter, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, hot coffee, an egg, vanilla, liquor, baking powder, and flour.
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Cinnamon raisin bread is a sweet and flavourful option that can be used for French toast or cinnamon toast. This bread typically includes raisins, cinnamon, and sugar, and milk can be added to the dough to enhance browning and add sweetness.
Cranberry Walnut Bread
Cranberry walnut bread is a tasty option that can be served with butter or honey butter. It also pairs well with soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese, and you can even find recipes that include cheddar.
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Pickles: dill, gherkins, cornichons, habanero, garlic
Pickles are a popular addition to any charcuterie board and can be paired with a variety of cheeses. Here are some suggestions for pickle and cheddar combinations:
Dill Pickles
Dill pickles are a classic pairing with sharp cheddar. The tangy acidity of the pickle complements the bold, nutty flavours of the cheese, creating a harmonious balance of savoury and sour notes. This combination works well on its own or stacked on a cracker.
Gherkins and Cornichons
Gherkins and cornichons, which are essentially small, crisp gherkins, are tangy pickles that pair well with the robust flavour of cheddar. They add a sour and crisp element to the rich, bold taste of cheddar.
Habanero Pickles
Spicy habanero pickles are a popular trend that can be paired with cheddar for a unique flavour combination. Habanero peppers have a bold, spicy kick, which can also be found in habanero cheddar, a semi-hard cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk. This pairing may be especially enjoyable for those who prefer spicy food.
Garlic Pickles
Garlic pickles can be paired with cheddar for a flavourful combination. Cheddar with herbs and garlic is a traditional variety with a modern twist, featuring a creamy, mellow flavour and a subtle aroma. This pairing may be ideal for those who enjoy the taste of garlic and appreciate its health benefits.
In addition to these pickle varieties, cheddar also pairs well with dried fruit, such as apples, and sweet breads, like date nut bread or cinnamon raisin bread. For a unique twist, try a slice of cheddar with dark chocolate, specifically the rich bitterness of dark chocolate with a well-aged cheddar.
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Frequently asked questions
Unique foods that pair well with cheddar include dried fruits such as figs, dates, pineapples, and mangoes, adding a Mediterranean and island flair. Smaller dried fruits, such as tart cherries and apricots, also pair well with cheddar and nuts.
The sharpness of cheddar pairs well with fruits that are sweet, tart, and juicy, such as blackberries, plums, figs, crisp apples, and pineapples.
Cheddar pairs well with a variety of wines and beers. A crisp and light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc high in acidity is a good choice, as are medium-bodied reds such as Le Petit Caboche Vin de Pays de Vaucluse. For beer, a malt-forward, easy-drinking lager or a pale ale are good options.
Dishes that include cheddar are mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, and quesadillas.
