Patrick Oconnell
Chili and cheese is a classic combination, but which cheese is best? Cheddar is a popular choice, with its distinctive orange, gooey melt, and varying sharpness. For a drier flavour, try a cross between sharp cheddar and parmesan, or jalapeño cheddar for a spicy kick. If you're after a good melt, shredded American cheese is a good option, or cojita for a tangy, rubbery bite. For a milder flavour, Monterey Jack is a good choice, or feta for something a little different.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Cheddar, Pepper jack, Monterey jack, Feta, Cojita, Shredded American |
| Cheese texture | Shredded, melted, stringy, gooey, dry |
| Cheese flavour | Sharp, mild, tangy, spicy |
| Toppings | Sour cream, Greek yoghurt, cilantro, parsley, jalapenos, lime, tortilla chips |
| Sides | Salad, cornbread, bacon, eggs |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cheddar cheese: a classic, gooey topping
Cheddar cheese is a classic, gooey topping for chilli. It is a popular choice, with its bright orange, gooey coating often seen atop a bowl of chilli. The great thing about cheddar is that you can play around with different sharpness levels to find the one that suits your taste. If you like spicy food, a jalapeño cheddar could be a good option, adding a kick to your chilli. For a drier flavour, a sharp cheddar, such as Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar, which sits between a sharp cheddar and Parmesan in taste, might be the best choice.
You can also experiment with different types of cheddar to find your favourite. A studded cheddar, for example, can add interesting flavours to your chilli. If you are looking for a good melt, shredded cheddar is a great option. This is a versatile cheese that can be adapted to suit your preferences.
Cheddar is a great pairing with other toppings, too. It goes well with the traditional chilli toppings of sour cream and cilantro (or parsley, if you are one of those people for whom cilantro tastes like soap). It also works with a squeeze of lime, a scoop of Greek yoghurt, and a hefty amount of cilantro.
Cheddar is a classic choice for a reason—its gooey texture and sharp flavour add a delicious dimension to chilli.
Puto Cheese: How Long Does it Last?
You may want to see also
Monterey jack: for a stringy, mild cheese
If you're looking for a mild cheese to add to your chilli that will give it a stringy texture, then Monterey Jack is a great option. It's a good choice if you want a milder flavour than cheddar, but still want that gooey, melted cheese factor.
When choosing Monterey Jack, look for a block of cheese that you can shred yourself, as pre-shredded cheese often has additives that can affect the melting properties. Shred or grate the cheese, and add it to your chilli towards the end of cooking, stirring it through until melted. You could also sprinkle it on top of your chilli just before serving, allowing it to melt slightly and give a stringy, cheesy texture.
Monterey Jack is a good option if you're serving your chilli with tortilla chips, as its mild flavour won't overpower the other ingredients. It also works well with traditional toppings such as sour cream, cilantro, and jalapeños. If you're looking for a spicier option, you could try Pepper Jack cheese, which will add a kick to your chilli, or go for extra sharp cheddar for a stronger flavour.
For a truly stringy chilli, you could even combine Monterey Jack with some of these other cheeses. Play around with different combinations to find your perfect chilli cheese blend!
Cheese and Eggs: Inside or Out?
You may want to see also
Cojita: a tangy, rubbery bite
While cheddar is a popular choice of cheese to put on chilli, Cojita cheese is also a great option. It has a tangy, rubbery bite that complements Tex-Mex seasonings and toppings like chilli powder and avocados. Cojita is a great choice if you're looking for something a little different to the classic cheddar, and want to add a unique texture and flavour to your chilli.
Cojita cheese is a traditional Mexican cheese made from cow's milk. It has a tangy, salty flavour and a rubbery texture, almost like a very young cheese. It is often used in Mexican cuisine, such as in tacos or on top of beans. When used as a topping for chilli, it adds a nice contrast in texture and flavour. Its tangy flavour complements the spices used in chilli, while its rubbery texture provides a nice bite.
If you want to add a bit of spice to your chilli, you could opt for a jalapeño cheddar, or for a drier flavour, try a cheese that tastes like a mix of sharp cheddar and parmesan, such as Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar. However, if you're looking for something different, Cojita is a great choice. It has a stronger flavour than some other cheeses, so a little goes a long way. Its tangy, salty flavour will enhance the other flavours in your chilli without being overpowering.
To serve chilli with Cojita cheese, simply sprinkle some crumbled or grated cheese on top of your bowl of chilli. You could also add some other toppings to complement the Cojita, such as chilli powder, avocado, sour cream, or Greek yoghurt. These toppings will add to the tangy, savoury flavour of the Cojita, and the creamy texture of the dairy toppings will balance out the rubbery bite of the cheese.
So, if you're looking for a unique and tasty cheese to put on your chilli, Cojita is a great option. With its tangy flavour and rubbery bite, it will add a new dimension to your favourite chilli recipe.
Tomato Soup: Should You Add Cheese?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sharp cheddar: for a spicy kick
While there are many types of cheese that can be paired with chilli, sharp cheddar is a great option if you're looking for a spicy kick. Cheddar is a classic choice for a reason—it's hard to beat that gooey, orange coating on top of your chilli.
The sharpness of the cheddar will add a nice "oomph" to your chilli, as one source puts it. If you're looking for an even spicier kick, you can opt for an extra sharp cheddar. You can also experiment with different sharpness levels to find the one that suits your palate. If you want to add some spice and a tangy twist, a jalapeño cheddar could be a good option.
For a drier flavour, try a cheese that tastes like a blend of sharp cheddar and Parmesan, such as Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar. Shredded sharp cheddar will melt nicely on top of your chilli, creating a gooey texture. You can also add some crunch by topping your chilli with cheese crisps, such as Goldfish, Cheez-Its, or cheese whisps.
To round out the depth of your chilli, consider adding some fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley, which will complement the sharpness of the cheddar. If you're serving your chilli with sides, a salad, homemade cornbread, and sour cream are all good options.
Ricotta and Eggs: The Perfect Pair?
You may want to see also
American cheese: great for melting
While cheddar is a popular choice of cheese to put on chilli, American cheese is a great alternative if you're looking for something that melts well.
Shredded American cheese is perfect for melting, and its mild flavour will not overpower the other ingredients in your chilli. It will add a creamy texture and a subtle savoury note to the dish.
American cheese melts particularly well due to its higher moisture content. This means it will blend seamlessly into your chilli, creating a rich and indulgent texture. Its smooth consistency will also make it easy to mix through your chilli, ensuring every bite is packed with flavour.
When choosing American cheese for your chilli, opt for a variety that is designed for melting, such as those labelled as "melting American cheese". These varieties tend to have an even higher moisture content, making them ideal for achieving that desired creamy texture.
To enhance the meltability of your American cheese, shred it finely. The smaller shreds will melt faster and more evenly, ensuring your cheese blends beautifully into your chilli. You can also add a little milk or cream to the cheese as it melts, which will help create an even smoother and creamier texture.
So, if you're looking for a cheese that will add a creamy, savoury twist to your chilli without overpowering the other ingredients, American cheese is an excellent option. Its meltability and mild flavour make it a versatile choice that will elevate your chilli to the next level.
The Perfect Cheese Omelette: Milk or No Milk?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are several cheese options that you can put on your chili. Some popular choices include cheddar, cojita, Monterey jack, pepper jack, and feta.
You can experiment with different sharpness levels of cheddar cheese to find the one that suits your palate. For instance, you can try extra sharp cheddar for a bit of oomph or jalapeño cheddar for a spicy kick.
You can serve the chili with a little melted shredded cheese on top or on the side. You can also add other toppings like sour cream, Greek yogurt, cilantro, parsley, and avocado to complement the cheese and enhance the overall flavor of your dish.
