Bushra Griffith
Salami is a popular choice for charcuterie boards and sandwiches, and pairing it with the right cheese can elevate the snacking experience. When selecting a cheese to pair with salami, it is important to consider the intensity of the cheese and the boldness of the salami, as well as the texture of both. Here are some classic combinations to try with hard salami, a variety of salami with a firmer texture and more intense flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese for sandwiches | Provolone, Mozzarella, Swiss, Havarti, Cheddar, Cream Cheese, Parmesan, Munster, Fresh Mozzarella |
| Cheese for charcuterie boards | Provolone, Gouda, Aged Cheddar, Brie, Venison Salami and Pecorino Romano, Bison Salami and Gouda, Lomo and Manchego, Gorgonzola, Asiago, Gruyère |
| Wine pairings | Chianti, Syrah/Shiraz, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay |
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What You'll Learn
Salami and cheese sandwiches
Provolone
Provolone is a classic pairing with salami. Its mild, slightly tangy flavour and smooth texture complement the spiciness of salami, making it a perfect match. It is also a popular choice for Italian club sandwiches.
Mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella offers a creamy contrast to the salami's texture. It is also a good melting cheese for your sandwich. Try it with homemade ciabatta toasted with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Asiago
The nutty, slightly sweet flavour of Asiago enhances the salami's taste.
Havarti
Havarti's buttery texture and mild flavour create a harmonious pairing with salami. It melts beautifully and is slightly sweet.
Aged Gouda
The caramel notes in aged Gouda complement the robust flavour of hard salami. Gouda is a semi-hard cheese hailing from the Netherlands and comes in several varieties, including smoked and aged.
Cheddar
Aged cheddar's sharp and bold flavour stands up to the intensity of hard salami. The crumbly texture of a well-aged cheddar adds delightful contrast to the chewy salami.
Pecorino Romano
The salty, sharp flavour of Pecorino Romano balances the intensity of hard salami. It is a hard Italian cheese made from sheep's milk.
Gruyère
Gruyère's nutty, complex flavour profile pairs beautifully with hard salami.
Soppressata
Soppressata is a dry-cured salami with spicy and sometimes smoky flavours. It pairs well with Manchego, a sheep's milk cheese that offers a nice contrast to the spicy salami.
Other Ingredients
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Wine pairings
When it comes to wine pairings, the type of salami you choose will dictate the best wine to pair with it. For instance, Genoa salami, often made with a combination of pork and beef, red wine, and garlic, pairs well with Italian whites like Soave and Pinot Grigio, or a Chenin Blanc. If the Genoa salami includes spicy fennel, then a nice acidic Riesling is a good choice. This will balance the sweet, spicy, and earthy flavors.
For salami with a light and zesty burn, such as chorizo, a lighter and crisp wine is a good choice to temper the spiciness. A Zinfandel or a Prosecco are recommended. If the salami has a little spice and aroma, such as molsina, then a fruity, dry, and crisp Pinot Grigio, a lighter Zinfandel, or a Pinot Noir are good options.
For a Sicilian-inspired salami with Calabrian chilies, cayenne, garlic, and orange zest, a crisp and lean white wine or champagne is recommended. A Sancerre, a lean California coastal Sauvignon Blanc, or a champagne with vibrant floral notes and good acidity will match the intensity of the salami.
If you are pairing wine with a cheese and salami board, a "fresh red" is a good choice—a lighter red wine with good fruit and acidity, without too many tannins. An Italian red wine is a natural choice to complement the Italian roots of salami.
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Salami with softer cheeses
Salami is a delicious staple on any charcuterie board or sandwich, and its rich and robust flavour can be elevated by pairing it with the right cheese. When selecting a cheese to pair with salami, it's important to consider both the intensity of the cheese and the texture to create a harmonious balance of tastes and sensations.
Softer cheeses, such as Brie, offer a creamy and mild counterpoint to the robust flavour of salami. The buttery texture of Brie enhances the overall mouthfeel of the pairing. Fresh mozzarella is another softer cheese option that provides a creamy contrast to the texture of salami. Its mild taste makes it perfect for melting, especially on a warm sandwich. For a softer cheese with a buttery texture and a mild flavour, Havarti creates a harmonious pairing with salami.
When creating a charcuterie board, it's essential to consider the dominant flavours of the meats and cheeses. If you're looking to balance the intensity of hard salami, softer cheeses with milder flavours can be a great option. Pinot Noir, for example, is a light-bodied wine that works well with milder salamis and soft cheeses.
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Salami with harder cheeses
Salami, with its robust and rich flavour, is a popular choice for charcuterie boards and sandwiches. When selecting a cheese to pair with salami, it's important to consider both the intensity of the flavours and the textures of the two elements.
Hard salami, with its firmer texture and intense flavour, pairs well with stronger cheeses. Aged Gouda, a semi-hard cheese, is a good option to complement hard salami. The caramel notes in aged Gouda match the robust flavour of hard salami. The creamy and slightly sweet flavour of younger Gouda also works well, offering a nice contrast to the savoury taste of salami.
Aged Cheddar is another suitable pairing for hard salami. Its sharp and bold flavour, along with the crumbly texture of a well-aged Cheddar, can stand up to the intensity of hard salami. For a similar flavour profile, consider Pecorino Romano, a hard Italian cheese made from sheep's milk. Its salty and sharp flavour will balance the intensity of hard salami.
Gruyère, a Swiss cheese, is also recommended for its nutty and complex flavour profile, which pairs beautifully with hard salami. Its nutty flavour is a common thread among cheeses that go well with hard salami, as is the case with Asiago, which has a nutty and slightly sweet flavour that enhances the salami's taste.
When creating a salami sandwich, consider cheeses that melt well and complement the salami's flavour. Provolone, a classic pairing with salami, has a mild flavour and a smooth texture that goes well with the spiciness of salami. Mozzarella, with its creamy texture and mild taste, is also a good melting cheese that adds a creamy contrast to the texture of hard salami.
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Salami and cheese on crackers
Provolone and Crackers
Provolone is a classic pairing with salami. Its mild, slightly tangy flavour and smooth texture complement the spiciness of salami. This pairing will create a harmonious blend of tastes and textures.
Gouda and Crackers
Gouda, a semi-hard cheese from the Netherlands, offers a creamy and slightly sweet flavour that contrasts nicely with the savoury taste of salami. Both young and aged Gouda work well, providing different texture experiences. Aged Gouda has caramel notes that complement the robust flavour of hard salami.
Cheddar and Crackers
Aged Cheddar has a sharp and bold flavour that stands up to the intensity of hard salami. The crumbly texture of well-aged Cheddar adds a delightful contrast to the chewy salami.
Brie and Crackers
For a softer option, Brie provides a creamy, mild counterpoint to the robust flavour of salami. The buttery texture of Brie will enhance the overall mouthfeel of this pairing.
Manchego and Crackers
Manchego, known as the "King of Spanish Cheeses", is a popular pairing with Lomo or Lomo Curado, a dry-cured pork tenderloin from Spain. The salty, nutty flavour of Manchego pairs well with the highly seasoned Lomo, and the combination is enhanced by a side of grapes, melon slices, and French butter sea salt crackers.
Pecorino Romano and Crackers
Pecorino Romano, a hard Italian cheese made from sheep's milk, is a perfect match for Venison Salami. The salty, sharp flavour of this cheese balances the intensity of the salami, creating a flavourful and unique pairing.
In addition to these suggestions, feel free to experiment with different combinations to discover your favourite pairings. You can also enhance your salami and cheese crackers with various spreads, vegetables, and herbs. Enjoy creating your own delicious salami and cheese combinations!
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Frequently asked questions
Provolone, mozzarella, cheddar, Swiss, and havarti are all good options for a salami sandwich.
Aged gouda, cheddar, pecorino romano, and gruyère are some cheeses that pair well with hard salami on a charcuterie board.
Gorgonzola, a strong blue cheese, is a good option for those who enjoy strong flavors.
If you want to include vegetables in your salami sandwich, havarti is a good choice as it melts beautifully and has a buttery and slightly sweet flavor.
Fatty salamis and hard cheeses pair well with Chianti due to its high acidity and moderate tannins. Spicy salamis and sharp cheeses are complemented by Syrah/Shiraz, which is bold and spicy.
