Patrick Oconnell
Brie is a soft, creamy French cheese with a rich, buttery taste and a fruity flavour. It's a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pasta to sandwiches. But what are the best pairings for this decadent cheese?
Brie is often served as an appetizer with fruits, meats, and crackers. The French traditionally serve it as its own course before dessert, but it can also be served as part of a cheese board or charcuterie board. When it comes to drinks, brie pairs well with champagne, white wines such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, or fruity beers.
When it comes to food pairings, brie goes well with acidic fruits like apples, grapes, and pears, as well as nuts such as pecans and candied walnuts. It can also be paired with sweet treats like honey, jam, or chocolate. In terms of savoury dishes, brie complements meats such as prosciutto, salami, and bacon. It can also be used in place of other cheeses in recipes, adding a creamy texture and mild flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food pairings | Prosciutto, salami, crackers, crusty bread, baguette, apples, grapes, pears, honey, jam, apricots, candied walnuts, pecans, pretzels, chutney, salted nuts, berries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, plums, peaches, figs, cherries, mixed berries, dried fruit, tomatoes, avocado, ham, bacon, basil, rosemary, garlic, mushrooms, onions, olives, spinach, puff pastry, artichokes, almonds, pistachios, oranges, maple syrup, granny smith apples, cranberries, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cured meat, prosciutto, pretzels, toast, mini toasts, toast slices, stone fruits, nectarines, pumpernickel, garlic bread, pizza, gingerbread cookies, herby crackers, rosemary, thyme, truffles, olive oil, walnuts, red onion, strawberries, smoked salmon, balsamic vinegar, arugula, pine nuts, blue cheese, manchego, parmesan, mozzarella, ricotta, honey mustard, turkey, cranberry mustard, prosciutto, puff pastry, egg, cinnamon, crab, shrimp, salmon, peppers, pine nuts, pesto, pretzels, croissant dough, jam, nuts, pumpkin, red pepper flakes, almonds, parsley, prosciutto, black olives, tomato-garlic sauce, blackberries, goat cheese, camembert, chèvre, raspberries, dark chocolate, marshmallows, graham crackers, ham, ground beef, sun-dried tomatoes, beef, pork chops, walnuts, apple cider, apple juice, grape juice, champagne, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, stout, porter, pilsner, scotch ale |
| Drink pairings | Champagne, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, stout, porter, pilsner, scotch ale, fruit juice (apple or grape), riesling, marsannnay, viognier, red wine, white wine, beer, raspberry Kolsch, wheat beer, Berliner Weissbier, Doppelbock, raspberry Saison, sour beer, Chardonnay |
What You'll Learn
Brie with fruits and nuts
Brie is a soft French cheese with a creamy texture and a mild, buttery flavour. It is a versatile cheese that can be paired with an array of fruits and nuts.
Fruits
Pairing Brie with something acidic will bring out its velvety texture. Try fruits like apples, grapes, or pears, or sweet and zippy sides like fig jam or honey. Stone fruits like peaches, apricots, plums, and figs are also a great combination with Brie. Their sweetness and juiciness complement the creamy texture of the cheese. If stone fruits are out of season, pair Brie with grapes and berries. The slight citrusy taste of grapes results in a delightful balance of flavours. Similarly, the tart flavours of berries and apples also contrast with Brie. Fresh blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and apple slices enhance the cheese's bloominess, making for a fresh late-summer combination.
Nuts
If the occasion calls for something more substantial, try earthy nuts like unsalted pecans or candied walnuts.
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Brie with bread and crackers
Brie is a soft, creamy cheese with a mild yet deeply satisfying taste. It is a versatile cheese that can be served as an appetiser, dessert, or part of a main course.
Traditionally, the French serve brie with a baguette or another crusty bread that won't compete with the cheese. Plain crackers are another convenient option that won't detract from the cheese.
When serving brie with bread and crackers, it is important to choose a bread that is crusty and won't overpower the cheese. Baguettes are a traditional choice, but any crusty bread will work. For crackers, choose a sturdy variety that can withstand the weight of the cheese, such as crostini.
To enhance the experience, consider adding some toppings to your brie. Something acidic will bring out the cheese's velvety texture—try fruits like apples, grapes, or pears, or sweet and zippy sides like fig jam or honey. You could also add some nuts for a more substantial offering—try unsalted pecans or candied walnuts.
Baked Brie
Baked brie is a popular option for serving brie with bread and crackers. To make it, simply bake the brie in the oven for 15 minutes or microwave it for 2 minutes. Then, place it on a platter with a mound of crispy crackers and let your guests dive in!
When choosing a brie for baking, an economical option is best, as the expensive varieties are often wasted in this preparation. Use a shallow dish to bake and serve the brie to prevent it from oozing out everywhere.
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Baked Brie recipes
Baked brie is a simple yet impressive dish that can be served as an appetizer or a dessert. It is a versatile dish that can be made in a variety of ways, each resulting in a rich, gooey, and decadent treat. Here are some mouth-watering baked brie recipes to try:
Baked Brie with Puff Pastry
This recipe takes the classic baked brie up a notch by wrapping it in puff pastry. The crispiness of the pastry pairs perfectly with the melted cheese, creating a delightful contrast in textures.
Ingredients:
- Puff pastry
- Wheel of brie cheese (8-12 ounces)
- Optional toppings: cranberry sauce, roasted nuts, honey, jalapeño jelly, caramelized onions, or baked apples
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or use a pie plate.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface until it is large enough to wrap around the brie wheel.
- Place the brie in the centre of the pastry and add any desired toppings.
- Fold the corners of the pastry over the brie, forming a neat package. Gently press the edges to seal.
- Brush the pastry with a beaten egg.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
- Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Baked Brie with Figs, Pistachios, and Orange
This recipe is a festive twist on baked brie, with wintry flavours that will impress your guests.
Ingredients:
- Wheel of brie cheese
- Figs
- Pistachios
- Orange
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Score the top of the brie rind with a serrated knife, making parallel cuts about 1/2 inch apart, without cutting through the cheese. Turn the brie and make perpendicular cuts to create a crosshatch pattern.
- Place the scored brie in an oven-safe dish.
- Spread fig jam or fresh figs over the brie, and sprinkle with chopped pistachios and a pinch of orange zest.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the cheese is soft and starting to melt.
- Serve with crackers, baguette, or sliced apples or pears.
Maple Pecan Baked Brie
This recipe combines the sweetness of maple with the nuttiness of pecans, creating a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer.
Ingredients:
- Wheel of brie cheese
- Maple syrup
- Chopped pecans
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Score the top of the brie rind (optional).
- Place the brie in an oven-safe dish.
- Drizzle maple syrup over the brie and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is soft and gooey.
- Serve with bread, crackers, or slices of Granny Smith apple.
Sweet Orange and Cranberry Baked Brie
This recipe adds a touch of sweetness to the savoury brie, creating a delightful contrast of flavours.
Ingredients:
- Wheel of brie cheese
- Orange marmalade or fresh orange zest
- Dried cranberries or fresh cranberry sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Score the top of the brie rind (optional).
- Place the brie in an oven-safe dish.
- Spread orange marmalade over the brie, or sprinkle with orange zest. Top with dried cranberries or cranberry sauce.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is soft and melted.
- Serve with crackers, bread, or fresh fruit.
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Brie with meat
Brie is a versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of meats. Its creamy texture and mild, buttery flavour complement the savoury, salty, and smoky notes found in meats and smoked fish. Here are some ideas for pairing brie with meat:
Brie and Salami
Salami is a classic pairing with brie. The salty, savoury flavours of salami contrast nicely with the creamy, mild brie. This combination works well on a charcuterie board, in a sandwich, or as part of an appetizer.
Brie and Prosciutto
Prosciutto is another popular choice to pair with brie. The salty, briny flavour of prosciutto and the creamy, mild flavour of brie create a delicious combination. Try wrapping the brie in prosciutto and serving it with figs or honey for a sweet and savoury appetizer.
Brie and Bacon
Bacon and brie is a rich and satisfying combination. Try adding brie to a bacon pasta, or making a brie and bacon risotto for a decadent dish. You can also pair brie with other cured meats such as chorizo or sopressa.
Brie and Turkey
Turkey and brie is a classic combination for sandwiches. Try a turkey and brie grilled cheese with cranberry mustard, or a turkey wrap with cranberries, brie, and honey mustard for a light and creamy lunch.
Brie and Pork
Brie pairs well with pork, especially when paired with crackling. Look for a Vietnamese bakery roll with roast pork, crackling, and a mustard sauce. You can also try a brie-stuffed pork chop for a juicy, savoury main course.
Brie and Ham
Ham and brie is a delicious combination for a sandwich. Try it on a white loaf with butter, or in a panini with caramelized onions and apricot preserves for a warm and gooey treat.
When pairing brie with meat, remember that brie is best served at room temperature or warmer, so it can be baked, grilled, or served as part of a charcuterie board. Enjoy experimenting with these different combinations and creating your own brie and meat pairings!
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Brie with drinks
Brie is a soft French cheese with a creamy texture and a mild, buttery flavour. When it comes to drinks, there are several options that can complement its unique taste. Here are some suggestions:
Champagne
The go-to beverage to pair with Brie is champagne. The crispness and acidity of French champagne can nicely offset the richness of the cheese.
Wines
Brie also goes well with certain wines, depending on the maturity of the cheese.
- Soft and fruity red wines: A ripe Brie pairs beautifully with a fruity red such as a New Zealand or Chilean Pinot Noir. More mature Bries will need a more powerful, structured wine like those from Central Otago. A ripe Beaujolais or a fruity Merlot (not too tannic) can also complement the cheese's flavour.
- Dry rosé: A fruity dry rosé is another option, especially if you're enjoying your Brie on a picnic.
- Chardonnay: A creamy, subtly oaked Chardonnay or even a white Burgundy can also be a good choice to pair with Brie.
- Dry, fruity white wines: Soft cheeses like Brie tend to pair well with dry, fruity white wines like Riesling, Marsannnay, or Viognier.
- Sauvignon Blanc: The herbaceous, dry, and acidic nature of a Sauvignon Blanc can also work well with Brie.
- Lighter red wines: A lighter red like a Pinot Noir is a good choice due to its delicate yet rich flavour that contrasts the mellow cheese.
Beers
If you're looking for a beer to pair with your Brie, here are some options:
- Hearty beers: Try a hearty beer like a Scotch Ale, Stout, or Porter.
- Fruit beer: A cherry or raspberry-flavoured fruit beer (Kriek or Frambozen) can be a fun pairing, especially when the Brie is served with fresh cherries.
- Pilsner: You could also go for something lighter and fruitier, such as a highly carbonated Pilsner.
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Frequently asked questions
Brie is a versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of foods, including fruits like apples, grapes, and pears, as well as nuts such as pecans and candied walnuts. It also goes well with crackers, bread, meat, and jam.
When it comes to drinks, brie pairs well with champagne, wines such as Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and beers like Scotch Ale, Stout, and Porter. Fruit juices like apple or grape juice are also good non-alcoholic options.
Yes, the rind of brie cheese is edible and safe to eat. It has a slightly bitter taste and a crumbly texture. However, if you don't like it, you can peel it off or cut the cheese at an angle to minimize the amount of rind on each slice.
It is recommended to let brie cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. This allows the cheese to soften and enhances its flavour and texture.
To store brie cheese, wrap it in wax paper or parchment paper instead of plastic wrap, as this allows the cheese to breathe. Keep it in the refrigerator, and try to consume it within a few days as cutting into the cheese halts the ripening process.
