The Perfect Cheese For Summer Sausage

Summer sausage is a delicious treat, but what kind of cheese goes with it? Summer sausage is a semi-dry, cured, fermented sausage with a bold, smoky flavour. Its coarse, firm texture and tangy, acidic taste cry out for a creamy, smooth cheese with a mild flavour. Good options include Havarti, Butterkäse, and Muenster. A sharp cheddar or Swiss cheese can also complement the sausage's smokiness, as can a young gouda. For those who like their food spicy, pepper jack is a good option.

Havarti, Butterkäse, and Muenster are recommended for their creaminess and mild flavour

When it comes to cheese, Havarti, Butterkäse, and Muenster are recommended for their creaminess and mild flavour. These cheeses are ideal to pair with summer sausage, providing a smooth and semi-soft contrast to the sausage's saltiness and tanginess.

Havarti, a traditional Danish cheese, offers a buttery taste and a creamy, semi-soft texture that makes it incredibly versatile. It melts beautifully, making it perfect for grilled sandwiches, fondues, salads, burgers, sauces, and mac and cheese. Its mild, slightly tangy taste and smooth, supple surface dotted with tiny holes give it a warm, cream hue that is visually appealing on cheese boards. Serve Havarti at room temperature to enhance its flavour, and pair it with light wines like Chardonnay or a crisp Pilsner to balance its richness.

Butterkäse, meaning "butter cheese" in German, is a little-known Wisconsin speciality. It has a semi-soft texture and a mild, buttery flavour, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy creamy cheeses.

Muenster, inspired by the French Munster cheese but adapted to American tastes, has a smooth, soft body and a mild flavour that develops a sharper tang with age. Its superior meltability makes it a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, and mac 'n' cheese. Muenster's pale colour and distinctive orange rind add a touch of warmth to any cheese plate or melted dish. Like Havarti, Muenster is best served at room temperature to enhance its flavour and texture. It pairs well with fruity wines, light beers, and even fruits like apple slices or grapes.

When creating a cheese board, consider adding a combination of these cheeses, along with summer sausage, to create a delightful spread. Experiment with different varieties to find your favourite combinations, as personal preference plays a significant role in finding the perfect cheese pairing.

Sharp cheddar is a good choice for those who prefer a cheese with more bite

When making summer sausage, it is important to use harder cheeses such as sharp cheddar, as they hold up better during the cooking process. Cheddar can be frozen prior to vacuum sealing, which helps the cheese to hold up even better. It is also a good idea to cut the cheese into cubes slightly smaller than the stuffer tube diameter to ensure even distribution throughout the sausage.

Cheddar is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many different dishes. It can be sliced and served on a cracker with summer sausage, cubed and added to a salad, melted on a cheeseburger, or simply enjoyed on its own.

For those who want a cheese with more bite to pair with their summer sausage, sharp cheddar is an excellent option. Its strong flavour and versatility make it a popular choice for those seeking a more pungent and savoury experience.

Swiss cheese is nutty, subtly flavoured, and firm

The nutty and subtly sweet flavour of Swiss cheese comes from the combination of three types of bacteria used in its production: Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus (L. helveticus or L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus), and Propionibacterium (Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermani). These bacteria work together to create the distinctive flavour and texture of Swiss cheese.

The firmness of Swiss cheese is due to the manufacturing process, which involves "cooking" the cheese using thermophilic lactic fermentation starters and pressing it to expel excess moisture. This results in a semi-hard or hard cheese with a firm but elastic texture.

Swiss cheese is known for its holes, known as "eyes," which range in size from small to large. The formation of these holes is due to the release of carbon dioxide gas by the bacteria during production. Interestingly, the size of the holes can impact the flavour of the cheese, with larger holes indicating a more pronounced flavour due to a longer fermentation period.

When used in cooking, Swiss cheese melts into a gooey, slick, stretchy, and runny consistency, making it a versatile ingredient in various dishes. Its nutty and buttery flavour pairs well with other ingredients and enhances the overall taste profile of the dish.

Pepper jack adds a fiery kick

Pepper Jack is a popular choice of cheese to pair with summer sausage. The spicy kick of Pepper Jack cheese adds a zesty element to the sausage. This combination is perfect for those who enjoy a fiery kick to their food.

The creamy and smooth texture of cheese mixes well with the strong and flavorful taste of summer sausage. The sausage is typically made from beef or pork with a variety of salts and seasonings. When eaten together, the pairing creates a delicious dance of different flavors and textures in your mouth.

If you are creating a cheese platter with summer sausage, it is best to include a variety of textures. You don't need more than three or four cheeses, especially if you offer complementary snacks. Keep it interesting with a mix of soft-ripened (such as Brie), washed-rind (such as Limburger), semi-soft (Havarti, Muenster), firm (Swiss, Cheddar), and hard (Parmesan) cheeses. It is also recommended to serve each cheese with its own knife to keep the delicate flavors separate.

In addition to cheese, a summer sausage platter can include charcuterie such as salami and prosciutto, crackers, fruits, fruit preserves, olives, and mixed nuts. For those who enjoy a spicy kick, Pepper Jack cheese is a great option to add to the platter and create a memorable taste experience.

Gouda is mild, creamy, and slightly sweet

Gouda is a mild, creamy, and slightly sweet cheese that pairs harmoniously with the rich, savoury taste of summer sausage. It is a great option for a cheese and summer sausage platter, especially when served with crackers and pickled relishes. This combination of flavours and textures creates a delightful contrast that satisfies both savoury and creamy cravings.

Gouda is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in its regular or smoked form. Its smooth and slightly sweet taste makes it a perfect match for the smokiness of summer sausage. The two flavours complement each other, creating a well-rounded and satisfying bite.

When creating a cheese platter with summer sausage, it is recommended to choose common and mild-flavoured cheeses. This ensures that the cheeses will be enjoyed by a variety of guests and will complement the summer sausage without overwhelming its flavour. Gouda fits this profile perfectly, as its mild, creamy, and slightly sweet characteristics make it a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with other foods on the platter.

In addition to its flavour, Gouda's texture also contributes to its popularity in cheese platters. It slices easily and can be cut into attractive shapes, adding a visually appealing element to the platter. Serving sliced cheese also ensures that guests can enjoy the food without having to put in extra effort, making it more likely to be eaten.

Overall, Gouda is an excellent choice for a summer sausage and cheese platter. Its mild, creamy, and slightly sweet characteristics make it a versatile and crowd-pleasing option that pairs harmoniously with the flavours and textures of summer sausage.

Frequently asked questions