Best Cheeses To Pair With Salami: A Guide

Salami is a cured sausage with a rich and robust flavour, often enjoyed on a charcuterie board. When it comes to cheese, there are several options that pair well with salami, enhancing the snacking experience and creating a harmonious balance of tastes and textures. A classic pairing is provolone, with its mild, slightly tangy flavour and smooth texture, which complements the spiciness of the salami. For a subtle flavour, gouda is a good option, as its creamy, slightly sweet taste contrasts nicely with the savoury notes of salami. Aged cheddar is another choice, as its bold, sharp flavour and crumbly texture stand up to the intensity of salami.

Provolone: a classic pairing with a mild, slightly tangy flavour

Salami is a cured sausage with a rich and robust flavour. It is a favourite on any charcuterie board. Pairing it with the right cheese can elevate your snacking experience, creating a harmonious balance of tastes and textures.

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. Provolone is a versatile cheese that melts well, making it ideal for sandwiches or grilled tortillas. Its mild flavour won't overpower the salami, but rather enhance its spicy notes.

When creating a charcuterie board, it is important to consider the balance of flavours and textures. The smooth, creamy texture of Provolone adds a nice contrast to the chewy salami. The mild, tangy flavour of Provolone also helps to balance the richness of the salami, creating a delightful combination that is sure to impress your guests.

In addition to Provolone, there are other cheeses that pair well with salami. Gouda, for example, offers a subtle, creamy and slightly sweet flavour that contrasts nicely with the savoury taste of salami. Aged Cheddar, with its bold, sharp flavour and crumbly texture, can also stand up to the intensity of salami. Brie is another softer option, providing a creamy, mild counterpoint with its buttery texture.

When pairing cheese with salami, it is important to balance the flavours and textures to avoid overpowering one element. Personal preference also plays a role, so feel free to experiment with different combinations to find your favourite pairings and discover new tastes.

Gouda: a subtle, creamy and slightly sweet flavour that contrasts with salami

Gouda is a semi-hard Dutch cheese that is known for its subtle, creamy, and slightly sweet flavour. It is an excellent choice to pair with salami, as its sweetness and nuttiness complement the savoury and spicy notes of the salami. Gouda comes in a variety of forms, from aged and smoky to spice-infused and herb-flecked, making it a versatile cheese for pairings.

When paired with salami, young and aged Gouda offer different texture experiences. Aged Gouda, in particular, has a dense texture similar to Parmesan, with a crumbly structure and crunchy crystals. It boasts a rich, nutty, and caramel flavour that can be reminiscent of freshly made butterscotch. This contrast in textures and flavours creates a delightful sensory experience.

Gouda's mild flavour makes it a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in various dishes. It is delicious when paired with salami in a sandwich or on its own. For a unique treat, try making a gouda and salami frico, where the cheese is melted and crisped to form a tasty snack. This combination of flavours and textures is sure to tantalise your taste buds and impress your guests.

For a well-rounded charcuterie board, consider adding other complementary foods such as crackers, dried fruit, chocolate, or mustard. Play with different textures and colours of cheese to make your board visually appealing. Remember, the key to a successful pairing is to balance the flavours and create a harmonious blend of tastes and sensations. So, don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations and discover new tastes that appeal to your palate.

Aged cheddar: a bold flavour and crumbly texture that stands up to salami

Aged cheddar is a cow's milk cheese with a bold, nutty flavour and a firm, crumbly texture. It is a natural choice to pair with salami, as its strong flavour and texture stand up to the complex taste and varying textures of salami. Salami is a combination of spicy, sweet, hot, herby and savoury, and a single slice will make your tongue sing out for more.

Aged cheddar is a great option for a charcuterie board, as its sharp flavour and tang make it a standout choice. Cheddar is typically aged in vacuum-sealed bags and is rindless, making it easy to package and store. The crumbly texture of aged cheddar is a delightful contrast to the softer, more supple textures of other charcuterie board items, like salami. The bold flavour of aged cheddar also means it can stand up to other strong flavours, like mustard or chutney, which might overpower a milder cheese.

When selecting an aged cheddar, look for one that has been aged for at least six months. The longer the cheddar has been aged, the stronger the flavour and the firmer the texture. A vintage cheddar, aged for more than 12 months, will have a crystalline texture and a very strong flavour. Cheddar that has been aged in a cave or wax will have a distinct flavour, and orange cheddar, which is dyed with annatto, will have a slightly sweet and nutty taste.

Aged cheddar is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed on its own or incorporated into a dish. When pairing aged cheddar with other foods, consider a tart apple or fig jam to complement its nutty, sharp flavour. A hearty, nutty whole-grain bread will also complement the robust flavours and textures of aged cheddar.

Brie: a soft, creamy and mild counterpoint to robust salami

Salami is a complex and robust-flavoured cured sausage, with a combination of spicy, sweet, hot, herby, and savoury notes. With such a wide range of flavours, it can be a challenge to find the perfect cheese to pair with it. However, one excellent option is Brie.

Brie is a soft, creamy, and mild cheese that provides a counterpoint to the robust salami. Its buttery texture and mild flavour enhance the overall mouthfeel of the pairing, creating a harmonious taste experience. The creaminess of the Brie also helps to balance the spiciness of the salami.

When creating a charcuterie board, it is important to consider both flavour and texture combinations. Brie's soft and creamy texture can add variety and interest to a board that includes the chewy and harder texture of salami. Its mild flavour will also help to balance the robust flavour profile of the salami, ensuring that neither element overpowers the other.

In addition, Brie is a versatile cheese that can be paired with both young and aged salami, offering different texture experiences. Its mild, creamy flavour can also be a good match for other cured meats or spicy notes in a charcuterie selection.

So, if you're looking for a cheese to pair with salami, consider Brie. Its soft, creamy texture and mild flavour will provide a delightful contrast to the robust and spicy notes of salami, creating a well-balanced and harmonious tasting experience.

Manchego: a nutty, slightly salty flavour that pairs beautifully with salami

Manchego is a traditional Spanish cheese made from the milk of manchega sheep. It is the country's most popular cheese, accounting for more than a third of all traditional cheese production in Spain. It is also popular internationally, including in the US, where it was one of the first sheep's milk cheeses to gain widespread availability.

Manchego is characterised by a nutty, slightly salty flavour, with a delicate balance of buttery, tart, and sweet notes. Its texture can range from semi-firm to firm, with tiny, lacy pores that exude butterfat at room temperature.

When it comes to pairing Manchego with salami, a hard, salty variety of the cheese is recommended to stand up to the robust and spicy flavours of the meat. The salty and crumbly texture of Manchego will provide a good contrast to the hard, aromatic salami.

For a complete tasting experience, Manchego and salami can be served with sweet and salty accompaniments, such as dried fruit, and a friendly Spanish wine.

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