Goat Cheese And Meat: Perfect Pairing Ideas

Goat cheese, or chèvre in French, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, ranging from salads to sandwiches, pizzas, and pasta. Its tangy, creamy flavour and texture make it a delicious addition to many recipes. When it comes to meat, goat cheese is often paired with beef, chicken, or bacon. For instance, it can be used as a topping for steak, mixed into a beef pasta sauce, or spread on toast with grilled chicken. It also goes well with cured meats like salumi and prosciutto, as well as country hams and smoked salmon. The contrasting flavours and textures of goat cheese and meat create a dynamic and appealing combination.

Goat cheese with beef

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, and it pairs particularly well with beef. Here are some ideas and recipes for combining goat cheese with beef:

Herbed Tenderloin Steaks with Goat Cheese Topping

For a quick and tasty meal, try herbed tenderloin steaks with goat cheese topping. Start by seasoning your beef tenderloin steaks with thyme and garlic. Cook the steaks in a skillet or on a grill to your desired doneness. While the steaks are resting, make the goat cheese topping by mixing goat cheese with basil. Top the steaks with the goat cheese mixture and serve with arugula and tomatoes for a light and refreshing meal.

Steak with Goat Cheese Butter

This recipe is a delicious way to enjoy the combination of goat cheese and beef. Start by grilling or pan-searing a flank steak or flat iron steak. While the steak is resting, make the goat cheese butter by mixing softened butter with goat cheese, garlic paste, and fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and basil. Spread the goat cheese butter on top of the steak and serve with French bread to soak up all the delicious juices.

Other Ideas

• Stuffed beef meatballs with goat cheese and herbs
• Beef burgers topped with melted goat cheese and served on a toasted bun
• Beef and goat cheese kabobs, alternating cubes of beef and goat cheese and grilling to perfection
• Beef and goat cheese lasagna, layering pasta, beef bolognese, and a creamy goat cheese sauce

Goat cheese with steak

Steak and goat's cheese is a flavourful combination that can be used in many different recipes. One option is to cook a steak and top it with a mixture of goat's cheese, butter, garlic paste, and herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and basil. This goat cheese butter can be made easily by mixing the ingredients in a bowl with a hand mixer. The butter will slowly melt into the steak, creating a delicious meal. This recipe works well with flank steak or flat iron steak, cooked on a grill or in a skillet.

Another option is to cook steak with caramelised onions and goat's cheese. This recipe involves searing seasoned New York strip steaks in butter in an oven-proof skillet, before transferring the skillet to an oven to finish cooking the steaks. The steaks are then topped with caramelised onions and softened goat's cheese. The browned butter from the skillet can also be drizzled on top for extra flavour.

A third option is to cook steak with goat's cheese on a barbecue. This recipe involves barbecuing fillet or ribeye steaks over direct heat, before turning them, topping them with goat's cheese, and sprinkling them with thyme. The steaks are cooked for another few minutes until they reach a medium-rare core temperature of 58°C. This recipe also includes barbecuing cherry tomatoes alongside the steaks.

Goat's cheese also works well as a topping for herbed tenderloin steaks. The steaks can be seasoned with herbs such as basil and thyme, and cooked in a skillet or on a grill. The goat's cheese can be mixed with basil and added to the steaks after cooking, along with arugula and tomatoes for a light meal.

Goat cheese with chicken

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, and it pairs exceptionally well with chicken. Here are some mouth-watering ways to combine goat cheese with chicken:

Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Stuffing chicken breasts with goat cheese is a popular way to incorporate the cheese into a chicken dish. This can be done by creating a pocket in the chicken breast and filling it with a mixture of goat cheese, herbs, and other ingredients such as pepperoncinis or roasted red bell peppers. The chicken is then cooked in a skillet or baked in the oven, resulting in juicy, flavourful chicken with a creamy goat cheese filling. This dish can be served with a variety of sides, making it a versatile option for any meal.

Balsamic Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

For a tangy twist on the classic goat cheese-stuffed chicken, try adding balsamic vinegar to the mix. This recipe involves reducing balsamic vinegar and mixing it with goat cheese to create a sweet and savoury filling for chicken breasts. The chicken is then baked in the oven until cooked through, resulting in a dish that is both elegant and delicious. This dish pairs well with sides such as wilted spinach or linguine in garlic butter.

Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Chicken

This dish combines the flavours of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, basil, and goat cheese to create a mouth-watering entree. Chicken breasts are sautéed and then smothered in a mixture of goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs. This recipe is quick and easy to make, taking only about 20 minutes from start to finish. It's a perfect option for a busy weeknight or a special occasion.

Goat Cheese Butter Chicken

Goat cheese butter is a simple yet luxurious way to elevate a chicken dish. It can be made by mixing softened butter with goat cheese, garlic, and herbs. The chicken is cooked to your desired doneness, and then topped with a generous amount of the goat cheese butter, which melts into the meat. This dish is best served with bread or rolls to soak up all the delicious butter.

Goat cheese with cured meats

Goat cheese, or chèvre in French, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and pasta. When it comes to cured meats, goat cheese can be an excellent pairing. Here are some tips and ideas for creating delicious combinations:

• Flavour and Texture Contrast: Cured meats, such as dry-cured, hard sausages, whole muscle cuts like prosciutto, and pâtés, often have fatty textures. The key to a successful pairing is to contrast this fattiness with the acidity of goat cheese. Fresh goat cheese, in particular, has a creamy, light texture and a tangy flavour that complements these meats well.
• Specific Meat Suggestions:

• Dry-cured, hard sausages: Look for options like sopressata or finocchiona, which has a sweet fennel flavour.
• Whole muscle cuts: Prosciutto, capacolla, and country hams are excellent choices. If you want to try something different, go for bresaola, which is made from beef.
• Pâtés and terrines: These can be made from a variety of meats, such as duck liver, rabbit, pork, or lamb, and often include additional ingredients like truffles, pistachios, or pickled vegetables.

• Condiments and Accompaniments: To enhance your pairings, consider adding condiments that complement both the cheese and the meat. For example, a cherry, strawberry, or balsamic compote with a sweet-tart edge would go well with dry-cured sausages and fresh goat cheese. For ripened goat cheese, try pairing with fresh figs, honey, dates, or toasted, bourbon-spiced pecans.
• Presentation and Quantity: When serving, arrange each goat cheese and charcuterie pairing on separate boards or platters, along with their respective condiments. Cut your cheeses into bite-sized wedges when they are cold, and allow them to come to room temperature before serving—about 2 hours. Offer thinly sliced, crusty breads on the side, brushed with olive oil and toasted. As a general guideline, plan for about 3-4 ounces of cheese and 2 ounces of paired charcuterie per person.
• Wine Pairing: To complete the experience, pair your wine to the cheese rather than the meat. For fresh, acidic goat cheeses and young ripened ones, try crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, dry Champagne, or Prosecco. For older ripened cheeses and pâtés, a Pinot Noir or white Burgundy would be a good choice. If you're serving aged cheeses with pâtés, consider a Pinot Noir or beer, especially if you're including pickled vegetables.

Remember, these are just guidelines—feel free to mix and match to discover your own favourite combinations!

Goat cheese with bacon

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches, and pairs well with a range of meats, including bacon.

Combining goat cheese with bacon creates a delicious salty-sweet flavour profile. This combination can be used in a variety of ways, such as:

Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese

This simple 3-ingredient appetizer is a crowd-pleaser. Medjool dates are stuffed with creamy, tangy goat cheese and wrapped in salty, smoky bacon. The key to getting crispy bacon is to use thin bacon slices and turn the dates periodically while baking to ensure even cooking. For an extra touch of sweetness, you can add a drizzle of honey or a bourbon glaze.

Whipped Goat Cheese with Warm Candied Bacon and Dates

This recipe takes the classic combination of bacon and dates to the next level by adding whipped goat cheese. The bacon is tossed with rosemary, brown sugar, honey, and cayenne pepper before being baked with dates until caramelized. The goat cheese is whipped with cream cheese, olive oil, and salt to create a creamy texture. This dish is then served with toasted bread for dipping.

Goat Cheese with Hot Honey and Bacon

This easy-to-prepare snack features creamy whipped goat cheese topped with crispy bacon bits and drizzled with hot honey. The addition of thinly sliced green onions provides a bright, tangy flavour. It can be served as a dip with crackers, chips, or vegetable sticks, or used as a spread for sandwiches or a cheeseboard.

Goat Cheese Salad with Bacon

Goat cheese salad is a classic combination, and the addition of bacon adds an irresistible salty flavour. This salad typically includes leafy greens such as arugula, romaine lettuce, and spinach, with crumbled goat cheese, nuts, and dried fruit such as cranberries or peaches. A popular dressing for this type of salad includes honey and balsamic vinegar.

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