The Perfect Meat Pairings For Brie Cheese

Brie is a mild, buttery, and creamy French cheese that is incredibly versatile when it comes to cooking and pairing. Its unique flavour profile and creamy texture make it easy to pair with a variety of foods, including meat. Brie's mildness serves as an ideal canvas for the salty, smoky, and savory flavours of meats and smoked fish. The creamy texture of the cheese holds the marinades while complementing the briny texture of the meat, resulting in a delicate yet complex combination.

Brie and steak sandwiches

There are several types of meat that go well with brie cheese, including beef, pork, and cured meats. A popular dish that combines meat and brie cheese is a steak and brie sandwich. Here is a guide on how to make an impressive gourmet steak and brie sandwich.

Ingredients:

• Steak (New York strip boneless beef top loin, hangar steak, ribeye, sirloin, flank steak, bavette steak, or beef roast)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Red onion
• Dijon mustard
• Butter
• Bread (focaccia, ciabatta, baguette, or French rolls)
• Arugula
• Brie cheese
• Fig jam (optional)

Method:

• Remove the steak from the refrigerator and pat dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the steak liberally with salt and pepper and let it come to room temperature.
• For the Dijon onions, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt and cook until they start to soften and brown. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking until the onions are soft and caramelized. Once caramelized, remove from the heat and stir in the Dijon mustard.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the seasoned steak to the pan. Sear the steak for 1 minute on each side, then reduce the heat and cook to the desired level of doneness (rare, medium-rare, medium, or medium-well).
• Transfer the steak to a plate and cover it with foil. Let the steak rest for about 10 minutes, then slice it thinly against the grain.
• To assemble the sandwiches, spread melted butter onto the bottom of a baking dish. Place the bottom halves of the bread in the dish and top with arugula, sliced brie cheese, and the Dijon onions.
• Spread fig jam (if using) on the inside of the top halves of the bread and place them on top of the sandwiches. Brush the tops of the bread with melted butter.
• Bake the sandwiches in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

Tips:

• For the best results, use a steak with a nice balance of lean meat and fat.
• When slicing the steak, cut it as thinly as possible to make it easier to bite into the sandwich.
• Toasted bread or a crusty roll, such as ciabatta, works best for this sandwich.
• Feel free to get creative with your toppings! Other possible toppings include mayonnaise, garlic aioli, spinach, or cheddar cheese.
• This sandwich pairs well with a variety of sides, such as French fries, sweet potato wedges, Brussels sprouts, or a green salad.

Brie and prosciutto

Prosciutto is an uncooked, dry-cured Italian ham. The curing process involves cleaning and heavily salting the hind leg or thigh of a pig, then leaving it in a cool, controlled room for two to three months. The salt is then rinsed off and the leg is hung to dry in a cold environment for up to two years. Prosciutto is usually sliced paper-thin and has a melt-in-the-mouth texture.

When it comes to brie, prosciutto is a perfect pairing. The salty, savoury prosciutto goes well with the creamy, buttery texture of the cheese. You can enjoy this combination in a variety of ways, such as:

Baked Brie Wrapped in Prosciutto

This simple dish requires only three ingredients and can be served with low-carb crackers, bread, or even straight from the oven with a fork. To make this appetiser, lay prosciutto slices in a pie pan, add a layer of sugar-free preserves to a small brie wheel, wrap it in the prosciutto, and bake.

For a delicious panini, spread mayonnaise and mustard on thinly sliced bread, layer prosciutto and brie, and grill until golden brown. For added flavour, include apple or pear slices.

Baked Brie in Pastry Wrapped in Prosciutto

For a festive appetiser, wrap a wheel of brie in puff pastry, top with honey, fig preserves, thyme, and black pepper, then drape prosciutto over it and bake. Serve immediately with crackers to enjoy the combination of salty prosciutto, sweet honey, and melty brie.

Brie and cured meats

Brie is a mild and creamy French cheese with a rich history and an even richer taste. It is a versatile cheese that can be baked, grilled, or melted into a fondue. When it comes to cured meats, Brie has a lot of options to choose from, each pairing offering a unique flavour profile.

Prosciutto

Prosciutto is an uncooked, dry-cured Italian ham. The curing process involves heavily salting the hind leg or thigh of a pig and leaving it in a cool, controlled room for two to three months. The salt is then rinsed off, and the leg is hung to dry for up to two years. This process gives prosciutto its signature rosy colour, marbled with streaks of white fat. It is typically sliced paper-thin and pairs well with Brie due to its melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Salami

Salami is a popular choice for charcuterie boards and pairs well with Brie. There are several types of salami to choose from, such as Genoa salami, made with ground pork or veal and mixed with white wine, garlic, salt, and peppercorns. For a spicier option, try Salami Calabrese, a pork sausage named after the southern Italian region of Calabria, known for its spicy cuisine. Soppressata is another type of dry salami that pairs well with Brie. It comes from the Calabria, Vicenza, and Tuscany regions of Italy and is typically made from fresh pork but can also be made with beef.

Coppa

With its vivid red colour and heavy marbling, coppa (also known as capicola in the US or capocollo in southern Italy) is a sight to behold. It has a smooth texture similar to prosciutto but with a more substantially fatty mouthfeel and seasoned flavour.

Pepperoni

Pepperoni is a purely Italian-American creation, traditionally made by mashing pork and beef and seasoning it with peppers, garlic, fennel, or mustard seeds. It is a cured meat product often stuffed into a casing. While it may not be as sophisticated as other cured meats, it can still make a delicious pairing with Brie, especially on a pizza or sandwich.

Jamón Ibérico

If you're looking for a true delicacy to pair with your Brie, Jamón Ibérico is the way to go. This cured Spanish ham is considered the king of Spanish cured meats. The main difference lies in the breed of pig—the best ones come from the Iberian Black Pig, native to Spain and Portugal.

These are just a few examples of cured meats that pair well with Brie. When creating a charcuterie board or simply enjoying a Brie dish, don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your favourite pairings.

Brie and bacon

There are so many ways to enjoy brie and bacon, a classic combination of creamy, salty, and savoury flavours. Whether you're looking for a decadent appetizer, a comforting main course, or a unique twist on a classic, this dynamic duo is sure to impress.

Baked Brie with Caramelized Onions and Bacon

For a mouthwatering appetizer, try baking brie with caramelized onions and bacon. This dish is not only delicious but also gluten-free and low-carb friendly. The sweet and savoury caramelized onions pair perfectly with the salty, crispy bacon and the creamy brie. It's an impressive dish that's perfect for entertaining and can be prepared in just 35 minutes.

Whipped Brie with Maple Bacon and Rosemary

For a unique twist on a classic, try whipping your brie until it's silky smooth and topping it with crispy bacon, fresh rosemary, and a drizzle of maple syrup. This combination of sweet, savoury, and crunchy elements is an excellent way to elevate your brie and bacon experience. It's a customisable appetizer that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Brie, Bacon, and Basil Pasta

If you're looking for a comforting main course, this brie, bacon, and basil pasta is a match made in heaven. The melted brie creates a creamy sauce that coats the pasta, while the bacon and basil add a savoury kick. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens up the dish and brings all the flavours together. It's an easy and quick weeknight dinner that will leave you craving more.

More Ideas

• Brie and bacon risotto: For a rich and indulgent option, try adding brie and bacon to a creamy risotto.
• Brie, bacon, and apple omelette: A unique combination of sweet and savoury flavours that's perfect for breakfast or brunch.
• Baked brie with honey and bacon: Drizzle baked brie with honey and top it with crispy bacon for a sweet and salty treat.
• Brie, bacon, and caramelized onion sandwich: This combination works equally well in a toasted sandwich, adding a layer of crunch.

No matter which way you choose to pair it, brie and bacon is a dynamic duo that's sure to satisfy your cravings and impress your taste buds.

Brie and ham

The salty, savoury flavour of ham is a perfect match for the creamy, mild taste of Brie cheese. This classic combination is a favourite for a reason, and can be served in a variety of ways.

A popular choice is to serve ham and Brie in a sandwich or grilled cheese. Layer slices of ham and Brie between two pieces of Italian or multigrain bread, and spread with apricot preserves and Dijon mustard. For an extra indulgent touch, brush the outside of the sandwich with olive oil and grill until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

For a more substantial meal, try a ham and Brie melt. This dish is similar to a grilled cheese, but cooked in a skillet or on a panini press until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.

If you're looking for a more elegant option, try serving baked Brie with ham as an appetizer or dessert. To make this dish, simply bake a wheel of Brie until it is warm and melty, and serve it with sliced ham, crackers, and a variety of sweet and savoury toppings, such as honey, nuts, and fruit.

When choosing a ham to pair with Brie, consider a dry-cured Italian ham like prosciutto, or a cured Spanish ham like Jamón Serrano, which has a nutty flavour that pairs well with cheese.

Frequently asked questions