Randy Chandler
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to desserts. When it comes to pairing, the options are endless, ranging from fruits and nuts to meat and wine. The type of goat cheese also matters, with more intense cheeses pairing well with richly aromatic honey, while a milder goat cheese goes perfectly with a sweet conserve. In this text, we will explore the perfect pairings for goat cheese, helping you create delicious dishes that will impress your taste buds and your guests.
What to pair with goat cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fruits | Strawberries, peaches, apricots, nectarines, red berries, apples, pears, figs, grapes, cherries, redcurrants |
| Conserves | Black cherry, blueberry, fig, raspberry |
| Salads | Arugula, spinach, asparagus, beetroot, roasted red peppers |
| Breads | Flatbreads, crostini, cinnamon raisin toast, baguette |
| Crackers | Flatbread crackers |
| Nuts | Walnuts, mixed nuts |
| Meat | Prosciutto, pulled rotisserie chicken, New York strip steak |
| Herbs | Thyme, dried roses |
| Sweeteners | Honey |
| Alcohol | Sauvignon Blanc, rosé, Belgian ales, Pinot Noir |
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What You'll Learn
- Fruits: apples, strawberries, peaches, apricots, and figs
- Honey: mild honey with fresh goat cheese, and intense cheese with richly aromatic honey
- Wine: Sauvignon Blanc, rosé, and Belgian ales
- Vegetables: asparagus, beetroot, and arugula
- Meat: prosciutto, pulled rotisserie chicken, and New York strip steak
Fruits: apples, strawberries, peaches, apricots, and figs
Fruits are a fantastic way to enhance the flavour of goat cheese, adding a burst of colour to your cheese platter and providing a mellow and sweet option for your guests. The type of fruit you choose to pair with goat cheese will depend on the season. In summer, you might combine fresh goat cheese with slices of peach, apricot, or nectarine, or even red berries like cherries or redcurrants. In autumn, opt for apples, pears, figs, or grapes to accompany a more aged goat cheese.
Apples and goat cheese is a classic pairing, but it's important to choose the right type of apple to complement the cheese. While sweet apples like the Honeycrisp can bring out a sour note in the cheese, and Granny Smiths can be too tart, a Pink Lady apple is often just right, offering a balance of sweetness and acidity, as well as a crunchy texture that contrasts pleasingly with the soft cheese. Other apple varieties that pair well with goat cheese include Fuji apples, which can bring out the cheese's springtime florality, and Opal or Crimson Gold apples, which are soft and pair best with younger, softer cheeses.
Strawberries are another wonderful fruit to pair with goat cheese, providing a nice contrast between the sweetness of the fruit and the acidity of the cheese. Try serving goat cheese with fresh strawberries, sugar snap peas, and asparagus, or adding strawberries to a salad with walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette for a simple yet delicious combination.
Figs are a perfect match for goat cheese, especially in the autumn when they are in season. Fresh figs can be baked whole and served with goat cheese and prosciutto, or fig jam can be paired with warm goat cheese on toast for a sweet and savoury treat. For a lighter option, a few slices of fresh fig can accompany a yogurt or fromage blanc made with goat milk for a healthy breakfast or snack.
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Honey: mild honey with fresh goat cheese, and intense cheese with richly aromatic honey
Honey and goat cheese is a versatile pairing that can be used as a starter, a dessert, or an appetizer. The sweetness of honey creates a beautiful contrast with the tangy, creamy, and acidic notes of goat cheese.
When choosing the goat cheese, opt for the freshest option available, as the tang and texture are essential in this pairing. Allow the goat cheese to come to room temperature before serving, as refrigeration blunts its flavor and affects its texture.
For a simple preparation, drizzle honey over the goat cheese and top with finely chopped hazelnuts or herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or chives. You can also shape the herbed goat cheese mixture into a log using plastic wrap, chill it, and then slice and serve later.
To take this pairing a step further, try baking it. Spread the goat cheese and honey mixture on a slice of baguette and toast it in the oven until bubbly. You can also add toppings such as shaved almonds, prosciutto, or balsamic vinegar for an extra layer of flavor.
For a heartier option, pair the honey and goat cheese with roasted butternut squash and sage risotto. This combination creates a comforting and flavorful dish, especially when enjoyed with a slightly sweet and fruity wine, such as Vignoles.
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Wine: Sauvignon Blanc, rosé, and Belgian ales
Goat cheese is a versatile food that pairs well with Sauvignon Blanc, rosé, and Belgian ales. Here are some tips to create delightful combinations:
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a classic choice to pair with goat cheese. The crisp, acidic, and citrussy nature of this white wine beautifully complements the creamy, tangy, and earthy flavours of goat cheese. When selecting a Sauvignon Blanc, consider those from the Loire Valley, such as Sancerre, Pouilly Fumé, or Touraine. These wines possess a delightful freshness that accentuates the flavours of goat cheese, especially when served with dishes like asparagus salad, roasted red peppers, or beetroot.
Rosé
Rosé wines, particularly those from Provence, create a delightful pairing with goat cheese. The bracing acidity and subtle berry flavours of a dry rosé marry well with the tangy, acidic nature of goat cheese. Soft goat cheeses tend to pair best with rosé, but feel free to experiment with aged varieties. Whether enjoyed with crackers, bread, or as part of a delicious goat cheese toast with berries, avocado, or herbs, rosé adds a refreshing touch to the goat cheese experience.
Belgian Ales
Belgian ales, known for their complexity, offer a unique pairing with goat cheese. The rich, caramelized flavours of Belgian ales, especially those with a brettanomyces character, complement the earthy undertones of aged goat cheese. For a classic combination, try a Trappist ale like Orval with goat gouda. Temperature is key when pairing Belgian ales with goat cheese. Serving the ale slightly warmer, around 50-55°F (10-13°C), enhances the tasting experience.
In summary, when pairing wines or ales with goat cheese, consider the intensity of both elements. Mild goat cheeses pair well with subtle wines or ales, while stronger-flavoured goat cheeses demand more robust beverages to match their intensity.
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Vegetables: asparagus, beetroot, and arugula
Asparagus
Asparagus and goat cheese is a heavenly combination. You can make a delicious asparagus salad with goat cheese, sweet peas, radishes, arugula, and a creamy lemon vinaigrette dressing. Blanch the asparagus and peas, and serve them with raw asparagus and crumbled goat cheese.
You can also make a strata with asparagus and goat cheese. First, cook leeks in a skillet, then add the asparagus and cook until bright green. Next, whisk eggs with half-and-half, thyme, mustard, pepper, and salt in a bowl. Spread this mixture over bread, sprinkle with goat cheese, and pour the egg mixture over it. Refrigerate for an hour or up to 24 hours, then bake in an oven preheated to 350°F for 20 minutes.
Beetroot
Beetroot and goat cheese is a classic combination, often used in salads. To make a simple beetroot and goat cheese salad, start with a bed of arugula, drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette, and add cooked beets, avocado, candied pecans or walnuts, and goat cheese. You can also add strawberries, or other fruits like oranges, apples, or grapes, and some greens like baby spinach or spring mix. For a nutty flavor, add toasted walnuts, almonds, or pecans. To make it a meal, serve it with chicken, salmon, or steak.
Arugula
Arugula has a peppery, slightly bitter taste that goes well with the tanginess of goat cheese. You can make a salad with arugula, beets, goat cheese, and a homemade lemon and honey dressing. You can also add toasted walnuts and dried cranberries for a chewy texture and a tart flavor.
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Meat: prosciutto, pulled rotisserie chicken, and New York strip steak
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with a variety of meats, including prosciutto, pulled rotisserie chicken, and New York strip steak. Here are some ways to incorporate these pairings:
Prosciutto
Prosciutto is a dry-cured ham that offers a savoury complement to the tangy and creamy flavour of goat cheese. Try wrapping slices of prosciutto around chunks of goat cheese and fresh strawberries, securing them with a toothpick, and serving them on a bed of arugula. The sweetness of the strawberries and the peppery notes of the arugula will create a delightful contrast with the savoury prosciutto and creamy goat cheese. For an added crunch, you can also include blanched asparagus spears in the wrap.
For a heartier dish, consider making a prosciutto and goat cheese tart. Line a tart pan with puff pastry, fill it with a mixture of goat cheese, diced artichokes, and chopped prosciutto, and bake it until the pastry is golden and the filling is heated through. Serve this savoury tart warm or at room temperature, perhaps with a side of mixed greens dressed with a light vinaigrette.
Pulled Rotisserie Chicken
Pulled rotisserie chicken provides a protein boost to any goat cheese dish. Create a satisfying salad by tossing mixed greens with warm, shredded chicken, crumbled goat cheese, and toasted walnuts. Drizzle the salad with a balsamic vinaigrette and season with freshly cracked black pepper for a flavourful bite. Alternatively, you can spread goat cheese on toasted cinnamon raisin bread and top it with sliced rotisserie chicken, drizzling the combination with honey for a sweet and savoury delight.
New York Strip Steak
New York strip steak, when cooked to perfection, provides a juicy and flavourful base for goat cheese. Grill your steak to the desired doneness and top it with a generous helping of goat cheese. For an extra burst of flavour, sprinkle chopped walnuts and freshly chopped herbs like thyme over the steak. The creamy cheese will melt slightly from the heat of the steak, creating a decadent and mouthwatering combination.
These suggestions showcase how goat cheese can be paired with prosciutto, pulled rotisserie chicken, and New York strip steak to create delicious and varied culinary experiences.
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Frequently asked questions
Fruits such as apples, strawberries, peaches, apricots, nectarines, red berries, black cherries, blueberries, and figs are all great options to pair with goat cheese. Drizzle honey on goat cheese for a classic combination, or try gingerbread for a unique pairing.
Asparagus, artichoke, prosciutto, walnuts, arugula, spinach, beets, and balsamic vinegar all complement goat cheese well. Goat cheese can also be added to salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads.
Crisp dry rosé, especially Provençal rosé, is a great pairing for goat cheese. Belgian ales, especially those with a brettanomyces character, also complement goat cheese. Sauvignon Blanc is another wine that goes well with goat cheese.
