This is gouda brie an important day for you. Seriously, nothing gets cheddar than this. Today you learn how to choose the perfect cheese for burgers.
The key to the best burger and cheese pairing is matching complementary flavors from the cheese and the meat. And you also have to consider the texture and melting point of the cheese.Getting feta up with waiting? Let’s get to the list.
Classic Cheddar
Cheddar cheese is a popular burger cheese because it melts well and adds just the right amount of salt and ooey-gooey goodness to your burger. You can play around with the variety of cheddar cheese too. Sharp cheddar is going to be more flavorful than mild cheddar but less intense than extra-sharp cheddar. You can also try aged cheddar for a richer cheese flavor.
Cheddar cheese pairs well with an all-beef burger or something more exotic like a bison burger. For additional toppings consider freshly sliced tomatoes, onions, and pickles.
American Cheese
American cheese melts beautifully on a burger. American cheese is usually processed but shares a similar flavor profile to colby jack or mild cheddar. How do you decide on cheddar vs American cheese for burgers? American is a little smoother and saltier than cheddar cheese.
If you’re making burgers at home, don’t be afraid to use the plastic singles – they’re delicious! And even if a restaurant uses pre-packaged American cheese slices, give it a try before you judge it.
Swiss
Swiss cheese is distinct from other burger cheeses. Swiss can taste bitter compared to cheddar or American but it’s great for a bacon burger or any burger with a spicy element like jalapenos. Its mild flavor makes it a great cheese to pair with bold toppings – try it for yourself!
Pepper Jack
Pepper jack cheese melts like cheddar cheese but has a much bigger, spicy flavor. You might see pepper jack on a Mexican-style burger featuring ingredients like guacamole because of the heat level it adds. If you like spice, put pepper jack on the burger.
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is a less common burger cheese but one of the most flavorful. You have to be very careful with blue cheese on a burger because it can overpower other ingredients. You can pair blue cheese with bacon, mushrooms, and onion. You canalso add a sweet element like jam to offset the funky taste of blue cheese.
Gouda or Gruyere
Both gouda and gruyere are good melting cheeses. Gruyere is a savory cheese that goes well with sweet toppings like caramelized onions or candied bacon. Gouda, especially smoked gouda, is a great way to dial up that smokey, barbeque flavor.
The Ultimate Cheese for Burgers
There it is – the quick guide on cheese for burgers. The next step is to try each one and see what you like best! Remember that different cheeses melt differently and pair better with certain meat and toppings than others. Be creative and have fun trying out new options.
Searching for the best burger near me? Come visit us at Burger Republic!
FAQs
The cheese is a star player in the best burgers and a classic choice is American cheese. Its mild, creamy flavor and exceptional meltability make it an excellent partner for the beef patty. However, other cheese options like cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack can add unique flavors and textures to your burger.
How to choose cheese for a burger? ›
Best Cheeses for Burgers
- Cheddar Cheese. Cheddar cheese is a classic for a reason. ...
- Provolone Cheese. Provolone cheese is another great option for burgers. ...
- Blue Cheese. If you're looking to add a little bit of extra flavor to your burger, blue cheese is the way to go. ...
- Smoked Gouda. ...
- American Cheese. ...
- Pepper Jack. ...
- Brie Cheese.
I'd recommend using either a store-bought American cheese or homemade melty cheese slices. You need a good melter to help bind the patties together. Onto the prepared bun they go. You can mix it up with the toppings, but try to keep it simple.
Which type of cheese would melt the easiest on a burger? ›
Another classic burger topping, cheddar cheese is firm, melts well, and can be moist or dry with a range of flavors from milky and sweet to acidic and grassy depending on aging and origin. For a simple cheeseburger, try Fleishers' Perfect Burger, topped with cheddar cheese, butter lettuce, red onion, mayo, and ketchup.
How do I choose the right cheese? ›
Look for flavor cues on the package. While not every package has these, those that do will feature words like creamy, soft, tangy, sharp, robust and aged. These are indicators of the style of cheese and its flavor profile.
What white cheese is best for burgers? ›
Over 90% of the time, I am going to cheese my (beef) burger with American cheese of some kind, most often white American from the deli. It melts beautifully and tastes creamy and lightly salty—not overly impressive on its own, but a perfect complement to a beefy smash burger with a golden-brown crust.
What is the best cheese to put inside a burger? ›
American Cheese Can Be The Best Cheese To Put In A Burger
Not surprisingly, one of the most popular cheeseburger toppers is American cheese, which is typically a variety of cheddar with a creamy and salty flavour and medium-firm consistency.
What cheese does McDonald's use on their burgers? ›
The cheese slice used in our menu items like our Big Mac®, Cheeseburger and Quarter Pounder™ with Cheese contains approximately 60% real cheese (51% Cheddar and 9% Other Cheeses).
What kind of cheese does burger King use on their burgers? ›
You can't go wrong with our cheeseburger, a signature flame-grilled beef patty topped with a simple layer of melted American cheese, crinkle cut pickles, yellow mustard, and ketchup on a toasted sesame seed bun.
Why do smash burgers taste so good? ›
Smashing the burger results in a sear on the outside of the meat, which locks in all of the juices and flavor. This method also helps to prevent flare-ups on the grill or griddle, as there is less surface area for the fat to drip onto the heat source.
Our beef burger is cooked medium (pink on the inside), unless requested otherwise. Beef hamburger topped with gorgonzola blue cheese and crispy smoked bacon, served on a toasted bun. Our beef burger is cooked medium (pink on the inside), unless requested otherwise.
What cheese is used for fast food burgers? ›
In fast food restaurants across the United States, processed cheese is usually used, although other meltable cheeses are used, such as cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, blue cheese, or pepper jack. Virtually all restaurants that sell hamburgers also offer cheeseburgers.
Is medium or sharp cheddar better for burgers? ›
You can play around with the variety of cheddar cheese too. Sharp cheddar is going to be more flavorful than mild cheddar but less intense than extra-sharp cheddar. You can also try aged cheddar for a richer cheese flavor. Cheddar cheese pairs well with an all-beef burger or something more exotic like a bison burger.
What cheese do restaurants put on burgers? ›
it's the flavor/taste of the meat with it. American cheese goes on burgers. Sorry, that's the way it is. Other cheeses can go on burgers, but American is the default — not cheddar, not Swiss, not Gruyere.
Is mature or mild cheddar better for burgers? ›
For customers planning on using their Cheddar in a toastie or on a burger rather than a cheeseboard, a younger Cheddar typically works better. A variety of factors can affect how cheeses melt, from moisture to acidity to age. More mature cheeses can become oily rather than achieving a creamy melt.
What cheese do five guys use? ›
Five Guys uses Kraft American cheese, same as when the doors first opened in 1986.
