What Cheese Goes Well with Salmon? 14 Best Cheeses

Salmon is one of the most versatile fish you can choose to eat, and it goes well with almost any type of cheese. A mild, fresh cheese like goat cheese is ideal for salmon, but you can also try a strong, aged cheese like a blue cheese or a Parmesan.

Salmon is such a delicious fish that you can’t go wrong with pairing it with a variety of cheeses.

Today, we’ll go through some of the most popular cheeses to pair with salmon.

From a mild and creamy cheese like Feta to an assertive blue cheese like Stilton, there are a variety of cheeses you can use to top your salmon.

So, let’s dive in and start exploring all the delicious cheeses that go well with salmon!

What Cheese Goes Well with Salmon? 14 Best Cheeses

Cheese is one of the most versatile foods.

It can be used to accompany a variety of dishes from breakfast to dinner.

Cheese is a delicious addition to salmon and can be paired with both white and red varieties.

Cheddar cheese pairs well with salmon because it has a mild flavor, which complements the natural sweetness of the fish. Try to use a firm, sharp cheddar or a mild cheese like feta or Swiss.

The best way to find out what cheese pairs well with salmon is to try different cheeses and see which ones taste good together.

We’ve created a list of some of our favorite cheeses that pair well with salmon, but we encourage you to find your own favorite combinations by experimenting.

Still looking for more options?

Then just keep scrolling!

1. Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is the most basic option, and a classic choice to pair with smoked salmon.

To make cream cheese a little more interesting, you can add herbs and spices like dill, chives, or lemon zest.

2. Mozzarella

Mozzarella can be soft or hard. It’s a salty white cheese that melts easily, making it ideal for dipping or cooking.

Mozzarella can be bland on its own but tastes great in combination with other ingredients, like tomatoes and basil.

It also blends very well with seafood, such as salmon.

Try adding some mozzarella to a salmon salad or using it as a dip for roasted or baked salmon fillets!

3. Mascarpone

Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese made from cow’s milk.

It has a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs nicely with smoked salmon and other seafood dishes.

See also these mascarpone and pasta recipes.

4. Parmesan

Parmesan cheese is a hard, dry cheese made from skim milk.

It has a very strong flavor and can be consumed either grated over dishes or eaten on its own.

Some people use it to substitute for salt in dishes that need a little extra flavor.

Its strong taste makes it the perfect pairing to salmon, which can be found in many different forms, including cooked, smoked and cured.

The flavor of the salmon will not overpower the cheese or vice versa, making them a great combination.

5. Aged Gouda

Gouda cheese is similar to cheddar and is a semi-hard cheese that’s made from cow’s milk.

While there are many different varieties, aged gouda is especially good when paired with salmon because it adds some sharp, nutty flavors to balance out the fatty taste of the fish.

6. Halloumi

Halloumi is a cheese that’s eaten in Cyprus, Greece and other Mediterranean countries.

It’s made with a blend of sheep’s milk and goat’s milk, and it has a salty flavor and rubbery texture. These traits make it an excellent accompaniment for salmon.

Both halloumi and salmon have a high fat content, which means they’re very flavorful.

Both also work well with the same herbs and spices, such as parsley, basil, mint and dill.

A good way to eat this combination is to grill or fry the halloumi first, then serve it alongside a grilled or baked piece of salmon.

This way, the salmon can be eaten on its own or wrapped in a piece of halloumi like it was bacon.

7. Bocconcini

This tiny and soft cheese is a good choice for salmon because it won’t overpower the delicate flavor of the fish.

Related: 25 Bocconcini Cheese Recipes I Can’t Resist

It is also easy to eat and will melt in your mouth to make a creamy contrast with the flaky texture of the salmon.

8. Blue Cheese

Salmon and blue cheese make a seriously delicious pair.

Whether it’s the creamy richness of blue cheese, or the tangy flavors that complement so well with salmon, this is a can’t miss combo.

9. Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is one of my favorite cheeses to pair with smoked salmon because it’s mild, creamy and has that tangy flavor that works well with the smoky fish.

There are also many different varieties of goat cheese out there!

If you’re feeling adventurous, try pairing your smoked fish with a flavored goat cheese like honey goat or truffle goat cheese.

10. Cheddar

Cheddar is a firm yellow cheese that comes from England, Ireland and other countries.

Use aged cheddar for a sharper flavor or milder varieties for dipping.

Old-fashioned macaroni and cheese often includes cheddar, so try pairing it with baked salmon fillets.

11. Havarti

Havarti cheese is smooth and creamy with a slightly salty taste that pairs well with salmon.

It’s also a good melting cheese, which makes it perfect for a sandwich or grilled cheese.

12. Brie

Brie is another soft-ripened cheese that pairs well with salmon.

It has an earthy, nutty flavor and works especially well when served at room temperature so you can smear it on a cracker.

13. Pecorino

Pecorino is a hard Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk and often aged for at least eight months to develop its sharp, salty flavor.

Pecorino goes very well with grated onto pasta dishes or into salads, but also works well grated over baked salmon.

14. Feta Cheese

Feta cheese is another classic pairing for smoked salmon because it’s salty and tangy with a crumbly texture that contrasts nicely with the smooth texture of the fish.

It also pairs well with capers and onions which are classic toppings for bagels topped with cream cheese and lox.

7 Reasons to Serve Cheeses with Salmon

There’s a good reason why salmon and cheese are often served together at parties.

The flavors of each compliment the other, which is why they’re often found in combination at parties, or just as a quick snack.

Here are 7 reasons to serve cheeses with salmon:

1. It can create a delicious mix of flavors

Not all cheese tastes the same, and not all salmon tastes the same either.

This gives you the opportunity to create some really delicious combinations.

For example, you might try a mild-flavored salmon with a sharp-flavored cheddar, or a more strongly flavored smoked salmon with a milder cream cheese.

2. You can’t have too much cheese

Let’s be honest: no one is ever going to complain about having too much cheese on their plate.

Being able to add some extra weight and flavor to your dish is always appreciated by hungry diners!

3. Cheese pairs well with other ingredients that go well with salmon

Salmon is frequently served with ingredients like lemon, dill and capers.

These also pair well with cheeses like goat’s cheese or parmesan.

4. Cheeses Can Emphasize the Smoky Flavor of Salmon

Salmon has a naturally smoky flavor, and cheese can highlight that smokiness.

Gouda is a good choice for this because it has a mild flavor that won’t overshadow the salmon.

The creaminess of the cheese also balances the strong taste of smoked salmon.

5. Cheeses Can Enhance the Creamy Texture of Salmon

Cheese and salmon are both creamy, so they go well together.

You might want to serve salmon with fresh cheeses, such as cottage cheese or ricotta.

These cheeses have a light texture and mild flavor, so they won’t overpower the taste of the fish.

6. Cheese and Salmon Are Both Rich in Protein

Protein is an essential nutrient because it’s used to build muscle tissues, repair tissues and make hormones.

Salmon is one of the best sources of protein because it offers heart-healthy fats along with protein.

Cheese can help you meet your daily protein needs because it’s also rich in protein.

It has more protein than most other dairy products, including yogurt and milk.

7. The Breakfast Cheeses

Breakfast cheeses like cream cheese and cottage cheese make the perfect partner for smoked salmon.

In fact, whenever you see smoked salmon on a menu, you should expect to see it served with cream cheese or cottage cheese.

At first glance these two dishes may seem an unlikely combination.

But the fat from the salmon complements the fat from the cheese beautifully.

This combination also works well on bagels and croissants!

4 Tips for Serving Cheeses with Salmon

Salmon is one of the most versatile fish for cooking and pairing with cheese.

Salmon is rich and fatty, but also has a delicate flavor that pairs well with a variety of other ingredients.

Here are 4 tips for serving cheeses with salmon:

1. Use smoked salmon

Smoked salmon is incredibly popular in the United States, but it is best paired with a mild cheese.

It’s important to match the richness of the salmon with something creamy, but not so flavorful that it will overwhelm the fish.

Try pairing it with a soft goat cheese or a young brie.

2. Pair it with a fresh cheese

If you’re using fresh salmon, try pairing it with a fresh cheese like mozzarella or ricotta.

The delicate flavor of these cheeses will complement the light flavors in fresh fish without overwhelming them.

3. Pair it with a blue cheese

Because salmon is rich and oily, it can stand up to strong and pungent cheeses like blue cheese or gorgonzola.

The creaminess of these cheeses will also balance out the richness of the fish to create an interesting flavor profile for your dish.

4. Use The Right Cheese

The first thing that you need to know when serving cheese with salmon is choosing the right one.

There are so many different kinds of cheeses available on the market today, and you want to make sure that you choose a cheese that will actually bring out the flavor of the salmon rather than overpower it.

FAQ

What cheese goes with salmon burgers?

If you’re looking to pair cheese with a salmon burger, you can’t go wrong with cheddar.

The tangy flavor of the cheese complements the taste of the salmon and provides a nice contrast in flavor.

What cheese goes with salmon salad?

The best cheeses to serve with a salmon salad are blue cheeses, goat cheese and soft, fresh cheeses.

The acidity of the cheeses cuts through the richness of the salmon, and the softness of the cheeses adds a light texture.

What goes with smoked salmon and cream cheese?

A good side dish to serve with smoked salmon and cream cheese is a vegetable gratin.

This dish is usually served as an accompaniment to roast chicken, but you can also serve it on its own.

The creamy, cheesy taste of the gratin goes perfectly with the smoky flavor of the salmon and the delicate taste of the cream cheese.

What cream cheese goes with smoked salmon?

A light cream cheese works well with smoked salmon, but for a more decadent dish, try a whipped cream cheese spread.

The combination of the sweet, creamy spread and the salty, savory salmon is a perfect match.

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