What Goes Well With Blue Cheese: Perfect Pairings Guide

Blue cheese pairs exceptionally well with sweet fruits (especially pears, apples, and figs), honey, walnuts, crusty bread, and full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. The saltiness and tang of blue cheese are balanced by sweet and acidic elements, while its creaminess complements crunchy textures for a perfect flavor harmony.

Understanding what goes well with blue cheese requires appreciating its complex flavor profile. This distinctive cheese features a bold, salty tang with earthy undertones and creamy texture that can range from soft to crumbly depending on the variety. When selecting pairings for blue cheese, the key principle is balancing its intense flavor with complementary elements that either contrast or enhance its characteristics.

Understanding Blue Cheese Characteristics

Before exploring specific pairings, it's essential to recognize that blue cheese varieties differ significantly. From the milder Danish Danablu to the intensely flavored English Stilton and French Roquefort, each type has unique properties that influence ideal pairings. The salt content, creaminess, and strength of the 'blue' mold all affect which foods and beverages will create the most harmonious combinations.

Perfect Food Pairings for Blue Cheese

Fruit Companions for Blue Cheese

Fruits provide the ideal counterpoint to blue cheese's saltiness. The natural sweetness cuts through the cheese's intensity while adding refreshing acidity:

• Pears - Both fresh and poached pears create a classic pairing, especially with creamy blue varieties
• Figs - Fresh or dried figs offer concentrated sweetness that balances blue cheese perfectly
• Apples - Crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith provide refreshing contrast
• Grapes - Particularly red grapes which complement rather than compete with blue cheese
• Pomegranate seeds - Their jewel-like burst of tartness elevates blue cheese presentations

Blue Cheese Variety	Best Fruit Pairings	Why They Work
Roquefort	Pears, figs, honey	Sweetness balances intense saltiness
Stilton	Persimmons, dates, apples	Rich fruit complements creamy texture
Gorgonzola	Figs, pears, grapes	Milder blue works with delicate fruits
Danish Blue	Apples, pears, dried apricots	Balances milder salt content

Nuts and Accompaniments

Nuts provide essential textural contrast to blue cheese's creaminess while their natural oils complement the cheese's fat content:

• Walnuts - The classic pairing, especially with Stilton
• Pecans - Toasted pecans add buttery richness
• Hazelnuts - Complement earthier blue cheese varieties
• Honey - Drizzled over blue cheese creates the famous 'honey and blue' combination
• Balsamic glaze - Adds sweet-tart complexity to blue cheese plates

Bread and Cracker Options

The foundation of any blue cheese pairing is equally important. Consider these options:

• Crusty bread - Baguette slices provide neutral canvas
• Walnut bread - Enhances nutty flavor notes
• Oatcakes - Traditional Scottish pairing with Stilton
• Fig and olive crackers - Add complementary flavors
• Endive leaves - For a low-carb, crunchy alternative

Beverage Pairings for Blue Cheese

Wine Recommendations

Wine pairing with blue cheese follows the principle that sweet wines balance salty cheeses. The best options include:

• Sauternes - The legendary French dessert wine creates magic with Roquefort
• Port - Particularly tawny port with Stilton (the classic English pairing)
• Riesling - Off-dry German Rieslings balance blue cheese beautifully
• Zinfandel - For those preferring red wine with blue cheese
• Sherry - Particularly cream sherry with milder blue cheeses

Beer and Non-Alcoholic Options

Don't limit yourself to wine when exploring what goes well with blue cheese:

• Barleywines - Their rich sweetness complements blue cheese
• Belgian dubbels - Caramel notes balance blue cheese saltiness
• Stouts - Especially oatmeal stouts with creamy blue varieties
• Pomegranate juice - For a sophisticated non-alcoholic option
• Sparkling apple cider - Provides refreshing acidity

Creative Blue Cheese Recipe Ideas

Simple Blue Cheese Appetizers

Transform your blue cheese pairings into impressive yet simple dishes:

• Blue cheese and pear crostini - Toasted baguette with blue cheese, sliced pear, and honey drizzle
• Fig and blue cheese stuffed dates - Medjool dates filled with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon
• Blue cheese and walnut dip - Blend blue cheese with cream cheese, walnuts, and a touch of honey
• Endive boats with blue cheese - Endive leaves filled with blue cheese mixture and pomegranate seeds

Main Dishes Featuring Blue Cheese

Blue cheese shines in main courses when paired thoughtfully:

• Blue cheese steak topping - Melted blue cheese with caramelized onions on grilled steak
• Blue cheese and pear salad - Mixed greens with sliced pear, blue cheese, walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette
• Blue cheese mashed potatoes - Creamy potatoes with crumbled blue cheese and chives
• Blue cheese stuffed chicken - Chicken breasts filled with blue cheese and fig jam

Common Blue Cheese Pairing Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced food enthusiasts make these errors when pairing blue cheese:

• Overpowering delicate blue cheeses - Using intensely flavored accompaniments with milder blues like Danish Blue
• Serving blue cheese too cold - Always bring to room temperature (30-60 minutes) for optimal flavor release
• Mixing too many strong flavors - Blue cheese needs breathing room; don't overwhelm with multiple bold elements
• Using inappropriate bread - Avoid overly sweet breads that compete rather than complement
• Serving blue cheese past its prime - Blue cheese should be moist but not slimy, with vibrant blue veins

Creating the Perfect Blue Cheese Board

When assembling a cheese board featuring blue cheese, follow these professional tips:

• Include 1-2 blue cheese varieties maximum to avoid flavor competition
• Arrange accompaniments in small portions to encourage experimentation
• Provide separate knives for each cheese to prevent flavor transfer
• Place blue cheese at one end of the board to contain its strong aroma
• Include small tasting spoons for honey or jams to control portions

What fruit goes best with blue cheese?

Pears are considered the classic fruit pairing for blue cheese, particularly with English Stilton. The sweet, juicy flesh of ripe pears perfectly balances the saltiness and tang of blue cheese. Figs (both fresh and dried) and apples (especially crisp varieties like Honeycrisp) are also excellent choices that create a harmonious flavor combination.

Can you pair red wine with blue cheese?

Yes, but with careful selection. While sweet wines like Sauternes and Port are traditional pairings, certain red wines work well with blue cheese. Full-bodied Zinfandels, Shirazes, and Cabernet Sauvignons with sufficient fruitiness can complement blue cheese without clashing. Avoid highly tannic reds like young Cabernet Sauvignon, as the tannins can amplify the saltiness of the cheese unpleasantly.

Why does honey pair so well with blue cheese?

Honey creates a perfect balance with blue cheese through flavor contrast. The intense saltiness and tang of blue cheese are beautifully offset by honey's natural sweetness. Additionally, honey's viscosity helps coat the palate, moderating the sharpness of the cheese. The floral notes in many honeys also complement the earthy, mushroom-like flavors in blue cheese, creating a complex and satisfying flavor experience.

What bread should I serve with blue cheese?

Crusty breads like baguette slices provide the ideal neutral base for blue cheese. For more flavor integration, try walnut bread which complements blue cheese's earthy notes, or oatcakes which are a traditional Scottish pairing with Stilton. Avoid overly sweet breads that compete with the cheese rather than complement it. For a low-carb option, endive leaves make excellent edible 'boats' for blue cheese spreads.

How should I store blue cheese to maintain quality?

Store blue cheese properly wrapped in wax paper or parchment paper, then placed in a loosely sealed plastic bag in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. This allows the cheese to breathe while maintaining proper humidity. Never store blue cheese in airtight plastic wrap, as this traps moisture and encourages unwanted mold growth. Blue cheese is best consumed within 2-3 weeks of purchase for optimal flavor and texture.