The Best Cheeses to Pair with Summer Sausage

Summer sausage and cheese is a classic combo. The bold, smoky flavor of the sausage paired with the creamy texture of cheese just works wonderfully together But with so many cheese options out there, what are the best varieties to serve with summer sausage?

In this article, we’ll cover the top cheese recommendations for summer sausage and explain why they make such great pairings We’ll also discuss some cheeses to avoid, creative serving ideas, wine pairings, and more

Overview of Summer Sausage

Before diving into the cheeses, let’s briefly cover what makes summer sausage so unique and flavorful.

Summer sausage is a cured, fermented sausage that can be either semi-dry or smoked. It gets its signature tangy, robust flavor from a mixture of spices and curing salts blended into ground meat like pork, beef, or both.

Some of the key characteristics of summer sausage include:

• A coarse, firm texture
• Savory, bold smoky flavor
• Tangy, acidic taste from fermentation
• Hint of garlic and black pepper seasoning
• Made from ground meat plus salt and spices
• Can be smoked or unsmoked

These flavors and textures make summer sausage perfect for pairing with full-flavored cheeses. The richness of the cheese balances out the smokiness of the sausage beautifully.

Best Cheeses for Summer Sausage

Here are some of the best cheese varieties to serve with summer sausage:

Havarti

Smooth and creamy Havarti is a excellent match for summer sausage. It has a mild, buttery flavor that highlights the sausage’s smokiness without overpowering it. Havarti also has a nice semi-soft texture that pairs well with the coarseness of the sausage.

Butterkäse

This creamy German-style cheese has a mild, tangy flavor with a subtle buttery note. Like Havarti, its smoothness contrasts nicely with summer sausage’s texture. Butterkäse allows the spices and smoke of the sausage to take center stage.

Muenster

Muenster has a mild, mellow flavor that complements smoky summer sausage beautifully. It has a creamy, smooth texture and just a hint of nuttiness. Overall, Muenster works harmoniously with summer sausage without competing for dominance flavor-wise.

Cheddar

For a cheese with more bite, turn to sharp cheddar. Its salty, tangy flavor adds a nice counterpoint to the richness of summer sausage. The sharpness of the cheddar also cuts through the sausage’s fattiness. Aged cheddar works especially well.

Swiss

With its firm texture, nutty taste, and mild sweetness, Swiss cheese is another excellent pairing for summer sausage. Its subtle flavor profile complements but doesn’t overtake the sausage. Try a Swiss with eyes for more nuanced flavor.

Pepper Jack

For some heat, pepper jack adds a fiery kick that pairs fantastically with smoky summer sausage. The cheese’s buttery flavor blends nicely with the sausage’s boldness. Just be sure to use a pepper jack that isn’t overly hot so it doesn’t overwhelm the sausage and spices.

Gouda

Gouda has a mild, creamy, slightly sweet flavor that makes it a nice match for bold summer sausage. A young gouda works well to let the sausage shine. The cheese’s signature crystallization contrasts with the sausage’s softness too.

Monterey Jack

With its medium firmness, creamy texture, and mild flavor, Monterey Jack is a mellow accompaniment to spice-rubbed or smoked summer sausage. A little tanginess cuts through the sausage’s richness as well.

Fontina

This semi-soft Italian cheese has a creamy, almost velvety texture and an ultra-smooth, mild flavor. It melts beautifully on summer sausage. The nuttiness of fontina pairs perfectly with smoky spiced sausages.

Asiago

For an assertive cheese that can stand up to summer sausage, aged Asiago is a great choice. Its sharpness offsets the sausage while adding subtle hints of hazelnut and caramel flavors. Asiago brings complexity to the pairing.

Cheeses to Avoid with Summer Sausage

On the flip side, here are some cheese varieties to avoid pairing with summer sausage:

• Fresh mozzarella – Too delicate and mild to stand up to the sausage.

• Cream cheese – Too soft and overwhelms the sausage texture.

• Goat cheese – Strong, tangy flavor clashes with the sausage spices.

• Blue cheese – Too pungent and strong; competes with the sausage.

• Brie – Too mild mannered for the bold sausage.

• Burrata – Too soft and light to complement the sausage.

• Ricotta – Chalky texture mismatches the sausage.

• Halloumi – Squeaky texture conflicts with sausage softness.

• Feta – Too crumbly and acidic against the sausage.

So skip these softer, crumbly, or super-strong cheeses. They overpower or conflict with the robust characteristics of tasty summer sausage.

Serving Ideas for Summer Sausage and Cheese

There are many creative ways to serve summer sausage with cheese:

• Cheese board – Thinly slice sausage and cheese and arrange together on a platter with crackers, fruit, mustard, nuts, and other pairings.

• Cheese and charcuterie board – Incorporate summer sausage and cheese into a board with cured meats, pickles, olives, etc.

• Appetizer rolls – Slice sausage and cheese and roll together for easy finger foods.

• Sliders – Use summer sausage, cheese, and mini rolls to make flavorful little sandwiches.

• Flatbreads – Top flatbread crusts with summer sausage, sliced cheese, and ingredients like fig jam or caramelized onions.

• Baked brie – Layer summer sausage and cheese atop a baked brie round.

• Fondue – Skewer cubes of summer sausage and dip into a cheese fondue.

• Quesadillas – Add sliced summer sausage and shredded cheese to quesadillas.

• Omelette filling – Dice up summer sausage and cheese to add smoky, meaty flavor to omelettes.

• Pasta sauce – Chop sausage and melt cheese into a creamy pasta sauce.

So get creative with how you serve this classic duo! The possibilities are endless.

What to Drink with Summer Sausage and Cheese

In terms of beverage pairings for summer sausage and cheese, here are some excellent choices:

• Red wine – A nice Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet, or Sangiovese. The tannins and fruitiness balance the richness.

• Sparkling wine – Bubbles and acidity cut through the sausage’s fattiness.

• Riesling – A touch of sweetness counters the spice and saltiness.

• Bock or Doppelbock – These malty, slightly sweet beers pair well with sausage.

• IPA – The hops bitterness contrasts nicely with the fat.

• Hard cider – Tart, refreshing cider cuts through the creamy cheese.

• Pilsner or lager – Crisp and clean flavors reset the palate.

Any beverage with good acidity or effervescence works well. Avoid heavier drinks like stouts that may overpower the sausage and cheese flavors.

Key Tips for Serving Summer Sausage and Cheese

To serve an amazing combo of summer sausage and cheese, keep these tips in mind:

• Let both sausage and cheese come to room temperature before serving to bring out the flavors.

• Slice the sausage very thinly to make it easier to eat with cheese.

• Offer a variety of cheeses so guests can taste different pairings.

• Include spicy mustards, chutneys, jams, nuts, and cured olives to complement the platter.

• When plating, make sure to contrast textures and colors for visual appeal.

• Serve plenty of sturdy crackers, baguette slices, or flatbreads for ease of eating.

• For wines, go for medium bodied reds that won’t overwhelm the sausage and cheese.

Following these suggestions will ensure your summer sausage and cheese pairing impresses both tastebuds and eyes!

Summer Sausage and Cheese as Part of a Meal

While summer sausage and cheese make a great standalone appetizer, you can also incorporate them into a larger meal:

• Breakfast or brunch – Add sliced sausage and cheese to egg casseroles or breakfast sandwiches.

• Lunch – Pile summer sausage and cheese onto sandwiches and panini.

• Dinner charcuterie course – Serve as the starter before a steak or seafood main dish.

• Tapas – Offer bites of sausage and cheese alongside Spanish tapas.

• Wine tasting dinner – Pair an assortment of cheeses and sausages with different wines.

• Salad topping – Dice them up to add meaty flavor to leafy green salads.

• Pizza – Scatter summer sausage crumbles an