What Meat Goes Well With Goat Cheese? (9 Popular Pairings)

Categorized as Foodpairing
What Meat Goes Well With Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Its creamy texture, mild flavor, and tangy notes make it an excellent addition to many different meals. But what meat goes well with goat cheese?

The answer depends on your personal preference and the type of dish you’re making. From poultry to pork, there are plenty of options for pairing goat cheese with other ingredients. Here are nine popular pairings that bring out the best in each ingredient!

What Meat Goes Well With Goat Cheese?

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with a wide range of meats, including salami, prosciutto, beef, lamb, chicken and turkey. The creamy texture of goat cheese provides an excellent contrast to the rich flavor of many types of meat.

1. Salami

Salami is the perfect partner for goat cheese. Its unmistakable flavor and texture perfectly accentuate the smooth, creamy richness of soft goat cheese, making them a delicious match made in food heaven.

Not only do they work beautifully on a cheese board, but salami and goat cheese are a marriage made in culinary heaven – they are also amazing when combined together in dishes like salads and sandwiches.

With its distinctive crunchy texture when cooked, salami can take your favorite dishes to the next level. So if you’re looking for an indulgent addition to your goat cheese plate or just want something different to mix up your favorite savory meal, try pairing it with some salami – you won’t regret it.

2. Prosciutto

Prosciutto is an Italian cured ham that pairs exceptionally well with goat cheese. The saltiness of the paper-thin slices of cured Italian ham provide a perfect contrast to the creamy tang of goat cheese, resulting in an utterly mouthwatering experience.

Pair sliced prosciutto with roasted red peppers, or assemble small crostini with crumbles of succulent goat cheese and curls of salty prosciutto for a snack that won’t soon be forgotten. Piled high over salads, drizzled with vinaigrette, or tucked into omelets; this classic partnership promises to tantalize taste buds and delight the palates of all who dare to try it.

3. Filet Mignon

The pairing of Filet Mignon and Goat Cheese is truly a tantalizing treat that you won’t want to miss out on. If you choose Filet Mignon for your dish, you’ll get nothing but the most luxurious, tender and juicy cuts of steak with every bite.

As an added bonus, the naturally succulent flavour of the Filet Mignon works perfectly with the creamy tartness of goat cheese. While some suggest adding herbs or nuts to further enhance the flavours, ultimately it’s up to you how far you want to take this explosively delicious combo!

4. Beef sirloin 

Beef sirloin may sound like an odd dish to pair with goat cheese, but it makes for a surprisingly delicious mixture. When you take the bold and deep flavors of the beef sirloin and contrast them with the creamy, tangy texture of goat cheese, it really sets off a burst of flavor in your mouth that is sure to leave an impression.

And if you need something to lift up the perfect bite? Throw a few diced red onions into the mix for even more interesting taste profiles. Even if you are skeptical at first, don’t be afraid to give this unlikely combination a go – you will never look back.

5. Lamb Chops

Lamb Chops bring a delicious flavor that never disappoints when added as a meat to pair with goat cheese. It has a unique taste that isn’t overpowering and offers a more substantial base for the creamy flavor of the cheese.

Plus, there is something so delightful about enjoying these two ingredients together, the polite crunch of the chop matched with the smoothness of the cheese creates a harmonious palate explosion that no one can ignore.

The combination brings out richness in each other – it’s an experience not easily forgotten. And who knows? Perhaps pairing these two ingredients could transform lamb chops into one of your favorite main dishes.

6. Chicken Breast

Chicken breast is an often overlooked but delicious pairing with goat cheese. Not only does it come in handy for a protein-packed meal, but the tender white meat also pairs wonderfully with tangy cheeses like goat cheese to create a meal of contrasting flavors.

They make for a great option on salads, sandwiches and pizzas – anywhere you might use traditional meats and cheese, you can easily mix it up by switching more delicate poultry like chicken with flavorful soft goat cheese.

Whether enjoyed in wraps or even in macaroni and cheese, the juicy, light bite of chicken breast goes beautifully with creamy tangy goat cheese for an unexpected flavor combo that’s sure to make your tastebuds smile.

7. Pork Loin

Pork loin is another often overlooked meat when discussing what goes well with goat cheese. However, this combination is a match made in heaven! The fatty, juicy flavour of the pork pairs perfectly with the creamy and salty taste of the goat cheese.

Just sprinkle some crumbled goat cheese on top of your pork loin and bake it until golden brown in the oven. Some fresh rosemary added to this dish will help to bring out all these flavours even more.

Pork loin may not have been your first thought when looking for a delicious partner for goat cheese, but trust us – it’s a must-try!

8. Grilled Steak

Grilled steak and goat cheese is an interesting combination. Steak brings a bold flavoring with its savory char and hearty texture that perfectly complements the creamy, slightly acidic tang of goat cheese.

If you’re feeling adventurous in the kitchen, mix things up by adding a pat of goat cheese to your grilled steak just before pulling it off the heat. Not only do you get a bite packed with intense flavor, but also exposed to delightful melty goodness with every single bite.

Being creative with goat cheese and steak can really spice up any night’s dinner.

9. Sliced Turkey

Last but not least on this list of meats to pair with goat cheese is a classic favorite – sliced turkey. Turkey can be an easy option, especially when served on a cracker or crusty roll. After all, the salty and smoked flavors of turkey provide a strong counterpoint to the sharp saltiness of goat cheese, offering a wonderful interplay of both sharpness and umami.

And let’s not forget about how beautiful the two look side-by-side! You’ll be hard-pressed to find many combinations that look as gorgeous in your antipasti plate or even just on the plate itself, making it a truly eye-catching dish.

Conclusion

In conclusion, goat cheese is an incredibly versatile ingredient that pairs perfectly with a variety of meats.

From salami to prosciutto, beef sirloin to lamb chops, and chicken breast to pork loin – there are plenty of options for creating delicious dishes featuring this creamy delight. With the right combination of ingredients and flavors, you can create something truly special using goat cheese as your star ingredient.

Now it’s time to get creative in the kitchen! Try out some new recipes or reinvent old favorites by adding a bit of tangy goat cheese into the mix. I hope this article has inspired you to explore all the possibilities when it comes to pairing meat with goat cheese – happy cooking!

By Rosie Elliott

I’m Rosie. I’m a professional chef with experience in Western, Mediterranean, and Italian cuisine. I’ve been cooking for over 15 years, and I have two daughters that keep me busy!