Ah, Brie. The beloved French cheese that has been delighting palates for centuries! Creamy and delicious, it’s no wonder why this delicacy is so popular. But what kind of meat goes with brie? You might be surprised to know that there are actually quite a few choices out there.
Brie is a creamy French cheese that pairs well with various types of meats such as beef, chicken, turkey, chorizo and salami. These meats provide a savory and flavorful contrast to Brie’s mild, creamy texture.
For the best results, choose leaner cuts of meat for optimal flavor. Additionally, cured meats like salami can also add a complementary richness that complements the taste of Brie nicely.
Let’s take a look more closely at some of the best meats to serve with Brie.
What Meat Goes With Brie?
1. Beef
Beef and brie is a classic combination that will never go out of style. For many, the two ingredients go hand in hand – it’s a match made in heaven! When served together, their flavors combine to create something truly delicious and unique. But how exactly do you make this time-honored pairing work?
First off, it’s important to choose the right kind of beef. You have a lot of options here, so take your pick! From ribeye steak to ground meat, or even short ribs or brisket – there’s no wrong answer. Just be sure that it’s well-seasoned with salt and pepper for maximum flavor. Then, you want to cook your beef however you prefer; grilling, roasting, and pan-searing are all great options.
Next up is the cheese: Brie! Brie has an incredibly creamy texture and mild flavor that pairs wonderfully with beef; the perfect complement to the savory taste of your beef dish.
Make sure you opt for a high-quality brie cheese if possible – like an aged triple cream brie – as this will give your dish a richer and more complex flavor overall. Cut thin slices or cubes of brie and scatter them on top of your cooked beef as soon as it comes off the heat – this will allow the cheese to melt perfectly into your meal.
Finally, there are plenty of other accompaniments you can use to enhance this classic combination further: herbs like thyme or rosemary work great when sprinkled over cooked beef; crusty bread adds a nice crunch; mushrooms add umami depth; garlic adds punchy aroma; roasted vegetables provide color and texture…the possibilities are endless.
2. Chicken
Chicken is a great meat to pair with brie cheese due to its mild flavor and versatility. Whether you’re grilling, sautéing, or roasting chicken, the result will be delicious when served alongside creamy brie.
When preparing your chicken and brie dish, start by selecting a high-quality, fresh chicken such as an organic free-range bird. To maximize flavor, season it with a mix of salt and pepper or any other type of seasoning that you prefer.
Cook it in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal food safety.
Once your chicken is cooked properly and has cooled slightly, serve it thinly sliced on top of a wheel of creamy brie cheese.
To take this dish up a notch, consider adding some additional toppings like cranberries or even some chopped nuts for an extra crunchy texture. For added flavor, drizzle some honey over the entire dish before serving it with crackers or slices of baguette bread.
If you’re looking for something more exciting than just regular sliced chicken and brie, why not try making bite-sized pieces?
Start by cutting your cooked (and cooled) chicken into small cubes then skewer them onto toothpicks along with hearty cubes of brie cheese. Finally, coat them in an egg wash followed by breadcrumbs to create an appetizer that looks beautiful and tastes delicious!
3. Turkey
Another great meat to pair with brie cheese is turkey. Turkey is a leaner option than beef or chicken and can be cooked in a variety of ways to create an interesting and flavorful dish.
When preparing turkey breast, the key is to cook it slowly – either roasted or slow-cooked – to ensure that it doesn’t dry out. Season the turkey with a combination of salt and pepper, or any other herbs or spices that you prefer.
Once cooked, let the turkey cool slightly before slicing and serving it alongside creamy slices of brie cheese. To make the dish more interesting, you can add accompaniments such as cranberry sauce, pesto, and even a few strips of bacon.
For a different approach, try serving your cooked turkey in the form of a sandwich: spread some brie cheese on two slices of bread and layer with slices of turkey, lettuce, tomatoes and a drizzle of honey mustard. This combination will make for a delicious, hearty sandwich that’s sure to satisfy.
For an extra special touch, why not try combining the flavors of brie and turkey in a quiche? Start with a shortcrust pastry base, followed by a layer of thinly sliced turkey and top it off with cubes or slices of brie cheese. Bake until golden brown for a delicious and elegant meal.
No matter how you choose to serve this combination, turkey and brie always make a delectable and crowd-pleasing meal.
4. Chorizo
Chorizo and brie make an excellent combination, as the two flavors perfectly balance each other out. The slightly spicy taste of chorizo mellows out when paired with the creamy, buttery texture of brie. Furthermore, chorizo is a great way to add some extra flavor and texture to a cheese plate featuring brie.
When it comes to preparing this winning combination, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, it’s best to use fresh chorizo rather than cured or smoked varieties for optimal flavor. Then, you can either slice the sausage into thin coins or crumble it before adding it to the brie wheel. That way, you can get that delicious combination of flavors in each bite.
Another fun way to serve chorizo and brie is by making quesadillas or grilled cheese sandwiches with both ingredients. Start by sautéing the crumbled chorizo until browned and fragrant; then layer slices of brie overtop along with some freshly-chopped herbs like cilantro for extra flavor. After popping them into the oven or onto your skillet for a few minutes, you’ll have the perfect snack/
Of course, if you’d like something more elegant and traditional, consider serving up pieces of baguette spread with softened garlic butter and topped with slices of melted brie and crumbled chorizo as an appetizer. It’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.
5. Salami
Salami and brie have been a classic combination for many years, and it’s no wonder why. The creamy texture of the brie pairs perfectly with the slight snap of salami. Together they make an incredibly delicious combination that is sure to tantalize your taste buds.
The best way to experience salami with brie is to start off by selecting a quality salami. Look for salami with minimal fat content and lots of flavor — think spicy, smoky, or herbed varieties like Italian soppressata, pepperoni, or hot coppa. Then pick up some fresh brie cheese — the fresher the better.
Once you’ve acquired both of these ingredients, there are several ways to bring them together in harmony. For a simple yet flavorful snack, try slicing your salami into thin rounds and laying them atop sliced brie cheese on a cracker or baguette slice. This creates an ideal ratio of meaty and cheesy in each bite.
For something more substantial — say when entertaining guests — layer larger slices of both meats and cheeses together atop thick slices of rustic bread or crostini.
Top this off with freshly cracked black pepper and maybe some honey-drizzled dried fruits for added sweetness and texture contrast. The result will be an absolutely delicious appetizer that everyone will love.
6. Soppressata
Soppressata, a classic Italian cold cut made from cured pork and spices, is an ideal accompaniment to brie cheese. The combination of the two creates a perfect balance of saltiness, sweetness and tanginess that will tantalize any taste bud. Soppressata’s savory flavor complements the creamy texture of brie and its subtle nutty taste.
When pairing soppressata with brie, it is important not to overpower the delicate flavor of the cheese by using spicy varieties. Instead, opt for flavors such as garlic or fennel which will provide a milder enhancement to your experience.
This way, you can enjoy all the different flavor notes without one particular one standing out too strongly. For example, if you were to pair sweet soppressata with aged brie – whose natural rind adds complexity and tartness – then those two would work together perfectly in harmony.
Another tip when enjoying this delicious combo is to be sure to slice both ingredients thinly; this will help ensure that each bite contains equal amounts of meat and cheese for maximum flavor satisfaction! Additionally, serve them on crostini or crackers for added texture and crunch – it’s like having a tasty party in your mouth!
For extra oomph, try adding other ingredients into the mix such as olives, roasted peppers or even nuts (walnuts are especially nice!).
Finally, if you’re looking for a unique twist on this classic combination why not try wrapping slices of soppressata around cubes of brie? You can then heat them up ever-so-slightly until they’re warm and gooey – yum!
7. Prosciutto
Prosciutto is an Italian cured ham that pairs wonderfully with brie cheese. It has a salty, savory flavor and its distinct aroma fills a room. The ham is thinly sliced and extremely tender, making it the perfect topping for brie cheese.
When pairing prosciutto with brie, the most important thing is to find good-quality prosciutto. The flavor and texture of the ham should be top-notch. Once you’ve got the right ham, try slicing your brie into thin wedges and layering slices of prosciutto over the cheese.
You can also try rolling pieces of brie in prosciutto for a more efficient way to enjoy the two together. This can be served as an appetizer or a part of a snack platter.
If you’re looking to mix up the pairing a bit, try adding figs or apricots for additional sweetness and texture contrast. Top this off with some freshly cracked black pepper for a burst of spiciness. On the other hand, if you’re a fan of nutty flavors, you can also add walnuts or hazelnuts to the mix.
Conclusion
Brie is a wonderfully versatile cheese that pairs nicely with a variety of different meats. Whether you choose beef, chicken, turkey, chorizo, salami, soppressata, or prosciutto, you can rest assured that your pairing will be delicious. Be sure to choose leaner cuts of meat to ensure the best results.
